Powerhand launches the VRS180 Drive-In: a new era for auto recycling

Auto recycling is an industry built on efficiency and profitability. Every machine, every attachment, and every process has to earn its place in the yard. That’s why Powerhand has developed its latest innovation, the VRS180 Drive-In (patent pending), a solution designed to deliver all the performance of the world-renowned VRS system with a whole new level of flexibility.

Powerhand: design-led, engineering-backed

For decades, Powerhand has been at the forefront of attachment manufacturing for auto recycling, forestry, and rail. Every product is designed, engineered and built in-house in Scotland, drawing on more than a century of collective engineering expertise. The result is a range of high-performance hydraulic attachments trusted worldwide for their reliability, strength, and ability to drastically increase profitability.

The Vehicle Recycling System (VRS) has set a new standard in auto recycling. Its ability to dismantle vehicles quickly and precisely allows operators to:

Remove high-value materials such as copper wiring loom, aluminium radiators, manifold CATs, heavy steel axles and suspension components, engines, and gearboxes from the lower-value vehicle shell
Strip vehicles in a fraction of the time
Separate materials cleanly to maximise value
Reduce landfill and disposal costs
Reduce the need for manual labour to increase efficiency

The VRS is not just another attachment; it is a proven profit driver.

The newest evolution: VRS180 Drive-In

Building on this success, the VRS180 Drive-In introduces a unique mounting solution that eliminates traditional potential barriers to installation and use.

Instead of relying on welded chassis brackets, operators can simply drive an excavator or materials handler into the clamp leg system, connect the hydraulics, and begin dismantling in minutes.

This innovation transforms the way recyclers use the VRS:

No chassis brackets required – eliminates machine downtime for installation
Move between machines – one system can be used across multiple machines
Rapid installation – connect and start work quickly
Broad compatibility – suitable for excavators (14–30 tons) and materials handlers (18–30 tons)

Why it matters

The Drive-In is not just about flexibility. It is about reducing downtime, cutting operating costs, and enabling yards to process more vehicles every day. By combining the proven profitability of the VRS system with the freedom to switch between machines, the Drive-In helps unlock new levels of efficiency and return on investment.

Built for performance, engineered for profit

With the launch of the VRS180 Drive-In, Powerhand continues its mission to create attachments that do not just perform, they redefine what operators can expect from their equipment. The Drive-In is more than a new product. It is the next step in a system designed to make auto recycling faster, more flexible, and more profitable.