Material Handling Equipment

Material handling equipment completes washing lines and conveyor systems into a working intralogistics system. These units move, turn, feed and protect crates, crate stacks and bins at the points of the line where a conveyor alone is not enough. Each unit is designed and sized to the production line and the building.

Transfer carts

The transfer cart moves crate stacks, pallets and pallet stacks sideways between conveyor lines. The rail-based cart is positioned accurately with an absolute encoder, and an integrated roller conveyor moves the load on and off. It is available as 1-place and 3-place models and as a version for 660 l bins.

Turntables and turning units

The stack turntable rotates a complete crate stack horizontally to the required direction. The crate turning unit turns single crates 90° or 180° on the washing line, and the bin tipper (bin turning device) tilts 660 l bins for emptying or washing. The bail arm opener opens or locks the bail arms of crates before stacking or washing.

Pushers and feeders

The stack pusher moves complete crate stacks from one conveyor to another or to a buffer area, and the crate pusher transfers single crates sideways between conveyors. The crate feeder feeds crates onto the line in a controlled way, optionally combined with trash removal. The pushers and the feeder are pneumatic and PLC controlled.

Trash removal before washing

The trash removal device removes loose trash, packaging material and other waste from crates before washing. It comes in five single and two row versions, including models for beverage trays and for 600 × 400 crates 180 mm and 220 mm high.

Collision protection

Collision protection guards washing line structures and equipment against impacts from forklifts and transport. The painted steel guard is anchored to the floor and is available with a back panel or as a 450 mm high spot guard.

One supplier for crate handling

The material handling equipment is mostly made of stainless steel and connects to Pohjaranta conveyors, stackers, destackers and washing lines. Pohjaranta has designed and manufactured this equipment at its own factory in Säkylä, Finland, since 1992, with engineering, mechanics, automation, installation and service done by its own people.