Most orchards are now being developed using dwarf tree rootstock with narrow row width and close tree spacings.
This is to enable the maximum crop yield per hectare with minimum input costs. Height is maintained to around 4 m and the trees are trained to a wire trellis to minimize the pruning requirement, and optimize fruit quality—both size and colour.
As more and more dwarf orchards come into full production it is becoming evident that lift platforms are still required to keep labour input to a minimum.
Field trials have established that multi-person platforms are not the most efficient. The work delivered to each person as the platform moves down the row is never consistent due to tree variation.
On a multi-person platform machine, there are times when some workers on the machine are very busy, and others are idle with no work at hand. It is also a well known fact that the workers generally linger to the slowest person on board.
Also interesting to note is the extensive down time on a picking platform when the bin is being replaced, and when turning the machine in the headland. Both operations can take several minutes, which multiplies to a substantial block of time with numbers of workers on the machine.
Hydralada Company are specialist manufacturers of self propelled elevating work platforms, supplying machines for the horticultural industry throughout New Zealand and Australia.
A Hydralada single man platform doubles productivity on an orchard where the trees are grown conventionally. However, with more intensive plantings and reduced tree height it was obvious the model range offered by Hydralada needed to extend to include a platform specific for the modern dwarf tree orchard.
With previous experience in the design and manufacture of multi-person platforms for Ebro Espalier trellis orchards (popular in the mid 1980s), combined with field trials on the productivity gains, the design team at Hydralada concluded a multi-platform machine was not viable.
However, todays new style of dwarf orchard, with a central leader, small lower tier branches, and ‘feather’ top to the tree, it was obvious a two person platform could significantly reduce the labour requirement when working in the upper region.
As two workers will generally generate a competitive spirit, the slower person inevitably is forced to speed up to the pace of the faster worker.
Twin Lift 200 Model Machine
Taking all these factors into consideration, Hydralada Company proceeded to develop, and produce, the Twin Lift 200 Model Machine, which has proven to be another of the company’s big sellers.
The Twin Lift 200 machine is used all year round for pruning, tree training, thinning; and with the bin carrier module fitted, the machine will carry bins through the platform, and is also used for harvesting.
Growers using this Twin Lift are reporting a significant increase in productivity and a big reduction in their overall labour cost.
Reliability
The Hydralada ‘success story’ has always been the reliable long life delivered from their drive system, together with the efficiency of their machines.
The Twin Lift 200 is no exception, which uses all the same drive train—meaning the overall running cost is exceptionally low.
Simplicity
The beauty of the machine is its simplicity.
Other more complex platforms are less efficient due to excessive gadgets, adjustments and other paraphernalia that detract from the work at hand.
It is now possible to safely, and efficiently work the tops of the trees with two people on the platform of a Hydralada Twin Lift, as it drives itself slowly down the row.
Contact Hydralada Company
freephone 1800 124 352
e-mail
www.hydralada.com
See this article in Tree Fruit May 2013
