Friday, May 09, 2008  
  Login

Frequently Asked Questions

On this page we have listed a number of common question and answers.
If you have a question that is not covered here please use the following form or call us at 1-800-475-3030 or 1-217-352-1010.

Ask Pre-Pack Machinery a Question:

Company Name
Your Name
Your Email Address
Your Question
Submit 


     

What method is used to fix the machinery to the floor?
What is the cleanability of unit and frequency?
What kind of steel is used for construction?
What about instruction details and training?
Is there access to each side / rear of peeler?
What is the noise level in operation?
What recommended protective equipment is required for safe operation?
What about flow of waste – What kind of equipment is needed to remove fruit peelings?
What is the electrial requirement?
What is the air pressure requirement?
What are the water requirements?
What do the Motor/Controls consist of?
What about spare parts - stock needed / general availability?
What is the maintenance schedule?
What fruit sizes can the Peeler handle?
What shape of fruit is the most efficient?
What is the product yield?
What is the "Throughput" of the Peeler?
What is the availability / lead time?
What is the freight?
What is the Warranty?




Q. What are the overall machine specifications?
A. The Peeler's foot print is 30” wide X 24” deep. Width is 40” wide X 34” deep X 80” ± 2” tall. Weight is approximately 400 lbs. Shipping weight is approximately 600 lbs.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What method is used to fix the machinery to the floor?
A. Machines have adjustable levelers which have 2 holes for anchoring.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the cleanability of unit and frequency?
A. Pre-Pack machinery is Very easy to clean. Can be cleaned with high pressure, hot water and chlorinated water. Clean as needed, at least daily.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What kind of steel is used for construction?
A. All stainless steel and delrin construction. No mild steel or painted parts.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What about instruction details and training?
A. The Peeler is shipped with step by step instructions for ease in installation. Training is quite minimal. Because of the simplicity of the Peeler, training is generally accomplished in 30 minutes. Factory field service engineer is available to supervise the installation and for training, if necessary.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. Is there access to each side / rear of peeler?
A. No daily access is needed for the sides or rear of Peeler. The 24” X 24” enclosure that houses the motor inverters, air components, PLC, and main power relay is mounted on the top rear side of the Peeler. This area may need to be accessed for trouble shooting or parts replacement.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the noise level in operation?
A. The noise level is minimal. The majority of the noise is air exhausting through air mufflers, which, again is minimal.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What recommended protective equipment is required for safe operation?
A. None needed.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What about flow of waste – What kind of equipment is needed to remove fruit peelings?
A. A small conveyor to catch and convey the peelings is recommended. There is room below the peeling chamber to place a waste receptacle to catch peelings. The waste receptacle can be exchanged with an empty receptacle when the container is filled.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the electrial requirement?
A. 4.5 amps of 208/230 single phase electricity, 50/60 hertz.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the air pressure requirement?
A. Air requirements are 2 C.F.M. at 80 P.S.I.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What are the water requirements?
A. Less than 4 gallons per hour at 40 P.S.I. Female garden hose connector on Peeler
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What are the Motor/Controls consist of?
A. 1 Baldor ½ H.P. inverter duty motor. 1 Baldor ¾ H.P. inverter duty motor. 2 Toshiba variable frequency drives. 1 Allen Bradley electromechanical relay. 1 Allen Bradley Micro Logix P.L.C. 3 Pepperl-Fuchs proximity sensors..
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What about spare parts - stock needed / general availability?
A. We stock all parts for the Peeler, and they are available for same day shipping. A recommended spare parts list is available.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the maintenance schedule?
A. Daily maintenance ensures that the lubricator is full and the drip rate is adjusted properly. The air filter should be checked and drained if necessary, and the cutting head assembly should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Replace cutting blade if necessary. Weekly lubricate\ion of bearings and check fasteners for tightness.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What fruit sizes can the Peeler handle?
A. Standard Auto Discharge Maximum height 12.5” 10.0” Minimum height 5.0” 2.5” Maximum Diameter 11.5” 11.5” Minimum Diameter 1.5” 1.5”
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What shape of fruit is the most efficient?
A. Round, oblong, pear are all appropriate. Fruit does not have to be truly round because the cutting head follows the contour of the fruit, the fruit can be quite a bit "out of round" and be peeled quite well. For severely "out of round" fruit, the Peeler should be operated at one of the slower 7 pre-set speeds. True round fruit can be peeled at fastest speeds.
[ Back to Top ]


Q. What is the product yield?
A. Based on information from current users, yield on honey dew and cantaloupe vary between 50% and 65%. This variation is due to different size (count) melons, rind thickness and uniformity, size of seed cavity, and peeling depth set by the operator. Yields on watermelon vary from 55% to 63%.[ Back to Top ]




Q. What is the "Throughput" of the Peeler?
A. Up to 6 or 7 cantaloupe, honey dew, or pineapple per minute; 2 watermelon per minute. Highest throughput is achieved when the fruit is presented to the operator in a way that makes it easy for them to reach the product and load the Peeler. The placing of the peeled melon should be conveniently located as well.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the availability / lead time?
A. Generally 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of an order.[ Back to Top ]




Q. What is the freight?
A. F.O.B. Champaign, IL.
[ Back to Top ]



Q. What is the Warranty?
A. 1 year parts and workmanship. [ Back to Top ]