About second-hand Sorting machines for flower bulbs and Brussels sprouts

Grading machines are used to sort flower bulbs and Brussels sprouts by size.

Determining the size of flower bulbs and vegetables like Brussels sprouts or onions

Flower bulbs and vegetables, like Brussels sprouts and onions, are traded in various size categories. However, the way their size is determined differs. The size of flower bulbs is determined by the circumference in centimetres, while that of Brussels sprouts and onions is determined by their diameter in millimetres. Despite the differences in calculating their size, flower bulbs and Brussels sprouts can – generally speaking – be sorted using one and the same grading machine. 

Brussels sprouts graders and flower bulb graders make use of the techniques below.

Jump grading machines

A jump grader is the right choice for accurate sorting by size. The flower bulbs, Brussels sprouts, onions or potatoes are led across sieves. They are conveyed upwards at a diagonal angle and tipped over slightly at a forwards slant with every vibrating movement. Flower bulbs and Brussels sprouts that are smaller than the holes in the sieve will fall through the sieve onto a conveyor belt. Those that are larger are transported to the next sieve plate. The shock depth and direction of most of these grading machines can be easily adjusted. This enables you to optimally control the sorting machine’s movement. As the sieves have rubber edges, the products hardly suffer any damage. Schouten is one of the best-known manufacturers of these types of flower bulb sorting machines.

Roller sorting machines for flower bulbs

Roller graders for flower bulbs are usually used to pre-grade the bulbs. The vibrating and turning rollers of this type of roller grader ensures bulbs that are too small are eliminated and sand is removed. Roller grading machines are often used for larger quantities per hour, but are less accurate than jump graders.

Roller graders for Brussels sprouts

Capacity is the main reason for choosing a Brussels sprouts grading machine with rollers. Radial roller graders are equipped with stainless steel bars placed horizontally across the machine via chains. These bars allow the Brussels sprouts to be transported quickly across the graders. The distance between the rollers can be adjusted gradually for each phase of the grading process. Brussels sprouts of the selected size will fall onto the conveyor belt beneath the roller grader after passing the grading section. The graded Brussels sprouts are then conveyed away from the machine.

Weighing and counting machines for garlic, lilies and other fragile bulbs

Electronic weight grading machines are generally used for fragile flower bulbs like lilies, zanthedesias and amaryllises. They are equipped with a load cell to weigh the flower bulbs or garlic with extreme accuracy. Cups and grip arms, if applicable, ensure that this happens in a highly product-friendly manner. After the weighing and counting machine has graded the flower bulbs by weight, the machine will also count the number of flower bulbs or garlic per size category.

Do you have any questions about a used flower bulb grading machine or Brussels sprouts grader? Our staff will be happy to give you more detailed information about the specifications of the flower bulbs and Brussels sprouts sorting machines above.