From sugar cane and beet harvesters to feed conveyors, the sugar industry uses a variety of machinery at every stage of the harvesting and production processes. As one of the largest industries in several countries, it relies on Falk gearboxes to help drive local economies. As a raw material, sugar is used for more than just sweet treats. Manufacturers can transform it into alcohol, organic fertilizer, ethanol fuel, paper, stove pellets, and renewable thermal and electric energy. As sugar consumption continues to grow, Falk speed gearboxes will help keep production reliable.
Sugar: A Growing Industry
Sugar is primarily made of sugar beets and sugarcane. Annually, global sugar production exceeds 170 million metric tons. In 2015, the U.S. produced 8.2 million metric tons, amounting to $4.03 billion in cash receipts. Leading global sugar producers include Brazil, India, Pakistan, Thailand and China.
Setting the U.S. apart from other countries is its well-developed sugarcane and sugar beet industries. Sugar beets account for approximately 55 percent of production, while sugar cane accounts for 45 percent. While yields of beets and sugarcane vary by year, both have increased with time. Sugarcane yields in Florida and Louisiana have experienced impressive growth thanks to varietal improvements and improved harvesting technologies. Acreage expansion, the adoption of new technologies and investments in processing equipment, such as Falk gearbox parts, have contributed to the sugar industry’s growth despite the declining number of sugar beet and sugarcane farms. While sugar beets can be stored after harvest, sugarcane must be processed quickly to avoid sucrose deterioration.
The Use of Falk Gears in the Sugar Industry
Falk gearbox specialists design speed reducers for each step of the sugar production process. Applications include:
- Hydraulic gear motors for agricultural machines
- Hoists to unload trucks
- Conveyor drives for beet and cane feeding
- Cane and beet preparation (e.g., removing dirt, washing, drying) on roller conveyors
- Equipment that chops and shreds sugarcane and beets
- Equipment with a rotating cutter that levels off the cane
- Extraction towers to extract beet and sugarcane juice
- Scalding drums
- Mills to dry beet and sugarcane juice
- Belt conveyors to move sugar
- Belt conveyors to remove the ash of burned sugar residue
- Sugar crystallizer mixer drives
In the sugar industry, gearbox parts are also found in:
- Mill drives
- Horizontal diffuser drives
- Steam turbine generator drives
- Belt conveyor drives
- Knife drives
- Drum dryers
- Cooler drives
- Rotary vacuum filter drives
- Shredder drives
- Centrifuge drives
Mar-Dustrial supplies and services a variety of Falk gearboxes for the sugar industry, including beet and sugarcane processing facilities. Our custom individualized solutions meet your exact needs and are designed to be efficient and reliable. Heavy-duty industrial gearboxes keenly withstand the hot, humid conditions within sugar processing factories, require minimal maintenance and reward you with a long life. Explore our line of products and talk to a gearbox specialist today.
Posted under Falk Gearboxes on Thursday, August 2nd, 2018