There are several key figures that affect the price of a compactor and, while there are many different types of compactors, the factors are generally the same for all of them. The compactor’s size — especially the loading bay’s size — affects how expensive the unit is because this determines how much can be placed in the unit at one time. A compactor is run by a power source, usually a motor, and the unit’s power affects the price of a compactor. Compression is a compactor’s major function, and the compression ratio indicates how well the compactor works in reducing size. Cycle time, or how long it takes to compact items, is another factor, because a lot of people want a quick cycle time.
A compactor is made to hold items such as trash and dirt, and most people want the compactor to hold a large amount of items. This desire for a good size makes size a factor that affects the price of a compactor. While the entire compactor’s size may figure into the price, what typically matters more is the loading bay, or the area where items are placed in the compactor. Larger bays typically increase the price.
To compress items, a compactor has a power source that causes a plate to squeeze down on the loaded items. High-power compactors are able to compact heavy items such as furniture and cars, while a weaker home model generally compacts cans and food. The amount of power affects the price of a compactor, with the price usually going up as the power rises.
The purpose of a compactor is to compact items so they take up less room, and most units are graded for how well they compress items. For example, a 2:1 compactor is able to compress items up to 50 percent; this is normally referred to as compression ratio. Higher ratios typically command higher prices, and this is a major factor that affects the price of a compactor.
Cycle time is a factor that changes the price of a compactor, because this affects how quickly the unit is able to compress items. Quick cycles typically run between 10 and 20 seconds, and longer cycles can take several minutes, depending on the overall size and power of the compactor. Fast cycle times will make the compactor more expensive, but most home users and some businesses can get a cheaper compactor if they are willing to wait a bit longer for the compactor to finish.