Best 9 Industrial Paper Shredders: Slice Through Bulks Of Paper Or Cardboard

Shredding through large piles of paper in a fast and large office or enterprise will require more than just a basic cutting machine.

So, which one should you go for then?

We suggest taking a look at the content below to figure out whether an industrial paper shredder is for you and your in-house needs. You can find out what to look for when buying a machine for shredding and how to take care of it to last you a long time. After all, you will have to invest a lot of money in such a device.

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What Does An “Industrial” Entail?

For a paper shredder to fit this description, it will have to feature many things that standard models don’t. However, what is common for both types is that they are used to destroy documents for safe disposing of afterward. Also, both types use cutters or blades to suck paper in where it is destoryed into smaller pieces and then disposed of into bins under the shredding cutters.

What Is This Shredding Device?

It is a large shredding machine made for more serious joba and high-end professionals. Its shredding system is much more advanced than standard and heavy-duty units for home or office use. With it, you can destroy bulks of documents continuously.

What Are They Made Of?

They have the following components: a motor, housing, power system, electrical control system, rotor, and blades for cutting.

What Differentiates Them From Others?

The following three features and specifications are what makes an industrial-size machine different and more powerful than standard models.

• Horsepower – they usually have a high horsepower to be able to shred in bulks. Usually, they have between 3 and 40 horsepower, but some smaller models can even be found at around 1/2 to 2 horsepower.
• Conveyor-fed device – featuring a conveyor, they are sometimes called conveyor belts, built for high-volume shredding faster and more easily
• Feed hopper – alternatively, they can also have a feed hopper instead of a conveyor to feed bulks of paper more conveniently
• Continuous run time – those machines always have a continuous duty cycle for shredding without cooldown times needed

Difference Between A Heavy-Duty And Industrial Options

A “heavy-duty” is a broader term than an “industrial”. While all industrial are heavy-duty, not all heavy-duty are meant for industrial jobs. A heavy-duty model is what we call a “departmental shredder” for use in the office of up to 15 users. However, they cannot run continuously all-day long as these models.

How Much Do They Cost?

The price starts at around $10,000. You might have to spend even between $50,000 and $60,000 to get a model that fits your needs. While it is very expensive, it will help your organization in many different ways.

How Can They Serve Large Organizations?

They can destroy very high volumes of paper constantl and that is exactly what your organization or enterprise needs. Moreover, you can also learn about the minuses of such a machine for your business.

The Plus Side

These are the most important ways investing in such a machine will help your business.

• Save on time and expenses – by shredding high volumes at once, you will save time it would take to shred with a smaller model, thus saving money as well as employee time that can be spent doing other things
• Protect your business – by shredding paperwork and documents before disposing, you protect all the data written on them, preventing espionage from competitors and evil eyes
• Protect your employees and customers – destroy all sensitive information about your employees and/or customers before putting it in the waste bins or recycling bins for maximum security
• Abide by the law – sometimes you will be required by the law to destroy some confidential, secret, and top-secret information before you can dispose of it

The Flip Side

These are some of the important disadvantages and downsides of having to buy a paper shredder of the industrial size.

• Very expensive – you will have to spend tens of thousands of dollars so it is not an affordable buy
• Take up a lot of space – these are giant machines that will need special space for you to fit them in

What Do Cardboard Shredders Do?

With them, you can reduce the size of cardboard into long strips or grid-like cardboard. To do it, you will have to feed the number of carton layers into the feed and the shredder will then cut it into one of the two ways, depending on the type it is built for. This is ideal to use for packaging materials. For example, if you have a small business or a shop where you sell products, you can package them into long strips or grid cardboard to protect the product during shipping in the mail. Likewise, you will also reuse scrapped boxes instead of throwing them away.

Checklist: Which Specs To Keep An Eye On?

Different specifications and features will determine which model works the best for you. Here is what to keep in mind:

Shred Type

They can be either strip-cut, cross-cut, or micro-cut models. For highly confidential document destruction, you will need a micro-cut. For destroying sensitive documents, you can go for a cross-cut ype. Finally, a strip-cut will be a good choice for low-security shredding where you don’t have any sensitive or confidential information on paper.

Sheet Capacity

How many sheets can it destroy per pass differs from model to model. However, most of these models will be able to destroy hundreds of sheets of paper per single pass for serious bulk shredding. If you don’t have too much paper to destroy, 100-150-sheet capacity will suffice. Otherwise, you can even find models that cut over 450 sheets per pass.

Bin Capacity

To accept as much waste as possible when shredding big piles of paper, they need bins that can hold hundreds of gallons of shredded paper at once. For example, for lower shredding needs, choose one that holds at least 50 gallons. Otherwise, choose 100 to 200-gallon bins. You can choose between those that can be opened and emptied from the back or the side. For even higher volume needs, pick shredders that have a baler instead of a bin.

Casters On Bins For Mobility

As the waste bins will have to hold hundreds of gallons of shredded paper, they will need to have casters for easy moving as carrying such a heavy bin will be impossible. As the bin can be accessed either from the side or from the back, you will be able to locate it against the wall to save space.

Duty Cycle

These machines can run all the time without having to turn off to cool down. Thus, they don’t have the maximum run time (or duty time) like standard shredders. This is possible thanks to a powerful motor and durable cutters that will prevent overheating.

Durable Cutters For Bulk Shredding

Usually made from steel, these cutting knives will destroy every paper into shreds. Depending on the model, it may have more or fewer shafts and cutting knives. Sometimes they might even come with a warranty.

Feed Size Of The Throat

This is one thing that makes an industrial machine much different from a standard one. The feed size of the throat will be much much bigger to be able to accept bulks of paper at once, even crumpled paper.

Conveyor Belt

Choose a model with a conveyor belt for convenient, safe, and easy shredding where the paper will be automatically fed into the cutters. This makes it easy for the user.

Ergonomic Feed Table

A feed table is what keeps all the documents for shredding prepared so that the user can easily feed them into the cutters. It is ergonomic because the user won’t have to bend down and pick the piles of documents off the floor.

Safety Features For Less Danger

Such a large, powerful tool can be very dangerous. To make it less of a safety hazard, a machine for large bulking should come with an emergency stop button, reverse switches, safety sensors, etc.

Shredding Materials

Besides shredding paper, those large machines can usually also cut through notepads, notebooks, binders, cardboard, etc. Check what it is suitable for shredding before feeding it into the cutters.

Noise Level

Look for shredders that work at a noise level of around 60 decibels. This is the recommended level for the best hearing health.

Best 9 Industrial Paper Shredders

FORMAX FD 8806CC Industrial Shredder

For Centralized Office Shredding
The FORMAX is one of the most advanced available on the market for high-volume shredding. It is designed for centralized shredding and is built from durable materials to endure the needs. It is equipped with an LED control panel that helps the operator prevent jams and maximize efficiency.

Cuts Even Cardboard
Likewise, it features durable steel cutters to shred through paper. It can destroy up to 90 sheets per pass. Besides paper, you can use it to destroy discs, files, computer forms, and even cardboard. For easy operation, it features functions such as automatic start and stop, auto-reverse, and auto cleaning.

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Dahle PowerTEC 919 Coneyor Shredder

5 HP Motor
The Dahle comes with a conveyor and it features a 5 horsepower motor that can destroy up to 85 sheets per pass. It features a bin of 45 gallons, but you can get it even in 50-, 68-, and 120-gallon sizes. Besides paper, it is built to also destroy optical media and binders.

Automatic Oiler
For continuous, smooth cutting, the cutting cylinders are oiled all the time to always perform at a maximum level. The automatic lubricator also flows evenly for the best oiling. For stress-free operation, it also features a jam-free function.

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Intimus Model 16.50 Large Industrial Shredder

Destroys 1500 Per Hour
This Intimus Model 16.50 is a very large machine that can destroy up to 550 sheets per single pass! This means that it destroys up to 1500 pounds per hour. It features a conveyor feed and its throat’s size is 500 millimeters to accept all standard computer formats.

Quiet Operation
Whenever the large bin gets full, the alarm will notify you of it. The shredding process will then stop automatically to prevent paper jams until the bin is emptied and put back inside. The operator can feed the paper through the conveyor belt which can also be removed. It works at a low noise level of 61 decibels.

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Intimus 698964 Model 14.95 Industrial Shredder

Shreds Through More Than Just Paper
This model has a large bin capacity of 200 liters and works to shred through smooth and crumpled paper, accepting between 110 and 140 sheets of paper per pass, depending on its thickness. It has a maximum throughput of 280 kilograms per hour. You can feed it with paper, clips, CDs, floppy disks, etc.

Safety Switches On Doors
It has a cross-cutting mechanism with a P-3 level of security. For easy moving, it is mounted on rollers. It can fit through standard door openings thanks to its reasonable dimensions. Moreover, all doors have safety switches to keep your confidential documents away from prying eyes.

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SX-89B Industrial Conveyor Shredder/Baler

Automatic Industrial Shredder
This is a very expensive shredder type with a baler. It is fully automatic with the powerful strength needed to shred through high volumes of paper. It can cut through up to 650 sheets per pass. You can even feed it ribbons, CDs, cardboard, entire files, stacks of computer forms, etc.

Baler System For Waste
It features helpful functions on the LED control panel, such as auto start and stop, auto reverse, and auto cleaning. It makes operation very easy. With the automatic oiler, it will always be lubricated for smooth performance. After shredding, the baler system compacts the shredder material into bales weighing between 110 and 154 pounds for convenient disposal.

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Intimus 347904 PacMaster Shredder

Emergency Stop Switch
This heavy-duty device requires 220V. Intimus features a user-friendly interface. There is a lockable power switch which is actually an emergency stop switch. On the interface, you have a size guide, so you can choose an accurate cutting format for your cardboard.

Packaging Material
The plate housing is made of extremely sturdy steel. It is pretty safe for use. The Intimus is able to shred old and obsolete cardboard. It turns it into robust packaging material. It provides single-pass operation but the shredding speed is 34 feet per minute, which is really fast. The capacity is two 2-ply boxes. So, you can feed this machine with 2-3 carton layers. Intimus shred the cardboard in a grid cut way.

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HSM Profipack 425 Cardboard Shredder

Expensive Item
The HSM Profipack 425 is able to run continuously without stopping. You can quickly shred all cardboards in your workplace. With this machine, you can recycle the old cardboard and reuse it as packaging material. The HSM features hardened cutting rollers for cardboard shredding. They are able to shred all grades of cardboard.

2-3 Layers
This shredder doesn’t produce loud noise or annoying vibrations. You can put 2 to 3 cardboard layers into the slot. The HSM dimensions are 38 inches of height, 27.5 inches of width and 19 inches of depth. It weighs 393 pounds. The shredding speed is 26 feet per minute. The warranty lasts 1 year and the cutter warranty lasts 10 years.

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HSM Multi-layer Cardboard Machine

No Downtime
HSM is a multi-layer machine, so you can feed it with 3 cardboard layers per single pass. The specially designed cutting rollers are made of solid steel, it will last for many years. The motor provides continuous duty operation. It doesn’t require a cool-down period.

Three-phase Buttons
On the surface, you can find three buttons – on, off and reverse switch. This machine doesn’t produce dust. HSM shreds the cardboard into long strips. Also, you can put all grades of cardboard into the machine. There is no annoying noise during its shredding and the vibrations are low.

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HSM ProfiPack C400 Cardboard Shredder

German Quality
HSM Profipack C400 is made in Germany from high-quality materials. It is another model of HSM company. This is a single-layer machine. It compact and easy to use.The strong cutting rollers are able to cut one layer and turn it into padding material. Then, you can use it as packaging material. Cardboard of almost any size will fit into this opening.

No Cool Down Period
The motor doesn’t require cool downtime, it can run continuously. You don’t have to wait for the machine to cool down. It will shred the cardboard at a speed of 26 feet per minute. Within the machine is a thermal fuse that will protect the machine from overheating. Control it with a rocker switch, there are on, off and reverse modes.

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Where To Place The Device For The Best Operation?

There are many things to consider when choosing the best position for your machine. Here is what to keep in mind:

Noise Level

Some shredders produce a lot of noise (such as hammermills). Place them somewhere where they will be safe for most ears and ensure that the ears of the operator are protected for safety.

Environmental Hazards

Depending on which material you will be shredding, dust particles and airborne particles can be a hazard for the surrounding and those who work in it. Protect those who work with and around the machine.

Position For Easy Mobility

Finally, you should also determine where to put it so that it is easy to move if necessary and that it is not in the way. These machines can way half a ton or more so be careful.

Maintenance: Keep It In Good Condition

The most important thing to keep in mind is to keep your it oiled and to do it regularly. This way, your cutter knives, and blades will be able to shred efficiently and smoothly. Large shredders, including industrial-sized ones, usually have an automatic oiler so that you don’t have to deal with this. Make sure that there is always oil in the automatic oiler system. Moreover, ensure that the bin is emptied before it gets too full.

How Do You Clean It?

You will have to keep the blades clean from dust and paper particles, too. You should clean them out at least every month. Turn the shredder off and clean the blades then use a can of compressed air to clean even the tiniest particles of dust and paper stuck in the blades.

Tools For Paper Shredding

When shredding bulks of paperwork with a machine, you might also have to consider the following tools to make it easier.

Bins, Carts, Consoles For Safe Disposing

These shredding bins, carts, and consoles come in different capacities and usually feature a safety lock to keep confidential data safe before and after shredding.

Push Cart Dolly For Carrying

These are usually platforms that are easy to move around. With them, you can transport your bulks of paperwork from the office desk to the shredder without breaking a sweat or having to carry it through long halls, into lifts, etc by hand.