ConTecH plunge wash system for leaf vegetables

ConTecH has released a plunge system for the removal of debris from leaf vegetables.

The system replaces spray bars and manual hosing, which can create a production bottleneck. The product is packed into plastic returnable crates, operators feed the filled crates onto an infeed conveyor and these are automatically fed through the system and discharged once clean.

The crates infeed to the plunging system at a rate of up to 18 crates/min. The plunge system lowers and submerges the crated product into the water tank and on raising the product is subjected to a suction effect, which removes the debris from the product. This process is suitable for produce such as open leaf lettuce, eg, cos, and also silverbeet.

For iceberg lettuce and similar vegetables, the plunge system is bypassed and the crates enter a spray washing system that will rinse the stem of the upturned crated vegetable.

The operators can select between 1 to 6 plunges dependent on the product being washed or, if a product needs additional plunging due to the weather conditions on picking, the number of plunges will reduce the throughput rate.

According to the company, the introduction of the plunge washer can increase production by as much as 300%, with the product also being supplied cleaner and better presented compared with other wash systems.

The plunge system is an all stainless steel construction and can accommodate two crate sizes with differential side heights.