One Machine, Two Jobs: How an ABM Patty Former Can Replace a Bulker

Why buy two machines if one can do both?

Many meat departments and processing plants use a bulker for larger ground product portions and a patty former for burgers. Running two machines means:

• More equipment to buy
• More equipment to clean
• More floor space
• More maintenance
• More operator training

With an ABM patty former, one machine handles multiple jobs. You just change the drum and adjust the depth. Instead of tying up equipment for a single product, you're investing in a platform that grows with your operation.

Adjustable depth means more versatility

Many systems lock operators into a fixed product thickness. Every ABM drum has adjustable depth settings, so you're not stuck with one patty weight, one thickness, or one product style. Operators set the depth to match exactly what they need to make, and can respond quickly when customer demand shifts, without buying more equipment.

Portions up to 32mm thick

ABM drums adjust up to 32mm deep, so you can make portions much larger than a standard burger patty. Thick premium burgers, bulk ground meat portions, and specialty products can all be made on one machine. If you're using a bulker today for larger portions, this opens the door to consolidating equipment while keeping your production capacity.

Up to one pound of ground product

With the right drum, the machine can form portions of up to one pound of ground product. That gives you far more range than a traditional patty former. One machine can turn out everything from sliders to oversized specialty portions.

Change products by changing drums

The interchangeable drum design is one of the biggest advantages of the ABM system. Instead of buying a separate machine for each product line, operators simply switch drums to make:

• Traditional burger patties
• Sliders
• Meatballs
• Bulk portions
• Specialty products
• Seasonal offerings

As your production needs change, the machine changes with you.

Lower your equipment costs

When you're weighing an equipment purchase, it pays to look beyond the price of a single machine. When one machine can do the work of two, you can expect:

• A lower initial investment
• Less maintenance
• Less floor space
• Simpler day-to-day operation
• Fewer parts to stock

For many operations, skipping a dedicated bulker adds up to real long-term savings.

Built for growing operations

Many meat departments start with a small product lineup and expand over time. The challenge is finding equipment that can grow with you. Because ABM drums can be swapped and adjusted, you can add new products without replacing your machine. Today's burger program can become tomorrow's burger, slider, meatball, and bulk-portion program.

More than a patty former

The biggest misconception about a patty former is that it only makes patties. With interchangeable drums, depth settings up to 32mm, and the ability to form portions up to one pound, an ABM machine becomes one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in your meat department.

The bottom line

Every piece of equipment should earn its place on the production floor. By combining adjustable-depth drums, interchangeable product setups, and the range to form everything from sliders to one-pound portions, an ABM patty former can often replace a dedicated bulker altogether.

The result is more flexibility, lower equipment costs, less floor space, and the freedom to make a wider variety of products on a single machine.

One machine. Multiple drums. Nearly endless possibilities.

Curious which drums fit your product lineup? Your local ABM dealer can help you build the right setup.