Scotts Precision Manufacturing Ltd, a leading designer and manufacturer of root crop and vegetable cleaning and harvesting systems for global markets, proudly announces the launch of its new pre-cleaner, the Terra-Siv.
The self-cleaning Terra-Siv is specifically designed to rapidly extract large volumes of loose soil and debris over a very short distance. Designed to either bolt directly onto the intake of any of the company’s second-generation Evolution Separators, or used as a stand-alone pre-cleaner.
Derek Scott, managing director at Scotts says, “The main driver for this design is to assist customers dealing with high soil percentages in their crops. Most growers of overwintered carrots and parsnips already use our highly successful Evolution Separator. The Terra-Siv will turbocharge these separators by removing high levels of loose soil and smaller debris.
“By eliminating this debris beforehand, the separator can operate more efficiently, removing larger particles and leaf matter. The versatility of the system provides equal benefits for a wide variety of other crops, such as potatoes, onions, celeriac, and beets.”
How It Works
“The crop is supported on the tips of the stars, allowing loose soil to immediately fall between the fingers, while larger particles are drawn down into the valley between the star shafts,” explained Derek Scott.
“We have found that by mis-matching the star shaft speeds and adjusting the height of the second star shaft we can then effectively entrain irregular shaped objects deeper into that valley without pulling the crop through.
“The key is to eliminate any flex or movement within the shafts and supporting chassis while keeping the star fingers open in the heaviest of soils. This was achieved by stabilising the spacing between the stars. Having uniform star spacings allows us to maintain a very tight tolerance between the cleaning finger and adjacent stars.
“The use of a square-edged steel finger ensures the gap is repeatedly cleaned, twin roller bearings mounted on a cam shaft consistently flex the soft fingers, completing the self-cleaning cycle.”
The design is focused on low maintenance and tool-free adjustment. Direct drive electric motor/gearboxes, along with remote greasing, are fitted as standard. For operator ease, all adjustments are made via push button or turnbuckles.
Exceptional functionalities
The unit consists of six individually direct-driven shafts, providing the following functionalities;
- The first variable-speed “feed-on roller” (height adjustable by turnbuckle) offers a gentle landing for the crop and fixes the overall length of the separator.
- The following star shaft, adjustable for speed, can be adjusted rearward by an electric linear ram to create a gap of up to 65mm (the “feed-on shaft” moves vertically to allow this).
- The second star shaft is individually adjustable for speed and height.
- The final soft “feed-off roller” is adjustable for speed and direction.
- Below each star shaft is a highly efficient cleaning system, comprising of a slowly rotating cam shaft with single steel fingers passing between each pair of stars to constantly eliminate any buildup of soil. Between each steel finger, a double bearing mounted on a small hub rotates with each shaft, effortlessly flexing each finger to loosen compacted soil that builds up between the front and rear of each star finger.
See the new Terra-Siv at Interpom 2024!
Scotts is excited to announce that the company will be exhibiting at Interpom 2024 – from 24 to 26 November. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the Terra-Siv as well as the company’s Evolution Separator on display as part of a static machinery exhibit. Be sure to visit their booth (R-74) to learn more about the company’s latest innovations in root crop and vegetable cleaning technology.
Source: Scotts Precision Manufacturing Ltd
Contact:
For more information, please visit www.scottsuk.com, email sales@scottsuk.com or call +44 (0)1205 270128.
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