Top-Load Case Packer Updates

Hundreds of Hartness machines remain in service after 20+ years. Upgrading to the latest safety, reliability, and maintenance options helps keep your equipment performing while reducing risk, downtime, and long‑term support challenges as products, regulations, and technology evolve.

Simple upgrades can deliver meaningful improvements in safety, uptime, and day‑to‑day operation. Our update options help modernize your equipment while keeping disruption low and return on investment high.

New Product or Format? We'll Handle It.

You don’t need a new machine to support it. Our update options help your existing case packer handle new products and formats while extending equipment life.

Controls & Pneumatics Package

Applies to Models 875, 2800, and 2900

Extend machine life and reduce downtime through modern controls, motion, and safety upgrades. By replacing aging electrical, servo, and pneumatic components with current‑generation technology, this package improves reliability, simplifies service, and supports long‑term performance.

2800 Controls and Pneumatics Update Package - web

Improve Safety Guarding

Applies to Models 825, 835, 875, 900, 935, 2800, and 2900

Replace existing guard doors with the latest extruded aluminum frame guarding to fully enclose the packer and improve overall safety compliance. This update includes extruded aluminum frame doors with Lexan panels, safety switches, air dump (if required), HMI mounting, bracketry, and required hardware.

Upgrade Anti-Toppling Assembly

Applies to Models 825, 835, 900, 935

Replace the existing anti‑toppling assembly with the latest up‑to‑date design to improve product stability and handling. This update removes the older assembly and installs the current supported anti‑toppling configuration.

Active Case Stop

Applies to Models 825, 835, 875, 900, 935, 2800, and 2900

Add an active case stop at the case conveyor infeed to hold cases during indexing and improve indexing accuracy into the packer. This update includes a pneumatically driven case stop with required pneumatic fittings and/or valve, bracketry, and hardware.

Active Case Squaring

Applies to Models 825, 835, 875, 900, 935, 2800, and 2900

Add an active case squaring unit in the drop zone to keep cases squared during loading and improve loading efficiency. This update includes pneumatically driven case latches with valve, fittings, bracketry, and required hardware.

Lug Chain Replacement

Applies to Models 835, 875, 935, 2800, and 2900

Upgrade cast stainless steel lugs with formed and welded sheet metal lug chain assemblies to increase fatigue resistance, reduce operational inertia, and extend service life. This update includes two complete chain assemblies with new compatible lug chain paddles, with an option to include new lug chain tracks.

Upgrade Skid Assembly

Applies to Models 825, 835, 875, 900, 935, 2800, and 2900

Replace the existing skid assembly with the latest up‑to‑date design to provide a stronger base and more durable cushioning. This update replaces skid covers, pads, and bumpers using your existing design and may include a new skid frame where required; in more in‑depth applications, the complete skid pad assembly is replaced, with mounting verification performed to ensure compatibility.

Rake Replacement

Applies to Models 825 and 900

Provide a ready‑to‑install case rake assembly with integrated proximity detection, stiffener, and rake assist. The standard update requires a control system that supports a PLC with DC sensors and reuses existing rake mounts.

Case Fence Adjustment

Applies to Models 2800 and 2900

Replace the chain‑driven case rail adjustment with a shaft and bevel gear arrangement to provide more reliable and robust case fence control. This update includes bevel gears, shafts, a crank handle, bracketry, and required hardware.

Update Phase Adjuster

Applies to Models 835, 875, 935, 2800, and 2900

Replace the existing phase adjuster with the latest up‑to‑date version to improve durability and performance. This update includes a stronger phase adjusting wheel and improved bushing support for more reliable operation.