HANDLING AND LOADING PACKED BAGS

 Three basic methods were studied for handling and loading packed

bags. These were (a) hand truck, (b) conveyor, and (c) industrial fork

truck. All three methods were observed in use for handling burlap bags

in packinghouses that loaded motor trucks only. Only the first two were

observed for handling burlap or paper bags to both motor trucks and rail

cars.

 Description of Methods

 In each method, the bags are filled, weighed, and securely closed

in some manner, as described in the previous section of this report.

Methods used for these operations are independent of selection of the

methods used to handle packed bags. In handling burlap bags in the hand

truck method, workers are stationed adjacent to the bag sewers to stack

the bags annually on the trucks. For paper bags, the bag tier performs

this function. The hand truck operator positions the empty truck for

convenient loading. Four 100-pound or eight 50-pound bags are a typical

load. The hand truck operator pushes the loaded truck to where it is to

be unloaded. This might be a temporary storage point or in a motor truck

or rail car. Workers are assigned to remove the bags manually from hand

trucks and place them in storage or in the load.

 In the conveyor method, bags are moved from the filling stations

to the load by a conveyor system. The system is designed to run adjacent

to the filling stations. To minimize labor required, this part of the system

should be at floor level to simplify placing the bags on the conveyor.