UK manufacturer Tong Engineering recently announced the launch of its latest in-field machinery, the FieldLoader PRO. According to Tong to Tong Marketing Manager Carole Metcalfe, “Based on the same principles as Tong’s proven FieldLoader, which offers in-field and on-farm cleaning and loading of a crop, the FieldLoader PRO has been designed with even greater flexibility, transportability and the gentlest handling in mind.”
And Managing Director Edward Tong noted, “Talking to our customers, there is a definite emphasis on reducing ‘crop miles’ and the amount of harvest-related soil on the roads by loading crop at the field side. The FieldLoader PRO will receive and clean crop at high capacities straight from trailers filled by the harvester, ensuring soil and debris is removed from the crop in the field, whilst significantly reducing unnecessary transport of crop from field to farm.”
A release from the company described the FieldLoader PRO as coming in under 10 meters in length in transport mode. “The self-contained and compact FieldLoader PRO features a high capacity reception hopper feeding a choice of crop cleaning units,” the release states. It is also “built with a spacious four-man inspection area before crop transfers to Tong’s new-style foldable cart elevator, which cradles crop deep into the bulker trailer. The new machine also comes complete with a super-silent onboard generator, which provides power efficiency for in-field cleaning, or can be bypassed for mains power when operating on-farm.”
Those traits bring some versatile options.
“What makes the FieldLoader PRO different is the multiple cleaning options available to customers, as well as the new wider cart elevator which can be specified up to 1.5m wide,” Edward Tong said. He added that the machine “designed to be extremely versatile; it is suitable for multi-crop use, working effectively on potatoes, carrots and onions. Customers can also choose any Tong cleaning unit as part of the machine, including our advanced EasyClean separator available with Auto-Touch HMI controls. Our high-speed PU coil cleaning system and star coil cleaning units are also available. The customer really can configure the FieldLoader PRO to meet their exact requirements.”
Built on a heavy-duty chassis, the FieldLoader PRO can be transported on the road from field to site and features support legs for “ultimate performance during operation.”
The release continues, “Like all Tong equipment, the new FieldLoader PRO is built with Tong’s Blue Inverter Technology, offering all-electric inverter variable speed drive for the very best energy efficiency. Tong’s industry-leading Auto-Touch HMI controls with intelligent diagnostics and maintenance features are also an option on the new machine. Depending on specification and crop type, the FieldLoader PRO can be built to effectively clean and load up to 150 tons of crop per hour.”
Edward Tong said, “This next generation machine has been designed as a complete in-field crop cleaning and loading powerhouse that will ensure growers can respond quickly and efficiently to contract demands.”
