BLUFFDALE, Utah — A family-owned business in Utah has developed a machine that can fill sandbags faster than anyone at a rate of 1,000 bags per hour.
They’re called the Ultimate Sandbagger, and the company already uses them to create a stockpile of more than 7,000 sandbags that are all sewn up and ready to go.
Brandy Elegante, her father, and her husband opened an excavation business a few weeks ago and they say many governments have asked them for help.
“I’m working more hours than I’ve ever worked, so that’s good,” Elegante said.
The three invested $100,000 in two ultimate sandbagging machines.
His father, Troy Shinsel said, “It’s an investment, but we were able to help Harrisville City. UTA has one of our machines now. Draper City will get one next Monday and so we can help these cities fill more bags in short order of time.
Machines can be rented.
![Final sandbagger](https://ksltv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ult-sandbagger.jpg)
The company has 7,000 sandbags filled and ready to go. (KSL TV)
Shinsel and her daughter Brandy own the business. Her husband, Tony Elegante keeps everything going.
“My father-in-law said in no uncertain terms, ‘Hey, I found this sandbagging machine and I think we can really be part of the solution to the problem that comes with all the snow and all the rain we ‘have.’ “
While many cities and counties offer free sandbags, there are often limitations.
“There are some instances where the cities can’t reach them or they have special needs that the city can’t take care of for them and that’s the void we’re trying to fill,” Shinsel said.
Although these machines are called sandbaggers they can work all year round packing other materials.
“We can load anything into the bags that our hopper will fit,” says Tony. “So, we can load gravel, compost, horse cubes, horse pellets. All those things. “
Although it seems like a business, they say they hope their family can help others during this runoff.
They not only fill and sell sandbags, but they also deliver and place them. Click here for more information.
Many cities in Utah are already dealing with flooding. Here is a list of how and where you can help.
In an effort to empower Utahns who want to know their neighborhood’s flood risk, Division of Emergency Management officials are actively preparing and updating flood risk information on their website.
The state’s Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning program began updating FEMA’s flood hazard maps in January 2022, covering more than 5,814 square miles in the northeastern part of the state. With an active spring, the website has seen a surge in traffic.