Kronen
Harvesting and slicing chives in the field
As one of the leading European producers of dried herbs, ESG Kräuter GmbH (based in Asbach, Germany) has a long-time experience with the cultivation and commercialisation of herbs. 400 tons of fresh herbs are produced per day and delivered to worldwide customers, among others to the industrial group of Knorr.
"Considering the processing volume of 3000 tons of chives, the obvious idea was to invest in more cost-effective and automated harvesting techniques specially adapted to our requirements," ESG Kräuter’s Managing Director Erhard Schiele explained.
One of the challenges of ASAlift was to build a harvesting machine which could carry four high capacity cutting machines complying with the legal specifications of TÜV (German technical inspection association). The harvesting machine moves at a maximum speed of 4 km/h across the field. 4 rows of chives can be harvested simultaneously thus processing a maximum capacity of approx. 1.8 tons per hour (harvesting & slicing).
The reaped bundles of chives are conveyed in an orientated way by a sophisticated belt system through to the GS 20 belt cutting machines. The cutting machines are equipped, among other things, with special designed 5-wing blades. One of the big advantages of the GS 20 cutting machine is the quick and easy knife change. Also, only 5 blades have to be regrinded, in contrast to 70 up to 90 blades (3 mm cut) at circular blade based cutting systems.
"During harvest periods the harvest machine and thus the cutting machines are fully operational for 24 hours a day. As a matter of fact this represents high demands to technique and quality – and the innovative concept of ASAlift in cooperation with KRONEN convinced us. We are sure this will give us decisive competitive and quality advantages“, Erhard Schiele said.
Not only herbs but whole heads of lettuce and cabbage, vegetable, fruit and many other products can be processed perfectly and without any problems.
Key features are that products are transported smoothly and held until the point of cutting thus assuring a perfect cutting quality and the user-friendly electronic control allowing digital in-motion cutting size adjustments from 1 to 50 mm (using 3 blades).
Technical specification:
Voltage: 400V 3Ph 50Hz
Electrical power: 3 kW
W x L x H: 1992 x 5615 x 1907 mm
For more information:
Esther Müller
KRONEN GmbH
Tel: (+49)-(0)7854-9646-47
http://www.kronen.eu/