Bermondsey Metals Recycling has added a SK50 SRX-7 Kobelco mini excavator, fitted with an NPK selector grab, to efficiently sort and separate scrap metal in the confines of their unique Central London scrap yard.
A Scrap Yard in the Shadow of the Shard
As far as scrap yards go, this one is a little different from what you might expect. Situated in the shadow of the iconic Shard, and nestled in an archway under Tower Bridge, you’d be forgiven for not spotting this bustling scrap metal facility straight away. However, since the 1980s, Bermondsey Metals Recycling has called this unique location home.
Owned and run by Danny Lands and his partner Dominic Doorey, Bermondsey Metals Recycling specialises in both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The team handles everything from site cables to aluminium, brass and copper, carefully sorting materials to ensure they’re ready for responsible resale or recycling.
The business has built a reputation as a trusted recycling hub for local businesses, construction sites and the wider public. Their central location on the south side of the River Thames allows customers in the area a convenient drop-off point to recycle all their waste metals, with the team known for offering competitive rates.
Kobelco Mini Excavator Meets the Challenge of Tight Spaces
Faced with the challenges of operating in a congested urban environment, Bermondsey Metals Recycling needed machinery that could comfortably manoeuvre within tight spaces, particularly when loading and unloading metals delivered by van or skip. Recognising the limitations of their previous 3-tonne excavator, Danny opted for a more capable machine, something compact, powerful and easy to manoeuvre in confined areas. The SK50 SRX-7 Kobelco mini excavator ticked all the right boxes.
The new SK50 SRX-7 Kobelco mini excavator comes with a brand new Yanmar 4TNV88C engine that delivers 39hp at 2400 rpm, offering a reduced cycle time of up to 11% compared to the previous model. As the business is open to walk-ins, the higher capacity of the SK50 compared to their previous machine means it has reduced the time the customers have to wait for their loads to be unloaded and sorted. What’s more, fitting this with a 360-degree rotating NPK selector grab means that Bermondsey Metals Recycling are able to segregate the different metals in a mixed load more efficiently and accurately.
SK50SRX Kobelco Mini Excavator – Compact Yet Powerful
Danny explained, “The SK50SRX Kobelco mini excavator is really compact for a machine of this size. Thisallows us to efficiently operate in our tight yard, and to handle bigger loads”.
With an operating weight of approximately 5,230 kg, The SK50 SRX-7 Kobelco mini excavator is a compact yet powerful machine designed for efficiency and operator comfort. It also has the Kobelco iNDr (Integrated Noise & Dust Reduction) system that keeps the air flow around the engine bay clean and consistent, while also reducing the noise of the engine.
NPK DG6 Grab Gives Precise Control
The NPK DG6 grab is also supplied by Molson. This benefits from the Kobelco mini excavator’s advanced hydraulic system, which delivers more than enough oil flow to give the operator precise control. The selector grab,(which is also commonly referred to as a demolition grab – hence the DG in the model name) allows the team to sort and separate different metals without the need to do anything by hand. The precision and strength of the NPK grab, along with the peace of mind that this full solution was provided by one company, was the key for Danny’s investment decision.
Molson Makes It Easy
The purchase of the SK50 SRX-7 Kobelco mini excavator followed a careful evaluation process involving trials of several machines and discussions with trusted industry contacts. The final recommendation introduced Danny to Stuart Butler, Sales Director at Molson Group. “Stuart drove down from Bristol specifically to meet with us. We had a productive discussion over coffee, and within a week, the deal was finalised. Two weeks later, our new Kobelco mini excavator was delivered,” Danny recalls.
Stuart added, “It was a real pleasure doing business with Danny and the whole team at Bermondsey Metals Recycling. It is easy to see how they have built such a great reputation.”
Molson offers a complete range of Kobelco mini excavators that are a perfect fit for all types of job sites. Whether you’re working in tight city spaces or on a bustling construction site, these machines are designed to be compact, powerful, reliable and efficient.
