The PRO-Sort optical sorter was developed by Haith in partnership with GRIMME UK and automates the removal of stone, clod and foreign debris from potatoes.

 Capable of handling up to 100 tonnes per hour with high levels of accuracy thanks to the integral TOMRA 3A optical sorter, the PRO-Sort is proving popular with UK growers faced with labour shortages. Rob Highfield, Haith's sales manager, is confident the PRO-Sort will also appeal to European farmers.

 "We have customers around the world, including USA, Canada and Europe. As well as wanting to find cost-effective, reliable and efficient ways to receive, wash and grade their produce they are all starting to talk about having the flexibility to move their handling machinery to where it's needed," says Mr Highfield. "Labour shortages and the cost of labour are significant issues for growers. I think these two factors are behind the increasing interest we're seeing in our mobile solutions, such as our new mobile water treatment plant and the new PRO-Sort. We are looking forward to showing visitors to Fruit Logistica just how easy it is to transport and set up the PRO-Sort."

 A modular unit, the PRO-Sort, can be used in the field, on a farm or integrated into a new or existing grading line.

 By working in partnership on the development of the PRO Sort, Haith and GRIMME have ensured that the new unit can be used in conjunction with the GRIMME RH receiving hopper to transfer potatoes into store and the GRIMME Cleanloader.

 Haith and GRIMME UK entered into a strategic working agreement in 2020 to deliver complete solutions to their customers, allowing them to source vegetable handling equipment and in-field root crop and vegetable machinery quickly and efficiently.

 Next month's Fruit Logistica will be the first time Haith has promoted the PRO-Sort and its strategic alliance with GRIMME UK in Europe. To find out more about the new mobile optical sorter, Haith's full range of vegetable handling solutions and the benefits its partnership with GRIMME UK offers, visit stand A-21 in Hall 4.1 or www.haith.co.uk.