How a Tire Shredding Machine Works: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide

Waste tires are tough. Their job is to survive harsh conditions for thousands of miles. So, how do you break them down for recycling?

The answer is a tire shredding machine. It’s the heavy-duty heart of the tire recycling industry. This guide will show you the entire process of the rubber tire shredder. We’ll go step-by-step, from a whole tire to a valuable rubber chip. You’ll see exactly how this powerful machine works.

Step 1: The Infeed – Loading the Tires

The process starts with loading. Whole tires or cut tire scraps are placed on a strong conveyor belt. This belt carries them up and into the shredder’s hopper.

A good infeed system is steady and safe. It feeds the tire shredding machine at a consistent rate. This prevents jams and keeps the operation running smoothly.

Note: Whether to feed whole tires or rubber chunks depends on the shredder model and tire size. Please consult us for specifics.

Step 2: The Shredding Chamber – Where the Work Happens

The tire drops from the conveyor into the shredding chamber. This is the core of the tire shredding machine.

Inside, two steel shafts rotate slowly towards each other. Each shaft is fitted with thick, hard-faced steel blades.

• High Torque, Low Speed: The machine uses immense rotational force (torque). It doesn’t rely on speed. This allows it to grab a tire and pull it in without stalling.
• Shearing and Tearing: As the shafts turn, the blades grip the tire. They shear and tear it apart into rough strips. This action easily handles the thick rubber and internal steel wires.

The quality of the shafts and blades determines the machine’s performance and lifespan.

Step 3: The Output – Sized Rubber Chips

The torn pieces of the tire fall through the gaps between the blades. The size of these final chips depends on the blade width. Typical output sizes range from 50mm to 150mm.

What comes out is a mix of rubber, steel, and fiber. This material falls onto an output conveyor below the tire shredding machine. It is now ready for the next stage.

Step 4: The Final Product – TDF and Beyond

The shredded material is now a valuable commodity. These rubber chips are called Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF). TDF is used as a fuel source in many industries, such as cement kilns and industrial boilers. It burns hotter and often cleaner than coal.

What’s more, this material is also the first step for further processing. After shredding, the tire grinding and screening system can separate the steel and fiber. The pure rubber can then be ground down into smaller granules for use in asphalt, playgrounds, and new rubber products.

The tire shredding machine makes all of this possible. It takes a large waste problem and turns it into a manageable, useful product. By reducing the tire’s volume, it also makes storage and transportation easier and more cost-effective.

Choosing the right industrial tire shredder is crucial for any recycling operation. The machine’s capacity, power, and build quality directly affect your results. If you have questions about the shredding process or need assistance selecting the right tire shredding equipment, our team is here to help!