New Vanmark vine remover aims to save time for potato processors

A new vine remover from industrial potato and produce processing equipment manufacturer Vanmark can remove more than 80% of vines as product is fed into the machine.

The vine remover features a flexible design and uses a series of custom-configured rolls to separate and remove vines from product flow on the receiving line.

Fewer vines equate to fewer pump plugs, tear downs and restarts, as well as less downtime, according to a release from the company.

“Vanmark’s new vine remover machine is the first of its kind for us,” Jason Davis, vice president of Vanmark, said in the release. “Eliminating plugs and downtime caused by vines caught in the machinery should be a game changer for potato processors. For example, french fry processors process up to 175,000 pounds of potatoes per hour and need to do so as quickly and reliably as possible.”

The remover helps ensure debris-free raw product before processing with a maintenance-friendly sanitary design, featuring easy access panels and cover construction, simple pitch adjustments and one-motor operation.

Vanmark manufactures industrial potato and produce processing equipment, and is part of the Grote family of brands, which includes PFI.