About used machines for Carrots

Machines are often used in the cultivation and processing of carrots to make this process not only more efficient but also less labour-intensive. On the other hand, capital will need to be invested in the purchase of such machinery. Fortunately, the investment in used carrot cultivation and processing machines can be limited considerably.

There are two methods commonly used in the cultivation of carrots. One of these is to grow the carrots on ridges (with a heart-to-heart distance of generally 60 - 75cm), while the other is to grow the carrots on wider beds (with a heart-to-heart distance generally measuring over 150cm). The advantage to the ridge method is that it allows for better drainage and that the carrots will be easier to harvest with a top belt lifter.

The following machines are used for the cultivation of carrots.

Sowing machine (or seeder) for carrots

Carrots can be planted at exact distances and depths with a pneumatic seeder, in which case the machine’s seeding disc should be adjusted to the size of the carrot seed. Example: the holes in the seeding disc should be set between 0.6 and 0.8mm for carrot seeds measuring 1.00 to 2.00mm. The seeding discs in pneumatic seeders can be interchanged for sowing other vegetables as well.

Top belt lifters for carrots

Top belt lifters are used to harvest carrots. A top belt lifter pulls the carrots from the soil by their leafy tops, and then cuts the tops from the carrots. Depending on the type of top belt lifter used, the carrots are either loaded directly into crates or onto a truck (with crates).

Carrot washing machines

Carrots are washed in drum-type washing machines. The spinning movement of the drums ensures that the sand is removed from the carrots (through abrasion with other carrots). In some cases, the drums of washing machines like these can be operated in a tub of water. The carrots are then washed in this water, or in running water.

Carrot grading machines

Carrots are graded according to thickness with a radial roller grading machine. The carrots are put through a machine with increasingly bigger holes and thus graded according to diameter.

Apart from sorting by size, carrots are also graded on quality. This is generally done by hand and through scanning, but there are also optical grading machines that can judge quality through cameras and software.

If you have any questions about the used carrot cultivation and processing machinery below, don’t hesitate to contact us.