Scap Yard Tutorial

I would like to have a tutorial or a video on a guide to the scrap yard.I have NEVER driven across the scale with a load of scrap:)) so I have questions that I want to ask because YES I am new and could be stupid because it seems so easy to do.I have watched videos of people going to the yard,going across the scales,shows the weight then they drive off to unload the metal.Next I see them driving back across the scale to get the difference in weight and then go and park and walk to go get their receipt and money so that causes me to ask the questions.Bare with me as I learn the process.

For a new guy this is all fun and new even though I hear the prices are low,I see it as free part time money regardless and it is sort of exciting finding goodies.Here are my questions.Thanks in advance

QUESTIONs

The receipt I have seen in videos shows the amount they are given for each type of metal..How did the yard know what (type of)metals they had when I seen the persons unloading it with no scrap employees around to know what type of metal was unloaded.

Do you take both your ferrous and non ferrous across the scale(seen a guy do this on YouTube)and unload the ferrous first and then unload the non? seems he was double dipping if that is so

What if I only have aluminum and bare bright,#1,#2 only..just go straight to the floor scale?

Mr Steve

If you have a yard in mind I would give them a call and ask what they are paying and tell them what you are bringing down. They should be happy to answer any of your questions and be able to tell you a price. the yard I went to today is a back into a loading dock and drag or roll your stuff to a scale since they only buy non ferrous, there is a drive on scale used by semi trucks off to the side. I try and sort and clean my stuff and make a guesstimate what it will bring. Another yard I use is a drive on scale for ferrous items, unload onto the pile, drive back on scale and then you can unload other items like aluminum etc. Good Luck

From my experience, the drive on scale is only for ferrous. There is usually a separate building for non-ferrous. Everything taken there gets weighed with a floor scale. Best thing to do is just walk into the office and ask. This is not uncommon because every yard does operate a bit differently. If the staff is not helpful and friendly, that might be a signal to find a different yard.

There should be signs telling you where to go once you enter the yard.

Thanks for the replies

If the truck ahead of you has a similar load just keep an eye on where he goes to unload, Before leaving the scale wait for a thumbs up from the scale man he'll either wave you off or give instructions over a loud speaker mounted near the scale some scales use red lights to stop with green to proceed.

Approach the scale and enter at a reasonably slow speed and don’t hammer your brakes stopping, this applies for when your loaded and empty. Some yards require that you obtain a high visibility safety vest and a hard hat which you would get from the office before proceeding into the yard.

Most yards will not let you smoke a cigarette even outdoors.

Take a minute and look at your yard using google earth it will give you an over all view of the yard and its flow. You should be able to determine if you go to the ferrous or non ferrous drop points first. If it's a bigger yard they may have an explanation on there website.

I can only tell you how our yard works.

when I see a vehicle pull onto the scale I write their heavy weight down. then I ask them what they have after they pull off. Most times you can tell a truck is full of steel.

If they have steel i direct them to the steel pile. If they have AL siding I tell them to put it in a hopper, same with large amounts of AL extrusion, AL cans, rotors, etc. Then they pull back on the scale and I get their empty weight.

The scale is used for one type of metal at a time. I don't know how other yards work if no worker comes out to eyeball the scrap. some yards might require all steel outside and everything else inside but I dont know how they wold handle 1000 lbs of siding.

OP, if a truck has 2 types of metal, the first two numbers are for their first weighed item like steel and then the third weight is for the second item. So, three trips across the scale: weigh in, unload steel, weigh in for empty weight of first item. Unload second item and go back across the scale for the empty weight from second item. the second number is the empty weight of first item and beginning of heavy weight for second item.

This forum is really cool and so is the help!..Thank you kindly

Every yard is different. My recommendation would be to get on the scale, wait for their signal that they have your weight and then either go to the scale house or speak with a yard employee and tell them that this is your first trip to their yard and ask what there procedures are? At that point, they may ask what you have and take a look at it. Keep in mind that as your first time to this yard and specifically, your first time (newbie) to any yard, you won't know all the categories that they separate into / buy. If you have mixed loads or buckets, they will probably buy at the cheapest item that you have in that bucket verses taking the time to explain the different grades. You will learn these things over time, buy viewing the forum here and watching what others at the yard are selling.

You have received some great advice from other members. The most valuable piece of information you have been provided is that every yard is different, just as each member of the forum has their own system. I have used seven yards and they were all different.

This is what worked for me when I first started. I went into the yard in person without a load. After meeting the office staff and asking lots of questions, I asked to visit with the non ferrous manager. More questions and answers then I was introduced to his lead man for weighing and sorting. More questions and more information. This was followed with an introduction to the lead man in the yard. More questions and answers. The entire time I was able to observe other individuals unloading, yard procedures, and learned about some of the personalities of the employees.

There are two benefits to this strategy. Beyond the knowledge gained you will be making contacts and relationships. The employees were happy to share their expertise especially if you are truly interested. The more you interact with them then the better the relationship. This pays huge dividends in the long run. If the employees are not interested in sharing their knowledge, find another yard.

I have 1 yard I go to, to sell my shred. They have a drive on scale and the guys at the scale house always want me to open the back doors so they can see what I have. Since they don't speak a lot of English I usually just say "Shred, no crt's, no circuit boards and 10 printers" and he points me to the shred pile.

Always remember 1 vehicle at a time on the scales. :)

I'm sure you know better but I've seen it happen several times. It never fails that everyone behind the second vehicle on the scales will pull forward so the second vehicle cannot back up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newattitude

I can only tell you how our yard works.

when I see a vehicle pull onto the scale I write their heavy weight down. then I ask them what they have after they pull off. Most times you can tell a truck is full of steel.

If they have steel i direct them to the steel pile. If they have AL siding I tell them to put it in a hopper, same with large amounts of AL extrusion, AL cans, rotors, etc. Then they pull back on the scale and I get their empty weight.

The scale is used for one type of metal at a time. I don't know how other yards work if no worker comes out to eyeball the scrap. some yards might require all steel outside and everything else inside but I dont know how they wold handle 1000 lbs of siding.

OP, if a truck has 2 types of metal, the first two numbers are for their first weighed item like steel and then the third weight is for the second item. So, three trips across the scale: weigh in, unload steel, weigh in for empty weight of first item. Unload second item and go back across the scale for the empty weight from second item. the second number is the empty weight of first item and beginning of heavy weight for second item.

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thats how it works at the yard i use as well.

I agree with everybody else, all yards are different. I would like to add that you should do your best to learn what you have and what it is worth. Good luck and Happy Scrappin! Mike

I feel that its a good thing you are asking these questions, most times a new person goes to the yard and figures it out the hard way. Either a bad experience with personnel or bad prices as they lumped your stuff together to pay the lowest. Either way take the knowledge you learn here and apply it, your yard may differ on many things that have been said here, but at least you will feel confident when you get there. Ask questions of the yard as well. How they want things and such. If they say an item is such and you think it should be something different make sure you speak up... good luck and post how your 1st trip goes!

Hi Mr. Steve,
The yard I use pays different prices for sheet steel ( light iron) such as computer cases etc. and for heavy steel such as brake rotors and drums etc.
That is where I get weighed 3 times. Full load- then offload one category, proceed to scale then offload the opposite, then finally weighed empty of ferrous.
For non ferrous ( copper, aluminum, brass...) they have a separate area that is inside the building that you can back up to then unload your scrap and wheel it to the scale. Youy get the most money if you separate
your scrap properly . My yard gives me more for insulated wire when the ends ( plugs) are cut off. Then I sell them the ends separately. Cut all the fittings off your copper pipe
so that you just have the pipe without any solder joints- instant price upgrade. Sell the solder jointed copper separate.
I also have been cashing in lately a lot of ski poles, Softball bats and aluminum crutches with all the plastics removed = clean aluminum= more money per pound.
Even though the market is way down I am still scrapping- just make less trips . Right now I am sitting on a few thousand pounds of ferrous, insulated copper, brass etc in hopes the market will rise in spring ( yea, I know but I have to have hope :)
Have fun and be careful out there.
Kalvlin in CT

Also, You may need your driver license or state ID and know your license plate number when you go to the pay window.

Great advise from everyone.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that the drive on scales at most yards work both in(heavy) and out (light). So traffic goes in both directions make sure you're not messing up the flow in and out, wait your turn. 73, Mike

I also tell the pay out girl what truck I was in and what I dropped off, for the large scale. Some times the person in the yard told her wrong and she calls them back and fixes it, mostly with different types of steel. And several times I had to tell her, no it was steel... not extruded aluminum (even though the cash would have been great).