High-Capacity Potato Washing with Integrated Destoner
Boosting Efficiency and Reducing Operating Costs with a High-Performance Tong Barrel Washer
Tong Engineering recently supplied and installed a new barrel washer, delivering a significant upgrade to the customer’s potato washing operation. The new system has increased throughput, reduced daily cleaning time, simplified maintenance by eliminating multiple mechanical components, and improved the efficiency of custom washing, enabling faster processing with lower operating costs.
The Challenge
Seeking to improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance requirements, and increase processing capacity, the customer required a more streamlined potato washing solution to replace an ageing system with multiple conveyors, motors, and hydraulic components.
The Solution
Tong Engineering supplied and installed a new barrel washer, providing a simpler, more efficient washing process with significantly fewer mechanical components. The installation was completed ahead of schedule by Tong’s installation team, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
The Results
The new Tong barrel washer has delivered measurable improvements across the operation:
- Reduced cleaning time – Daily washdown and cleanup has been cut from 2.5 hours to just 1 hour, saving valuable labour time each day.
- Increased throughput – Processing capacity has increased by approximately 18% compared to the previous washing system.
- Simplified the process – The new installation eliminated the need for five electric motors, five conveyors, one hydraulic pump, and one rock belt, reducing maintenance and operating complexity.
- Improved custom washing efficiency – The system can now process 20–30 tonnes of potatoes in just 45 minutes when carrying out custom washing operations.
Customer Feedback
“The Tong barrel washer has been a great upgrade from the previous system we used. The Tong installation team was efficient and completed the job ahead of the scheduled deadline. One of the washer’s most attractive features is the simplicity of its maintenance. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable barrel washer.