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Hoopers aims to increase shellfish processing capacity

Hoopers Island Oyster Co. in Maryland, USA, has unveiled new oyster handling equipment for high-production shellfish processing.

The Hydraulic Bin Tipper is a free-standing, stainless steel unit that uses two hydraulic cylinders capable of lifting up to 1,500 lbs. of shellfish. The machine was developed as a request from Little Wicomico Oyster Co. in Huntsville, Va. to eliminate manual tipping of bins of shellfish into processing equipment.

The Outfeed Tumbler Conveyor is designed to eliminate the need to stop work to change the tub or discharge the conveyor. The machine can be configured with one or two portable conveyors that attach to the sides of a tumbler frame, versus a standard end-of-unit position. The conveyor can operate continuously, which could increase the number of oysters processed from 300 to tens of thousands.

“These machines are the latest in the line of innovative processing equipment,” said Ricky Fitzhugh, managing partner. “Employee safety, efficient handling and dependable customer service, are critical to today’s high-volume shellfish-growing operations.”