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Overview

Protea engineering is 41-year-old family run business. We began our Macadamia journey in 2018 and have since then been improving our innovative designs on our machinery to ensure they are the best locally built, smartest and most efficient machines and downstream equipment available to our farmers and our international clients. We have since supplied full turnkey processing systems to our local clients as well as to central America and central Africa and will soon be in Australasia. We work very closely with our farmers right from the get-go and offer world class family like back up service and warranty.

The structure of our company is characterised by flexibility and direct lines of communication, which is made possible by the combination and integration of all the company’s disciplines in one location. We pride ourselves on offering tailor-made, intelligent engineering solutions that always meet our client’s requirements. We also offer a network of top-quality suppliers, specialised skills and rapid turn-around time.

Protea Engineering continuously strives to contribute to the sustainable development of society through the manufacture and use of innovative and quality products. 

We aim to create stable, long-term growth through the practice of openness and fairness in our corporate activities – while seeking to create harmony between people, society, and the environment through our manufacturing.

Protea Assurance

Our legacy is built on solid relationships with all our customers. We work hard to earn a reputation for high quality products, reliable support and integrity in everything we do, and this is how we make a difference.

These ideals are reflected in our claim to provide –Innovative Engineering Solutions, indicating that we focus on fulfilling all aspects of our customers’ equipment needs over the long term with exceptional service and support.

We intend to continue to earn that reputation and protect the value of our business through our commitment to provide quality products, services, and superior value to our customers

Products

Shed layout design 3D
Shed layout design 3D
Shed layout design 3D
WNIH Receiving Hopper
Pneumatic De-huskers
Pleated Laser Cut Tumblers
Innovative Roller Sorting Tables
Incline onveyors
Transportation Conveyors
Modular Drying/Curing bins
Scale Systems
Relative Humidity-Controlled Spaces

Design

Typical Plant Shed Layout Scenario

Manufacturing

All our in-house manufacturing is done in our 1700m² Factory and machine shop. We only use top quality raw materials and certified experienced staff to carry out our expert work. A keen curiosity – this is the key to developing and producing unique, 100% customer specific, specialty machines. 

Our engineering department consists of a team of highly skilled mechanical and electro-technical experts, as well as software and process engineers. Between them their knowledge and capabilities are at the highest level. Our state-of-the-art machinery will always ensure quality results produced with flexibility, in a
shortest turn-around time as possible.

In-Field De-Huskers

PE 5000 HB

The PE 5000 HB, is our 5000 kg/h NIH in-field de-husker with a NIS 3000kg holding bin. This unit is self-sustained (independent of a PTO) 4-cylinder Diesel Deutz Engine Model:

BFM3 G2 / 36 kw engine (Client Specific). Driving two Hydraulic
motors which ensure the smooth operation of an agitator in the nut receiving hopper, a four lane de-husker (spring or pneumatically operated pedestals), 18mm pleated incline auger, a auto open/close bottom drop nut exit gate and a mulcher blower. The machine can be towed by a small
tractor or a 4WD pickup.

The first development on this machine began back in 2014, with gradual improvements on the initial design each season. Over the years we have optimized the initial design, for example, from a PTO driven machine to a self-powered machine now fully hydraulic. 

The improvements led to increased operational efficiencies in the number of tons per hectare dehusked and a reduced turning circle on a whole, minimizing the time spent dehusking. We have optimized the hydraulics systems torque and flow rate, reducing the overall kilowatt requirements.

BFM3 G2 / 36 kw engine (Client Specific). Driving two Hydraulic
motors which ensure the smooth operation of an agitator in the nut receiving hopper, a four lane de-husker (spring or pneumatically operated pedestals), 18mm pleated incline auger, a auto open/close bottom drop nut exit gate and a mulcher blower. The machine can be towed by a small
tractor or a 4WD pickup.

 

Features

  • 4 lane dehusker
  • Indepenant power unit
  • Secondary dehusking in auger
  • 3-ton NIS storage bin
  • Bottom release gate
  • Air slotted storage bin

Benefits

  • Maximizes productivity
  • Reduced fuel and vehicle cost
  • No double handling of product (waste husk left in orchard)
  • Reduces labour cost at both ends

PE 5000 lite

It’s a new revolution and Protea engineering are at the forefront with their innovative inventions and designs for the Macadamia Nut Industry. 

The PE 5000 lite, is our 5000 kg/h NIH in-field de-husker. This unit is self-sustained (independent of a PTO) 4-cylinder Diesel Perkins 400 Series 404D-22, 37kw engine (Client Specific). 

Driving two Hydraulic motors which ensure the smooth operation of an agitator in the nut receiving hopper, a four lane de-husker (spring or pneumatically operated pedestals), 18mm pleated incline auger and a mulcher blower. The machine can be towed by a small tractor or a 4WD pickup.

PE 5000E/HB

The PE 5000E/HB will follow the design of the PE 5000lite but
will also be available on request to house the PE 5000 HB 3000kg holding bin. 

After some consultations with some of our farmers we have found that a lot of them are being hamstrung by the effects of load shedding. For this reason, we have developed the PE 5000E/HB.

It will be powered by a diesel engine coupled to a generating plant which will be capable of powering the four electric motors used for the infield machine as well as when the machine
returns to the downstream equipment shed it can couple to the sheds DB and power all the plant in the shed to ensure there is no downtime and spoiling of product.

Features

  • DEUTZ BFM3-G2 G-Drive
  • Engine – Prime Output 30KVA
  • Dehusker fitted with 11kw
  • Bonfiglioly 3 phase motor with a variable speed drive.
  • Agitator motor 0.55kw variable speed Bonfiglioly
  • Mulcher / blower 2,2kw bonfiglioly
  • Incline exit Auger with a 2.2kw variable speed drive Bonfiglioly motor.
  • 5000kg NIH production rate
  • Able to feed onboard storage facility or Multiple mini skips/trailers independent of the dehusker itself.

PE 5000

This innovative piece of equipment will revolutionize the way large Macadamia farms De-husk their nuts. 

Designed and manufactured by Protea Engineering, the PE 5000 can go into the orchard and dehusk the nuts there and then. Leaving all the husk under the trees for composting and only takes the nuts back to the downstream processing equipment and curing facility.

Thus, been said, there is a saving cost in time and labor as the husks do not need to be taken back to the orchard from the static processing shed.

Contact Info

4-10 Westmead Road (entrance off Albert Rd)
Westmead, Pinetown 3610
KZN, South Africa

Phone: +27 (0) 31 700 4091
Fax: +27 (0) 31 700 9817
Cell: +27 (0) 071 355 0492
Email: quinton@proteaengineering.co.za

About Us

Protea Engineering is an independent, family owned business with over 30 years’ industry experience.