RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico – What’s a strong performer when it comes to a machine or piece of equipment? Try years of service. A machine that gets the job done with minimal downtime is a good performer. One that has been in service and working reliably since 2011 is the strongest of performers.
Purchased in 2011, a HogZilla TCII-1564P tub grinder serves the New Mexico facility of Universal Waste Systems (UWS). CW Mill Equipment in Sabetha, Kansas, manufactures the HogZilla brand of grinding equipment.
Universal Waste Systems is headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. The largest family-owned recycling business in the West, the company serves clients in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
“Universal Waste Systems focuses on providing quality service, responsible solutions, and beneficial reuse of waste streams,” said Jared Jensen, operations supervisor at the company’s New Mexico site. Among the company’s many ventures – products like mulch, wood chips, planter mix, organic compost – is a Green Education Program that includes mobile landscape demonstrations.
The company added its facility in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, when it purchased Sierra Contracting in 2024. Sierra had purchased the HogZilla in 2011. “The HogZilla tub grinder is an incredible piece of equipment,” said Jared.
How does Jared define incredible? “Plenty of power to process large wood – six feet in diameter, stumps and brush,” he explained.
From left, operations manager Jared Jensen and Evan Romerco, yard supervisor.
And there’s more. “Maintenance was well thought out,” said Jared. “Ease of operation and incredible backing from CW Mill is absolutely key to maximizing uptime.”
In fact, the service the grinder has provided going on 15 years matches all that was promised by CW Mill Equipment. “Production, ease of maintenance, and the ability to handle large diameter wood” earned the machine a spot on the company’s roster of equipment, said Jared.
The team at CW Mill Equipment has proven itself a reliable and expert partner in ensuring the HogZilla performs as expected, said Jared. With the “great” mechanics on the CW Mill Equipment team a customer can expect expert help and a do-whatever-it-takes attitude that will resolve any issue.
The team at CW Mill Equipment brings strength in every aspect of its approach to assisting customers. “Brian Bergman in grinder parts is as good of a customer service agent as you will find in the industry,” said Jared. “Tim Wenger (owner of CW Mill Equipment) is a huge resource in finding available grinders and support to customers.”
Then, there’s the design of the grinder itself. With routine maintenance a must on every piece of equipment, the customer was in focus from the start. “CW Mill really nailed it on this unit,” said Jared.
What resulted? “Everything opens up to give ample access,” he explained. “Simple units clearly identified and accurately placed help achieve safe and economical maintenance.”
Universal Waste Systems was founded in 1986. The company offers a wide range of services related to solid waste management, disposal, and recycling. Services include residential and commercial trash pickup, commercial recycling, septic services, portable toilet and hand washing stations, dumpster rental, and more.
At the New Mexico facility, Volvo 210 and Volvo 220 excavators feed wood material into the tub grinder. “In order to maintain the constant flow of brush, we use a Caterpillar 962H (wheel loader) equipped with a 10 cubic yard bucket to push brush within excavator reach to maintain production,” said Jared. When mulch is being reground, a smaller bucket is used to load the grinder. The goal then is to reduce the mulch to a finer product.
Mulch and compost are top products from the New Mexico facility, sold bulk wholesale. The ability of a single grinder, HogZilla, to make both products is important. “The unit is a good choice as you can customize screen size to meet customer requirements,” said Jared “Landfills, nurseries, and landscape companies utilize each product in different ways to meet their needs.”
The productivity of the HogZilla grinder gets high marks from Jared. “We produce 750 to 1,000 cubic yards per hour when operating.”
The facility in Ruidoso Downs, a town of about 2,000 people located about 190 miles east and southeast of Albuquerque, takes in raw material from the local area and distributes varied products across the Land of Enchantment. The company serves customers up to about 300 miles away.
‘The HogZilla tub grinder is an incredible piece of equipment,’ says Jared Jensen, operations supervisor at the company’s New Mexico site. ‘Plenty of power to process large wood – six feet in diameter, stumps and brush.’
A native of New Mexico, Jared grew up in the logging industry. He logged with his father in the family business, Jensen Contracting.
Working with his father, Jared became experienced with both mechanized felling and hand cutting. The region has forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, white pine, blue spruce, alligator juniper, and cedar. Trees three to four feet in diameter are not uncommon. Jared has seen alligator juniper five feet in diameter.
Jared’s logging experience has been invaluable in his role at Universal Waste Systems. As operations manager at the New Mexico facility, he oversees the processing and grinding of a range of wood waste types, all destined for maximum recycling. Debris from recent wildfires has been in the mix.
“Universal Waste Systems looks at all opportunities,” said Jared. The focus is always on maximizing the life (and service) of wood fiber.
To start, all incoming logs are merchandised. Even wood coming from fire-damaged areas will be evaluated for logs that can be supplied to sawmills.
“As part of wildfire debris mitigation efforts, we help divert and reduce bulk wood waste” in multiple ways, said Jared. Besides diverting some logs to sawmills, the company uses material to make mulch that is used for covering and rehabilitating landfills. Wood also is used to make shavings, animal bedding, and some low-grade logs are supplied to firewood businesses.
The company’s operations span 20 acres. “One acre is for (receiving) green waste delivery, and 10 acres are for compost product,” said Jared. About 85 percent of the raw material wood is delivered. The company also has a grapple truck to pick up and retrieve green waste.
Evan Romero is the yard supervisor. He became a sanitary stainless welder at 19 years old until 2021, when he became a heavy equipment operator for Sierra Contracting. Adapting and excelling at all aspects of what are now Universal Waste Systems operations, Evan is a key player in production and quality of mulch and compost. His favorite part is transforming wood waste into a beneficial compost product.
“We serve everyone from small business landscapers, homeowners, and arborists up to corporations, municipalities, and waste authorities,” said Jared. All activities are guided by the philosophy held by Universal Waste Systems. The approach is that “quality of service and good community partnerships help foster successful outcomes,” said Jared. It’s a philosophy that meshes well with that of CW Mill Equipment.
Durability and reliability are trademarks of the HogZilla tub grinder. It was the optimal choice in 2011 because it can easily be fed with large diameter wood. The grinder is versatile, too.
“Versatility,” said Jared, is what he most enjoys about his role at United Waste Systems. “UWS offers the opportunity to adapt our operation and find solutions that work – the core of that solution is HogZilla.”
CW Mill Equipment offers HogZilla grinders with two power options: diesel and electric. As part of its many services to customers, the manufacturer can convert diesel-powered models to electric. Refurbishing grinders is another service the company offers along with service for all brands and models of grinders. A refurbished grinder can see as many as 10,000 hours of service – or even more.
The heart of a TC series grinder is the torque converter drive that always allows the engine to perform at peak efficiency with multiplied torque. TC series engines operate near governed speed throughout the work cycle – regardless of the load requirements. Torque converters allow the engine to avoid lugging and needless racing while protecting the engine from shock and loads from torsion.
The strength and reliability of industrial torque converters was proven decades ago in the rock crushing industry, and CW Mill Equipment pioneered and perfected their use in tub grinders. As an added benefit, the torque converter drives the hammermill without the use of a jackshaft or belts.
“CW Mill has the best support system of any heavy equipment company I have ever worked with,” said Jared. “They know their machines, where to get parts and how to get you up and going.”
Like CW Mill Equipment, Universal Waste Systems is committed to doing what it takes. “In 2024 our town had a wildfire event – South Fork and Salt fires – sweep through, burning 1,400 structures and 25,000 acres,” said Jared. In the aftermath of the fires, Universal Waste Systems supported cleanup efforts, donated to the community and the displaced, and deployed team members to support fire personnel where possible.
In his free time Jared enjoys being with his family – hunting, fishing, playing games, learning, all with a focus on helping his children to succeed. “Family time is irreplaceable,” he said.
