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Ranger aficionado
Joined: Mon Apr 23rd, 2018
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We haul multiple tons of aluminum/steel/cast-iron every year here on the farm. We collect from anyone/everyone in 3 counties. It's rare that we go collect anything though. We usually stipulate that if someone wants rid of something, they have to deliver it to us. Of course, I do fall into deals where I have to go get large accumulations of scrap from time to time.. But that reduces your profit margin quite quickly due to costs of fuel and truck/trailer operating/maintenance costs.
The last payment for our aluminum can haul was $700+ but it was a 7 year accumulation. Two truckloads of 55 gallon drums pressed full of extremely flattened aluminum cans. Separate out any aluminum sheet (6061/7075 etc) as it's worth quite a bit more.
Separate out electric motors by removing them from whatever they're bolted in to. Copper wound motors are worth a ton more than the modern aluminum wound motors. Keep steel and cast iron separate also. Try to keep cast copper/brass separate from extruded or drawn brass/copper.. For example, a washing machine (by weight) isn't worth the trip to the scrapper, but the motor inside if it's copper wound, is worth quite a bit more per pound.
One more thing.. Don't let these scrap yards beat you down on price too much. It's a fine line to walk between pissing them off and them kicking you out, and getting the price they should be giving you. They like to take advantage of people pretty often. It just takes a few years of experience to know when you're getting taken, and when you're getting the best price you're gonna get anywhere.
GB :)
Last edited on Sun Oct 14th, 2018 04:08 pm by Bird76Mojo