With low yields, high production costs and some of the most extreme handling conditions for well over 30 years, the harvest period has been a testing time for the UK potato industry and is the subject of much conversation at the moment!<\/p>\n
These extreme conditions have sparked demand for versatile handling machinery, which has taken on a new emphasis to not only make the whole process more cost effective, but also to be flexible enough to cope with such demanding and ever-changing conditions.<\/p>\n
Forward-thinking Wharton Farms in East Norfolk made the decision to upgrade their grading system in time for this year’s challenging season, which has meant they have been able to meet demands whatever the weather.<\/p>\n
With high demand for the immediate supply of perfect crop, diverse Norfolk agricultural business Wharton Farms made the decision to invest in a complete mobile grading unit from Tong Engineering.<\/p>\n
Based in Stokesby, East Norfolk, Wharton Farms grows a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, including blackcurrants, mint and peas, as well as 280 acres of potatoes for chipping.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe grow and process for some of the UK\u2019s top brands, including Ribena, Colman\u2019s and McCain Oven Chips,\u201d said Ed Wharton, from Wharton Farms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith a high demand for graded produce at short notice, we needed a flexible and efficient handling line, that was not only capable of grading a high throughput of crop, but also versatile enough to handle varying lifting conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe purchased a 2012 mobile Caretaker mobile vegetable grader<\/a> from Tong, due to its reputation for reliable and high quality equipment, as well as excellent customer service and a commitment to meeting bespoke requirements. Our customised system is 2,400mm wide, featuring a six-row EasyClean Separator<\/a>, fully adjustable spiral cleaner and picking area. With the need to deal with a variety of soil types and lifting conditions, the system is controlled with fully automated HMI touch-screen technology, providing instant adjustments to cleaning set-ups and throughput speed,\u201d added Ed.<\/p>\n Charlie Rich, export sales manager at Tong Engineering, said: \u201cBy embracing the latest technology and tailoring components to meet specific requirements, we were able to provide the complete solution to Wharton Farm\u2019s handling needs.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom initial site visits, we identified that crops were being lifted in a wide variety of wet and dry conditions, which meant that providing a flexible and automated process was necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cAn effective cleaning unit, to tackle high haulm, soil and clod content was specified, alongside fully automated mechanical adjustments for simple changes in varying lifting conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout the design and development of the customised unit, we worked in partnership with Mr Wharton to ensure our system delivered an unrivalled grading process, guaranteeing a high throughput, while still maintaining gentle treatment of crop.<\/p>\n