First Capital Fibers sees unprecedented production levels with IPS Conquest 180-100S.
For Joe Stover, owner of First Capital Fibers, York, Pa., making the switch to a horizontal baler from his trusted two-ram was like venturing into uncharted waters. “I’ve been in the business since 1978 and all I ever knew was a two-ram,” Stover says. But in guiding his high-grade paper operation through an upgrade to a larger facility, Stover knew he needed to boost his equipment to match. For the additional power and production he needed, he didn’t have to look much further than the company that provided his trusted TR-1270 two-ram—IPS Balers Inc. of Baxley, Ga., and its Conquest 180-100S Dual Hinge-Side Auto-Tie Baler.
General Manager Bert Plaza says the Conquest model put any fears of switching to rest immediately. “Going to the horizontal baler, that’s like moving to a different country and not speaking the language,” he says. “But the three weeks we’ve spent with the machine have been phenomenal.”
“It’s off the charts,” says Stover of the production rates he’s seeing with the new Conquest model as it handles the company’s usual 4,000 tons per month with speed and ease that came as a pleasant surprise to Stover and Plaza. “It’s astonishing—we have no gauge to measure the improvement,” Stover says.
The Conquest’s 72-inch-by-72-inch charge box dwarfs the more commonly found 42-inch size of other machines, and the 100-horsepower model at First Capital Fibers boasts production rates of at least 50 tons per hour for high grades and at least 20 tons per hour of OCC.
In addition, the dual hinge side design eliminates the need for pre-conditioning on most high-grade material, which has helped boost production. “We just pile [material] in there,” says Plaza. “We put it on the belt and watch it go.”
The Conquest also produces export-quality bales at 43 inches by 43 inches to help maximize export containers.
Stover says the machine’s performance has been well matched by IPS’ service. “Seven and a half years ago, when I bought the first IPS machine, nobody else showed me the care and consideration they did,” he says. “They’re a proven company as far as design and they have a lot of experts in the industry, which gives us a true comfort level.”
Between the increased production and same quality service, the IPS Conquest has delivered and the risk has more than paid off, according to Stover. “It’s really hard to get away from a proven piece of equipment,” he says. “But it’s gone beyond our wildest dreams.”
Joe Stover
First Capital Fibers
York, PA
First Capital Fibers
York, PA
