There are so many threads on here about this topic and the general rule of thumb is what your time is worth. If $ .25 of wire can be recovered in less than a minute. it is worth it to this scrapper. That is $ 15.00/ hour twice the minimum wage and there is no boss staring down the neck.
Now as far as other things to collect off a vehicle. Once again the $ .25 / min. rule applies. Can the bucket seats be resold, windshield. wheels, tires, etc. The strategy that is recommended is list items from a vehicle for resell before picking it up. When you pick it up you know what to keep and what is not worth the time. Example the old Ram head from Dodge pickups can sell for $ 15.00 each. Worth disassembly. Trim work, tail lights, etc. from muscle cars are highly prized.
To sum it up, are you a turn and burn scrapper trying to move metal as fast as you can. If so, not worth it. Are you a part time scrapper that enjoys learning how things work, likes to make things from scrap, and looks for a little extra cash it might be worth it to take your time.
Since I am a full time scrapper this is my strategy. When a new vehicle is received, it is listed for resell. Research is done on what years different parts will fit. If a friend is known that has a similar vehicle, parts will be offered to them. This is done free of charge because scrap value is pennies to the dollar and every friend you help out has ten more friends that they will recommend give you a call.
A half hour is devoted under the hood for the essentials. Ten minutes for the cat. If it has an aluminum transmission, half hour is devoted to this. What ever time is needed for resell items or parts for friends. Five minutes to empty fluids, the method has been explained on other threads. 20 minutes to load it on the trailer. This recipe produces a minimum of $ 30.00 per hour including the hour it takes to haul it to the scrap yard. Luck plays a part. The cabs and roofs can be crushed allowing the ability to haul four to five vehicles at a time to the scrap yard. After expenses, SS, taxes, and buying the vehicle it is break even. But just think of all of the fun I had and it did not cost me a nickel.
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