Quick answer: Choose a portable bag sewer (NP-7A, Model S or Model F) for low volumes of roughly 4–8 bags per minute or for closing bags wherever they're filled. Choose a pedestal sewing head on a conveyor for production volume: the Model 100 for plain sewing or the Empress Model 101 when you want crepe tape for a cleaner, more leak-resistant closure. Choose the PBC 6000 pinch bag closer only if you use pre-glued multi-wall paper pinch bottom bags and need a sealed, sift-resistant closure on a production line.
We carry six bag closing machines, from a handheld closer that runs on 12V DC to a production-line pinch closer. They all close bags, but they're built for very different jobs. This guide walks through the four questions that decide which one you need, then covers each machine.
All six bag closers at a glance
| Machine | Type | Closure | Bag materials | Power and air | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NP-7A | Handheld | Single-thread chain stitch | Kraft paper, woven PP/PE, cotton, hessian, jute | 110–120V AC, 220V AC, 230–240V AC, 12V DC or 24V DC | Low-volume and field closing, including where only DC power is available |
| Model S | Handheld | Sewn closure | Multi-wall paper, woven polypropylene, burlap, jute | Not listed on product page | Low-volume industrial closing, 4–8 bags/min |
| Model F | Handheld | Single-thread, 3.75 SPI, 38 ft/min | Plastic, woven PP, multi-wall paper, composite, jute | 115V or 230V | Low-volume closing of mixed bag types, including plastic and composite; optional crepe tape attachment |
| Model 100 | Pedestal sewing head | Two-thread Type 401 chain stitch, 2–4 SPI, 35–55 ft/min (up to 80) | Open-mouth paper, woven PP, jute (up to 8 mm) | 120 VAC + air at 50 PSI, 2–3 CFM | Conveyor lines closing plain-sewn bags |
| Empress Model 101 | Pedestal tape sewing head | Two-thread Type 401 chain stitch with crepe tape, 2–3.5 SPI, 35–55 ft/min | Paper, woven PP, jute (up to 8 mm) | Air at 90 PSI min, 10–12 SCFM | Conveyor lines that want a cleaner, more leak-resistant sewn closure |
| PBC 6000 | Pinch bag closer | Hot-air pinch seal, no stitching | Pre-glued multi-wall paper pinch bottom bags only | 230V 1/3-phase or 460V 3-phase + air at 90 PSI, about 420 SCFH | Production lines needing a sealed, sift-resistant closure |
4 questions that decide which bag closer you need
1. What are your bags made of?
- Woven polypropylene, jute, burlap, cotton or plastic: you need a bag sewer. All five of our sewers close woven polypropylene and jute. The PBC 6000 does not.
- Plain open-mouth multi-wall paper: a bag sewer, plain or tape sew.
- Pre-glued multi-wall paper pinch bottom bags: the PBC 6000. That's the only bag type it closes.
2. Will your product leak between stitches?
- Larger, coarse product that won't leak between stitches (think pellets, grain or coarse granules): plain sewing works. A fold-over at the bag top minimizes major leaks.
- Some leak risk, or you want a cleaner look: tape sewing. The Empress Model 101 sews crepe tape over the top, which improves appearance and further reduces leakage. The Model F also offers an optional 2" crepe tape attachment.
- Fine powders that must not sift at all (flour, powdered dairy, bakery mixes): pinch bottom bags on the PBC 6000. A heat-sealed pinch closure has no needle holes.
3. How many bags do you close, and where?
- Lower volume, or bags closed in different spots: a portable closer. Portable models are suited to roughly 4–8 bags per minute and go wherever the bags are.
- Steady production on a conveyor: a pedestal sewing head. The Model 100 and Empress Model 101 run 35–55 ft/min (the Model 100 up to 80) and work with conveyor systems.
- Production line with pinch bottom bags: the PBC 6000, at 30–75 ft/min in its standard range.
4. What power and air do you have?
- Only DC power (a truck, a field, a remote barn): the NP-7A comes in 12V DC and 24V DC versions.
- A standard outlet, no compressed air: the handheld Model F (115V or 230V) or NP-7A (AC versions).
- 120 VAC plus light shop air: the Model 100 uses air at 50 PSI and 2–3 CFM.
- Full shop air: the Empress Model 101 needs 90 PSI minimum at 10–12 SCFM.
- 230V or 460V plus shop air: the PBC 6000 needs 90 PSI at about 420 SCFH.
Portable bag closers: when you need one
Portable closers are handheld sewing heads you carry to the bag. They're the most affordable way to close bags and a good fit for smaller operations and agricultural and light industrial packaging.
NP-7A Portable Bag Closer
The NP-7A is our most affordable bag closer. It sews a single-thread chain stitch with a fixed 8.5 mm stitch length, has an automatic oil pump and a built-in automatic thread cutter, and weighs 6 kg including the thread cone. It closes kraft paper, woven PP/PE, cotton, hessian and jute bags.
You need it if: you close bags on a budget, or you need to close bags away from AC power. It's available in 110–120V AC, 220V AC, 230–240V AC, 12V DC and 24V DC versions. A crepe tape binding and cutter assembly is available by special order.
Model S Portable Bag Closer
The Model S is an industrial handheld bag sewer rated at 4–8 bags per minute. It closes multi-wall paper, woven polypropylene, burlap and jute bags and is built for agricultural, food processing, chemical and industrial packaging.
You need it if: you want an industrial handheld closer for small-volume closing across paper, poly, burlap and jute.
Model F Portable Bag Closer
The Model F is a 12 lb handheld closer that sews a single-thread stitch at 38 ft/min, averaging 3.75 stitches per inch. It closes plastic, woven polypropylene, multi-wall paper, composite and jute bags. It runs on 115V or 230V.
You need it if: you close a mix of bag types, or you want a handheld closer with an optional 2" crepe tape attachment for a neater, more leak-resistant top. An optional suspension unit holds the machine above the work area between uses.
Pedestal sewing heads: when you need one
Pedestal sewing heads mount on a pedestal over a conveyor (the Model 100's pedestal is sold separately), so filled bags sew closed as they move past. They're the step up when handheld closing can't keep up. Accessories include mounting pedestals, power infeed systems, conveyors, bag-top folders and thread and tape-break detectors.
Model 100 Plain Sewing Head
The Model 100 is a single-needle, double-thread Federal Type 401 chain stitch head that sews 2–4 stitches per inch (2.5 standard) at 35–55 ft/min, up to 80 ft/min. It closes open-mouth paper, woven polypropylene and jute bags up to 8 mm thick, runs on 120 VAC with air at 50 PSI and 2–3 CFM, and weighs 57 lb.
You need it if: you close a steady volume of bags on a conveyor, and your product is coarse enough that it won't leak between stitches.
Fischbein Empress Model 101 Tape Sewing Head
The Empress Model 101 sews crepe tape 1.25–2.5" (3.2–6.4 cm) wide over the bag top with a single-needle, double-thread Federal Type 401 chain stitch at 2–3.5 stitches per inch (2.5 standard), at 35–55 ft/min. It has a scissors-style tape cutter, closes paper, woven polypropylene and jute bags up to 0.3" (8 mm) thick, and runs on air at 90 PSI minimum and 10–12 SCFM.
You need it if: you run a conveyor line and want a cleaner-looking closure with less leakage than plain sewing, without switching to pinch bottom bags.
PBC 6000 pinch bag closer: when you need one
The PBC 6000 doesn't sew at all. It creases and folds the top of a pre-glued multi-wall paper pinch bottom bag, reactivates the adhesive with hot air, and presses the fold shut with compression belts. The result is a sealed, sift-resistant closure with no needle holes. It runs 30–75 ft/min in its standard range, closes bags up to 56" long with a 6" free top, and integrates with manual or automated infeed systems and conveyor lines.
You need it if:
- Your product is a fine powder that sifts through stitching, like flour, bakery mixes or powdered dairy
- Your bags sell at retail, where a clean, square, stitch-free top matters (pet food, flour, lawn fertilizer)
- You pack industrial or agricultural chemicals and want a sealed closure
- You run a production line and can supply 230V or 460V power and 90 PSI compressed air
You don't need it if: your bags are woven polypropylene, jute or burlap, your product is coarse, or your volume is low. A sewer will do the job for far less.
A typical upgrade path
- Start portable: NP-7A, Model S or Model F
- Add a conveyor and pedestal head: Model 100 for plain sewing
- Upgrade the closure: Empress Model 101 for crepe tape
- Switch to pinch bottom bags: PBC 6000 for a sealed, sift-resistant closure
You don't have to go in order, and you can keep a handheld closer for odd jobs alongside a pedestal head or pinch closer on the main line.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a pinch bag closer or a bag sewer?
Buy a pinch bag closer like the PBC 6000 if you use pre-glued multi-wall paper pinch bottom bags, pack fine powders or food products that need a sealed, sift-resistant closure, and run a production line. Buy a bag sewer if your bags are woven polypropylene, jute, burlap, cotton or plastic, if your product is coarse enough not to leak between stitches, or if you close lower volumes.
What is the best bag closer for low volume?
For low volumes, a portable handheld bag closer is usually the best fit. Cleveland Equipment's NP-7A, Model S and Model F are handheld closers, and portable models are suited to roughly 4–8 bags per minute.
What is the difference between plain sewing and tape sewing?
A plain sewing head like the Model 100 stitches the bag top closed with thread and suits products that won't leak between stitches. A tape sewing head like the Fischbein Empress Model 101 sews crepe tape over the bag top, which improves appearance and further reduces leakage.
Do bag sewers need compressed air?
Handheld closers like the NP-7A, Model S and Model F don't list an air requirement. The Model 100 plain sewing head uses 120 VAC plus air at 50 PSI and 2–3 CFM. The Empress Model 101 tape sewing head needs air at 90 PSI minimum and 10–12 SCFM. The PBC 6000 pinch closer needs air at 90 PSI and about 420 SCFH.
Can I close bags where there's no AC power?
Yes. The NP-7A portable bag closer is available in 12V DC and 24V DC versions, along with 110–120V, 220V and 230–240V AC, so it can run where only DC power is available.
Which bag closer works on woven polypropylene bags?
All five of Cleveland Equipment's bag sewers close woven polypropylene bags: the NP-7A, Model S, Model F, Model 100 and Empress Model 101. The PBC 6000 pinch closer does not. It closes pre-glued multi-wall paper bags only.
What stitch does a pedestal bag sewing head use?
The Model 100 and Empress Model 101 both use a single-needle, double-thread Federal Type 401 chain stitch. The Model 100 sews 2 to 4 stitches per inch, and the Model 101 sews 2 to 3.5 stitches per inch.
How do I reduce leaks from a sewn bag?
Fold over the bag top before sewing to minimize major leaks, and use a tape sewing head like the Empress Model 101 to sew crepe tape over the top. Filler cord can fill the needle holes, and self-adhesive crepe tape helps keep moisture out. For fine powders that must not sift at all, move to pinch bottom bags on a PBC 6000.
Can I upgrade from a handheld bag closer to an automatic line later?
Yes. One path is to start with a handheld closer, move to a pedestal sewing head like the Model 100 or Empress Model 101 on a conveyor as volume grows, and move to a PBC 6000 pinch closer if you switch to pinch bottom paper bags.
Still not sure which closer fits?
Tell us your bag material, product, daily bag count, and the power and air you have, and we'll recommend the right closer. Call 866-888-6327 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm CST), email sales@clevelandequipment.com, or browse all bag sewers.