Operating some of the largest aluminum-processing facilities in the mid-southern United States, Tennessee Aluminum Processors Inc., has found the key to productivity—skid steer loaders. According to Larry Wayne Henson, Tennessee Aluminum’s general manager, the use of skid steers is a major contributor to the company’s reputation as “number one” in aluminum recoveries. “Because Tennessee Aluminum is dedicated to continuous improvement, we have experimented with various types of equipment in our facilities,” said Henson. “By and large, skid steer loaders are the most productive, most rugged option available for the tough environment of aluminum processing.” Working in complex environments where everything from heat and constant exposure to aluminum dust and complex materials must be taken into consideration, Henson has insisted on putting every brand of skid steer to the test in the company’s various facilities. Most impressed with the Mustang brand of skid steer loader, Henson currently owns nearly 20 Mustand 2070s. “When evaluating our options for skid steer brands, we were looking for a machine that could withstand the pressures of all-day effort and several different operators within short periods of time,” said Henson. “The Mustangs have kept up their end. They are tough-built machines that can take abuse.” The Mustang 2070s working in the Tennessee Aluminum facilities run nearly 24 hours a day. Charging piles of sharp scrap into furnaces of temperatures reaching 1,800 degrees, maintenance is a high priority for the company. In order to protect the engine and hydraulics of the units, operators change the oil in the units twice as often as is recommended by the manufacturer. The Mustang 2070s increase productivity in the aluminum-processing facilities because of their ability to handle large loads in tight spaces. An axle torque rating of 6,600 lbs. (2,994 kg) gives operators the power to push their way deep into piles of scrap and move quickly through the facility. The rugged frames of the Mustang 2070s reduce downtime for repair of damage to the units. The all-welded unitized frames are constructed of heavy gauge steel, and step bushings are placed in key pivot areas to reduce stress to essential areas. Founded in 1983, Tennessee Aluminum services high-profile clients, such as Mitsubishi, Hunter Douglas and Midwest Metals, and the company will be expanding in the coming months with the addition of a third plant in Kentucky. For more information, call 931/388-8784.This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.
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