L. Gordon Revving a New Motor

Quad Plus, Joliet, Ill., is replacing the gas engines currently powering the auto shredder at L. Gordon Iron and Metal Co., Statesville, N.C., with a 4,000 hp DC shredder drive.

The new power system includes two 2,000 hp motors, mounted in series, and DC drive cabinets that control the motors and transformers.

L. Gordon selected the new system to improve productivity, increase reliability, reduce maintenance costs and lower its power bill, Quad Plus indicates in a news release. Quad Plus has supplied similar gas engine retrofits on five other auto shredders and was able to demonstrate these improvements, says the company.

L. Gordon initially installed gas engines because the power company would not allow an AC shredder drive to be connected to the power grid. An AC shredder drive has the potential to cause voltage fluctuations or “flicker” that affects neighboring properties, says Quad Plus. Quad Plus’ DC shredder drive is designed to greatly reduce flicker and to allow the electric motors to be connected to the grid without any line or substation improvements, says the company.

The fifth generation of family members is currently at work for L. Gordon Iron and Metal Co., which has been doing business in Statesville for more than 90 years. (See “All in the Family,” in the April 2000 edition of Recycling Today.)

Quad Plus is an electrical engineering company that supplies motors and electrical controls for auto shredders. Quad Plus also provides field service and spare parts for all motors and shredder drives.