01What Is A Hydraulic Alligator Shear
A hydraulic alligator shear is a jaw style cutting machine used to cut down scrap metal, cable, and rebar into sizes that are easier to handle, transport, and process. The name comes from the way the jaw closes, a fixed lower blade paired with a moving upper blade that comes down in a motion similar to an alligator closing its mouth.
The jaw is driven by a hydraulic cylinder, and the operator controls the cut with a foot pedal, which keeps both hands free to position material in the jaw. This combination of hydraulic force and foot pedal control is what allows a single operator to process heavy steel, copper, and cable safely and repeatedly through a full shift.
02Blade Size And Tonnage
Two numbers matter most when comparing shears, blade size and tonnage. Blade size describes the length of the jaw opening, typically stated in inches, and determines the largest piece of material the shear can accept in a single cut. Tonnage describes the force the hydraulic cylinder generates, which determines how thick or dense a material the shear can cut through cleanly.
A twelve inch shear such as the Model 1200 suits smaller operations and lighter material, a sixteen inch shear such as the Model 1600 fits mid sized yards handling a broader mix of scrap, and a twenty five inch shear such as the Model 2500 or 2500LD is built for high volume yards processing larger pieces all day. All three commonly run on a 110 ton hydraulic system, which is enough force for steel, copper, cable, and rebar across each size class.
03Comparing Motor Options
The motor that powers the hydraulic pump is usually a separate decision from blade size, and the right choice depends on where and how the shear will be used.
- Honda gas motor. Runs independent of shop power, which suits a yard without reliable electrical service or a shear that needs to move between locations.
- Dual powered motor. Offers flexibility to run on gas or electric power depending on the situation, useful for operations that want a backup option.
- Single phase 220V 10HP electric motor. A common choice for a shop with standard electrical service already in place, generally quieter and lower cost to run than a gas engine over time.
04Model Comparison
A quick side by side view of how the current lineup breaks down by size and typical use.
| Model | Blade Size | Tonnage | Motor Options | Best For |
|---|
| Model 1200 | 12 inch | 110 ton | Honda gas | Smaller operations |
| Model 1600 | 16 inch | 110 ton | Dual powered | Mid sized yards |
| Model 2500 | 25 inch | 110 ton | Honda gas, dual powered, single phase 220V 10HP | High volume yards |
| Model 2500LD | 25 inch | 110 ton | Varies by build | High volume yards |
| Skid Steer Shear | Attachment style | Matches host machine | Powered by skid steer | Mobile shearing without a dedicated machine |
New Versus Reconditioned
New equipment comes with a full lifetime guarantee on the main bearing assembly and a one year warranty on parts, along with the exact motor and blade configuration a yard wants from day one. A reconditioned shear, inspected and repaired in house, is often available at a lower cost and can be a smart choice for a yard that needs capacity quickly or is adding a second machine.
Either way, ask what was inspected or replaced during reconditioning, specifically the main bearing, the blades, and the hydraulic seals, since those are the components that see the most wear over the life of a shear.
06Maintenance And Longevity
A well maintained alligator shear can run for decades. The main bearing assembly is the component the lifetime guarantee is built around, so keeping it properly lubricated on schedule matters more than almost anything else. Blades will eventually need sharpening or replacement depending on how abrasive the material being cut is, and hydraulic seals should be checked whenever a machine starts running hotter or slower than usual.
Because parts are kept in house across a wide range of manufacturers, most replacement parts ship within twenty four to forty eight hours, which keeps a maintenance issue from turning into a week of downtime.
07Glossary Of Terms
- Alligator Shear
- A jaw style hydraulic cutting machine with a fixed lower blade and a moving upper blade, named for its resemblance to an alligator closing its mouth.
- Tonnage
- A measure of the cutting force a hydraulic cylinder can generate, which determines how thick or dense a material a shear can cut through cleanly.
- Blade Size
- The length of the jaw opening, usually measured in inches, which determines the largest piece of material a shear can accept in a single cut.
- Foot Pedal Control
- A control method that lets the operator trigger the cutting cycle with a foot pedal, keeping both hands free to position material.
- Dual Powered
- A motor configuration that can run on either gas or electric power, giving an operation flexibility depending on available power at a given site.
- Reconditioned Equipment
- A previously owned machine that has been inspected, repaired, and restored to reliable working condition before resale.
- Skid Steer Attachment
- A shear built to mount on a skid steer loader, powered by the host machine rather than its own dedicated motor.
