Harvesting and transporting fresh fruits and vegetables with constant ventilation to prevent condensation and accelerated spoilage, without empty crates saturating the return truck, requires a collapsible agricultural crate with slotted walls and a quick-folding mechanism. This ventilated collapsible plastic crate—also called a collapsible plastic guacal, ventilated jaba, or collapsible harvest basket—is manufactured by Cargobo from injection-molded HDPE with slotted walls and side hinges, in a 60×40×23 cm green format, designed for the harvest agro-industry, supermarkets, wholesale markets, and fresh product logistics with container return.
Key Benefits
- Slotted walls for continuous ventilation: The design with openings on all sides allows for constant air circulation, preventing condensation and fungal proliferation in fresh produce, a critical condition for the shelf life of post-harvest fruits and vegetables.
- Quick folding to a flat profile: The side hinge mechanism folds the walls to the base in a few seconds, reducing the volume to 25% of its assembled size and multiplying the possible returns on a reverse logistics truck.
- Inert HDPE for food use: The material does not absorb moisture, vegetable juices, or organic residues, providing an adequate hygienic condition for the fresh fruit, vegetable, and post-harvest industry without risk of cross-contamination.
- Stackable when loaded: The upper and lower geometry interlocks between identical crates, allowing for stable stacking during transport and cold room storage without the risk of crushing the bottom fruit.
- Pressure washing compatible: The continuous surface allows for pressure washing, neutral soap, and common disinfectants in the fruit and vegetable sector, leaving the crate ready for a new harvest cycle without contamination.
Typical Applications and Uses
- Agricultural harvesting of fruits and vegetables with direct transport to packing houses or distribution centers.
- Supermarkets and wholesale markets for displaying and rotating fresh produce with necessary ventilation.
- Reverse logistics of fresh produce with the return of empty folded crates to the origin.
- Cold room storage with air circulation between stacking levels.
Quality and Durability
An economical collapsible ventilated crate fails in two areas: the side hinges come loose after a few folding cycles (leading to walls that collapse or do not fit when closed) and the HDPE is low-grade recycled material (making the crate brittle after several harvest seasons). Cargobo works with controlled HDPE and calibrated hinges for intensive use, which differentiates a professional continuous operation agricultural crate from a generic jaba that breaks after the second harvest.
Is this crate suitable for direct contact with fresh produce?
Yes. Inert HDPE does not transfer compounds to fresh product and does not harbor microorganisms under proper hygienic management, making it appropriate for post-harvest fruit, vegetables and produce. The ventilation through slotted walls prevents condensation that accelerates spoilage and significantly reduces mold during storage or refrigerated transit. For industries under HACCP audit it pays to confirm the food-grade status of the batch on the data sheet and to document the wash cycle between uses in the sanitation plan.
How does the folding system work in daily operation?
The mechanism is manual and fast. To set up: lift the side walls until the hinges click firmly into the vertical position. To fold: release the locks and tip the walls inward over the base, leaving the crate in a flat profile. The operation takes a few seconds and requires no tools. In farm harvests with hundreds of crates per shift, the space saved on the return truck is decisive: a folded crate takes up about 25% of the volume of an erected one.
Can several crates be stacked with product without crushing the contents below?
Yes. The top and bottom structure is designed for crates to nest into each other, transferring the weight from the upper tier to the vertical walls (not to the product below), a critical condition so that fruit or vegetables in the base tier are not crushed by the weight of the crates stacked on top. The maximum stacking height depends on product density and transport conditions (vibration, braking). For harvests of delicate fruit such as tomato or grape it pays to stack fewer tiers and to verify that the closure is firm.
What maintenance does it need to last several harvest seasons?
Minimal but important maintenance. Wash at the end of each use cycle with pressurized water and neutral soap or a standard sector disinfectant (diluted bleach, peracetic acid) to remove dirt, plant juices and organic residues, since accumulated organic matter accelerates the spread of fungi and bacteria. Avoid aggressive organic solvents (acetone, toluene) that affect HDPE. Check the side hinges periodically: a loose or dirty lock can give way mid-transport, compromising the integrity of the harvest.
Still have questions?
Ask us and we will gladly help you with whatever you need.
| General | |
|---|---|
| Type | Foldable, ventilated |
| Material and construction | |
| Materials | 100% virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) |
| Color | Green |
| Dimensions and format | |
| Weight per unit (±0.5 kg) | 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) |
| External size (±5 mm) | 600 x 400 x 230 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 9.1 in) |
| Internal size (±5 mm) | 560 x 365 x 215 mm (22.0 x 14.4 x 8.5 in) |
| Folded size (±5 mm) | 600 x 400 x 45 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 1.8 in) |
| Strength and performance | |
| Load capacity | 25 kg (55.1 lb) |
| Maximum stacking load | 100 kg (220 lb) |
| Maximum content weight | 25 kg (55.1 lb) |
| Maximum stacking layers | 4 layers |
| Maximum static deflection (24h test) | ≤5 mm (≤0.2 in) |
| Durability and protection | |
| Operating temperature range | -15 °C to +50 °C (5 °F to 122 °F) |
| Compatibility and use | |
| Application | Storage and logistics transport (fruits and vegetables) |
| Stackable | Yes |
| Standards and certifications | |
| Certification | ISO certified |
| Food grade | Suitable for food contact |
| ISPM-15 exempt | Yes — being plastic, it requires no fumigation or phytosanitary certificate for export |
Grado alimentario| Box: Width | 60.0 cm (23.62 in) |
|---|---|
| Box: Height | 4.5 cm (1.77 in) |
| Box: Depth | 40.0 cm (15.75 in) |
| Box: Weight | 1.9 kg |
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