The short answer is: The overwhelming majority of industrial metal scrap balers absolutely require drilling and bolting into a proper concrete foundation. Standing without drilling is extremely rare, dangerous, and not recommended for standard models.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Why Drilling and Bolting is Almost Always Required:

Immense Forces and Vibration: Balers operate under tremendous hydraulic pressure (often hundreds of tons). This creates significant shearing forces, twisting, and vibration. Without being securely anchored, the machine can "walk," shift, or rock, leading to:

Structural Damage: To the baler itself, including misalignment of the hydraulic cylinder and plunger.

Hose/Pipe Failure: Violent movement can rupture high-pressure hydraulic lines.

Critical Safety Hazard: An unsecured multi-ton machine moving unpredictably is a major risk to operators and nearby structures.

Shear Force Resistance: The baling process doesn't just push down; it creates lateral forces. Anchor bolts are designed to resist these shear forces, preventing the machine from sliding across the floor.

Manufacturer and Insurance Requirement: Installation per the manufacturer's specific foundation and anchoring instructions is almost always mandatory to:

Keep the equipment warranty valid.

Comply with insurance policies and OSHA (or local equivalent) safety regulations. An unanchored baler would likely fail an inspection.

Foundation Specifications: It's not just about bolts. The floor must be a reinforced concrete foundation of a specified thickness (e.g., 12" to 24+ inches) with a minimum compressive strength (e.g., 3000 psi or higher). A standard warehouse floor slab is almost never sufficient.

When Might a "No-Drill" Installation Be Possible?

There are only a few exceptions, and they come with strict caveats:

Very Small, Low-Capacity Balers: Some mini or mid-size balers for non-ferrous metals (like aluminum cans or light copper wire) with hydraulic forces under ~50 tons might be designed as a "packaged unit" on a skid. However, even these are highly recommended to be anchored for safety and stability.

Specialized "Mobile" or "Containerized" Balers: These are self-contained units built within a shipping container or on a heavy-duty trailer frame. They are designed to be transportable and distribute their forces across their own massive base frame. They may sit on heavy-duty blocking or pads but are not typically bolted in a permanent sense. This is a specific design, not a standard baler.

Anti-Vibration Pads on Sufficient Floors: For smaller models, high-performance engineered polymer pads can be used in conjunction with anchoring to dampen vibration. They are almost never a substitute for bolts.

Key Steps for Proper Installation:

Consult the Manual First: The manufacturer's installation guide is the law. It will specify foundation design, bolt size/grade, torque settings, and layout.

Site Preparation: This usually involves a contractor excavating and pouring a reinforced concrete foundation pad or pit to exact specifications.

Embedded Bolt Method (Most Common): Anchor bolt cages are set into the wet concrete before it cures. The baler is then placed over the bolts and secured with nuts. This is the strongest method.

Post-Installed Anchors (Less Common): High-strength chemical or mechanical anchors can be used in existing, verified-adequate slabs, following engineer approval.

Conclusion:

You must plan and budget for a proper, drilled and bolted foundation installation. Assume this is a requirement unless you are specifically discussing a very small, light-duty baler or a uniquely designed mobile unit with the manufacturer.

Always:

Consult the baler manufacturer's installation manual before purchase.

Have a qualified civil engineer assess and specify the foundation.

Use a professional rigging/millwright company for installation.

Never compromise on this fundamental safety requirement. The risks of an unsecured baler are far too high.