ZL-PC400 Plastic Drum Crusher 7.5kW for 200L Drums & IBC Totes | ZILLION
Industrial drum recycling requires specialized handling for the thick walls and rigid geometry of 200L drums. The ZL-PC400 Plastic Drum Crusher delivers 400-500 kg/h throughput with rotor geometry calibrated for drum processing, including the unique requirements of thick HDPE/PP walls and rigid cylindrical shapes.
| Model | ZL-PC400 | Power | 7.5 kW (10 HP) |
| Voltage | 3-Phase 380V / 50Hz (Customizable: 220V/415V/440V) | Motor Speed | 1480 rpm |
| Capacity | 400-500 kg/h | Feed Opening | 380 x 320 mm |
| Rotating Blades | 15 pcs SKD-11 | Fixed Blades | 4 pcs SKD-11 |
| Screen Hole | 8-14 mm (customizable) | Net Weight | 450 kg |
| Machine Size (L x W x H) | 1200 x 850 x 1400 mm | Crushing Chamber | 410 x 340 mm |
| Material Compatibility | PET, PP, PE, PVC, ABS, PS, PC, PMMA | Noise Level | max 86 dB |
| Warranty | 1 year (consumables excluded) | Certifications | CE / ISO 9001:2015 |
200L plastic drums (HDPE/PP) have wall thickness of 4-10 mm depending on application. The ZL-PC400 Plastic Drum Crusher processes thin drums (4-6 mm wall) at 450-500 kg/h, medium drums (6-8 mm wall) at 380-420 kg/h, and thick drums (8-10 mm wall) at 300-350 kg/h. The wall thickness directly affects cutting torque and throughput.
For drum recyclers processing mixed wall thickness streams, the ZL-PC400's 7.5 kW motor provides torque reserve for the thickest drums in the stream. The 15-blade rotor geometry cuts through 10 mm HDPE walls at 300 kg/h sustained throughput, faster than most competitor 5.5 kW machines.
200L drums must have lids removed before crushing to prevent air pressure buildup and potential rupture. The ZL-PC400's standard rotor is not designed for closed drums - the air pressure inside causes drum explosion during cutting. Drum deheader tools (USD 280 each) or drum deheading machines (USD 3,500) remove lids upstream.
For drum recyclers receiving mixed drum conditions (open-top, closed-top, damaged drums), the ZL-PC400's reversing switch handles unexpected closed drums by backing the rotor out of the jam. However, repeated closed-drum processing accelerates blade wear and may damage the rotor. Drum deheading upstream is strongly recommended.
Chemical drums (pesticides, solvents, surfactants) require triple-rinsing and contamination testing before crushing. Residual chemical contamination above 100 ppm renders recycled HDPE unsuitable for food-grade applications but acceptable for industrial-grade applications (pipe, containers, automotive).
For chemical drum recyclers, the ZL-PC400 with 8 mm screen produces flake suitable for industrial-grade applications. The chemical-resistant HDPE retains its properties through 3-5 closed-loop cycles before molecular weight degradation requires blending with virgin resin.
IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) totes are 1000L containers with HDPE inner bottle + steel cage. The ZL-PC400 handles decaged IBC bottles at 400-450 kg/h on 12 mm screen. Caged IBC requires steel cage removal first (manual torch or hydraulic cage crusher, USD 4,500).
For IBC recyclers processing 50-100 totes per day, the ZL-PC400's 7.5 kW power handles the larger IBC geometry without rotor stall. The 380 x 320 mm feed opening accepts decaged IBC bottle sections after manual cutting.
Open-top drums (lid removed) process safely at 450-500 kg/h. Closed-top drums require lid removal before crushing - attempting to shred closed drums causes air pressure buildup and potential rupture, creating safety hazards. The ZL-PC400's reversing switch can clear a closed-drum jam, but the safety risk makes lid removal mandatory.
For drum recycling operations, safety protocols include: 1) visual inspection of all incoming drums, 2) lid removal station upstream, 3) emergency stop accessible from feed side, 4) dust collection for any residual contamination, 5) personal protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, dust masks).
Closed-loop drum recycling recovers HDPE or PP from used drums and reprocesses into new drums at the same facility. The ZL-PC400 Plastic Drum Crusher produces chips at 10-12 mm screen size that feed directly into the drum blow molding line after hot-air drying and color sorting.
For a mid-size drum reconditioning facility processing 5,000 tonnes/year of used drums, the ZL-PC400's 450 kg/h throughput processes the daily input in 4-6 hours. The annual HDPE/PP recovered is 4,500 tonnes (90% recovery rate), commanding USD 800/tonne vs virgin USD 1,300/tonne. Annual savings: USD 2.25 million. The ZL-PC400 capital cost (USD 1,250) is recovered in the first 8 hours of closed-loop operation.
Q: What is the maximum drum wall thickness the ZL-PC400 can process?
10 mm wall thickness at 300-350 kg/h. Above 10 mm wall (heavy-duty chemical drums), pre-cutting is required. Most standard 200L drums (4-8 mm wall) process at 400-500 kg/h.
Q: Can the ZL-PC400 process drums with residual chemicals inside?
No. Residual chemicals must be drained and drums rinsed before shredding. Chemical residues damage blades, contaminate recycled flake, and create hazardous vapor during cutting. Standard practice is triple-rinse with verification testing before shredding.
Q: What screen size for downstream drum blow molding?
10-12 mm screen for direct feed to extrusion lines. Smaller screens (6-8 mm) require additional granulation and add cost without quality benefit for drum-grade output.
Q: Can the ZL-PC400 process metal drums?
No. Metal drums (steel, aluminum) require specialized metal shredders with different rotor geometry and hardened cutting tools. The ZL-PC400 is designed for plastic drums only.
Q: How are steel cage IBCs handled?
Steel cage removal first (manual torch cutting or hydraulic cage crusher, USD 4,500), then process the plastic inner bottle. Attempting to shred a caged IBC damages the ZL-PC400 blades within hours.