Executive summary A tote tipper lifts a box or tote and turns it over, so the contents pour out at height without anyone lifting the load by hand. Ours lifts the box on a chain drive in a grey frame and tips it, powered by a compact hydraulic unit at its side. Output follows from the lift, tip and return times, set per project to your boxes and discharge height.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the tote tipper works
- Estimating the cycle
- Matching the tipper to the box
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a tote tipper
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
The clip opens on a close view of the lifting chains and sprockets, with the hydraulic cylinder between them. The caption names it a lift and turnover machine. The camera then pulls back to the whole unit on a green factory floor.
The grey frame carries the box cradle on its front. A blue hydraulic power unit stands at its side. In the following shots the cradle is lifted and turned, the move a full box makes to empty its contents.
How the tote tipper works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Load | The box or tote is set in the cradle at floor level |
| Lift | The cylinder drives the chains, raising the cradle up the frame |
| Tip | At the top the cradle turns over and the box empties |
| Return | The cradle turns back and lowers to the floor |
The cradle holds the box as it turns over, so the box stays in place while its contents pour out. The chain drive multiplies the cylinder stroke, so the box rises much further than the cylinder moves. The hydraulic unit holds the load steady at any point in the lift.
Estimating the cycle
Illustrative cycle for one box:
| Step | Time (illustrative) |
|---|---|
| Lift | 10 s |
| Tip | 5 s |
| Hold to empty | 10 s |
| Return and lower | 15 s |
| Total per box | 40 s |
| Boxes per hour, 3,600 ÷ 40 | about 90 |
Sticky or packed contents need a longer hold. Add the time to bring each box to the cradle and take it away.
Matching the tipper to the box
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Box size and shape | The cradle is built to hold it |
| Full box weight | Sets the cylinder and frame |
| Discharge height | Sets how far the box must rise |
| Where it pours | A hopper, conveyor or machine inlet below the tip point |
Measure the full box weight, not the empty one, and tell us what the box pours into.
Controls and safety
The cradle, chains and box move during the cycle. Keep people clear of the lift path and the area below the tip point while it runs.
The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method and EN 415-10 sets general requirements for packaging machines.
Selection checklist for a tote tipper
- Box or tote size and full weight.
- Discharge height and what it pours into.
- Boxes per hour.
- Contents: loose, sticky or packed.
- Floor space.
- Power supply on site.
Engineering FAQ
Q: What does a tote tipper do? A: It lifts a box or tote and turns it over, so the contents pour out at height.
Q: Why a chain lift? A: The chains multiply the cylinder stroke, so the box rises further than the cylinder moves.
Q: How many boxes per hour? A: 3,600 divided by the cycle time. Our 40 s machine cycle gives about 90, before the time to bring each box in and take it away.
Q: How high can it lift? A: That is set per project from the height your hopper or machine inlet needs.
Q: What powers it? A: A hydraulic power unit beside the frame.
Next step
We plan your tote tipper in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with box size and weight to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the discharge height and cycle.
- Book a site survey to check the floor space and power.
Related reading
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Cycle example: our worked example, illustrative values
- Machine in action: our video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04