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Vogt Tube-Ice machines are heavy-duty cylindrical ice makers produced by Henry Vogt Machine Co. in Louisville, Kentucky since 1938. Current production capacities range from 3 tons per day (HFO3 series) to 80 tons per day (P34AXL and P34FXL). The lineup is built around the HFO refrigerant series for smaller capacities and the P34 series for larger industrial applications, with both ammonia and freon variants. Vogt machines are known for long service life 30-year-old units are commonly still in daily operation. Common applications include packaged ice, fish processing, beverage, chemical processing, concrete cooling, and bakery dough cooling.
Why Vogt Has Defined Tube-Ice for 85-Plus Years
Henry Vogt Machine Co. introduced the world’s first automatic-sized tube-ice machine in 1938. Since then, the Louisville-based manufacturer has supplied more than 20,000 customers across 160 countries with industrial ice production equipment. The reason for that longevity is mechanical, not promotional: Vogt machines are over-engineered to a standard that other ice makers are not.
The clearest evidence is in the field. Vogt itself notes that 30-year-old Tube-Ice machines are commonly found in daily operation, and procurement professionals across packaged ice, fish processing, and beverage industries routinely buy used Vogt equipment knowing it has substantial remaining service life. For procurement teams who already know what they want, a quality used Vogt is rarely a compromise.
How Tube-Ice Is Made and Why It Matters
Vogt’s tube-ice design is mechanically distinctive. Water circulates through vertical stainless steel tubes inside a refrigerated chamber. Ice forms from the outside of the tube inward — meaning impurities are progressively rejected toward the center as the ice freezes. The result is a cylindrical ice form that is both purer and harder than ice produced by most flake or plate machines.
When the ice reaches optimal thickness, warm refrigerant briefly enters the vessel, the ice releases from the tubes, drops into the storage tank, and breaks naturally into cylindrical pieces. There is no cutter mechanism for standard tube ice (a crushed-ice cutter is available as an option), which means fewer moving parts to wear out and less ice loss to fines. The standard tube-ice product is available in three diameters — 7/8″, 1-1/8″, or 1-3/8″ — each approximately one inch long.
Beyond purity and durability, the design economics also matter on the used market: the stainless steel tube bundle is the heart of the machine, and stainless construction is corrosion-resistant by design. Tube bundles routinely outlast multiple generations of controls, motors, and compressor packages.
Current Vogt Model Lineup
Vogt has consolidated its current production around two refrigerant strategies: the HFO line for low-GWP applications at smaller capacities, and the P34 series in both ammonia and R-404A variants for larger industrial applications. The full current lineup:
| Model Series | Capacity | Refrigerant | Configuration | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFO3 / HFO5 / HFO10 | 3, 5, 10 tons/day | HFO blend (low GWP, zero ODP) | Self-contained, water- or air-cooled | Foodservice, hospitality, mid-size packaged ice, beverage |
| P34A / P34F | 50 tons/day | P34A: ammonia. P34F: R-404A | Self-contained water-cooled | Mid-size ice production without central refrigeration plant |
| P34AL / P34FL | 50 tons/day | P34AL: ammonia. P34FL: R-404A | Low-side (requires dedicated high-side or central plant) | Industrial plants with existing refrigeration systems |
| P34AXL / P34FXL | 80 tons/day | P34AXL: ammonia. P34FXL: R-404A | Low-side (requires high-side or central plant) | Large packaged ice, fish processing, industrial cooling |
| Legacy P-series (P112, P118, P18XT) | 3 to 10 tons/day | Older R-22 or R-404A units | Various | Replaced by HFO line for new production; widely available used |
A note on the R-404A units: Vogt has been transitioning new production away from R-404A toward the HFO line at the smaller capacities, with the first HFO units installed commercially in 2019. The P34F and P34FL series remain part of the current production lineup at the 50-ton capacity. For larger applications, the P34AXL ammonia low-side unit at 80 tons per day is a workhorse of the modern Vogt lineup.
Applications and Industry Fit
Vogt Tube-Ice machines serve a remarkably broad set of industries. Sizing typically pairs with the application as follows:
- Packaged ice (retail and wholesale). HFO5 through P34A/P34F series, scaling up as production volume grows.
- Fish processing and fishing vessels. Ammonia low-side variants (P34AL, P34AXL) common at plant scale; smaller HFO units in marine and dockside applications.
- Poultry and meat processing. Mid-size HFO or P34 series for in-line cooling and product packing.
- Bakery. Tube ice is added directly to dough to offset the heat of hydration (flour absorbing water) and the heat of friction from mixer motors. HFO5 and HFO10 are common.
- Concrete cooling. Used in large pours where aggregate temperatures are high or strength specifications require precise mix temperature control. Capacities vary by project, with P34-series units common.
- Chemical processing. Vogt machines provide cooling for organic dye production, thermal-sensitive paper coatings, and reactor jacket cooling. The machines also function as efficient chillers when not making ice.
- Catering, airlines, and food service. Smaller HFO series units handle these applications.
Buying a Used Vogt: What to Verify
Vogt’s reputation for longevity does not eliminate the need for diligence. The procurement checklist for used Vogt equipment:
- Confirm the refrigerant. Ammonia, R-404A, or HFO — each has different implications for operating cost, parts compatibility, and long-term refrigerant availability. Older units may have refrigerant change history that needs documentation.
- High-side vs. self-contained. Low-side machines (the “L” in P34AL, P34FL, P34AXL, P34FXL) require a paired high-side or central refrigeration system. Self-contained units (P34A, P34F, HFO series) are complete. Confirm which configuration you are buying and that it matches your plant.
- Evaporator tube condition. The tube bundle is the heart of the machine. Stainless steel construction supports very long life, but verify the bundle has not been damaged by improper operation (running dry, freeze damage, or chemical attack).
- Control platform. Newer Vogt machines run Allen-Bradley PLC controls. Older units may have legacy electromechanical controls, relay logic, or earlier PLC platforms. Control upgrades are possible but add cost.
- Voltage configuration. 60Hz US and 50Hz international units differ. Common configurations include 208/230V, 460V, 575V at 60Hz, and 400V at 50Hz. Confirm the unit matches your plant’s electrical system.
- Cutter mechanism. If your application uses crushed ice, verify the cutter is present and functional. Cylindrical ice is the standard product, with crushed ice as an option.
- ASME compliance documentation. Vogt machines are manufactured to ASME pressure vessel code. Confirm the documentation chain is intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse Vogt Inventory, Quote, or Sell
Refrigeration Equipment Pros stocks used Vogt Tube-Ice machines across the HFO, P34, and legacy P-series lines as availability allows. To browse current ice machine inventory or discuss a specific application, visit the shop or call 201-805-1441. If you are decommissioning a plant or have surplus Vogt equipment to sell, we buy.
Refrigeration Equipment Professionals (REP) is a trusted supplier of industrial refrigeration systems and surplus/used equipment, offering compressors, chillers, condensers, evaporators, ice machines, freezers, coolers, pumps, motors, complete plants, and services like purchasing, refurbishing, shipping, export crating, and storage/consignment support. With 25+ years of experience and clients across North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, we deliver reliable, cost-effective refrigeration solutions worldwide.