The metal alligator shear is more popularly known as a lever shear. It is a metal-cutting shear with a hinged jaw. It is usually powered by a flywheel or hydraulic cylinder. The jaw size used can range from 4 to 36 inches long. These are used to cut steel members such as pipe, angle, etc. The alligator shears are used for cutting long metal stock or to prepare scrap for shredding.
Hydraulic alligator metal shear is also called squaring shear or power shear. It may be powered by foot or mechanical energy. It first clamps the material with a ram and then the two blades make contact with each other to shear the material. The moving blade comes down to the fixed blade and shears the material. The technique used for larger shears is different, with the moving blade set on an angle. The other parts of the equipment include a shear table, work-holding device, upper and lower blades and a gauging device. The metal to be sheared is kept on the shear table and the work-holding device keeps it from moving. The gauging device ensures the right place of cut.
