MK2 Tire Baler Specifications: Performance Data for US Processors

By:     Conor Murphy

When evaluating a tire baler for a US recycling operation, specification data is what separates a credible equipment proposal from a sales conversation. Throughput rates, bale dimensions, power consumption, hydraulic pressure, cycle time, and bale wire specification are all parameters that directly affect whether the machine will perform as needed in your operation and whether the bales it produces will meet your downstream market requirements.

This article sets out the detailed performance specifications for the Gradeall MK2 Tire Baler, the flagship tire baling machine in Gradeall’s range, with context on what each specification means for day-to-day US operations and how the machine performs in typical North American tire recycling environments.

MKII Tire Baler: Core Specification Overview

The MKII Tire Baler is Gradeall’s primary production-level tire baler, designed for commercial tire recycling operations processing car, van, and light truck tires. It is manufactured at Gradeall’s facility in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, and is exported to operators in over 100 countries. US-configured units operate on 480V three-phase 60Hz power supply.

Throughput Performance in US Operations

The MKII’s rated throughput of up to 80 car tires per hour is achieved with consistent passenger car tires (P-metric sizes) loaded efficiently by a trained operator. In practice, a mixed load of car, SUV, and light truck tires processed by a single operator working at a comfortable pace typically achieves 50 to 65 tires per hour as a sustained working rate across a shift.

Throughput is directly affected by tire size variation. Larger LT-metric light truck and SUV tires take longer to compress to consistent bale density than smaller P-metric passenger tires, and the bale may contain fewer tires at equivalent weight. If your tire mix is heavily weighted toward larger LT and SUV formats, adjust your throughput projections accordingly and discuss this with Gradeall before finalizing specification.

For operations processing commercial truck tires alongside car tires, the Gradeall Truck Tire Sidewall Cutter is designed to work upstream of the MKII Tire Baler, cutting the sidewalls of Class 8 tires before they are loaded into the baler. This combination significantly improves bale density and consistency for mixed-category operations.

Bale Specification for US Market Applications

Bale dimensions from the MKII are optimized for efficient loading into standard 20-foot and 40-foot ISO shipping containers, which is important for US operators with export markets or for domestic logistics involving container transport. The approximately 63 x 47-inch bale footprint allows efficient container floor coverage with minimal wasted space.

For civil engineering applications, including tire bale retaining walls, embankments, and noise barriers, bale dimensional consistency and wire integrity are critical. The MKII produces bales with six wire ties per bale, providing structural integrity through handling, transport, and installation in civil construction applications.

TDF buyers for cement kilns and industrial boilers specify bale weight and energy content rather than dimensions. The approximately 1,000 lb bale weight from the MKII is within the range accepted by most US TDF buyers. Confirm bale weight specifications with your specific buyer before committing to production at scale.

Power Consumption and Operating Costs

The MKII’s 15 kW motor rating means power consumption during a production shift is predictable and manageable. At a production rate of 50 bales per shift with a 45-second average cycle time, the motor runs for approximately 37 minutes of the shift at full load. Standby consumption between cycles is significantly lower. Total daily power consumption for a single-shift operation is approximately 8 to 12 kWh, representing a modest operating cost at US industrial electricity rates.

For operations considering a full processing line, the power requirements of the MKII Tire Baler combined with a sidewall cutter and conveyor system can be assessed as a combined electrical load for facility power planning.

Maintenance Requirements and Expected Service Life

The MKII is designed for industrial production environments with an expected service life of 15 or more years under normal operating conditions and following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Key maintenance items include hydraulic fluid and filter changes, wear plate inspection and replacement, bale wire guide maintenance, and electrical and PLC system checks.

“The MKII has been our production workhorse for tire recycling operations worldwide for many years,” says Conor Murphy, Director of Gradeall International. “We build it to be maintained in the field by operators with standard industrial maintenance skills, using parts that are available globally. That’s a deliberate design principle, not an afterthought.”

Frequently Asked Questions

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