Clipper Prelude 526 Single-Shoe Seed Cleaner | 54" Screens | Vistasort Canada
Clipper Separation Technologies — Air & Screen Cleaners

Clipper
Prelude 526

A mid-size single-shoe air and screen seed cleaner with 54-inch wide screens, a 6,400 CFM reverse-incline fan, and two configurable flow patterns. Built for commercial seed producers who need more capacity than a compact cleaner can deliver. Supplied and supported across Western Canada by Vistasort.

54"
Screen Width
6,400 CFM
Fan Capacity
3 Decks
Configurable Flow
3,800 lbs
Machine Weight
150+
Screen Sizes

What Is the Clipper Prelude 526?

The Clipper Prelude 526 is AT Ferrell's mid-size single-shoe air and screen cleaner — designed for seed producers and grain processors who need more screen area and air volume than a compact cleaner can provide, without stepping up to a dual-shoe machine.

All screens are 54 inches wide. The top scalping deck is 34 inches long; the two lower decks extend to 60 inches for thorough sifting. The machine runs a reverse-incline back fan generating up to 6,400 CFM, with two independent air gate controls for precise aspiration tuning. A 3-inch square, 1/4-inch thick tubular steel frame handles sustained commercial operation, and replaceable metal screenways and rubber seals extend long-term machine life.

  • Single-shoe assembly — three screen decks, all 54 inches wide
  • Two flow patterns: Scalp-Scalp-Sift or Scalp-Split-Sift
  • Reverse-incline back fan — up to 6,400 CFM
  • Two independent calibrated air gate controls
  • New-style ball trays — screens change without removing trays
  • Air lock discharge trash spout maintains consistent air pressure
  • 3" square, 1/4" thick tubular steel frame
  • Replaceable metal screenways and rubber screen seals
  • 150+ screen sizes for all commodities
Clipper Prelude 526 single-shoe mid-size air and screen seed cleaner — 54-inch wide screens with reverse-incline fan
Single Shoe
Assembly Type
54" Wide
All Screen Decks
6,400 CFM
Max Fan Airflow
2 Patterns
Flow Configurations

Two Configurable Flow Patterns

The Prelude 526 supports two distinct screen flow configurations. Select the pattern that matches your crop and separation targets — both use all three screen decks followed by air aspiration.

Configuration A

Scalp · Scalp · Sift

Both the top and middle screen decks scalp oversized material from the product stream, while the bottom deck sifts out fine material, weed seeds, and trash. Best for crops with a wide range of oversized contaminants that benefit from two scalping passes.

  • DECK 1 Scalp — removes oversized material (exits front)
  • DECK 2 Scalp — second scalp pass for remaining oversized
  • DECK 3 Sift — removes fines, weed seeds, trash
  • AIR Aspiration — removes dust and lightweight material
Configuration B

Scalp · Split-Sift · Sift

The top deck scalps. The middle deck splits the product stream — scalping on one side and sifting on the other simultaneously. The bottom deck sifts. This configuration produces four distinct fractions from a single cleaning pass, maximizing grade separation.

  • DECK 1 Scalp — removes oversized material (exits front)
  • DECK 2 Split-Sift — simultaneous scalp + sift, four fractions
  • DECK 3 Sift — removes remaining fines and trash
  • AIR Aspiration — dual air gates for precision removal

How the Prelude 526 Cleans Seed & Grain

The Prelude 526's single-shoe assembly processes grain through an infeed, three screen decks, and a dual-gate air aspiration column — removing both mechanical and aerodynamic contaminants in one pass.

1

Uniform Infeed

The vibratory inlet feed hopper with adjustable internal gate delivers a uniform product stream through the air column and onto the screen decks. Electronic variable speed option provides precise feed rate control.

2

Top Screen Deck — Scalp

The top 54" × 34" scalping deck removes oversized material from the product stream. Oversized material exits the machine front while good product falls through to the lower decks below.

3

Middle & Bottom Screen Decks

Depending on the chosen flow configuration (Scalp-Scalp-Sift or Scalp-Split-Sift), the lower two 54" × 60" decks perform additional scalping, sifting, or split-sifting to separate the product into its final fractions.

4

Ball Tray Screen Cleaning

Throughout operation, Clipper's new-style ball trays continuously prevent screen blinding — maintaining consistent throughput on all three decks without operator intervention or production stoppages.

5

Dual Air Gate Aspiration

Two independent calibrated air gate controls provide precision pre-suction and after-suction aspiration. The reverse-incline fan generates up to 6,400 CFM — removing dust, chaff, and lightweight material before clean product is discharged.

Clipper Prelude 526 — 54-inch screen decks and dual air gate aspiration
Outputs by Configuration
Scalp-Scalp-Sift
3 fractions: oversized scalp, siftings, clean product
Scalp-Split-Sift
4 fractions: scalp, split-A, split-B, clean product

Standard Features of the Prelude 526

Built for continuous commercial operation with full operator control over separation accuracy — from feed rate to airflow to screen selection.

🏗️

3" Square Steel Frame

3-inch square, 1/4-inch wall tubular steel frame provides the structural rigidity required for sustained high-volume commercial operation — resisting flex and fatigue through years of continuous use.

💨

6,400 CFM Reverse-Incline Fan

The reverse-incline back fan generates up to 6,400 CFM with a drive setup that can be easily reconfigured on-site to match local electrical supply and air volume requirements.

🎛️

Dual Independent Air Gates

Two calibrated air gate controls independently adjust pre-suction and after-suction aspiration — allowing fine-tuned removal of lightweight material tuned to your specific crop's aerodynamic profile.

Variable Speed Feed Hopper

Fixed-speed vibratory inlet with adjustable internal gate as standard. Electronic variable speed option available — controllable from a side-mounted panel for single-operator feed rate management.

🔄

New-Style Ball Tray Cleaning

Rubber balls prevent screen blinding continuously during operation. New-style trays allow screens to be changed without removing the ball trays — a significant time-saving advantage during crop changeovers.

🔒

Air Lock Trash Discharge

The air lock discharge trash spout maintains consistent air pressure inside the separation column during continuous operation — preventing backpressure fluctuations that could affect separation quality.

🔧

Replaceable Screenways & Seals

Metal screenways and rubber screen seals are fully replaceable — extending machine service life and simplifying long-term maintenance. New-style shoe hangers and drive connectors ensure smooth, counterbalanced operation.

📐

54" × 26" Screen Sections

All screens use the standard 54" × 26" section format, with over 150 perforated metal and wire mesh sizes available — covering every major grain and seed crop grown in Western Canada.

⚙️

Motor Package Flexibility

Motor packages available in 50 or 60 Hz, single or three phase, TEFC or explosion-proof configurations — matching the Prelude 526 to the electrical infrastructure of any Canadian processing facility.

Prelude 526 Add-On Options

Configure the Prelude 526 to match your operation's specific needs — all orderable through Vistasort.

✓ Available

150+ Screen Sizes

Perforated metal and wire mesh screens for all major grain, oilseed, and pulse crops grown in Western Canada.

✓ Available

Electronic Variable Speed Hopper

Upgrade from the standard fixed-speed vibratory inlet to electronic variable speed for precision feed rate control.

✓ Available

Centralized Grease Line

Route all grease points to a single central location for fast, consistent lubrication — reducing maintenance time between cleanouts.

✓ Available

Side-Mounted Control Panel

Consolidate all electronic variable speed controls into one accessible panel location for single-operator management.

✓ Available

50 or 60 Hz Motor Packages

Motor packages in 50 or 60 Hz, single or three phase, TEFC or explosion-proof configurations to match local electrical requirements.

Prelude 526 — Full Specifications

Full machine dimensions, weights, screen configuration, and electrical requirements for the Clipper Prelude 526.

SpecificationValue
ModelPrelude 526
ManufacturerAT Ferrell / Clipper Separation Technologies
AssemblySingle-shoe
Screen Decks3
Screen Width54 inches (all decks)
Top Deck Length34 inches
Lower Deck Length60 inches (both)
Section Format54" × 26" sections
Flow OptionsScalp-Scalp-Sift / Scalp-Split-Sift
FanReverse-incline, up to 6,400 CFM
Air Gates2 independent calibrated controls
Screen CleaningNew-style ball trays
Trash DischargeAir lock discharge trash spout
Frame3" sq. tubing, 1/4" wall
Screen Options150+ sizes available
Dimension / WeightValue
Overall Length91.5 inches
Overall Width78.5 inches
Overall Height91 inches
Base Length73.5 inches
Base Width69.5 inches
Base Height67 inches
Weight3,800 lbs
Authorized Dealer (CA)Vistasort — Saskatoon, SK
ComponentMotorNotes
Eccentric Drive2 HP (2.25 kW)Standard
Main Fan10 HP (7.5 kW)Reconfigurable for local electrical
Vibratory Hopper½ HP (0.375 kW)Optional electronic variable speed
Motor Packages50/60 Hz · Single/3-Phase · TEFC or Ex-Proof

Prelude 526 Applications in Western Canada

The Prelude 526's 54-inch screens and 6,400 CFM fan handle a wide range of Western Canadian crops at mid-to-high commercial throughput rates.

🌾

Wheat, Barley & Cereals

The 54-inch wide screen decks process cereal crops efficiently in both scalp-scalp-sift and scalp-split-sift configurations — removing oversized material, fines, and weed seeds to meet export grade requirements for wheat, barley, oats, rye, and durum.

🫘

Pulses & Edible Beans

The split-sift flow configuration is particularly effective for pulse crops — separating whole peas, lentils, and chickpeas from splits and undersized seed in a single pass. The dual air gates provide precise removal of lightweight broken seed and debris.

🌿

Canola & Oilseeds

Fine-screen options for canola and other small oilseeds take full advantage of the 6,400 CFM fan and dual independent air gates — delivering precise aerodynamic separation without over-aspirating small, healthy seed.

🏗️

Commercial Seed Plants

The Prelude 526 is sized for commercial seed plant use — providing the screen area and airflow volume required for sustained multi-shift operation. Pairs effectively with a Conquest 286 pre-cleaner upstream for maximum line efficiency.

🌱

Certified Seed Production

For certified seed producers, the new-style ball trays and replaceable screen seals enable fast, thorough cleanout between varieties — critical for maintaining certified seed purity standards and preventing contamination between lots.

🌻

Specialty & Niche Crops

High-value specialty crops with strict purity tolerances benefit from the configurable flow patterns and dual-gate aspiration. The machine can be tuned for each crop's specific separation requirements without major mechanical changes.

Why Buy Your Prelude 526 from Vistasort?

Vistasort is Western Canada's authorized Clipper Separation Technologies dealer — with over 40 years of seed and grain processing experience across the Prairies.

Clipper Separation Technologies logo

Clipper Separation Technologies, manufactured by AT Ferrell Company, is one of North America's most recognized seed and grain cleaning equipment brands. Vistasort is the authorized Clipper dealer for Western Canada — supplying, installing, and supporting the full Clipper line from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

01

40+ Years of Processing Expertise

Since 1986, Vistasort has been specifying and equipping seed and grain processing facilities across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba — with deep knowledge of Prairie crops, processing conditions, and grade requirements.

02

Flow Configuration Guidance

Scalp-scalp-sift vs. scalp-split-sift — the right choice depends on your crop and separation goals. Vistasort's team provides configuration guidance and screen selection recommendations specific to your operation's commodity mix.

03

Full Processing Line Integration

The Prelude 526 works best as part of a complete cleaning line. Vistasort supplies the pre-cleaners, aspirators, gravity separators, color sorters, and conveyance that surround it — designing the complete system, not just selling the machine.

04

Local Parts & Service Support

Based in Saskatoon, Vistasort provides rapid parts availability, on-site service, and technical support for every Clipper machine we supply — eliminating the delays of dealing with distant manufacturers when you need help most.

Prelude 526 FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about the Clipper Prelude 526 and how it fits into commercial seed and grain cleaning operations in Western Canada.

What is the screen width of the Clipper Prelude 526?
All screens on the Prelude 526 are 54 inches wide. The top scalping screen deck is 34 inches long, while the two lower screen decks are 60 inches long. All screen sections use the standard 54" × 26" format, with over 150 screen sizes available.
What are the two screen flow configurations on the Prelude 526?
Scalp-Scalp-Sift: both top decks scalp oversized material, bottom deck sifts. Scalp-Split-Sift: top deck scalps, middle deck splits the product stream (scalp one side, sift the other), bottom deck sifts — producing four output fractions in a single pass. The configuration is selected based on crop type and separation targets.
What are the electrical requirements for the Prelude 526?
2 HP (2.25 kW) eccentric drive, 10 HP (7.5 kW) main fan, ½ HP (0.375 kW) optional variable-speed inlet. Motor packages available in 50 or 60 Hz, single or three phase, TEFC or explosion-proof configurations. The main fan drive can be reconfigured on-site to match local electrical supply.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Prelude 526?
Overall: 91.5" long × 78.5" wide × 91" tall. Base footprint: 73.5" × 69.5" × 67". Machine weight: 3,800 lbs. Plan for adequate floor space and forklift or crane access for installation.
How does ball tray cleaning work on the Prelude 526?
Clipper's new-style ball trays use rubber balls bouncing against screen undersides during operation to prevent hole plugging. The key improvement: screens can be changed without removing the ball trays — significantly reducing changeover time between seed lots in commercial operations.
How does the Prelude 526 compare to the Prelude 826?
The Prelude 526 uses a single-shoe assembly. The Prelude 826 is a dual-shoe design with two counter-balanced shoe assemblies for substantially higher throughput capacity. If you need to scale beyond the 526's output, the Prelude 826 is the natural step up within the Prelude product line.
Where can I buy the Clipper Prelude 526 in Canada?
Vistasort in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is the authorized Clipper Separation Technologies dealer for Western Canada. Call 1-800-667-6924 or submit a contact form at vistasort.com for pricing, availability, and delivery timelines.

Get a Quote on the
Clipper Prelude 526

Tell us your crops, volumes, and processing goals — Vistasort will recommend the right Prelude 526 configuration and screen selection for your commercial seed plant.