If you need robust primary shredding for tires, rubber, and other bulky waste, a twin-shaft shredder is the foundational machine of any recycling line. The two counter-rotating shafts, fitted with interlocking cutting discs, work with high torque and low speed, tearing the whole tire into chips of 50–150 mm without clogging and without vibration.
Unlike high-speed shredders, a twin-shaft shredder develops enormous cutting force at low rpm, exactly what steel-reinforced rubber requires. The removable knives, bolted on, are quick to change, and the lower screen controls the final chip size. See the full range of recycling equipment and where each piece fits into the flow.
Key Advantages of a Twin-Shaft Tire Shredder
• High torque, low speed, a twin-shaft shredder develops a large cutting force at low rpm, ideal for rubber reinforced with steel wire.
• Removable knives, the cutting discs are bolted on and replaced individually, without changing the whole assembly, reducing maintenance cost.
• Automatic reversal on jam, the system detects overload and reverses the direction of the shafts, releasing the jammed material and protecting the transmission.
• Calibration screen, the lower screen controls the chip size; you change it depending on the product required by the next stage.
• Robust construction, housing and shafts sized for heavy, continuous duty, with resistance to hard and abrasive materials.
• Versatile primary shredding, besides tires, it processes industrial rubber, thick plastic, wood, and other bulky waste.
• Simple feeding, the wide mouth accepts whole passenger-car tires and pieces of large pre-cut tires.
• Controlled consumption, the low speed and the efficient transmission keep the energy consumption per ton at a reasonable level for industrial duty.
Technical Specifications, Twin-Shaft Shredder
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Twin-shaft shredder (dual axis), high torque and low speed |
| Feedstock | Car, truck, OTR tires; rubber, thick plastic, wood |
| Chip size | 50–150 mm, depending on the screen |
| Knives | Removable discs, bolted on, individually replaceable |
| Jam protection | Automatic direction reversal on overload |
| Calibration | Interchangeable lower screen |
| Drive | Electric, with power reducer |
| Components | With CE marking where applicable |
| Capacity | Configurable per project |
Applications and Industries for Primary Tire Shredding
A twin-shaft shredder is the first stage in almost any tire recycling line. The 50–150 mm chips it produces can be sold directly as TDF (tire-derived fuel) to cement plants or sent further toward rasping and granulation. For a recycler, this machine turns the bulky tire into a material that is easy to transport and process.
Industrial shredding equipment must meet the safety requirements of the European Union; a twin-shaft shredder delivered in Europe is compliant with the requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery.
Versatility makes the twin-shaft shredder a useful machine beyond tires: it shreds industrial rubber, thick plastic, wood, bulky municipal waste, and much more, simply by changing the screen and adjusting the regime. For an operator processing mixed flows, a single twin-shaft tire shredder can cover several types of waste, which increases the utilization of the investment and day-to-day flexibility.
For investors starting a recycling business, primary shredding is also the step with the greatest impact on logistics: a whole tire takes up an enormous volume and is expensive to transport, while chips are easy to handle and store. Reducing the volume right at the first stage lowers transport costs, frees up storage space, and allows consistent feeding of the next stages, which translates directly into higher productivity across the whole line.
Compatible Materials
A twin-shaft shredder is designed for hard, bulky, and abrasive materials. Very large tires are pre-cut before feeding, and the knives and screen are chosen according to the type of material and the desired final size. The robust construction allows it to move from one type of waste to another without complicated adjustments.
| Accepted material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Car and truck tires | Whole or pre-cut for large sizes |
| Industrial rubber | Conveyor belts, profiles, rubber waste |
| Thick plastic | Drums, pallets, profiles, bales |
| Wood and bulky waste | Pallets, crates, large municipal waste |
How It Works
The flow through a twin-shaft shredder is simple, robust, and easy to automate:
1. The material is fed into the wide mouth of the shredder, manually, with a grab, or with a belt.
2. The two counter-rotating shafts grip and pull the material between the interlocking cutting discs.
3. The high torque and low speed tear the material without clogging, even steel-reinforced rubber.
4. On overload, the system automatically reverses the direction of the shafts, releases the material, and resumes cutting.
5. The lower screen retains pieces that are too large and returns them between the knives until they reach the required size.
6. The calibrated chips are discharged onto a belt, ready for sale as TDF or for further processing.
Changing the screen quickly modifies the output size, without major intervention. A continuously monitored twin-shaft shredder maintains a consistent throughput and quickly brings new operators to stable results, a real advantage in plants with staff turnover. The control system flags overloads, counts the operating hours, and allows safe stopping for knife changes, so planned maintenance is done without surprises and without long production stoppages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are the chips produced by a twin-shaft shredder?
Typically 50–150 mm, depending on the fitted screen. For smaller chips you change the screen, and oversized material is automatically recirculated between the knives until it reaches the required size. These chips can be sold directly as TDF or sent toward rasping and granulation for finer fractions. The uniformity of the chips at the outlet is important, because consistent material makes all the next stages work more efficiently and with less wear.
Why a twin-shaft shredder and not a high-speed one?
Because primary tire shredding requires force, not speed. A twin-shaft shredder develops high torque at low rpm, which lets it tear steel-reinforced rubber without jamming, with reduced knife wear and controlled consumption. High-speed shredders suit other, lighter materials.
What capacity and what sizes are available?
The machine is sized according to your throughput and the type of tires processed, from compact models up to units for continuous industrial duty. The feeding mouth, the power, and the screen are chosen together, so the twin-shaft shredder matches exactly the next stage in the line.
Is the delivered equipment new?
Yes. We deliver new, unused equipment, built to order, not refurbished units. The construction uses components from established suppliers, with CE marking where applicable, and every machine undergoes a complete inspection before shipping. You receive the technical documentation and operating manuals in your language, for a commissioning without surprises.
What makes URSTAG a premium brand?
European design, top-tier components and experience. Every machine is designed by our engineering teams in Europe and built from components by industry leaders such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli. The result is reliable, energy-efficient and durable equipment, backed by over 15 years of experience and by delivery, installation, training and service included.
How long does installation and commissioning take?
Transport, commissioning, and operator training are included and carried out by a local team, in your language. Before shipping, the machine undergoes a complete inspection, so your unit becomes operational quickly, with no hidden installation costs.
Can I use the same shredder for other waste too?
Yes. A twin-shaft shredder also processes industrial rubber, thick plastic, wood, or bulky municipal waste, by changing the screen and adjusting the regime. This versatility makes it useful in plants that manage mixed flows, not just tires, and increases the utilization of the investment.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
