How do you safely handle bulk sulphur for vineyard spraying applications when time is critical and precision matters? A biodynamic vineyard in New Zealand’s celebrated Marlborough region grappled with the problem. They had a narrow window during spring to treat a powdery mildew fungus that spreads rapidly through the grape crop used for Sauvignon Blanc. They needed an effective dosing system to prevent the spread. The pathogen causes crop losses and negatively impacts wine quality by damaging leaves, shoots, and fruit.
Bulk sulphur handling requires dust control and accurate dosing
Sulphur fungicide is essential for controlling fungus, especially in organic and biodynamic vineyards where chemical alternatives are limited. Safe, efficient sulphur handling is absolutely critical for protecting grape yields. The winemaker had been using a manual process where vineyard workers emptied multiple smaller bags of sulphur into a portable spraying tank between vine rows. They wanted a safer, more efficient, and more accurate way to produce the fungicide.
Vineyard equipment challenge: Replacing manual bag handling
Manual bag handling created serious operational problems affecting both worker safety and spraying efficiency. Workers faced ergonomic risks from repetitive lifting and dust exposure from bag handling. Manual dosing was time-consuming and prone to human error. The vineyard worked with to help them find the best way to:
- Eliminate manual bag handling and dust exposure for workers, with new vineyard equipment
- Enable controlled batching for accurate sulphur dosing
- Work within limited headroom constraints in the bulk bag unloading area
- Ensure materials of construction were compatible with sulphur handling.
The end user’s consultant had been let down by a European equipment supplier in March and were under pressure to find a new manufacturer. With the spring spray season starting in September, the vineyard needed a complete bulk sulphur handling solution, and they needed it fast. The consultancy approached Australian-based Floveyor for help.
Moving to a fit-for-purpose dosing system design
Following an initial consultation, which included a discovery conversation and solution modelling, Floveyor recommended a complete bulk bag unloading system featuring an aero-mechanical conveyor (AMC) from the Endura range.
Why the Floveyor AMC was selected
An AMC with FloDisc® Technology provides a fully enclosed system conveying system that ensures safe, efficient transfers at any elevation. The conveyor is suited to an unlimited number of plant configurations and has a wide range of accessories available, which made it attractive to the winemaker. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for sophisticated processing operations. Finding an Australian manufacturer of conveying machinery and equipment was also attractive to the New Zealand business, given the tight turnaround required.
The AMC was ideal for handling bulk sulphur in biodynamic vineyard applications because it:
- Maintains dust-free operation critical for worker safety during sulphur handling
- Provides gentle conveying action that prevents product degradation
- Offers fully enclosed operation meeting organic and biodynamic production standards
- Delivers minimal product retention compared to alternative conveying systems
- Integrates seamlessly with the downstream slurry mixing system.
Why the Floveyor Endura F3 was chosen
Of the AMC product ranges, the Floveyor Endura is built for continual use in industrial settings where reliability matters. Floveyor’s Endura F3 met all the specific conveying requirements for sulphur fungicide preparation in the challenging vineyard environment. As with all Floveyor machinery, the Endura range is known for minimal downtime, complete batch transfers, and seamless integration with bulk bag unloader equipment (also manufactured by Floveyor).
- Robust construction suitable for agricultural chemical handling
- Compact footprint with vertical conveying capability for tight headroom constraints
- Reliable performance for seasonal high-volume mixing of fungicide
- Consistent throughput rates required for efficient mixing operations
- Easy maintenance with minimal consumable costs
- Manufactured and delivered from Australia to New Zealand on an accelerated timeline.
Floveyor bulk sulphur processing solution snapshot
Dosing screw feeder for controlled batching.
Reusable FIBC frame for multi-trip bulk bag unloading.
Reusable FIBC Unloader:
- Forklift loading capability for efficient bulk bag handling
- Enclosed spout chamber for dust-free bag opening
- Secure bag clamping system for safe product discharge
Dosing Screw Feeder:
- Accurate metering for controlled batching into the mixing system
- Flow regulation to match mixing vessel requirements
- Precise material transfer for accurate fungicide mixing
Endura F3 AMC:
- Vertical conveying capability to integrate with mixing vessel
- Compact design to accommodate limited headroom in unloading area
- Construction compatible with chemical processing and sulphur handling
- Discharge directly into mixing vessels, while eliminating dust exposure during transfer.
New dosing system provides controlled, dust-free sulphur handling
The system Floveyor provided allows an operator to load bulk bags via forklift and secure them into a reusable bulk bag unloader. After the forklift releases the bag, the operator opens the spout chamber, clamps the bag spout, and safely releases the spout tie. The bulk sulphur is then ready to decant from the bag. Once the chamber is closed, the spout is opened, and the product flows into the dosing screw feeder, which accurately meters material into the AMC then transports it to a mixing vessel.
Further downstream in the process, slurry is conveyed to spraying tanks mounted on trailers. The trailers are transported with the help of tractors, eliminating the need for manual bag handling and fungicide mixing in the vineyard itself.
Improving efficiency and worker safety with the Endura range
The Floveyor bulk sulphur processing solution met the challenge of replacing problematic manual bag handling with a safe, efficient dosing system. The Endura F3 system dramatically improved material handling while eliminating worker exposure to sulphur dust. Accurate batching was established in time for the critical seasonal spraying window. Human error while mixing fungicide was reduced or eliminated because operators no longer had to count big bags during manual handling.
Endura F3 delivers proven performance for agricultural chemical handling
The biodynamic vineyard experienced improved spraying efficiency by moving more sulphur reliably and safely in shorter timeframes. The installation required minimal site modifications despite tight headroom constraints, demonstrating the flexibility of Floveyor’s bulk bag unloading solutions.
The system was delivered in late August and installed and commissioned in early September. Critical deadlines were met for the spring spray season when sulphur fungicide application is essential for protecting Sauvignon Blanc vines from powdery mildew fungus.
The success of this bulk bag unloading system has positioned the vineyard to maintain product quality and environmental standards that biodynamic certification requires. Best of all, the biodynamic vineyard has preserved the taste and quality wine drinkers have come to expect from the region.
Using a Floveyor in your bulk sulphur handling
If you’d like more information about Floveyor’s bulk bag unloading capabilities for vineyard equipment or other agricultural applications, including sulphur handling, mixing systems, and powder dosing systems, get in touch. We’re happy to discuss your requirements and can work with you to develop a safe, efficient powder handling system for your operation.