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2. Eighty percent of the total annual volume is handled in an 

 8-raonth period from early fall to late spring; the remaining 

 20 percent is handled during the 4 summer months. During the 

 8-month peak period, the average weekly receipts by rail are 

 10 carloads and by motortruck 13 carloads. 



3. The maximum volume shipped out on any 1 day is 6 carloads. This 

 quantity is loaaed out on 16 delivery trucks having an average 

 load per truck of approximately 6 tons. 



4. A maximum volume of 1 carload equivalent of bananas is to be cut 

 and packed daily. 



Storage Requirements 



The total annual volume of fruits and vegetables handled was divided 

 into four categories on the basis of differences in temperature and humidity 

 required to provide optimum storage conditions . Whenever package strengths 

 permitted, all loaded pallets were to be stored two high. 



On the basis of this breakdown, a general storage area, to be held at a 

 temperature of 50^ F., would be required to store 7 carload equivalents of 

 cantaloups, onions, potatoes, sweetpotatoes , tomatoes, and related items. A 

 dry cold-storage room, in which the temperature would be 32^ F. and the 

 humidity would vary between 85 and 90 percent, would be required for storing 

 5 carload equivalents of apples, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, lettuce, oranges, 

 peaches, and related items. A wet cold-storage room also would be required, 

 in which humidity would be maintained at between 90 and 95 percent and the 

 temperature at 32^ F. , for storing a total of 3 carload equivalents. Items 

 stored under these conditions include cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, and 

 similar commmodities . 



Four banana ripening and holding rooms, having temperature ranges of 

 55 to 70^ F. and humidity ranges of 85 to 95 percent, would be needed. Four 

 carload equivalents of bananas would be stored in these rooms. The tempera- 

 tures maintained in the banana cutting and packing room would be 56 to 60 F. 



Materials-Handling Methods 



In developing these layouts, it was assumed that commodities, other than 

 bananas, received both by railroad car and by motortruck, would be built into 

 unit loads on 40- by 48-inch wood pallets on the receiving platforms. These 

 loads then would be picked up by electric pallet transporters or forklift 

 trucks, and transported to and placed in storage. These methods involve the 

 use of an industrial forklift truck having the capacity to handle a 2,000-pound 

 load and to elevate it high enough to place one pallet load on top of another. 

 The same equipment would be used to move the unit loads from the storage areas 

 to positions immediately adjacent to the conveyor. 



