Used Plastic Shredder & Industrial Shredder Buying Guide
By Meadoworks | February 2026 | 9 min read
Key Takeaways
- Three shredder types: single shaft (controlled output), dual shaft (bulky/tough material), quad shaft (max throughput)
- Shredder vs. granulator: shredders for first-stage coarse reduction; granulators for clean material into uniform 6-12mm regrind
- Used pricing: $8,000 (small single shaft) to $150,000+ (large quad shaft); granulators $2,000-$50,000
- Top brands: SSI, WEIMA, Vecoplan, Cumberland, Rapid Granulator, Herbold, Nelmor, Foremost
- Critical inspection: rotor/cutter condition, bearings, drive system, and a real throughput test under load
Choosing the right size reduction equipment is one of the most consequential decisions in any plastics or recycling operation. The wrong machine wastes energy, causes downtime, and produces inconsistent output. This guide covers the major shredder and granulator types, key specifications, top brands, realistic used pricing, and what to inspect before you buy.
Types of Plastic Shredders
Single Shaft Shredders
One rotating shaft with cutters pushes material against a fixed counter-knife. A screen below controls output particle size.
Best for: Plastic film, bags, flexible packaging, bottles, containers, rigid plastics. Controlled, uniform output.
Lower noise operation
Dual Shaft Shredders
Two counter-rotating shafts with interlocking cutters. Handles tougher materials and larger pieces than single-shaft units.
Best for: Bulky plastic parts, drums, pallets, mixed waste streams, tires, rubber, e-waste, and WEEE.
High torque, low speed
Quad Shaft Shredders
Four shafts for maximum throughput and finer output without a screen. Top of the production hierarchy.
Best for: High-volume recycling operations needing finer output in a single pass.
Highest throughput
Plastic Shredder vs. Granulator: Which Do You Need?
This is one of the most common questions in plastics recycling. The two machines serve different stages of size reduction, and many operations use both in series.
| Factor | Shredder | Granulator |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Style | Low speed, high torque | High speed rotary knives |
| Output Size | Coarse (1-4 inch pieces) | Fine, uniform regrind (6-12mm) |
| Best For | Bulky, contaminated, mixed material | Clean material ready for reprocessing |
| Stage | First-stage size reduction | Final-stage sizing for reprocessing |
| Combined Use | Many operations: shredder → granulator → processing | |
Key Specifications to Evaluate
Throughput (lbs/hr)
Drives motor sizing and rotor design. Match to your peak processing rate, not just average — undersizing causes jams and downtime.
Motor Horsepower
5-15 HP for small single-shaft; 20-100+ HP for medium production; 100-200+ HP for quad shaft. More HP = thicker material and tougher streams.
Screen Size
Determines output particle size on single-shaft units. Smaller screens = finer output but lower throughput. Match to downstream process needs.
Cutter Configuration
Open vs. closed rotor, knife geometry, hook angle, and cutter material (D2, A2, M2) all affect cut quality, wear life, and material handling.
Top Plastic Shredder & Granulator Brands
SSI Shredding Systems
Heavy-duty industrial shredders built for plastics, tires, e-waste, and mixed industrial waste. Strong reputation for ruggedness and uptime.
WEIMA
German-engineered single shaft shredders. Popular for in-plant plastics recycling — film, lumps, purgings, and rigid scrap.
Vecoplan
Premium single shaft shredders with strong U.S. service support. Excellent for plastics, paper, wood, and refuse-derived fuel applications.
Cumberland
Industry standard granulator manufacturer. Beside-the-press, central, and heavy-duty production granulators. Wide parts availability.
Rapid Granulator
Swedish granulator builder. Open-rotor and closed-rotor designs from beside-the-press to large central units.
Herbold
German washing-line and granulator specialist. Strong fit for film washing, PET recycling, and high-volume plastics reclaim.
Nelmor
American granulator brand commonly found in plastics processing plants. Reliable beside-the-press and heavy-duty central granulators.
Foremost
Long-standing North American granulator manufacturer with a broad range of beside-the-press and large central machines.
Used Plastic Shredder Pricing
| Type | HP Range | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small single shaft | 5-15 HP | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Medium single shaft | 20-50 HP | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Large single shaft | 50-100+ HP | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Dual shaft | 20-100+ HP | $20,000 – $80,000 |
| Quad shaft | 50-200+ HP | $50,000 – $150,000+ |
| Beside-the-press granulator | 3-10 HP | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Central granulator | 15-75 HP | $8,000 – $35,000 |
Sizing Warning
Undersized shredders are the #1 buyer regret. A 15HP single shaft processes roughly 500-1,000 lbs/hr of plastic; a 100HP dual shaft handles 3,000-5,000+ lbs/hr. Match to peak processing rate, not just average — and add 20-30% headroom for tougher streams or thicker material than you expect.
What to Inspect When Buying a Used Plastic Shredder
Rotor and Cutter Condition
Inspect cutters for wear, chips, missing teeth, and damage. Replacement cutter sets can run thousands of dollars on production-size machines.
Screen Condition (Single Shaft)
Holes should be uniform and unworn. Worn screens enlarge openings, producing oversize particles and reducing throughput consistency.
Drive System
Check motor condition, listen to the gearbox under load for unusual noise, and inspect for oil leaks. Gearbox rebuilds are expensive on industrial shredders.
Bearings
Check for play, abnormal noise, and excessive heat after running. Bearing failures on shredder shafts are catastrophic and costly to repair.
Hopper and Feed System
Verify ram condition (if equipped), pusher hydraulics, photo-eye sensors, and any auto-feed mechanisms. Worn rams cost productivity.
Control System
PLC functionality, overload protection, automatic reversing on jam, and operator HMI screens should all be working. Older controls may need retrofit.
Throughput Test
Always run material through if at all possible. Static inspection misses issues that surface only under load — vibration, overheating, jamming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a plastic shredder and a granulator?
A plastic shredder uses low-speed, high-torque cutting to tear material into coarse pieces — ideal for bulky items, mixed waste, and first-stage size reduction. A plastic granulator uses high-speed rotary knives to cut material into uniform, small particles (regrind) suitable for reprocessing. Many recycling operations use shredders for initial size reduction followed by granulators for final sizing.
How much does a used plastic shredder cost?
Used plastic shredder prices vary by type and size. Small single shaft shredders: $10,000-$25,000. Dual shaft industrial shredders: $20,000-$80,000. Quad shaft production shredders: $50,000-$150,000+. Used plastic granulators range from $2,000-$50,000 depending on size.
What size plastic shredder do I need?
Shredder size depends on your material type, piece size, required throughput (lbs/hr), and desired output particle size. A 15HP single shaft shredder might process 500-1,000 lbs/hr of plastic, while a 100HP dual shaft can handle 3,000-5,000+ lbs/hr. Contact Meadoworks at 800-323-0307 with your requirements for a specific recommendation.
What brands of plastic shredders does Meadoworks carry?
Meadoworks stocks used plastic shredders from SSI Shredding Systems, WEIMA, Vecoplan, Cumberland, Rapid Granulator, Herbold, Nelmor, Foremost, and other leading manufacturers.
Browse Used Plastic Shredders & Granulators
Meadoworks stocks used plastic shredders, granulators, balers, and recycling equipment from all major brands. Call to discuss your specific size reduction requirements.
