Best Filler/Capper for start-up

[jtomelia]

We’re working on a craft beer start up, and have come to something of a “decision” about bottling equipment and wanted to see what others think of our logic and decision. I think our key parameters for bottling are, in order, (1) low O2 uptake, (2) reliability (I have nightmares about waiting for a part in the overnight mail while I have a bunch of beer ready for bottling), and (3) speed. We’d love to buy a new, super-fast Meheen, but of course cost looms over all of this. Listening to others, it seems that Meheen service is so good; we can pick up a used 4- head Meheen filler/capper and be fairly sure we’ll be able to get very low O2 uptake. I don’t think we’ll get 24-36bpm every minute, but I would hope we could get 50 cases an hour. We dream about someday finding this too slow, but for a while we’re pretty sure that won’t hold down our annual production. So we can spend some long days bottling and save some capital without risking the stability of our beer. At some point we have to run out of sweat to put into equity, no?

The Crown Cork and Seal Cemco machines are so fast and available so cheap it’s really tempting. But without any experience with them, I expect we’ll have high oxygen and we’ll end up dumping some beer because we need a part that has to be cast. How has A-B made such stable beer for so long with those things?

So, are we on the right track? Anybody have a better suggestion? Anybody have a reason not to go with a used Meheen or a reason to go CC&S? New vs. used?

Anything you can offer would be great.

Closing time,
John

[Meheen]

Just a few things you want to look for when searching for a good used machine of ours. First off most all of them were built for a specific bottle size. So first thing is look for one set up for a bottle you have supply for and intend to use with the filler. If you buy a machine set up for a different bottle than you are using it most likely will require change parts to operate properly. Depending on the model of the machine we may not be able to supply change parts or they may be expensive enough to add significantly to your overall cost of the machine. If you do find a used machine and have questions as to the bottle it is setup for you can contact us with the owners name and serial# of the machine and I will be happy to look it up in our files for you. Our files for the most part are pretty detailed on each machine and if we can locate the file, I can provide important information about the machine you are considering.

Next consider the age of the machine. We have been building these since the early 90s and have made many significant changes over the years. Some very early machines did not have auto crown sorting for example and you most likely will want to add this adding to the overall cost of getting the machine into service. Other upgrades over the years may be important to you as well and will either be unavailable or add to the final cost of getting the machine into service.

Some times it happens that a used machine is purchased for $XXXX and by the time it is refit to a new bottle, worn parts are replaced and upgrades of controls and features, you might find yourself spending nearly the cost of a new machine. If this happens you end up with an upgraded old machine that usually cannot be financed and it is still an old machine. In this example it may acually be more cost effective to purchase the new machine as it will qualify for a lease, can be written off and has all of our lateset technologies and features.

All I am am suggesting here is that you educate yourself and look into all the options before deciding the best option for your business. New or used, we support all the machines we have built over the years.

Good luck with your search.

Dave

[nohandslance]

My vote is for a Maheen.
We purchased a vintage 1994 unit and with a little "Love" it performed flawlessly a few days after it arrived at it's new home. Some after market Co2 purge equipment and a few runs to work out the particulars, the packaging rate for 12oz. Heritage was @ 20 to 30 cases and hour with one person/ pre labeled bottles. 35-40 cases an hour with someone feeding the labeler and the bottle in feed ramp. Just need a 22oz filler now.

Good luck

[Laughing Dog]

Hey Nohandslance what aftermarket Co2 purge did you add? any pictures?

I have a 95 machine that Dave has been good at helping me keep running! after a few upgrades we get 43 or so cases/hour with nice level fills and pretty good shelf stability and low airs , My next machine will be a Meheen when its time, as it is the best most reliable bottler for the price point I have seen

LDB

[nohandslance]

LaughingDog
When I get home next week I will send you a few pictures of of the purge Bar.
It came with the used Maheen filler but no directions, so we fitted it to a Co2 supply line and positioned it over the row of bottles that were second in line before the slide plate advanced the empties to the fill head.