Frozen fruit producer eliminates spillage

TIPTRAK™ BUCKET CONVEYOR PAYS FOR ITSELF IN JUST SIX MONTHS, THANKS TO IMPROVED THROUGHPUT AND PRODUCTIVITY.

A U.S.-based grower, processor and distributor of premium fresh-picked and frozen berries. Founded in the early 1900s, the family-run business operates farms and processing plants in the Pacific Northwest, as well as other locations in the USA and globally. Their range of frozen products include blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries, as well as cherries, mangos and mixed fruit.

Customer:

Regional producer of fruit

Industry:

Food

Materials:

Frozen Berries

Equipment:

S-2 Open TipTrak™ Bucket Conveyor

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challenges

Significant spillage during production, which decreased their throughput and productivity. With an inclined belt conveyor installed at the end of the sorting line, the fruit product was lifted 14 feet into a bin that fed the packaging line. An estimated three percent of product was lost during the process. The customer “jerry-rigged” plastic sheeting around the conveyor to try to contain the spillage. They also tried adjusting the speed. Nothing worked!

Custom -
Erization

The customer approached UniTrak for a custom solution to address their frequent spillage. UniTrak’s territory rep Ed McAdoo completed a detailed application review and proposed the TipTrak™ bucket conveyor, whose deep buckets and proprietary bucket interlocking system virtually eliminate spillage. The customer selected the open frame S-2 model, which is constructed from stainless steel tubing and covered in clear polycarbonate for personnel protection. It also allows for easy product monitoring.

The TipTrak™ features options such as NSK Silverlube bearings with end-caps, sealed bolt sleeves, and a welded discharge chute for food-grade applications. It is also equipped with a heavy-duty bucket knocker to help clear sticky product from the buckets at the discharge point. To minimize downtime with faster cleaning, a washdown duty motor, gear reducer and waterproof bearings are included.

Solutions

Capable of handling 240 pounds of product per minute, the TipTrak™ saved an estimated 50 percent per pound bag and completely eliminated their spillage. The reduced waste means higher throughput and productivity. Within six months, the TipTrak unit paid for itself.

If you’re looking to drastically reduce your own spillage, UniTrak can help. Get in touch to learn more about TipTrak™ bucket conveyors and how they can improve efficiency on your production line.

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