To increase productivity, hot-dog producers are turning to automated processes, combining high-speed thermoform-fill-seal technology with loaders to produce more than 200 single-layer packs of skinless hot dogs per minute. Automating this part of the production process improves accuracy, speed, repeatability, and process control.

As packaging systems improve enabling hot dogs to be kept in wrinkle-free and perfectly sealed packages, hot-dog loaders are also improving allowing them to be cleaned easier and improving their touch-screen programmability.
Two loader companies taking major leaps forward are Waynesboro, VA-based F.R. Drake Co., and Cincinnati, OH-based Planet Products Corp.

At last year’s Worldwide Food Expo both companies introduced hot-dog loaders that featured improved sanitary design. Planet Products says its SP3 Planet Loader has the least number of total components and the least amount of surface area of any available hot-dog collating system.

“The additional design feature where this entire unit disassembles for cleaning or service in minutes without tools demonstrates that Planet has listened to our customer feedback carefully,” says John Abraham, vice president of sales for Planet Products.
Drake also showcased a loader with an improved sanitary design at the Worldwide Food Expo.

“We had already completed a massive design effort two years earlier, upgrading our standard machines to make them easier to clean,” explains Russ Martin, president of F.R. Drake. “Drake loaders are in compliance with the American Meat Institute’s ten Principles of Sanitary Design, but we recognize that sanitary design must continue to be improved each year. Features such as solid, one-piece rollers, welded sprockets, welded bearing stand-offs, stainless steel frame and casters, and open accessibility are necessities. Drake has also added etched warning labels to eliminate stick-on labels that can trap pathogens, an option for all stainless steel electrical conduit to replace plastic conduit, and an option for remote mounting of the main electrical cabinet.”

Touch-screen technology continues to evolve, and hot-dog loader equipment is embracing these advancements.

Drake loaders come standard with a color touch-screen display. The liquid-tight control package now features:
-Pre-programming and storage of all customer recipes
-Each loader is equipped with a modem for remote access. Through the modems, Drake engineers can dial-in, access the controls, perform troubleshooting, and offer program enhancements.
-Servo motors provide versatility for changing recipes. Timing changes are made with the touch of a button, and those timing changes can be stored in the operator controls’ memory.
-The electrical control cabinet can be mounted away from the loader, with a conduit run up to 150 feet long. An Ethernet network allows the operator to remotely track production efficiency and total throughput.

Suppliers contributing to this feature:
- F.R. Drake Company, phone (540) 949-6215, e-mail sales@drakeloader.com, or visit www.drakeloader.com
- Planet Products, phone (513) 984-5544, e-mail sales@planet-products.com, or visit www.planet-products.com

Where they’re eating them
It’s a good thing loaders enable higher production outputs. Here’s a look at 2003’s top 10 hotdog eating American cities.
(1) Los Angeles	44,723,360
(2) New York	35,214,010
(3) Dallas/Ft. Worth	21,252,530
(4) Chicago	19,593,140
(5) Baltimore/Washington D.C.	19,566,890
(6) Philadelphia	17,491,540
(7) South Carolina	15,521,860
(8) Atlanta	14,189,730
(9) Miami/Ft. Lauderdale	3,069,240
(10) Boston	10,925,010
Based on retail sales per pound of refrigerated hot dogs during the 52-week period ended Dec. 28, 2003
Source: American Meat Institute

Preventative Maintenance Schedule
By adhering to a preventative maintenance schedule, operators can ensure accuracy and longevity from their loaders.
PM Item	Frequency
Lubricate all bearings	Daily
Make visual inspection of loader	Daily
Check for noise and vibrations	Daily
Check tension and wear on all drive chains, sprockets, and idler pulleys	Weekly
Inspect conveyor belts	Weekly
Inspect gearboxes	Weekly
Check collator chain tension	Weekly
Check intermediate chain tension	Weekly
Check pusher chain tension	Weekly
Check transfer belt lift control air pressure (40 psi)	Weekly
Check product path for damaged or worn parts	Weekly
Inspect flight chain, rollers, shoulder screws, and support tracks for wear	Weekly
Lubricate Hilliard clutch	Weekly
Replace hinge gate springs	500 hours
Change oil in gear reducers	6 months
Replace main air supply filter	12 months
Source: F.R. Drake Company