Use Case – HSM V-Press 818 plus vs HSM V-Press 610 eco

The Challenge

A 3-shift e-commerce logistics center in Rotterdam relied on a mid-range HSM V-Press 610 eco to compress mixed cardboard and film from cross-docking operations. As parcel volumes increased, staff spent excessive time tying off lightweight bales, changing pallets, and moving them to the dock area.

Management considered whether to continue with the 100 kg baler or to upgrade to the heavy-duty HSM V-Press 818 plus, which produces 200 kg bales and features a 4 kW motor. Key factors in the decision included operator time per metric ton, suitability for continuous 3-shift use, space requirements, and the return on the higher investment.

Product B: HSM V-Press 610 eco

The HSM V-Press 610 eco provides a pressing force of 120 kN and forms bales weighing up to 100 kg with dimensions of 800 x 600 x 600 mm. Powered by a 3 kW motor and occupying a compact area of 1.2 x 0.8 m, it is ideal for handling small to moderate waste volumes near the source.

In day-to-day use, the facility averaged 4 bales per hour over three shifts (the midpoint of its 3–6 bales/hour rating), resulting in about 72 bales per day at 60% utilization. This equates to approximately 7.2 tons per day of compacted waste, but required frequent bale tying, pallet changes, and transport, increasing labor time per metric ton.

While the purchase price of about €9,299 kept capital expenses low, the mid-range design led to more handling cycles and less efficient operator use in a 24/7 operation.

Product A: HSM V-Press 818 plus

The HSM V-Press 818 plus boosts pressing force to 185 kN (about 18.5 tons) and doubles bale weight to as much as 200 kg with bale dimensions of 1200 x 780 x 700 mm. Its robust 4 kW industrial motor is engineered for continuous 3-shift operation with mixed cardboard, film, and lightweight plastics.

At 60% of its practical throughput, the facility easily produced 3 bales per hour at 200 kg each, totaling 36 bales per day and again about 7.2 tons per day. The same material volume was processed with half as many bales, reducing tying, pallet changes, and bale handling by over 50%.

The advanced TorsionControlSystem, a larger filling opening (1195 x 540 mm), and a higher loading height of 958 mm made loading faster and helped prevent misfeeds. With a price of around €13,499, it is the premium choice, specifically designed for demanding logistics environments.

ROI & Value Analysis

Product B Performance:

• Cycle rate: 4 bales per hour at 100 kg
• Daily output (3 x 8 h, 60% load): 72 bales per day ≈ 7.2 t/day
• Handling actions: 72 tie-offs and pallet changes per day
• Daily labor cost: each bale change + tie-off ≈ 3 minutes ⇒ 216 minutes per day ≈ 3.6 hours per day ≈ €90 per day at €25/h

Product A Performance:

• Cycle rate: 3 bales per hour at 200 kg
• Daily output (3 x 8 h, 60% load): 36 bales per day ≈ 7.2 t/day
• Handling actions: 36 tie-offs and pallet changes per day
• Daily labor cost: 36 bales x 3 minutes ≈ 108 minutes per day ≈ 1.8 hours per day ≈ €45 per day

The 818 plus handles the same amount of material with 36 fewer bales per day, saving about 1.8 labor hours per day or €45 per day. Over a 5-day week, this adds up to roughly €225 per week, or about €11,700 per year in labor savings alone.

Investment Comparison:
Product B price: €9,299
Product A price: €13,499
Price difference: €4,200
Daily savings with Product A: €45 per day
Payback on price difference: less than 4 months (≈94 operating days)

Verdict

Opt for Product B if your budget is strictly below €10,000 and your facility processes less than 3 tonnes/day with a single shift and has limited power or space available.

Product A is the better choice if you operate 2–3 shifts, handle more than 3 tonnes/day of cardboard and film, and are looking to cut operator handling time per tonne by over 50% while maintaining a small equipment footprint. For most logistics and distribution centers, the HSM V-Press 818 plus recoups its higher price within months and then continues to provide ongoing labor and throughput savings year after year.

“Upgrading from the 610 eco to the 818 plus cut our bale handling time in half and freed up nearly two operator hours each day. The increased bale weight and industrial-grade drive make it ideal for our 3-shift operation.” — Martin de Vries, Operations Manager, RijnPort Logistics / Rotterdam