In this blog, we explain everything you need to know to help you choose the right alligator shears for your scrap.
Typical uses for alligator shears
Alligator (or crocodile) shears are primarily used for cutting and downsizing metal materials such as rebar, pipe, angle iron, and various types of scrap metal.
These powerful shears are essential in the metal recycling industry for processing metal scrap or structural materials that need to be resized, cleaned, or prepped for further recycling, transport or disposal.
They’re commonly found in scrapyards, construction, and demolition sites, where they handle everything from car parts (like suspension arms and control rods) right through to large structural steel components.
Why use alligator shears?
So, what are alligator shears? And why use them?
Alligator shears are cutting machines used to slice through metal scrap like pipes, rebar, and car parts. They break down bigger scrap pieces so they’re easier to handle, sort, or recycle.
They are:
- Ideal for handling long pieces of metal such as rebar or angle iron
- Suitable for cutting irregular shapes that are impossible to process with guillotine shears or saws
- Safer to use than manual handling, torches, or angle grinders
- More affordable compared to larger pieces of equipment
- Low in maintenance and easy to operate – great for small operations and scrap yards
- Useful for separating components, which can help boost material value
- Effective for improving overall processing speed and efficiency
The scrap metal shears market is expected to grow from around USD 1.2 billion in 2022 to USD 1.8 billion by 2030, at a 5.2% annual rate.
This shows more businesses investing in tools like alligator shears to boost productivity, stay competitive, and be sustainable.
Why alligator shears are safer than manual cutting
Used correctly and with guarding in place, alligator shears are generally safer than manual cutting methods for the following reasons:
- Less physically demanding, preventing operator strain
- Usually operated with a foot pedal or lever which keeps hands away from the cutting area.
- Cutting can be controlled, reducing material slippage and kick back
- Protective guards keep the operator away from the cutting zone
- No sparks or hot metal unlike when using torch cutting or grinding
Even though they can be safer than other forms of cutting, alligator shears still pose risks if used improperly. Dangers include crush injuries and flying metal fragments caused when cutting brittle materials.
It is important to:
- Read and understand the operator manual
- Make sure operators are adequately trained
- Never adapt or override safety systems
- Make sure all safety guards are in place
- Keep hands away from blades, using tongs or clamps where necessary
- Keep the working area clean and tidy to prevent trips and falls
- Regularly check safety warning labels
- Keep machines well maintained
- Wear PPE (which should include gloves, steel toed boots, and eye protection)
Picking the right alligator shears
When it comes to choosing the right alligator shears, start by checking:
Jaw size & power: wider openings and stronger hydraulics handle thicker scrap. Shear force is often used to indicate power, but this can depend on where it’s calculated and doesn’t always give a true idea of cutting ability.
Mobility: fixed models stay in one place, mobile units can be moved around a yard or site.
Power type: consider diesel if the machine is to be sited outdoors without easy access to an electricity supply, or for increased mobility. Choose electric for indoor use, particularly if looking for lower noise levels and reduced environmental impact.
At JMC, we offer new and used alligator shears to suit different budgets, along with expert machine servicing onsite or at our Nottingham workshop, to help you make the most of your investment.
Explore our range of new alligator shears or browse our cost-effective used models.
Keeping your alligator shears running smoothly
Unplanned downtime slows everything down and can lead to expensive repairs or missed deadlines. The good news is that regular checks and planned maintenance can help avoid most of it.
Predictive and preventive maintenance methods are proven to reduce problems before they get serious.
Using predictive maintenance can cut maintenance planning time by 20–50%, increase equipment uptime by 10–20%, and reduce maintenance costs by 5–10%.
Other research shows it can save up to 40% compared with only fixing things after they break, and McKinsey also reports that predictive care can cut downtime in half and extend machine life by up to 40%.
Here are some simple steps to avoid breakdowns:
- Clean your shears daily
- Grease moving parts like pivot points and hydraulic rams
- Check hoses & seals for leaks or cracks in hydraulic lines
- Always replace blades, seals or pins with genuine spare parts
- Invest in machine servicing regularly to prevent unexpected downtime
How alligator shears can boost your efficiency
Alligator shears help you cut scrap metal down to size quickly. This makes it easier to move, sort, or load, and saves time on site. Clean cuts also mean less trouble when feeding scrap into shredders, balers, or skips.
Using shears to cut down big or awkward items also protects your other machines. It puts less strain on them and helps prevent damage or breakdowns.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re cutting car parts, pipes, or construction scrap; having the right shear for the job keeps things moving and reduces manual work.
Need help choosing or servicing a machine?
If your current shear is slowing you down, needs repairs, or just isn’t up to the job anymore, we can help.
JMC supplies both new and used alligator shears that are built to handle tough, everyday scrap processing without the hassle.
We also offer pro machine servicing, either at your site or in our Nottingham workshop. Replacing worn blades, sorting a leak, or giving your machine a full check-over – we’ll help you skip the downtime and keep your work running smoothly.
Browse our shears or get in touch to find the right machine or book a service today.
