Alligator Shears

An alligator shear is a metal-cutting/cleaning shear with a hinged jaw. Modern shears are hydraulic cylinder activated by using a foot control. Shears are used to cut and clean pipe or other long-length scrap metals like angle irons, aluminum, copper, and I-beams.

There are still some mechanical flywheel powered alligator shears in use today, but modern alligator shears are powered by heavy duty hydraulic pistons. Older flywheel style shears were very dangerous, and many people have lost limbs and suffered serious injuries using them due to the flywheel operating continuously and the rapidly moving cutting blades. The flywheel style machines had no safety features to speak of, thus the evolution towards hydraulic piston operated machines equipped with cutting blade guards and safety mechanisms; one in particular is the foot pedal. When the pedal is compressed, the cutting motion is initiated. When the operator takes his foot off the pedal, the cutting motion is stopped and the cutting blades release and return to the up/open position.

The hydraulic operated shear cutting process starts when the piston arm is activated using the foot pedal. The arm extends and slowly closes the upper jaw of the alligator shear and passes alongside the bed or lower jaw of the shear accomplishing the cut. Alligator shears are used for cutting metal stock or scrap in cases where torch cutting is the only alternative, or accuracy isn't a factor, and the shape or size prohibits cutting or shearing the metal using other methods. Alligator shears are a frequent companion piece of equipment to large metal shredders in the metal recycling industry. Shears are used to  remove unwanted pieces that may hinder shredding, or damage the shredder.