Used machines for Herbs

About second-hand machines for Herbs

Fresh herbs are a staple in the kitchen today. Every cook uses or processes them in their original way. And this is the case worldwide, however, each culture has its own commonly used herbs and spices.

 To the average person, the terms herbs and spices sound like one and the same product, but there is indeed a big difference between these two products. Herbs basically refer to any plant used as a food ingredient, natural medicine or fragrance. Spices are often aromatic and are used to flavour or fragrance dishes or foods. However, one can only speak of herbs if it is the leaves or the flowering parts of the plant that are used. Other parts of the plant, such as dried seeds, berries, roots and fruits, are spices. 

Since a meal without herbs has little flavour and many foods and cosmetic products are flavoured or scented with herbs or spices, these plants are widely cultivated. This can be done both in greenhouses and open fields in a variety of climates. As with other crops, growing and processing herbs requires various machines to carry out the process efficiently and on a large scale. Growing a variety of small crops requires a variety of machines. To keep that affordable, it can make perfect sense to opt for used machines. 

Used machines for herbs, such as planting machines, harvesting machines and packaging machines, often last for years and have a much shorter payback period than expensive, new machines. Read all about the machines used for herbs here.

Sowing machines for herbs

As mentioned, herbs can be grown both in the open field and in greenhouses. This depends on the specific herbs and the climate in which the herbs will be grown. Herbs like mint and basil are often grown in a greenhouse, while chives and rosemary are mostly grown in open fields.

To enjoy the full flavour and intensity of herbs, they must be grown properly. Good cultivation starts with sowing the herbs. For annual and biennial herbs such as basil, dill and purslane, the seed is usually raised in a greenhouse in a tray or pot. Sowing is done in tray seed lines. These lines consist of a tray filling machine, tray seeding machines, a covering unit and finally a watering unit. 

If the herbs are grown outdoors, it is important that the cultivation bed is first properly tilled, e.g. by a bed former. The type of sowing machine and seeding density depend on the type of herbs being sown. Due to different seed discs, one pneumatic sowing machine can sometimes sow several herbs. 

All used sowing machines for herbs that Duijndam Machines currently has in stock can be found on the relevant page.

Harvesting machines for herbs

It is important to harvest the herbs at the right time. How herbs are harvested depends on the herb and how it is grown. 

If the herb is grown in pots, it does not need to be harvested before it can go to consumers. Simply packaging the pot is sufficient. With other herbs grown widely in the open field, such as lavender, harvesting involves large machines that cut the flowers off the crop so that only the bush remains.

Harvesting machines with a band saw, for example, are also widely used for harvesting herbs. These machines cut the herbs just above the ground, after which they end up in boxes or crates via a conveyor belt. Then they can move on to processing. Such machines are also used for harvesting spinach and rocket, for example.

Processing machines for herbs

After harvesting, the herbs have to be processed before they can be packaged. There are different machines for processing, as each herb has its own ways of processing. Processing usually starts with a quality inspection. 

In addition to fresh herbs, certain herbs are dried for a longer shelf life. In that case, the herbs will first go to a drying room after which they will be cleaned, cut, stored and possibly mixed.

Depending on the intended market, the entire process from planting to sale is now complete and the product is ready for sale. However, if you are selling straight to consumers, then the herbs will often need to be packaged first.

Packaging machines for herbs

Herbs, as described above, are processed in many different ways; fresh, jarred, bonded or dried. All these forms require different packaging. 

What most forms of packaging and processing have in common is that the product must first be weighed before packaging can begin. A weighing machine can be used for weighing. It can weigh the herbs to a pre-set weight. In some cases, this machine can be added to the processing line so that the herbs are weighed and packed in one line.

Fresh herbs for cooking such as basil, coriander and parsley are often packed using a top seal machine or flow pack machine. Other fresh herbs are tied using an elastic band. Binding machines are used for this. These binding lines are sometimes designed with a blade that gives all herbs the same length.

The complete range of machines for packaging herbs and more can be found here.