Purpose: To single out cherries in cluster, at a capacity up to 2,500 kg/hour/machine.

- Global Patent - Fachaux grading is the only company to have a global patent on a water hydraulics cluster cutter.

Fachaux Grading has sold in excess of 80 machines to countries such as Canada, France and to one of the most demanding markets, the United States.

Cherries singled out by separation and exit on a Dewatering Conveyor

Overview of machine

For a standard configuration, the water hydraulic cherry cluster separator includes:

• A Water Tank (cherry holding tank)
• A patented Water Hydraulic Separating system
• An Exit Basin on the top feeding onto a dewatering belt or channels
• A Waste Collecting Tray (enables recycling of water back to the Water Tank)

The typical configuration is an exit onto a Fachaux size-grader through dewatering channels. Interconnection to other manufacturers grading/sorting machine or conveyor has been achieved in prior installations. Better results are obtained if the cherries exit via a dewatering conveyor belt.

Overview of the machine

Fruit Quality

• Is comparable to separating the cherries by hand
• Processes all sizes and all varieties of cherries
• Growers and packers experience more than 90% of cherries being singled out, depending on water hydraulic system speed
• Better presentation of stem (suitable length, no dryness or browning)
• Very gentle with the fruit – Premium quality verified by “Domaine Experimental La Tapy”, Cherry Research Centre of Horticulture France (www.ctifl.fr)
• Replace the cluster cutter method, which is the first cause of pitting damage in a packinghouse (source: article J6I1A of Washington State University - Tree Fruit Post-harvest Research Centre)

Capacity

Two (2) Models are available:

1. ‘Medium Size’ separator: processes up to 1,200 kg/hour
2. ‘High Capacity’ separator: processes up to 2,500 kg/hour

In some current installations, two (2) ‘High Capacity’ separators have been installed in parallel, therefore enabling an output rate of 5,000 kg/hour.

A Variable Speed Drive allows fine tuning of the Separator, which may be required for different varieties.

Specifications

All parts in contact with the cherries and water are manufactured from stainless steel. PP-plastic is used for the manufacture the Dewatering Conveyor. The chassis itself is manufactured from painted steel.

On-going Water Usage:

• Minimal. Water for the dumping basin will need to be refreshed (changed) regularly (as per food handling regulations).
  

‘Medium Size’ Separator

• Total equipment size: 1.2m wide x 3.5m long
• Water Tank: 400 litres (recommended)
• Motor: Variable Speed Drive

‘High Capacity’ Separator

• Total equipment size: 1.5m wide x 4.5m long
• Water Tank: 800 litres (recommended)
• Motor: Variable Speed Drive

Control Switchboard:

• Provided (cabinet manufactured from painted steel)
  

Installation Requirements:

• Power supply: Single phase 240V / 50 Hz as per Australian and EU standard
• Water supply fittings: Standard flexible water hose can be used.
• Waste water: Male Connection to a female water valve (1” or 33/42mm)

Two high capacity cluster cutters in parallel = 5 tons / hour

Maintenance

Only minimal maintenance is required.

Refer to the User Manual for specific Maintenance requirements.

Standard version

Exit from Separator via Dewatering Channels

• Cherries flow from the water hydraulic system exit basin into a series of channels.
• As the channel narrows, most of the water flows over the edges of the channels
• The remaining flow of water carries the cherriesto the next phase of the packing line
• Is a proven cost-effective solution for the input of a ‘Fachaux’ size-grader
• Gravity-based solution (no maintenance required)
  

Dewatering Channels

Ancillary equipment and options

i) Exit from Separator via a Dewatering Conveyor (instead of the channels)

• Ideal for connecting to non-Fachaux Grading equipment
• Manufactured from ‘Unichains’ modular PP-plastic conveyor belt and sprockets (‘Ameraal’ available on request)
• Stainless steel axis and chassis
• Transmission by chain for use of a generic motor (specific make can be requested)
• Conveyor length manufactured to your specifications and requirements (1.30m minimum to enable sufficient dewatering)
• Conveyor positive gradient angle adjustable

ii) Separator water tank feeding through a constant-feed elevator

• The separator is more efficient if cherries are fed into the water basin with a constant speed inflow.
• Ideal when large picking containers are used, or when all buckets are dumped in at the end of the picking shift.
• Stainless steel basin and chassis
• Manufactured from Modular PP-plastic conveyor belt (Transmission as per Dewatering Conveyor)

Elevator feeding a cluster cutter

iii) Additional Options:

• Equipment manufactured on castor wheels
• Separator Water Tank automatic top-up system