NIKO presses

NIKO Pneumatic Membrane Presses

NIKO has been manufacturing pneumatic presses, and solely pneumatic presses, since 1994. The unique features, wide array of options, and quality reflect this specialization. Manufactured in Slovenia, NIKO presses are used extensively in Germany and Austria. NIKO enlarged their production facility in 2006, thus allowing expansion outside Europe. St. Patrick's is the exclusive USA distributor.

Please compare the quality and features of NIKO presses with competitive brands.

For example, the maximum operational pressure is 1.7 bar compared to 1.5 bar for most competitive brands (this is due to compressor and/or strength of the doors).
We supply axial loading with large stainless ball valve on all units
We supply stainless valve on outlet of collection pan.
The vertical screen in collection pan is standard on NIKO presses.
The easy clean design of the doors is standard on all units.
Two doors is standard on VP8e and larger.

Pressing Times.
Cycle times of the NIKO programs for red and white grapes.

White Grapes (1.7 bar)

Red Grapes (1.2 bar)

Screen in pan is mounted vertically.

AE controls on VPe models.

AS controls on VP models. VP units have green/red status lights.

Doors can be quickly swung upward , exposing the entire underside for cleaning. This is a unique feature of NIKO presses.

Large sliding doors.

The three photos above show the optional Sliding Juice Collection Pan. This pan is composed of 3 segments.

Side panels on VP units are hinged. Upper half drops down, exposing upper half of cylinder for cleaning. Note that the safety (interlock) cable moves with the panel.

Lower half of side panel folds upward, exposing lower portion of cylinder. VP units only. Please note the side panel on opposing side is the same.

Optional Hopper and Leg Extensions
The press can be operated with the hopper in position. Hopper is quickly mounted and dismounted with forklift. Note leg extensions for both press and collection pan.

Optional solid doors for in-drum maceration. In addition to wine, this feature is employed for agave syrup production.

Optional platform for elevated press.

Optional remote electronic controls.

Optional cooling jacket (for cooling during maceration).

On all VP models, the side panels consist of two sections hinged in the middle. This photo shows lower section being raised for easy cleanout.


NIKO Pneumatic Membrane Presses NIKO has been manufacturing pneumatic presses, and solely pneumatic presses, since 1994. The unique features, wide array of options, and quality reflect this specialization. Manufactured in Slovenia, NIKO presses are used extensively in Germany and Austria. NIKO enlarged their production facility in 2006, thus allowing expansion outside Europe. St. Patrick's is the exclusive USA distributor. Please compare the quality and features of NIKO presses with competitive brands. For example, the maximum operational pressure is 1.7 bar compared to 1.5 bar for most competitive brands (this is due to compressor and/or strength of the doors). We supply axial loading with large stainless ball valve on all units We supply stainless valve on outlet of collection pan. The vertical screen in collection pan is standard on NIKO presses. The easy clean design of the doors is standard on all units. Two doors is standard on VP8e and larger.
VP Available in 7 volumes: 11, 15, 21, 26, 32, 44, 52 Hectoliter AS automatic controls with 11 fixed programmed pressing cycles (7 red and white, sparkling, late harvest, 2 ice wine) and a program for axial loading and another for maceration. User can quickly change any parameter within each of these cycles. Additionally, user can add up to 20 additional programmed cycles. Digital display. Multicolored lights indicate state of operation. Separate Manual controls. Juice collection pan with vertical screen filter. Mounted on 4 pivoting wheels. TriClamp stainless Ball valve on outlet. Quiet rotary vane compressor (Becker). Two large sliding doors. Unique NIKO features Safety (interlock) cords are moveable on sides and fixed on end. Moveable cord allows easy access for cleaning. Upper and lower side panels are hinged for easy access during cleaning. Door design permits easy cleaning of underside of doors. Axial loading with TriClamp stainless steel Ball Valve. Cylinder rotates in both directions Membrane made of nontoxic material designed specifically for presses. Membrane is easy to change. Quiet fan for fast membrane inflation to 0.2 atm Quiet fan for deflation of membrane Muffler to mitigate noise 304 stainless steel construction 4 pivoting wheels with brakes 230 V, 3-phase power on all units 1 year warranty VP11 $25,900 sold out for 2010 VP15 $33,500 sold out for 2010 VP21 $37,500 sold out for 2010 VP26 $39,700 sold out for 2010 VP32 $45,800 sold out for 2010 VP44 $55,600 sold out for 2010 VP52 $67,600 sold out for 2010 VP Options Sensor with alarm indicating when press is full (axial loading) Leg extensions (to place half-ton macrobin under cylinder to collect pomace) Platform Hopper for whole grape loading from macrobin Non-perforated doors for maceration. Plugs for drain channels. Used in conjunction with non-perforated doors for maceration. Water proof sliding doors Sliding juice collection pan. Pan slides in/out on rails (guides) as needed for cleaing and pressing. Level switch in collection tray Pneumatic drive for doors Detachable control box with cable	VPe Available in 5 volumes: 5, 8, 11, 15, 21 Hectoliter AE automatic controls pre-2009 models: 5 fixed programmed pressing cycles. 2010 models: 4 fixed programmed pressing cycles, axial loading progam, maceration program, and 2 programmable pressing cycles. Separate Manual controls. Juice collection pan with vertical screen filter. Mounted on 4 pivoting wheels. TriClamp stainless Ball valve on outlet. Compressor is included pre-2009 models: Piston compressor 2010 models: quiet rotary vane compressor (Becker) Safety (interlock) cords are fixed on sides and end. Fixed side panels without hinges. Large doors. VPe8, 11, 15, 21 with two sliding doors. VPe5 has one door. Unique NIKO feature. Door design permits easy cleaning of underside of doors. Axial loading with TriClamp stainless steel Ball Valve. Cylinder rotates in both directions (3 phase motors) Membrane made of nontoxic material designed specifically for presses. Membrane is easy to change. Quiet fan for fast membrane inflation to 0.2 atm Quiet fan for deflation of membrane Muffler to mitigate noise 304 stainless steel construction 4 pivoting wheels with brakes 230 V, 3-phase for VP11e, VP15e, and VP21e. 230 V, 1-phase for VP5e and VP8e. 1 year warranty VP5e-single phase $16,800 sold out for 2010 with rotary vane compressor VP8e--single phase $18,700 in stock with rotary vane compressor VP11e $18,700 2 in stock with piston compressor VP11e $21,900 sold out for 2010 with rotary vane compressor VP15e $23,800 1 in stock with piston compressor VP15e $28,900 sold out for 2010 with rotary vane compressor VP21e $32,900 sold out for 2010 with rotary vane compressor VPe Options Rotary vane compressor (Rotary vane compressors are a little quieter and a little faster than reciprocating compressors, thus you might expect one additional press in a full day.) Sensor with alarm indicating when press is full (axial loading) Leg extensions (to place half-ton macrobin under cylinder to collect pomace) Platform Hopper for whole grape loading from macrobin (VP11 and larger) Non-perforated doors for maceration. Plugs for drain channels. Used in conjunction with non-perforated doors for maceration. Sliding juice collection pan. Pan slides in/out on rails (guides) as needed for cleaing and pressing. Level switch
Replacement membranes We stock replacement membranes and encourage users to keep an extra on hand. The most common cause of punctures is pruning shears in whole grapes but wire and nails can make their way through destemmers/pumps as well. It takes two people about 1-2 hours to change a membrane. NIKO membranes are easier to change than most.	All sizes of replacement membranes are in stock. VP5 membrane $600 VP8 membrane $675 VP11 membrane $720 VP15 membrane $770 VP21 membrane $940 VP26 membrane $1000 VP32 membrane $1080 VP44 membrane $1150 VP52 membrane $1250
Leg Extensions (for dumping pomace from cylinder into half-ton macrobin) Includes extension for both press and the juice pan. VP5/8 Leg Extensions $800 in stock VP11/15 Leg Extensions $800 in stock VP21 Leg Extensions $800 VP26 Leg Extensions $800 VP32 Leg Extensions $1000 VP44 Leg Extensions $1000 VP52 Leg Extensions $1000	Hopper (for dumping whole fruit)--order these before May 30 VP11 Hopper $2325 VP15 Hopper $2325 VP21 Hopper $2325 VP26 Hopper $2325 VP32 Hopper $2825 VP44 Hopper $2825 VP52 Hopper $2825

Maximum Capacity----lbs Minimum capacity is ~1/5.	VP5e	VP8e VP8	VP11e VP11	VP15e VP15	VP21e VP21	VP26	VP32	VP44	VP52
Whole grapes--loading thru door	880	1400	1940	2640	3700	5000	5600	7750	9150
Fresh Destemmed grapes-axial loading	3100	4940	6800	9260	13000	16000	19700	27100	32000
Fermented grapes-axial loading	4200	6700	9200	12600	17500	21700	26700	36800	43600
Power and Amperage	4 HP, 10A	4.8 HP, 10A	4.8 HP, 10A	5.8 HP, 9A	6.2 HP, 14 A	8 HP, 12A	9.3 HP, 14A	11 HP, 18A	16 HP, 24A

Pressing Times. Cycle times of the NIKO programs for red and white grapes.
	White Grapes (1.7 bar)	Red Grapes (1.2 bar)
VP5	1:20	:50
VP8	1:30	1:00
VP11	1:40	1:10
VP15	1:45	1:15
VP21	1:55	1:25
VP26	2:10	1:40
VP32	2:20	1:50
VP44	2:30	2:10
VP52	2:40	2:20
Pressing times are same for VP and VPe models for 2010. Pressing time of the VP15e with piston compressor (that we have in stock) is 20 minutes longer than in this table. Pressing times of VP5e, VP8e, VP11e with piston compressor (that we also have in stock) are same as in this table.