Agricultural conveyor systems are an essential part of modern vegetable handling operations. Whether moving potatoes, carrots, onions, or other root vegetables, the right conveyor can improve throughput, reduce labour requirements, and minimise crop damage.
At David Harrison Handling Solutions, we supply and refurbish a wide range of agricultural conveyors for growers, packers, and processors across the UK. Many of these are sourced as used machines and fully inspected, refurbished, or rebuilt before being supplied into working handling lines.
Here is a guide to the most common conveyor types and key considerations when selecting equipment for your operation.
Why Are Conveyor Systems Important?
In most vegetable handling systems, conveyors are used to move crops efficiently between grading, washing, inspection, and packing stages.
A well-planned conveyor setup can help to:
- Reduce manual handling
- Increase processing capacity
- Improve crop protection during movement
- Improve workplace safety
- Create a more consistent workflow
Even in smaller packhouse setups, conveyors play a key role in keeping produce moving during busy harvest periods.
Belt Conveyors
Belt conveyors are among the most widely used agricultural conveyors. Using a continuous rubber or PVC belt, they provide gentle movement of produce between different parts of a handling line.
They are suitable for crops including potatoes, onions, carrots, and parsnips. Common applications include:
- Feeding grading equipment
- Transferring between machines
- Packing lines
- Box filling systems
Their simplicity, reliability, and gentle crop handling make them one of the most common types of used conveyors for sale and refurbishment.
Web Conveyors
Web conveyors use an open mesh belt which allows soil, debris, and excess water to fall through during transportation.
They are widely used within potato and root vegetable handling systems where cleaning and crop presentation are important.
Benefits include:
- Improved separation of soil and debris
- Better airflow around the crop
- Reduced build-up of dirt on the belt
- Improved cleaning efficiency in grading lines
Elevator Conveyors
Elevator conveyors are used to move crops vertically or at steep angles, helping to make better use of available floor space within a packhouse or grading facility.
They are commonly used for:
- Intake systems
- Feeding grading machinery
- Box filling operations
- Bulk storage transfer
Modern refurbished elevator conveyors are often fitted or rebuilt with crop-friendly flights and wear-resistant components to help reduce bruising during elevation.
Hopper-Fed Systems
Hopper-fed conveyors combine a receiving hopper with a conveyor system, allowing bulk loads to be fed into the line in a controlled and consistent way.
These systems are particularly useful during harvest when trailers or bulk boxes are being unloaded.
Key advantages include:
- Consistent crop flow
- Reduced labour requirements
- Improved throughput
- Better control of intake rates
Conveyor Capacity Considerations
Choosing the correct conveyor capacity is essential to avoid bottlenecks or unnecessary oversizing.
Key factors include:
- Belt Width: Wider belts can accommodate higher volumes of produce.
- Conveyor Speed: Speed should match the overall throughput of the handling line.
- Crop Type and Condition: Different crops require different handling characteristics.
- Product Depth on the Belt: The depth of produce affects capacity and crop protection.
- Incline Angle: Steeper conveyors may require additional features to prevent crop rollback.
When specifying equipment, it is important to consider both current throughput and future expansion, especially when building or upgrading a full vegetable handling system.
New vs Used Conveyors
For many growers and packers, purchasing refurbished or used conveyors for sale offers a practical and cost-effective alternative to new equipment.
At David Harrisons, conveyors are inspected, repaired where required, and fully refurbished or rebuilt before being offered for sale or integrated into handling systems.
Benefits of refurbished conveyors include:
- Lower Capital Investment: Reduced upfront costs compared to buying new equipment.
- Faster Availability: Refurbished equipment can often be supplied more quickly.
- Proven Mechanical Reliability: Equipment is tested and rebuilt where necessary.
- Sustainable Reuse: Extends the working life of quality agricultural machinery.
- Strong Return on Investment: Lower purchase costs can improve overall profitability.
Designing Vegetable Conveyor Systems
Every vegetable handling operation is different, and most systems are built around existing buildings, workflows, and crop requirements.
A typical handling line may include:
- Intake hopper
- Hopper-fed conveyor
- Web conveyor
- Washer
- Grader
- Elevator conveyor
- Packing station
The correct combination of conveyors helps maintain a smooth flow of produce through the system while reducing handling damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a web conveyor? A web conveyor uses an open mesh belt that allows soil, debris, and excess water to pass through while transporting crops. These are commonly used in potato and root vegetable handling systems.
- Should I buy a new or refurbished conveyor? Refurbished conveyors can offer excellent value, particularly where equipment is fully inspected and rebuilt with new wearing parts where needed. They are widely used across working packhouses and grading lines.
- Can conveyors be integrated into existing handling lines? Yes. In many cases conveyors can be added or modified to work within existing vegetable handling systems, helping to improve flow and increase capacity without replacing the full line.
Why Choose David Harrison Handling Solutions?
With over 50 years of experience in vegetable handling equipment, we specialise in supplying, refurbishing, and rebuilding reliable conveyor systems for the agricultural sector.
Our stock regularly includes:
- Belt conveyors
- Web conveyors
- Elevator conveyors
- Hopper-fed systems
- Complete handling lines
- Used conveyors for sale
- Our Promise: Every machine is inspected and tested before leaving our Cambridgeshire site to ensure it is ready for work.
Looking for Agricultural Conveyors?
If you’re planning a new handling line, upgrading existing equipment, or looking for quality used conveyors for sale, contact David Harrison Handling Solutions on 01353 740666 to discuss your requirements.
