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By Wouter Schoot Uiterkamp, SU-Tech
As onion production systems continue to evolve worldwide, SU-Tech, a Dutch manufacturer of onion harvesting and loading equipment, is staying true to its roots in the field while building a reputation for practical, field-proven engineering. Founded by growers, the company strives to design and build machinery that reflects an understanding of how onions are harvested, cleaned and handled in the field.
SU-Tech began in the Netherlands within an arable farming business, where the need arose for a practical and efficient onion machine. What began as a single on-farm solution developed into a dedicated engineering effort. The founders, drawing on their own experience operating and maintaining harvesting equipment, set out not to invent new technologies, but to combine proven ones into a new, more effective machine. This approach grounded in field experience and supported by Dutch engineering precision laid the foundation for SU-Tech’s growth.
Machines for Different Harvest Systems
Over the years, SU-Tech has focused on developing machinery for lifting, cleaning and loading onions. Equipment is designed to move the crop from the field to storage in as few handling steps as possible.
Across the world, onion production follows different harvesting systems, each shaped by local climate conditions.
In Western Europe, where weather can change quickly and rainfall is frequent, onions are typically topped in the field during windrowing. This allows a shorter field period. This approach fits well within the maritime climate and helps reduce the risk of crop losses from wet conditions.
In regions with a continental climate, the harvest system is typically different. There, the onions are lifted without removing the leaves, and the topping takes place later during loading. In some cases, growers only cut the roots. This way prevents damage loss and sunburn under intense sunlight.
SU-Tech’s product line is meant to accommodate both approaches. The same base machine can operate as a loader for windrowed onions or be equipped with a direct harvesting system and an integrated topper that removes the leaves during loading. This flexibility has made the equipment suitable for a wide range of conditions and harvest methods around the world.
Simplicity and Strength
The company’s design philosophy is rooted in practical engineering, creating machines that are meant to be easy to understand, straightforward to maintain and built for long service life. Each component serves a clear function. From the conveyor layout to the hydraulic system, SU-Tech focuses on minimizing complexity while maintaining performance. Growers value the open construction, intuitive operation and durable build that withstands long harvest days and challenging soil conditions.
No two onion operations are the same, and SU-Tech designs its machines accordingly. Differences in field size, soil type, harvest method and logistical setup all influence what growers need from their equipment. The company builds each machine to match those specific conditions, from smaller models to high-capacity systems for large-scale contractors.
With loading capacities of up to approximately 150 tons per hour, SU-Tech machines can handle demanding operations while maintaining gentle product handling. Every configuration is designed to balance throughput and care, ensuring that the onions reach storage in the best possible condition.
Onion Loader With Topper
One of SU-Tech’s key developments has been the onion loader with topper, a machine that lifts, cleans and loads onions while removing the remaining leaves in a single, continuous process.
In this system, onions are picked up from the field with their tops still attached. As they move through the machine, a fan and knife section work together to cut and remove the leaves before the onions are gently conveyed toward the trailer. The process produces a clean, uniform crop ready for storage or further handling.
Because the same machine can also be used for direct harvesting, it must fit seamlessly with the grower’s working width and row configuration. SU-Tech therefore builds the topper loaders in various models and track widths to match different harvest systems. The design has proven reliable, effective and easy to maintain in a wide range of working conditions.
Custom Machinery for Specialized Needs
In addition to its standard lineup, SU-Tech also builds custom machinery to meet specific requirements from growers, contractors and research organizations. This includes specialized trial-field loaders for onion and potato breeding programs, as well as adapted machines for unique soil types, harvest methods or logistical setups.
Each custom project begins with close cooperation between SU-Tech engineers and the end user, ensuring that every technical decision serves a clear, practical purpose. This customer-driven approach continues to define the company’s reputation as a builder of straightforward, durable and productive equipment that helps growers move their crops efficiently and with care.