Haith launches its pro-line solution at Fruit Logistica

The UK's leading designer and manufacturer of vegetable handling machines will use Fruit Logistica to officially launch an innovative new solution for packers and processors looking for a complete turnkey solution. The Pro-Line from Haith Group is a flexible wash line platform designed to deliver maximum operating efficiencies while giving class-leading gentle handling and labor reduction.

Developed over the last two years, Haith's new solution features box tippler, soil separator, destoner, washer, polisher, optical graders, box fillers, and packing machines in a customizable package, which provides customers with the most efficient and cost-effective way of streamlining their handling and packing processes.

Duane Hill, Haith's Managing Director:
 

"In the last couple of years, we have undertaken some of our largest ever turnkey projects. We've worked with a broad range of customers, from some of the biggest food producers and packers in the UK and overseas to lots of smaller businesses."

"By working on these complete solution projects, we have refined how our machines work together. Now we have a proven approach to delivering the most efficient lines possible while retaining the ability to customize them to suit our customers' precise requirements. We are looking forward to being in Berlin next month and introducing people to our innovative solution."

Haith's Pro-Line starts with its class-leading all-electric drive Rota Tip Up-Eject, with its patent-pending energy-efficient and robust design. Produce then moves through to a soil remover, which can be customized to suit the crop and the volume of soil surrounding it.

Haith's re-sizing units with a patented swing fill box filler can be positioned in front of Haith's Supa Wash with integral destoner and floating debris removal. Once washed and clear of debris, the crop enters Haith's root veg polisher with an optional sliding bypass system.

Haith's latest polisher features optional Cleaning In Place (CIP), which allows the operator to set the time when the polisher is cleaned by the detergent dosage system, preventing the build-up of bacteria. CIP is complemented by a zero-slip barrel drive system, an air-operated discharge door with finger-tip control, and taper locks on all drive components – all backed up with a 2-year warranty.

The cleaned and polished crop is then moved via Haith's patented Pro-Flow conveyor and chute transport system to an automatic optical sizer and quality grader. Haith's patented Pro-Flow Transfer Chute replaces traditional methods of transferring crops between conveyors.

The chute creates a trampoline effect by tensioning a loop of PVC material between two stainless steel tie rods. This creates an air pocket that cushions the crop as it is transferred, eliminating the bruising that can occur with gravity transfer. The line's penultimate stage sees the graded crop pass through Haith's Pro Fillers with Evenflow feeder and weighs cells to ensure accurate and gentle box filling.

The Pro-Line is intelligently controlled by a Haith programmed Omron NS10 HMI screen using the latest sysmac automation platform. Haith's software engineers have incorporated the company's Control+ system, which provides the operator with real-time plant statistics and maintenance overviews.

Tony Edwards, Managing Director at Braegate, is one of the latest customers to take advantage of the Pro-Line solution:
 

"Duane and the team at Haith have come up with an incredibly effective and easy to specify way of developing an incredible wash line. When they worked with us, all we had to do was tell them our end goals and they tailored each step of the process to suit our precise needs."

"Haith has used its years of experience of working with food producers to develop the ideal combination of machines and incorporate the flexibility to tailor the line to suit the space available. We are very pleased with how Haith worked with us."

"The new line is so much more efficient than our previous ones, which featured ageing machines from several different manufacturers and was something that had evolved over the years. Our new line is designed around our precise needs and will future proof our business."