Ferrous metals recycling conveyor systems

American-made conveyors built for the abrasive, high-impact realities of steel and iron scrap.

Fluent Conveyors designs and manufactures conveyor systems for scrap metal recycling operations, including scrap yards, auto-shredding plants, foundries, and material recovery facilities processing ferrous scrap. Our conveyors move steel, iron, and mixed ferrous streams between receiving, sorting, shredding, magnetic separation, and baling. Built for the punishment that comes with sheared scrap, shredded steel, cast iron, and bulky demolition loads:

Engineered and manufactured in the USA for quality and fast turnaround

Fully customizable in size, layout, chain type, drive, and features

Structural steel construction sized for high-impact loading

Hardened components matched to chain pull and tonnage requirements

Integration-ready for magnetic head pulleys, overband magnets, and downstream sortation

Our ferrous metals recycling solutions

Fluent Conveyors makes the following conveyor types for ferrous scrap operations.

Roller chain conveyors

The workhorse for ferrous scrap. Hinged steel, apron pan, and Z-pan belts handle bulky scrap, sheared scrap, shredded steel, slag, and high-impact loading at pit infeeds, car shredder infeed points, and baler infeed lines.

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Flat idler conveyors

For post-shredder fines, downstream transfer of cleaner ferrous fractions, and integration points where overbelt magnets need a flat, predictable burden profile.

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Trough idler conveyors

For high-volume bulk transfer of shredded steel, fines, and processed ferrous output. The troughed profile centers the load and reduces spillage on long runs and inclines.

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Recycling Sort Stations

Manual and semi-automated picking lines for separating contaminants, copper meatballs, and off-grade material from ferrous streams before baling or downstream processing. Available in standard 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-man configurations or as custom builds.

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See our full line of conveyor solutions for more information.

Ferrous metals recycling conveyor specifications

We engineer and build ferrous scrap conveyor systems for your application. Here are general specs and options; click through to an individual conveyor page for full details.

Capacities:

9,000 to 25,000 lbs chain pull

Belt widths:

18" to 96"

Roller chain belt options:

Rubber, PVC, steel hinged, apron pan, z-pan

Chain pitch:

4", 6", 9" pitch. 12" pitch for select belts.

Rollers:

3", 4", 5" diameters

Speed:

Variable up to 200 ft/min

Inclines:

Up to 35 degrees

Drives:

5HP to 25HP, shaft mounted

Safety:

Guarding, e-stops, pull cords

Control:

PLCs, HMIs, custom control systems

Our conveyor manufacturing process

Our ferrous metals recycling conveyors are designed and manufactured in the USA to CEMA standards and tolerances.

Formed using heavy duty steel plate, rectangular tubing, and structural channel

Precision components such as cold-rolled steel shafts and flame-hardened sprockets

All hardware is grade 8 for maximum strength

Painted with industrial-grade powder coating for durability

Designed for simple maintenance access and component serviceability

Goodyear, Flexco belt options resistant to rips, tears, and impacts

Baldor, Leeson, Toshiba TEFC motors selected for 24/7 operation

All systems fabricated by certified welders for structural integrity.

ASTM A36 steel for fabrication per structural code

Premium bearings sized for L10 life ratings, made in USA

Dodge, Nord, SEW drives matched to application torque

Extensively tested and inspected prior to shipment

3/16" and 1/4" thick structural steel frames to prevent flexing

25-35 pound rail track to withstand heavy loads

Our ferrous metals recycling conveyors deliver exceptional durability, strength, and longevity, year after year.

Fluent Conveyors | Leadership in Industrial Conveyors Background

About the ferrous metals recycling industry

Ferrous scrap is the most-recycled material stream in the United States by tonnage. The economics rest on one principle: the cleaner the bale, the better the price. Conveyor systems are the movement layer that determines how cleanly scrap arrives at the magnet, the picking line, and the baler. A few realities shape industry profitability:

Mills pay by grade

ISRI specifications define No. 1 HMS, No. 2 HMS, shredded steel, and prepared scrap; copper contamination and excess rust trigger penalties that come straight off your margin.

EAFs run on scrap

Worldsteel data shows electric arc furnaces can use up to 100% scrap charge, while the blast furnace route uses around 30%.

The US recycles 80–90% of its ferrous scrap

USGS reports this rate has held across the past decade, with end-of-life vehicles serving as the largest source of old scrap.

Magnetic separation is only as good as the belt under it

Burden depth, belt speed, and a stable mono-layer feed determine how much ferrous you actually recover.

Operations supplying mills and foundries benefit from conveyors built for the steel industry. Engineering your conveyor systems to ferrous scrap conditions protects bale grades, keeps shredders and balers fed, and extends the life of expensive downstream equipment.