How can I increase output when packing jerrycans?
Practical guidance for jerrycans: separate true machine speed from waiting, handling, replenishment and short stops.
Direct answer
For jerrycans, measure sustained good output over a representative run rather than relying on the machine’s maximum cycle rate. A pack must remain clean, stable and correctly orientated through every transfer, filling, closing, labelling and inspection stage. Start by count good packs over at least one representative production period and record damage rate, jam rate, position repeatability and finished-pack integrity. Make one controlled change at a time so the original cause is not hidden by several new settings.
Packaging Machines UK
See the machinery and application options most closely matched to this production question.

What usually causes this?
- operators waiting to load, position or remove packs
- A change in dimensional and material variation or base stability and centre of gravity.
- the machine being starved by a small hopper, feeder or upstream process
- The equipment or handling method not being set for larger handled containers requiring stable support and controlled filling.
- short stops and resets consuming more time than expected
Checks to make in order
- Count good packs over at least one representative production period
- Record damage rate, jam rate, position repeatability and finished-pack integrity using a representative sample.
- Record running, starved, blocked and fault time separately
- Check neck, opening or sealing geometry, surface condition and static and guides, transfers and pack support.
- Measure loading, replenishment and changeover time
- Identify the operation with the longest effective cycle
- Test one improvement and confirm the bottleneck moves
How to decide the next step
Jerrycans involves larger handled containers requiring stable support and controlled filling. Increase speed only after the limiting step and the required buffer or operator method are clear.
If adjustment and maintenance cannot hold the required result across the complete product and pack range, compare the machinery route against a written acceptance test. The important comparison is sustained good output—not only maximum cycle speed.
What to include in your production brief
Supplying the information below makes it much easier to distinguish a setup problem from a machinery or packaging limitation:
- Dimensioned pack drawing
- Minimum and maximum pack samples
- Material and supplier specification
- Closure or seal components
- Required orientation and label area
- Target line rate
- Samples that represent jerrycans
- A short video of the current process and fault
Relevant solution websites
These specialist sites match the production process discussed above. Final suitability should be confirmed with samples, output, site and acceptance information.
Related questions
Pack formatsHow do I reduce damaged and rejected jerrycans?
Practical guidance for jerrycans: reduce product loss, damaged packs, film waste and avoidable rejects.
Read the answer →
Pack formatsWhy does jerrycans run inconsistently on packaging machines?
Practical guidance for jerrycans: find why weights, levels, positions, torque or finished packs vary during a run.
Read the answer →
Pack formatsHow do I keep jerrycans clean before filling?
Practical guidance for jerrycans: plan access, product removal, safe cleaning and verified return to production.
Read the answer →
Pack formatsHow can I increase output when packing round bottles?
Practical guidance for round bottles: separate true machine speed from waiting, handling, replenishment and short stops.
Read the answer →
Pack formatsHow can I increase output when packing square bottles?
Practical guidance for square bottles: separate true machine speed from waiting, handling, replenishment and short stops.
Read the answer →
Pack formatsHow can I increase output when packing oval bottles?
Practical guidance for oval bottles: separate true machine speed from waiting, handling, replenishment and short stops.
Read the answer →