Does anybody "compress"their scrap?

If you are not a yard owner, do you compress your scrap for transport? Do you have a baler? Do you take your scrap to a yard, or, as I do, do you have a container dropped off that is picked up when full?

I am trying to figure out how to maximize my loads and was wondering if there is a way to do it that is not very labor intensive or cost a lot.

I use a tractor and forks to flatten stuff as much as possible.

Yes, if trying to maximize space but if I have a decent load without spending the extra time, I just go. I can get to my yard in about 10-15 minutes so I will take smaller loads sometimes. Also fill cavities of appliances etc to conserve space...load on trailer or truck first if you don't have a way to lift heavy stuff.

I compress all my sheet/tin with either the tractor and loader or the skidsteer. You can easily get 10x the amount of duct work for example on a trailer, plus it's easier to secure the load. I also fill up appliance carcasses with the small stuff.

here is some common sence. if we could all compress our scrap we would. it takes money and or equipment, that is why there are big yards with all the equipment, smaller yards with less equipment, and people like me with no equiupment.

if you want to grow you add equipment or build it as you are able too.

there are a ton of how toos on building crushers on the net that arnt more then a few hundred dollars, the most expensive parts are the hydrolics. you can convert all types of old hydrolic equipment to new uses so never never scrap hydrolics.

for example that ols truck you are about to scrap, does it have a lift gate. that pump, hoses, and perifials are a gold mine.

I have however considered building a small bailer for thin aluminum... things like vent caps, the flexable dryer hose, etc... the stuff that taked up too much room in storage....

You might be able to modify this one for your use.
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermic.../ag473-12.html

like olddude said you could make something that goes over the dumpster that has a hydrolic ram that pushes the metal down. you could put it on wheels that way you can roll it from end to end of the dumpster. it would be like a portable can baler. that would definitely save room and make you more money per load. if you do make something like that, take many pictures to show us.

Personal opinion if you have a company drop off a container and you fill it up. They bring you a new one and take the full one away. Unless they are charging you a fee for swapping out the dumpsters why bother spending the money to compact it. I know the yard I use alot doesnt charge a fee they just pay you less per ton for use of dumpster.

Also wondered if a retired garbage truck would have enough crush force to bale up a pile of tin. I see those come up ever so often.

I know they have more than enough power to annihilate a computer with a cover on it. I had to pry the cover off.

I've toyed with the idea of getting a cardboard compactor/baler, (they seem to be cheaper than dedicated scrap balers) or something similar, but I don't go through enough light metal to justify owning one. Plus I don't know if it would have enough crush force?

If I remember correctly, those bales are usually close to 1000 lbs each. That's a lot of crushing power.

I was just thinking in terms of getting the most bang for my buck per load. Especially since I am not so certain they are paying me for the full weight of the scrap I put in my bin. I've considered weighing individual items and doing the math but hasn't seemed worthwhile so far.