Apple sorting machines from Fstsort: electronic weight sorter (±2g, 7–12 grades) and optical sorter (color, size, defects). Gentle handling – low drop, soft cups. Protects bloom. For Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and more. Get quote.
Advanced Apple Sorting Solutions – Precision Grading with Zero-Bruise Technology
Product Overview – Built for Fragile Apples
Apples are the gold standard for testing equipment gentleness – they bruise so easily that if a machine handles apples well, it handles any fruit well. Our machine is designed with what we call “Apple-Standard Care” :
Protection Feature | How It Works |
|---|---|
Water flume feeding | Apples float into the system – water acts as a natural cushion, eliminating bruising from dry dumping |
Soft-touch brushes | Ultra-soft, food-grade bristles polish without micro-scratching |
Suspended weighing | Apple sits in deep, ergonomic carriers – no rolling or friction during weighing |
Low-drop discharge | Minimal fall height with soft landing surfaces |
✅ The result: Minimized post-sorting browning – a common problem with traditional mechanical graders.
Apple Export Grading Standards (Reference)
Export-grade apples are typically sorted by diameter, weight, and color. Common standards include:
Grade | Diameter (mm) | Typical Weight (g) | Color Requirement | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Extra Fancy | 75–85+ | 200–300+ | 90%+ red (for red varieties) | Premium export |
Fancy | 70–80 | 170–250 | 75–90% red | Supermarket |
Commercial | 60–70 | 130–180 | 50–75% red | Wholesale |
Processing | <60 | <130 | Any | Juice, sauce |
💡 Our electronic weight sorter can be programmed to match any export grade standard – including custom specs for Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or local varieties.
Three Apple Sorting Technologies – Choose One
All options are gentle – no rollers, no mechanical sizing.
Option A – Rotary Weight Sorter (Compact, Economical)
The rotary weight sorter uses a rotating disc to feed apples to weighing cups. It is compact and affordable, ideal for small to medium packers.
Parameter | Reference Range |
|---|---|
Capacity | 15,000 pcs/h |
Number of grades | 5+1 exits |
Weighing range | 30 – 500 g |
Accuracy | ±2 g |
Footprint | Compact (circular design) |
Best for:
Small to medium apple packers
Limited floor space
Budget-conscious buyers
✅ Gentle handling – low drop height, soft weighing cups.
Option B – Linear Weight Sorter (High Capacity, Multi-Lane)
The linear weight sorter uses a straight conveyor belt to feed apples to weighing cups. It offers higher capacity and more grades.
Parameter | Reference Range | Customizable |
|---|---|---|
Capacity (per lane) | 25,000 pcs/h/lane | ✅ 1–4 lanes |
Number of grades | 7 – 12 exits | ✅ Yes |
Weighing range | 20 – 500 g | ✅ Yes |
Accuracy | ±2 g | ✅ Yes |
Capacity by lanes:
Lanes | Capacity (pcs/h) |
|---|---|
1 lane | ~25,000 |
2 lanes | ~50,000 |
4 lanes | ~100,000 |
Best for:
Large apple packers
Export orders requiring fine grading (7–12 weight grades)
Integration with automatic box fillers
✅ Gentle handling – low drop height, soft cups, food-grade PVC belts.
Option C – Optical Sorter (Color, Size & Defect Detection)
The optical sorter uses high-speed cameras to sort apples by color, size, and external defects. It has no physical contact with the fruit – the gentlest option available.
Detectable Features | Examples |
|---|---|
Color | Redness percentage, green spots, uneven ripening |
Size | Diameter (in addition to weight) |
External defects | Bruises, scars, russeting, rot, insect damage |
Parameter | Reference Range | Customizable |
|---|---|---|
Capacity | 8–10 t/h (4-lane system) | ✅ Yes |
Number of grades | Up to 16+1 exits | ✅ Yes |
Sorting criteria | Color, size, weight, external defects | ✅ Yes |
Best for:
Premium export markets (e.g., 80%+ red color requirement)
Removing defective apples automatically
Color sorting for high-value varieties
✅ Zero physical contact – cameras only, no touching. The gentlest method for delicate apples.
Front-End: Washing (Optional)
Option | Benefit |
|---|---|
Water flume (buoyancy-first) | Apples float in – no bruising |
Soft-touch brushes | Gentle polishing |
Air blowers | Surface drying if needed |
Back-End: Packing (Boxes & Cartons Only)
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Automatic box filler | Precise, low-drop placement into cartons or boxes |
Packing table | Sponge-buffered slopes – apples roll gently to packers |
Key Advantages for Apple Packers
Advantage | Benefit |
|---|---|
Anti-bruise design | Reduces post-sorting browning – lower reject rate |
High accuracy | ±2g – no overfilling, no giveaway |
Flexible layouts | Compact circular to high-speed linear |
Smart switching | PLC touch screen – save profiles for different apple varieties (Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, etc.) |
Export ready | Programmed to match common export grade standards |
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions customers usually ask before choosing this solution.
Why is this machine better for thin-skinned fruits like apples？+
Most graders use hard plastic drops. Our system uses a proprietary “Soft-Landing” mechanism and synchronized belt speeds to ensure that the apple never experiences a high-impact fall.
Can I integrate this with my existing water tank？+
Yes. Our modular design is compatible with various water-feeding and dry-feeding systems.
What apple varieties can this machine handle？+
All common varieties – Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and local varieties. The touch screen stores profiles for each variety.
Can the optical sorter sort by red color percentage？+
Yes. The optical sorter can be programmed to sort by redness percentage – e.g., 70% red, 80% red, 90% red – meeting supermarket color requirements.