New model is aimed at growers with lower throughput requirements

Tong Engineering has unveiled a compact 1800mm wide version of its FieldLoad PRO fieldloading machine.

The new model has been designed to suit vegetable growers and producers looking to create post-harvest efficiencies at lower throughputs than the company’s flagship machine.

Suitable for use on a wide range of root crops including potatoes, carrots, onions and others, the new, more compact FieldLoad PRO features all the same options as the original machine but simply in a narrower format, according to the manufacturer.

The machine features a heavy duty reception hopper feeding a choice of crop-cleaning units including Tong’s EasyClean separator available with Auto-Touch HMI controls, as well as the company’s high-speed PU coil cleaning system and star cleaning units.

Custom-built to growers’ exact specifications, the new FieldLoad PRO model will feature the standard four-man inspection cabin and a 1300mm wide fully foldable cart elevator. A super-silent onboard generator provides power efficiency for in-field operation, which can be bypassed for mains power when operating on farm.

Like the larger model, the compact version can be specified with the latest optical sorting equipment as an alternative to the standard inspection cabin, for ultimate automation and sorting efficiency.

”The FieldLoad PRO continues to be an very popular setup for truly versatile and efficient post-harvest handling,” said Richard Knighton, sales manager at Tong Engineering. “We have always referred to the machine as our on-farm and in-field powerhouse and it really has proved to be just that, with many customers processing in excess of 100 tonnes of crop per hour into boxes, bulkers and bulk storage.

”However, we work with vegetable producers of all sizes and not everyone needs such a high-capacity machine. This is where the new, narrower machine can ensure all the same efficiencies to suit lower throughput requirements.”