Case Study
Salt Harvester Automation System
Optimise Your Salt Harvesting with Intelligent Control and Automation
At Telemation, we’re committed to enhancing efficiency in industrial processes through smart automation solutions. Our salt harvester automation system is a prime example of how we bring innovation to large-scale agricultural and industrial operations.
Salt is an essential material used in the production of PVC, textiles, industrial chemicals, detergents, and much more. To meet high global demand, salt must be harvested efficiently and at scale—often hundreds of tonnes per hour. Our system equips salt harvesters with precise, intelligent control tools that streamline this process and reduce human error.
Intelligent Synchronisation Between Harvester and Truck
A key challenge in salt harvesting is synchronising the movement of two vehicles: the harvester and the collection truck. As the harvester scrapes and lifts salt via conveyor belts into its side bins, a truck with multiple compartments travels in parallel to collect the salt. Without real-time communication, operators must constantly adjust speed manually to stay in sync—a process that can be inefficient and error-prone.
To solve this, we integrated Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) into both the harvester and the truck. These HMIs display real-time speed data from both vehicles, allowing operators to easily match speeds and ensure smooth transfer of salt with minimal loss. In addition, operators can monitor system performance, view diagnostics, and track pressure values at a glance.
Enhanced Safety and Troubleshooting
Safety is a cornerstone of our engineering. That’s why our salt harvester system includes a robust set of alerts, alarms, and automated shutdown protocols triggered by faults or misuse. All alarms are logged, helping teams quickly identify and resolve issues without unnecessary downtime.
Key Features:
Vehicle Synchronisation: Real-time speed data shared across both HMIs.
System Status Dashboard: Full visibility into active operations.
Diagnostic Monitoring: Pressure sensors and fault logs support proactive maintenance.
Safety Shutdowns: Automated system stops in the event of critical faults.
Modular Architecture: Easily scalable for various vehicle sizes and configurations.
System Status Monitoring
The System Status Screen acts as the central hub for operational awareness. This home screen displays the overall health and performance of the entire harvester system in real-time. Operators can instantly determine whether the machine is running within safe operating parameters, which enhances control and reduces the chance of unexpected downtime.
Pressure Sensor Dashboard
Our system includes multiple strategically placed pressure sensors that track and report performance across key components. This data is sent directly to the HMI and visualised through easy-to-read digital gauges. This allows the operator to monitor pressure levels continuously and respond proactively if something is outside the safe range—protecting both equipment and production output.
The Solution
By using this mix of rugged, high-performance hardware, we’ve enabled a solution that performs reliably in harsh salt field conditions while delivering the control precision required for efficient harvests.
Conclusion
With our salt harvester automation system, we’ve removed the guesswork from synchronised vehicle operation and empowered operators with full visibility and control. The result is higher material yield, improved operational safety, and less downtime, all of which contribute to greater productivity and cost efficiency for our clients.
Ready to Optimise Your Salt Harvesting Operations?
Boost your output and reduce operational risks with Telemation’s salt harvester automation solutions.
Contact us today to discover how we can customise a system that fits your exact harvesting needs.
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