91·ïÃùÄñ³ª

The importance of magnets in the concrete recycling, construction, and demolition waste industries is not rocket science (it’s rock science!). The ability to efficiently sort through concrete rubble for rebar and other metal contaminants is necessary to generate a clean and useful final product.

Usually installed along the conveyors of a portable plant, inline and cross belt magnets are valuable crusher components for separating rebar and other ferrous metal contaminants quickly and automatically from the concrete being crushed and recycled.

At 91·ïÃùÄñ³ª, we understand the importance of magnets in concrete recycling operations, and we want to show you the invaluable role these components play and help you figure out which one is right for your operation.

The Two Types of Magnets

Magnets come in two primary varieties in the crushing industry: electromagnets and permanent magnets.

Permanent Magnets

Permanent magnets are, as their name suggests, permanently magnetized. They will remain magnetic for their entire service life and require nothing other than proper placement to remove rebar or other ferrous materials that pass near them. Pretty straightforward!

Electromagnets

Electromagnets utilize an electric current to generate a magnetic field that attracts the rebar and other steel. However, when the power is removed, the magnetic field disappears. These magnets are usually more powerful than permanent magnets but are frequently larger, more complex, and weigh substantially more.

In most applications, we equip both types of magnets with a reinforced belt that allows the material to be pushed away from the magnetic field and discharged via a chute into a scrap bin or pile for recycling or disposal.

How Rebar Separator Magnets Add Value to Your Operation

These systems are designed and manufactured to collect and dispose of rebar and other metal contaminants buried within high volumes of reclaimed concrete material. A rebar separator magnet can be configured to attract and release these metals into a dumpster or other container for expedited accumulation and resale purposes.

Beyond helping to generate a cleaner final product, magnetic separators reduce unnecessary expenses in several ways:

• Produce cleaner recycled aggregate products
• Create additional revenue from separated scrap metal
• Protect downstream equipment from metal damage
• Automate metal removal, reducing manual labor
• Reduce contamination in final materials

Inline Magnet vs. Cross Belt Magnet: What’s the Difference?

The difference between an inline magnet and a cross belt magnet is in how they’re positioned relative to the conveyor and how they handle metal separation.

Inline Magnet Configuration

An inline magnet is positioned in line with the conveyor, usually at the very end of the conveyor at a transfer point to another conveyor. The magnet attracts rebar parallel with the conveyor and releases the metal contaminants at the end.

Here’s why inline magnets are generally more efficient: The material isn’t weighed down against the belt when it’s transferred to another conveyor, as it would be with cross belt. At the transfer point, material momentarily lifts off the belt, allowing the magnet to pull the steel through the otherwise heavy rock and collect it more effectively.

Inline magnets work best for operations with:

• Heavy volumes of reclaimed concrete
• Higher conveyor speeds
• Space for end-of-conveyor discharge
• Transfer points between conveyors

Cross Belt Magnet Configuration

A cross belt magnet is situated perpendicular to the conveyor, attracting and releasing metal from the side of the crusher machine.

When is cross belt necessary? At times, plant or conveyor configurations preclude having an inline magnet at the end of a conveyor, and a cross belt magnet is the way to go. For example, the RapiDeploy® 500 and RapiDeploy® 1000 plants feature an optional cross belt permanent magnet that can stay on for transport—pretty convenient!

Cross belt magnets are ideal when:

• Site layout requires side discharge
• Space at conveyor end is limited
• Equipment must remain mobile with magnet attached
• Plant configuration doesn’t allow inline placement

Choosing the Right Concrete Recycling Magnets for Your Operation

The usefulness of each type depends on your unique operation. Here’s what to consider when selecting concrete recycling magnets:

• Volume and Speed: If a crusher is conveying heavy volumes of reclaimed concrete or is conveying material more quickly, installing an inline magnet may be more practical due to its superior removal efficiency at transfer points.
• Site Layout: It may be more practical to install a cross belt magnet to best fit the optimal layout of the crushing site and equipment, especially when end-of-conveyor space is limited.
• Material Characteristics: The amount and type of metal contamination in your feed material can influence which configuration performs best. Heavy rebar contamination benefits from inline efficiency, while lighter contamination may work fine with cross belt.
• Discharge Requirements: Consider where collected metal needs to go—end discharge or side discharge—based on your dumpster placement and site flow.
• Portability Needs: If your plant needs to move frequently, cross belt permanent magnets (like those on RapiDeploy® models) can remain attached during transport, saving setup time.
• Power Availability: Permanent magnets require no power connection, while electromagnets need electrical supply. Consider your site’s power infrastructure when deciding between magnet types.

Find Your Best Solution With 91·ïÃùÄñ³ª

91·ïÃùÄñ³ª offers both inline and cross belt options designed specifically for concrete recycling operations. Our rebar separator magnets are engineered for durability and efficient metal removal in demanding crushing environments. To learn more about which electromagnet option may best suit your operation’s needs, contact our service team or parts department.