Client Background

The client is Shafton Steel Services, a steel processing manufacturer based in South Yorkshire, UK, and part of the Billington Holdings group. The plant operates a robotic cutting and drilling production line that generates a large volume of steel scrap. The scrap falls automatically into a pit below the equipment. Traditional conveyor belt systems are typically used for this type of scrap handling. But space constraints at the plant made a conventional conveyor system impossible to install. Even if they could fit one, maintenance costs were high and safety risks were a real concern.

Challenges Faced

Tight space in the pit: The scrap pit had limited floor space. A standard conveyor system would have taken up too much room. There was simply no way to make it fit into the existing layout.

Maintenance was a pain: Conveyor systems are complicated. Cleaning them is messy and time-consuming. Replacing parts requires a lot of working space — something this pit did not have.

Safety concerns with pit access: Clearing scrap from the pit meant sending workers down into a confined space. That came with obvious risks, and the narrow working area made safe operation even harder.

Costs had to make sense: The client wanted an alternative that would keep production running smoothly without the high upfront and ongoing costs of a traditional conveyor setup.

Beijun Solution

Shandong Beijun Group designed a custom scissor lift solution specifically for this plant's space constraints and maintenance headaches:

Core Equipment: Custom Track-Mounted Scissor Lift
   The unit is installed inside the scrap pit and runs along a rail system. It carries a scrap collection bin on the platform. When the bin is full, the platform moves along the track to one end of the pit, then rises to ground level so a forklift or overhead crane can remove and empty it.

Design Features:

Compact footprint: Compared to a conveyor system, the scissor lift takes up much less floor space. It fits into the pit without forcing major changes to the plant layout.

Heavy-duty construction: The scissor arms are made from high-strength manganese steel. They handle the frequent lifting cycles required for steel scrap removal without issue.

Track-mounted mobility: An electric motor drives the platform along the track. It moves the bin horizontally within the pit and coordinates with the lifting motion for smooth operation.

Safety built in: The lift is equipped with hydraulic burst valves to prevent sudden drops if a hose fails. Limit switches stop movement at the ends of the track. The low-voltage control system adds another layer of protection.

Beyond the custom tracked unit, Beijun also offers a range of wheel scissor lifts for more flexible applications. The client was particularly impressed with the ability to tailor the tracked solution to their exact pit dimensions.

Implementation Results

Maintenance got a lot easier: The scissor lift can be lifted out of the pit as a complete unit using an overhead crane. That makes cleaning the pit and servicing the equipment straightforward. The client reported that maintenance on the lift is about 20 to 25 percent simpler than on the conveyor system they would have otherwise used. That translates directly to lower labor costs and less downtime.

Costs came way down: The total investment for the custom scissor lift was approximately £29,000. That is roughly half the cost of a comparable conveyor belt system. The client got the functionality they needed at a price that made financial sense.

Safety improved immediately: The lift raises the full scrap bin to ground level for emptying. Workers no longer need to enter the pit for manual clearing. The confined space entry risk was eliminated from day one.

Reliable, continuous operation: Since the equipment was installed, scrap has been transferred safely and consistently. No production stoppages have occurred due to lift-related issues.

Client Testimonial

"Beijun's custom scissor lift takes up minimal space and is much easier to maintain — roughly 20 to 25 percent less effort than a conveyor system. That has a direct impact on our operating costs. The total investment was about £29,000, which is roughly half the cost of a comparable conveyor setup. More importantly, Beijun was the only supplier that could offer a solution fully adapted to our site layout. They understood our requirements and delivered a system that genuinely works." – Ryan O'Connor, Section Manager, Shafton Steel Services