Gantry Shear | Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Gantry Scrap Shear for Recycling
Heavy Scrap Recycling Equipment

Gantry Shear Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Shear

A high-tonnage hydraulic shear built around an overhead-beam gantry frame — engineered to size-reduce ship plate, structural steel, heavy beams, rails, and oversized ferrous scrap into controlled lengths for sorting, baling, shredding, and furnace charging.

Hydraulic Gantry Shear
600–2000 Ton
Rated Cutting Force
1.5–3.2 m
Blade Length Range
100–300 mm
Max Cutting Thickness
200–500 kW
Motor Power Range

Why Operators Specify a Gantry Shear

When incoming scrap is too thick, too long, or too rigid for alligator shears, container shears, or shredder infeeds, a hydraulic gantry shear becomes the primary cutting station. The portal-style frame distributes cutting reaction across four columns and an overhead beam, enabling consistent high-force shearing of heavy ferrous loads under continuous-duty conditions.

Overhead-Beam Gantry Frame

Welded portal structure with reinforced columns and a heavy upper beam absorbs reaction loads, maintaining blade alignment under repeated high-tonnage cutting cycles.

High Cutting Force Capacity

Hydraulic packages from 600 up to 2000 tons, sized for ship plate, heavy structural steel, rail sections, and dense scrap profiles that smaller shear types cannot economically process.

Long-Stroke Blade Geometry

Extended blade length and progressive engagement reduce peak load spikes while delivering full-stroke cuts on plate, beams, and bundled profiles.

Wear-Optimized Tooling

Alloy-steel shear blades and replaceable wear plates are selected for abrasive heavy ferrous scrap and extended production campaigns between rotations.

High-Throughput Operation

Sized hydraulic circuits, accumulator-assisted return, and synchronized hold-down rams support fast cycle times for sustained yard productivity.

Built for Heavy Yard Conditions

Robust electrical enclosures, guarded service access, and structural reinforcement make the gantry shear suitable for outdoor, dust-heavy ship-breaking and demolition environments.

Representative Specifications

The figures below illustrate typical configuration ranges for stationary hydraulic gantry shears used in ferrous scrap recycling and ship-breaking. Final ratings depend on blade design, motor power, hydraulic circuit configuration, and the maximum cross-section to be processed.

Model Cutting Force Blade Length Max Thickness Cutting Frequency Capacity Motor Power
ARZIR GS-800 800 tons 2000mm 100mm 45–60 cycles/hour 80–120 tons/hour 200 kW
ARZIR GS-1200 1200 tons 2500mm 150mm 40–55 cycles/hour 100–150 tons/hour 315 kW
ARZIR GS-1600 1600 tons 3000mm 200mm 35–50 cycles/hour 120–180 tons/hour 400 kW
ARZIR GS-2000 2000 tons 3500mm 300mm 30–45 cycles/hour 150–220 tons/hour 500 kW

How the Hydraulic Gantry Shear Works

A gantry shear coordinates multiple hydraulic cylinders within a portal frame: hold-down rams secure the workpiece, the main cutting cylinder drives a vertically guided blade through the scrap, and the overhead beam absorbs reaction force — enabling consistent shearing of heavy cross-sections.

01

Material Loading

Heavy scrap is loaded into the gantry throat by material handler, crane, or feed table; operators align the cut line within the portal frame opening.

02

Hold-Down Clamping

Hydraulic hold-down rams clamp the workpiece firmly against the lower blade seat, suppressing movement and stabilizing the cut zone.

03

Vertical Shearing Stroke

The main shear cylinder drives the upper blade downward through the scrap; the gantry beam transfers reaction load symmetrically across the columns.

04

Discharge & Reset

Cut sections fall into the discharge zone or onto a conveyor; the blade and hold-down rams retract, ready for the next feed advance.

Materials Commonly Cut With a Gantry Shear

Gantry shears are specified where incoming scrap includes heavy plate, structural sections, and oversized rigid assemblies — typical for ship-breaking yards, structural demolition flows, and large-scale ferrous recycling operations.

Ship Hull Plate
Ship Hull Plate
Structural Steel Beams
Structural Steel Beams
Rail Sections
Rail Sections
Heavy Plate Stacks
Heavy Plate Stacks
Heavy Pipe Bundles
Heavy Pipe Bundles
Demolition Steel
Demolition Steel
Boilers & Tanks
Boilers & Tanks
Mixed Heavy Ferrous
Mixed Heavy Ferrous

Where Gantry Shears Add Value

Gantry shears are positioned upstream of balers, shredders, and export logistics wherever incoming scrap is too heavy or oversized for lighter cutting equipment. Their portal frame and high cutting force make them the equipment of choice for ship-breaking, structural demolition, and large-scale ferrous recycling.

Ship-Breaking Yards

Primary cutting station for hull plate, deck sections, and heavy marine structural steel removed during vessel dismantling.

Large Ferrous Scrap Yards

Length reduction of structural beams, rails, plate, and oversized assemblies before sorting, shredding, baling, or export stowage.

Heavy Demolition & Infrastructure

On-site or depot processing of bridge steel, industrial plant structures, and high-mass assemblies recovered from infrastructure projects.

Steel Mill & Foundry Supply

Producing predictable charge lengths from heavy scrap to match furnace bucket dimensions and improve melt-shop logistics.

Pre-Shredder Cutting Stations

Upstream conditioning that reduces oversized scrap into shredder-compatible lengths, protecting hammers and infeed structures.

Port & Export Terminals

Cutting heavy scrap to denser stowage lengths for bulk vessels and containers when exporting prepared ferrous material to overseas mills.

Why the Gantry Configuration Outperforms Lighter Shears

The gantry concept is engineered specifically for heavy, repeatable, high-force cutting. Compared with mobile shears, alligator shears, or container shears, the portal frame provides structural and hydraulic advantages that translate directly into uptime and consistent cut quality.

01

Symmetrical Force Distribution

Reaction loads are shared evenly across four columns and the upper beam, reducing localized stress concentrations and minimizing frame deflection during peak cutting.

02

Stable Blade Alignment

Guided blade carriers within the rigid portal maintain precise blade-to-anvil clearance, supporting consistent shear quality and prolonged blade life.

03

Higher Cutting Capacity

Frame stiffness allows much higher cutting force ratings than alligator or container designs, enabling thick plate, beam, and rail processing without chronic stalling.

04

Long Blade, Wide Throat

Extended blade length and a generous throat opening accept oversized profiles and bundled stock, reducing the need for pre-cutting or repositioning.

05

Continuous-Duty Hydraulics

Industrial hydraulic packages with high oil cleanliness targets, large reservoirs, and efficient cooling are specified for sustained heavy cutting cycles.

06

Maintainable Wear Strategy

Replaceable blades, hold-down inserts, and wear liners are positioned for rapid service access, supporting planned maintenance windows in high-tonnage facilities.

Application Scenarios

Gantry shears are deployed across heavy-recycling industries wherever oversized ferrous scrap requires reliable, high-tonnage size reduction before further processing or export logistics.

Scrap Yards & Metal Recycling

Scrap Yards & Metal Recycling

Primary cutting station for oversized heavy ferrous receipts — reducing structural steel, beams, and dense scrap before sorting, shredding, baling, or export.

Steel Mills & Smelting Plants

Steel Mills & Smelting Plants

Producing consistent charge lengths from heavy scrap to match furnace bucket dimensions and improve melt-shop logistics and yield control.

Shipyards & Marine Industry

Shipyards & Marine Industry

Cutting hull plate, deck sections, frames, and heavy marine structural steel into manageable sizes during vessel dismantling and ship-breaking operations.

Construction & Demolition Sites

Construction & Demolition Sites

On-site or depot processing of bridge segments, industrial plant skeletons, and high-mass steel assemblies recovered from infrastructure teardowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gantry shear?

A gantry shear is a heavy-duty hydraulic scrap shear built around an overhead-beam, portal-style frame. The gantry structure resists very high reaction forces, allowing the shear to cut thick structural steel, ship plate, rails, and other oversized ferrous scrap that lighter shear types cannot process efficiently.

How does a gantry shear differ from an alligator or container shear?

Alligator shears use a hinged jaw and target lighter rebar and bar stock. Container shears handle bulky but moderately thick scrap. A gantry shear uses a portal frame and a long, vertically driven blade to deliver much higher cutting force, making it suitable for ship-breaking plate, heavy beams, and structural assemblies.

What materials can a hydraulic gantry shear cut?

Typical feedstock includes ship hull plate, structural steel beams, rails, heavy pipe, large profiles, demolition steel, oversized vehicle components, and mixed heavy ferrous scrap. Blade geometry, hold-down force, and frame rating determine the maximum cross-section that can be cut.

Where are gantry shears typically used?

Gantry shears are commonly deployed at large scrap yards, ship-breaking yards, structural demolition sites, steel mills, and metal recycling plants where incoming material is too heavy or oversized for balers, shredders, or smaller shears.

What cutting force range is typical for a gantry shear?

Industrial hydraulic gantry shears typically operate in a 600–2000 ton cutting-force range, with blade lengths from roughly 1.5 to over 3 meters. The exact rating is selected based on scrap type, target throughput, and the maximum cross-section to be cut.

How does the gantry frame improve performance?

The overhead-beam gantry frame distributes cutting reaction forces across a rigid, four-column or portal structure. This reduces frame deflection during high-force cutting, helps maintain blade clearance, and supports the long stroke required for heavy plate and beam shearing.

What maintenance practices matter most for a gantry shear?

Hydraulic oil cleanliness, cylinder seal inspection, blade gap and shimming, hold-down condition, wear plate replacement, and structural bolt torque verification are critical. Heavy scrap is abrasive and high-impact, so blade rotation and wear-part schedules should follow hours-based and tonnage-based intervals.

Can a gantry shear be integrated with conveyors and loaders?

Yes. Gantry shears are commonly fed by material handlers or cranes, with discharge supported by chutes, conveyors, or skip systems that route cut pieces to shredders, balers, sorting lines, or stockpile zones for export.

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