What a hydro extractor does
The wet load goes into a perforated drum. The drum spins at high speed and centrifugal force throws water out through the holes. A good run takes out most of the free water, so the dryer has less to evaporate.
Hydro means moisture here, not hydraulic. It is a centrifuge.
Centrifuge, mangle or vacuum
There are three ways to take water out of cloth. A centrifuge handles bulk wet loads: knit fabric in rope form, garments, yarn. A squeezer or water mangle presses open-width fabric between two rollers. A vacuum extractor sucks water through the cloth as it runs over a slot.
Use a centrifuge for batches, a mangle or vacuum extractor for continuous lines. A centrifuge is not for fabric that creases badly or loses shape when spun.
Typical data for one common range of centrifugal hydro extractors
| Item | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drum diameter | About 800 to 2,000 mm | Larger drum for larger batch |
| Load | About 150 to 1,500 kg | Wet weight per cycle |
| Motor power | About 2.2 to 18.5 kW | Rises with drum size |
| Drum speed | Up to about 750 rpm | Up to about 600 rpm for the larger sizes |
| Water removed | Around 70% of the water | Depends on fabric and spin time |
| Control | Inverter drive; electric braking | Options per order |
Typical figures from one published series. Runda quotations give the exact ratings for the model you choose.
How to choose
Choose by load. Divide your batch weight in wet kilograms by the load per cycle to see how many spins you need.
Check what you spin. Delicate knit fabric and fine garments need a lower spin speed or a short cycle. Heavy garments and towels take a higher speed.
Look at the braking and the safety interlocks. A full drum has a lot of energy. The lid should lock while the drum turns.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hydro extractor used for?
It removes water from wet fabric, garments or yarn before drying. This saves steam or gas in the dryer.
Can it be used for open-width fabric?
Not well. Open-width fabric is better dewatered on a squeezer or vacuum extractor in the line.
What do I send for a quote?
What you spin, wet weight per batch, cycles per hour, voltage and frequency, and destination country.