Improving the Best: Lindner Micromat 2000 Refurbishment & Upgrades

When it comes to industrial shredding equipment, replacing a machine isn’t always the only option.

With the right engineering expertise, a used shredder can be refurbished, upgraded and returned to service, potentially extending its working life while improving performance and reducing unnecessary capital expenditure.

That’s exactly what happened when Frank Mercers & Son in Bolton, Greater Manchester decided to replace a 10-year-old Lindner Micromat 2000 with a newer 2020 version.

The original machine was traded into Mach Tech Services through its part-exchange programme.

Rather than simply selling the machine on, Mach Tech’s engineering team identified an opportunity to improve it for its next application.

The result was a refurbished Lindner Micromat 2000, upgraded to cope with the demanding and abrasive material being processed by its new owner.

Extending the life of industrial shredding equipment

Industrial shredders represent a significant investment.

For many recycling businesses, replacing machinery every few years simply isn’t practical or necessary.

A well-maintained shredder can have considerable working life remaining, particularly when key components are refurbished, repaired or upgraded to suit a new application.

This is where industrial shredder refurbishment can provide a valuable alternative.

Mach Tech Services regularly handles used shredding equipment through its part-exchange programme, giving customers an opportunity to upgrade their machinery while creating a route for existing equipment to be reused.

Frank Mercers & Son upgrades its Micromat 2000

Frank Mercers & Son, based in Bolton, had been operating a Lindner Micromat 2000 for around 10 years.

The company decided to replace the machine with an updated 2020 version of the same model.

The decision meant that Frank Mercers & Son could benefit from the latest developments in Micromat technology while trading in its existing equipment.

The older Micromat was then returned to Mach Tech’s headquarters.

Rather than being discarded or stripped for parts, it was prepared for another customer.

From part exchange to a second life

The traded-in Micromat 2000 was quickly purchased by a long-standing Mach Tech customer.

At the time, the customer was investing in its sixth machine from Mach Tech, having worked with the company for more than a decade.

However, the new application presented a particular challenge.

The material being fed into the shredder was highly abrasive.

This meant that simply returning the used Micromat to its original specification would not necessarily provide the best long-term solution.

Mach Tech’s engineering and welding specialists therefore looked at ways of modifying the machine to better withstand the new operating environment.

Engineering a machine around the application

Every waste stream behaves differently.

A shredder processing clean paper will experience very different conditions from one processing abrasive industrial material.

Factors such as:

• Material composition
• Abrasiveness
• Moisture
• Contamination
• Throughput
• Operating hours
• Desired particle size

can all influence the way a machine needs to be configured.

For this particular Micromat 2000, the abrasiveness of the incoming material meant that additional protection was required.

Mach Tech’s welding department used advanced welding technology to improve the machine and help reduce wear and potential downtime.

Why shredder refurbishment can make sense

A properly refurbished industrial shredder can provide a number of potential benefits.

Reduced capital expenditure

A refurbished machine can offer a more cost-effective alternative to purchasing brand-new equipment, depending on its condition and specification.

Extended machine life

Replacing worn components and repairing critical areas can extend the operational life of existing machinery.

Application-specific upgrades

A used shredder can be modified to better suit the material it will process in its next application.

Reduced downtime

Addressing wear points and upgrading vulnerable components before installation can help improve machine availability.

Faster deployment

A suitable used machine may offer a faster route to additional processing capacity than waiting for a completely new machine to be manufactured and installed.

The suitability of refurbishment will always depend on the machine’s condition, age, history and intended application.

The Lindner Micromat 2000

The Lindner Micromat 2000 is a single-shaft universal shredder designed for a wide range of demanding applications.

The Micromat platform is available in different configurations and can be adapted to process materials including plastics, paper, wood, textiles and mixed waste.

Its configurable cutting system and screen arrangement allow the machine to be specified around the required material and output.

This flexibility is one of the reasons the Micromat is suitable for both new installations and applications where an existing machine needs to be adapted.

Hardfacing and welding for demanding applications

Wear is an unavoidable part of industrial shredding.

When a machine is processing abrasive material, however, wear can become a significant operational issue.

Strategic welding and hardfacing can help protect vulnerable areas of a shredder and improve resistance to abrasion.

Mach Tech’s precision engineering and welding capabilities allow refurbished machines to be modified around the application rather than simply restored to their previous condition.

That distinction is important.

Refurbishment isn’t necessarily about making a machine “as it was”.

It’s about making it right for what it needs to do next.

Reducing plant downtime

Downtime can quickly become expensive in a recycling operation.

When a shredder stops, the disruption can extend beyond the machine itself, potentially affecting conveyors, sorting equipment and downstream processes.

For abrasive applications, improving wear resistance before the machine enters production can therefore be an important part of the refurbishment process.

The objective is simple:

Keep the shredder running for longer and reduce unnecessary interruptions.

Why application-specific engineering matters

There is no universal refurbishment specification.

Two identical Lindner Micromat 2000 machines could require completely different work depending on their operating history and intended application.

One might require:

• Rotor refurbishment
• Knife replacement
• Screen replacement
• Bearing inspection
• Hydraulic work

Another might benefit from:

• Hardfacing
• Welding repairs
• Wear protection
• Cutting system upgrades
• Application-specific modifications

The right approach begins with understanding the machine and the material.

Mach Tech’s part-exchange programme

Part exchange can provide a straightforward route for customers looking to upgrade their shredding equipment.

Instead of having to find a buyer for an existing machine independently, customers can potentially trade their equipment as part of a new machine purchase.

This can create a useful cycle:

Existing shredder → Part exchange → Mach Tech refurbishment → Application-specific upgrades → New customer

The original machine gets another working life while the previous owner moves forward with newer equipment.

More than just used machinery

There is an important difference between selling a used shredder and supplying a professionally refurbished industrial shredder.

A machine’s history matters.

Its components need to be inspected.

Wear needs to be assessed.

The intended application needs to be understood.

And where necessary, engineering modifications need to be carried out before the machine enters its next working environment.

Mach Tech’s engineering capabilities allow the company to go beyond basic cleaning and cosmetic refurbishment.

The aim is to return machinery to service with its next application in mind.

Why choose a refurbished Lindner shredder?

For the right application, a refurbished Lindner machine can provide access to proven shredding technology while potentially reducing the initial investment compared with new equipment.

The key is having the machine properly assessed and prepared.

Mach Tech can provide support with:

• Used Lindner shredders
• Part-exchange
• Machine inspection
• Refurbishment
• Welding
• Hardfacing
• Cutting system work
• Wear parts
• Repairs
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Ongoing maintenance

This creates a complete route from used equipment through to operational machinery.

Improving the best

The title of this case study says it all.

Mach Tech’s approach wasn’t simply to restore the Micromat 2000 to its original condition.

The engineering team identified the demands of the new application and improved the machine around those requirements.

That is where experienced industrial shredder engineering can add genuine value.

The result is a machine that gets a second life while being better prepared for the material it needs to process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an industrial shredder refurbishment?

Industrial shredder refurbishment involves inspecting, repairing, replacing and potentially upgrading components on a used shredder before returning it to service. The work can range from basic component replacement to extensive mechanical and engineering modifications.

Can a Lindner Micromat 2000 be refurbished?

Yes. The suitability of refurbishment depends on the machine’s age, condition, operating history and intended application. Mach Tech’s case study demonstrates a Lindner Micromat 2000 being refurbished and modified for a new customer and a more abrasive application.

Is a refurbished shredder cheaper than a new shredder?

A refurbished machine can have a lower initial purchase cost than a comparable new machine, although pricing depends heavily on its condition, specification and the refurbishment work required.

What is hardfacing on a shredder?

Hardfacing is an engineering process in which a wear-resistant material is applied to a component or surface to improve resistance to abrasion and extend service life.

Why is hardfacing useful for industrial shredders?

Industrial shredders can process highly abrasive materials. Hardfacing can help protect vulnerable components from accelerated wear and potentially increase the time between major repairs.

What parts can be refurbished on a Lindner Micromat?

Depending on the condition of the machine, refurbishment can include the rotor, knives, counter-knives, screens, bearings, hydraulic components, wear surfaces and other mechanical components.

Can a used shredder be upgraded for a different material?

Yes. This is one of the key benefits of professional refurbishment. The machine can potentially be modified around the characteristics of its new feedstock, including abrasive or particularly demanding materials.

What is a Lindner Micromat 2000 used for?

The Micromat 2000 is a versatile single-shaft shredder used across applications including plastics, paper, wood, textiles and mixed waste. Its configuration can be adapted according to the material and required output.

Does Mach Tech sell refurbished Lindner shredders?

Mach Tech operates a part-exchange programme in which used machinery can be taken as part of sales negotiations. Suitable machines can then be refurbished and prepared for new applications.

Can Mach Tech refurbish other industrial shredders?

Mach Tech provides engineering, welding, hardfacing, repairs and maintenance services for industrial shredding equipment. The suitability of refurbishment will depend on the individual machine and the work required.

Looking for a refurbished industrial shredder?

If you’re looking to increase processing capacity without necessarily investing in an entirely new machine, a refurbished Lindner shredder could be worth considering.

Mach Tech Services can assess your requirements and help determine whether a new, used or refurbished machine is the most appropriate solution for your operation.

With specialist engineering, welding, hardfacing, parts and service capabilities available in-house, Mach Tech can prepare machinery around the demands of its next application.