Project Overview: PNSS-1000 Tire Shredder in Costa Rica

In 2013, WANROOETECH completed the installation of a PNSS-1000A double shaft tire shredder at the largest tire processing company in Costa Rica. This heavy-duty industrial shredder was deployed for the production of alternative fuels (RDF — Refuse-Derived Fuel) by processing used car tires, truck tires, wood pallets, domestic waste, bulky waste, and industrial process residues. The PNSS-1000A is recognized for its powerful torque output, extremely high build quality, and universal application versatility across multiple waste streams, making it the ideal centerpiece for this multi-material RDF production facility.

The customer required a single PNSS-1000 tire shredder unit to serve as the primary size-reduction stage in their alternative fuel production line. WANROOETECH engineers designed an innovative processing solution that integrated the shredder with feeding conveyors, magnetic separation for steel wire recovery, and output conveying to downstream RDF preparation equipment. The system was fully commissioned and has been operating continuously for over six months, consistently meeting the customer’s throughput and particle size specifications for cement kiln co-firing fuel.

Following the successful operation of the initial installation, the customer is now in active discussions with WANROOETECH engineers to significantly expand their production capacity. The planned expansion includes a much larger three-stage shredding system that will increase RDF output volume while improving particle size uniformity and metal separation efficiency. This follow-up project represents a strong validation of WANROOETECH’s equipment reliability and customer satisfaction in the Central American tire recycling market.

PNSS-1000A Technical Specifications

The PNSS-1000A double shaft shredder installed in Costa Rica is configured with dual 18.5 kW or 22 kW motors (total drive power 37–44 kW), a shredding chamber measuring 800 mm × 1000 mm, and a throughput capacity of 2.5 to 4.0 tonnes per hour depending on material composition and feed rate. The machine features intermeshing hook-type blades mounted on two counter-rotating shafts, generating aggressive grab-and-tear action that effectively processes whole tires up to 1 meter in diameter without pre-cutting.

Key technical features include a Siemens PLC control system with automatic overload reversal to protect against jamming from steel bead wires, a planetary gearbox for high torque density and durability, shock-absorbing shaft couplings to reduce operational stress on bearings, and a modular chamber design with split endplates for fast maintenance access. The blades are manufactured from vacuum heat-treated alloy steel with HRC 56–60 hardness, and the four-edged indexable design allows rotation to fresh cutting edges before replacement, minimizing downtime and operating costs.

Customer Feedback and Project Outcomes

After six months of continuous operation, the Costa Rican customer reported high satisfaction with the PNSS-1000A’s performance, citing stable throughput, minimal unplanned downtime, and effective handling of metal-contaminated tires without blade damage. The automatic reversal function has proven particularly valuable in managing steel bead wires that occasionally wrap around the shafts, clearing jams automatically without operator intervention.

The success of this installation has directly led to the customer’s decision to expand with a larger three-stage shredding line from WANROOETECH. The planned upgrade will incorporate primary double shaft shredding, secondary single shaft fine sizing, and tertiary granulation or hammer milling to achieve smaller particle sizes for higher-value RDF markets. This case study exemplifies WANROOETECH’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with customers through reliable equipment and responsive engineering support.