200ft Long Conveyor. Can this be scrapped?

A friend of mine has "given" me a 200ft long conveyor (3 feet wide) that was used for transporting rocks over a highway. The conveyor is enclosed by an aluminum shell (about the same size as a shipping crate) and is held up with thick metal beams (about 15ft off the ground).

Assuming that the recycling company can disassemble and transport this stuff, do you think it I could turn a profit?

3 sides of 200x8 sq ft aluminum siding = 4800 sq ft. A quick google search shows that aluminum siding is .5 lbs per square foot, so that would be 2400lbs.
6 15' metal beams and 1 200x8 3 inch thick floor (im guessing this is steel?)

Also, would it be worth it to sell this conveyor or scrap it? If so, where can I sell it? I found some aggregate conveyors for sale online that are going for $15K+ for 50ft sections.

Thanks!

*** EDIT: A few questions:

1. How much do you think this conveyor is worth? How can I sell it? Would it be worth it to transport it for storage?
2. Can I sell the aluminum casing and the beams for scrap? Would a recycling company disassemble and transport this scrap? Would it be profitable?

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Originally Posted by emd023

A friend of mine has "given" me a 200ft long conveyor that was used for transporting rocks over a highway. The conveyor is enclosed by an aluminum shell (about the same size as a shipping crate) and is held up with thick metal beams (about 15ft off the ground).

I am new at this scrapping thing. Can this conveyor be scrapped? I dont really know where to start here. My local recycling company has several very large trucks that should be able to transport everything; however, I am not really sure where to begin regarding the disassembly. Will the recycling company be able to disassemble such a large structure? Would it be profitable? Any information you can provide will be much appreciated!

Thanks!

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Hi and welcome to the forum. Before scrapping are you sure it cannot be sold? Parting it out or selling it whole (whether it works or for parts) will bring you a much higher return.

Somebody elses dilemma would be a gift from heaven to me..lol

After a quick Ebay search - a 200 foot used "heavy duty" conveyor belt start at around about $600 ( this all depends on what type of belt you have ) .
Personally, I would look at selling the parts before cutting the conveyor system apart.
Ideally the whole thing might be able to be taken apart and sold as one unit ( I do not know what condition the conveyor system is in, and can not even guess at it's resale value )

As others have said try to salvage what you can for resale. But to answer your question....Hell yeah it can be scrapped, anything can. Sawzall would make short work of the aluminum, its what I use for cutting up semi trailers. Acetylene torch to cut up the steel, or unbolt it if its practical.

But I could also see a use for a large aluminum square box. Would make a killer storage shed. Profitable, also yes! If its free and youre willing to work and have some equipment.

I can look into selling it but how would I transport and store it? Where could I sell it? And would the conveyor casing and supports yield a profit? Will a recycling company disassemble and transport the scrap?

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Originally Posted by emd023

I can look into selling it but how would I transport and store it? Where could I sell it? And would the conveyor casing and supports yield a profit? Will a recycling company disassemble and transport the scrap?

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Some recycling companies will pick up large loads, none will disassemble something for you. If you want a good price you'll have to put in work. For transport use google. For where to sell parts ebay and to repair shops. For storage google storage and your town or put it in your driveway while you disassemble it. For profit go look at the parts and see what they sell for on-line. That will also tell you some potential buyers for them.

what do you think it weighs?

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Originally Posted by JJinLV

Some recycling companies will pick up large loads, none will disassemble something for you. If you want a good price you'll have to put in work. For transport use google. For where to sell parts ebay and to repair shops. For storage google storage and your town or put it in your driveway while you disassemble it. For profit go look at the parts and see what they sell for on-line. That will also tell you some potential buyers for them.

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Put a 200ft long conveyor in my driveway? Lol

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Originally Posted by hobo finds

what do you think it weighs?

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Looking at other models online, I found that a 16" wide by 50' long conveyor weighs 750lbs. This conveyor is 40" wide and 200' long so im guessing it would weigh at least 3000lbs. Im not sure about how much the scrap would weigh. I believe the aluminum siding would be around 2500 lbs.

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Originally Posted by emd023

Put a 200ft long conveyor in my driveway? Lol

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Well it's gonna have to be partially disassembled for you to move it at all.

You could have a yard come out and give you a price for it as is. Price will be the lowest, if you could remove the clean aluminum and then sell the rest as dirty aluminum that would be your best bet. Do you have a way to transport large items to the scrap yard? If not hope they will come out and get it as is and pay you a little for it and be done and move on to the next one! If you get this from your friend post some pics so we can see and try to help with the breakdown process.

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Originally Posted by JJinLV

Some recycling companies will pick up large loads, none will disassemble something for you. If you want a good price you'll have to put in work. For transport use google. For where to sell parts ebay and to repair shops. For storage google storage and your town or put it in your driveway while you disassemble it. For profit go look at the parts and see what they sell for on-line. That will also tell you some potential buyers for them.

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I have to disagree with some of you statement. There are scrap yards that do demolition and decommissioning jobs. You are of course going to pay for this in one way or another.

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Originally Posted by mthomasdev

I have to disagree with some of you statement. There are scrap yards that do demolition and decommissioning jobs. You are of course going to pay for this in one way or another.

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Totally. I was thinking only in the context if 'free'. You're right.

Welcome to SMF. I have been reluctant to reply because of the number of variables that have not been identified. This would be a very educational project, if you have a future interest in scrap metal. If you are only after a buck you are better off letting it go because it will not be easy or quick.

The most profitable strategy has been identified, sell it for more than scrap metal value. First I would contact the foreman that last used it and find out the history (who made it, was it working when shut down, who erected it, carrying capacity, speed, etc.) Next is it powered by electricity (one, two, or three phase), diesel, or gasoline. If the power no longer works this would not be a deal breaker because its future use will dictate the type of power and the horsepower needed. What kind of condition is the belt (mat) in, what is it composed of, and what is the replacement cost? Then I would brain storm who might benefit from this type of equipment (multi-story roofing companies, gravel pits, construction companies, etc.) A construction company hauling materials via stairs up five stories (1-1 rise) would benefit from this and have the knowledge and ability to disassemble it and rebuild it to their specifications. A horse rancher moving square bales to a loft would be in the same position. The list is endless.

Now as far as scrapping it you made reference to a square ft. of aluminum weighing .5 lbs. You did not state the gauge of the material nor the aluminum composition. Both of these elements will impact the weight. In addition, a scrap yard will probably try to buy it at sheet aluminum price. A conveyor system for rocks would not be using typical sheet aluminum and if you know the composition you can negotiate a better price. Personally I have not seen a rock conveyor belt made of aluminum, most that I have seen were stainless steel or steel plate. Asking the yard to use their metal gun on a sample will let them know you are educated and know your metal, thus a better price. Hint: different stainless steel compositions bring different prices and knowing what you have is a game changer.

Now to answer your question, yes it has value as scrap or reused. The saying: The more you learn, the more you know applies here. One person could scrap it and make a little over $ 400 based on your figures. With more education another scrapper might get twice as much. An entrepreneur could make a lot more through creativity without lifting a finger.

Do you have any pictures? Since it's in my state, I might have some ideas of who you might contact if I could see it.

I agree with Patriot 100%. There are a lot of unknowns and variables, and money can be made. It's a matter of how and effort required. Issues also are timeframe, storage, and transportation.

The unit should be able to be disassembled. My guess is 12 or 20 ft. Sections. The belt will be heavy. There will be multiple bearing sets and steel rollers. You'll need tools , equipment, and help.

It depends on timeframe, to scrap or sell, and therefore how much work is required on your behalf. If you have to move it pronto, get some bids from appropriate people. If you can sit on it, you have more options.

A lot of unknowns here. You are most knowledgable in your capacity/limitation. Money can be made, but will require either mental or physical means to pursue. It will have to be broken down none the less by somebody.

Alright so I got a few pics. A few things I forgot to mention:

The conveyor crosses over a highway and a railroad track. I believe that I will need to obtain a permit to be able to remove the structure. I also assume that I will need a crane and a few trucks to haul this away. I will also need to find a place to store this conveyor while I can scrap the sides, floor, and beams. Do you think the profits from the scrap will be able to cover the demo and moving costs for this structure?

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

No. Run away unless you want to enter into an entirely different business.

The owner will have to pay a company who has the equipment, insurance to take on such a job.

Can you imagine what would happen if you dropped it on the highway and the rail road? 73, Mike

Additionally after looking one more time at the photos I see there are power lines going under and adjacent to it. Scrap value has no real part of the removal of this thing. Mike

What miked said. A million times what miked said!

Why do the rocks move over the road?

Seems to me that this structure is the Highway Department and the Rail Roads problem. The structure has been demoed right up to the "right of way" of both. Unless there is some legal agreement for removal towards the land owner, leave it be. Who ever removes it will not see profit in scrap in any shape of form. Its a money and paper work hole. Run away

MikeD and Spaceball on right on the money. If this was not a money hole, the RR, DOT, or power company would tackle it. They have the equipment, man power, resources, and a network to obtain the permits. This was alluded to in the first paragraph of my post: "If you are only after a buck you are better off letting it go because it will not be easy or quick." I have done many crazy large projects that others would not tackle and would turn this down.

The aluminum sheets are evident in the pictures but look like they were cosmetic additions instead of part of the conveyor.

Let me start off with some background on my full time job. I am a structural engineer and work for the DOT on all aspects of brides including demolition and replacements.
This project is a nightmare. You will need permits from the DOT. you will most likely need to submit stamped engineering drawings to them. You will be responsible for traffic control. If you thought that was bad, the RR is 100 times worse. Again, stamped engineering drawings to them. They charge you to review them. You will have to pay for railroad flagging. You will need railroad protective insurance in an amount determined by the railroad. You will be only allowed to work when they say so.
My best advice is to run as fast as you can. This job will cost the owner anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000.

After looking at the pictures ... that is a legal nightmare !!!
Unless you are being paid a lot of money - run very far away!

You will have to deal with the Department Of Transportation in your state, the railroad company, and the electric company !

From the pictures, I'll first say this is not quite the type of conveyor I'm looking for. Second, I'm in total agreement with everyone else. This is not a scrap job, this is construction demo job. Either the county or KDOT will have to agree to close the road, a crane will be needed, and on and on. There are times that the most profitable job is the job to either walk or run away from. This is one of those jobs. You will find another profitable job that will be safer, easier, and have less problems making money than this one. However, I'll have to give you props for even considering a job this size. So, keep looking!!

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Originally Posted by emd023

I can look into selling it but how would I transport and store it? Where could I sell it? And would the conveyor casing and supports yield a profit? Will a recycling company disassemble and transport the scrap?

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411 let your fingers do the walking under cranes and transportation.

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Originally Posted by miked

No. Run away unless you want to enter into an entirely different business.

The owner will have to pay a company who has the equipment, insurance to take on such a job.

Can you imagine what would happen if you dropped it on the highway and the rail road? 73, Mike

Additionally after looking one more time at the photos I see there are power lines going under and adjacent to it. Scrap value has no real part of the removal of this thing. Mike

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Rent it out for Billboards.

Billboard Advertising Costs. In my home city of Boston (Go Sox!), bulletins range from $11,000 - $23,000 per 4 weeks. In sunny San Diego, bulletins range from $8,400 - $15,000 per 4 weeks. In Midwestern Milwaukee, bulletins range from $3,000 - $4,000 per 4 weeks

http://i.imgur.com/G5DITJc.png

https://s26.postimg.org/iy3axb5rt/Sc...9_22-19-10.png

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Originally Posted by miked

No. Run away unless you want to enter into an entirely different business.

The owner will have to pay a company who has the equipment, insurance to take on such a job.

Can you imagine what would happen if you dropped it on the highway and the rail road? 73, Mike

Additionally after looking one more time at the photos I see there are power lines going under and adjacent to it. Scrap value has no real part of the removal of this thing. Mike

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This 100%. Run away fast.

If a friend gave this to you, you need better friends.

I have a convener system from a supermarket But it's broken and after 6 years it's sit's under a tarp & One day will I take apart to get at the AL parts ?? LOL
Your situation is COMPLETELY different The scrapping aspect is a casual given of icing on the cake income, but not the source to pay for the project
That is a job all by it self - My view is the payment for a project should be as such that with out scrapping you'd want to do project. Reality is I don't think you could even get a permit unless your bonded for like 1 or 2 million It's sits there cause it's gonna cost $300,000 to remove if not more

I've thought you should run away from this conveyor from your very first post. There's a reason it's still there and it's obvious you aren't able to take on a project this big.

I think you should try and scrap smaller things that would fit in the back of a pickup before you get yourself or someone else seriously hurt or worse.

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Originally Posted by alloy2

Rent it out for Billboards.

Billboard Advertising Costs. In my home city of Boston (Go Sox!), bulletins range from $11,000 - $23,000 per 4 weeks. In sunny San Diego, bulletins range from $8,400 - $15,000 per 4 weeks. In Midwestern Milwaukee, bulletins range from $3,000 - $4,000 per 4 weeks

http://i.imgur.com/G5DITJc.png

https://s26.postimg.org/iy3axb5rt/Sc...9_22-19-10.png

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Advertise your scrap metal and ewaste removal service on it!