Fruit production is becoming increasingly mechanised, so seeing what specialist equipment is on offer can help producers invest for the future. This year’s Fruit Focus event is set to have something for everyone, including specialised machinery designed to work in confined places, reduce compaction and save time.
Attracting over 1,300 growers the event showcases the newest machinery, equipment and technology available to the market.
“Having the right equipment suited to your needs is imperative and an integral part of any fruit growing operation,” says Jon Day, event director at Fruit Focus. “This not only keeps businesses up-to-date but also allows for growers to maximise efficiencies and remain competitive in a constantly changing environment.
“Fruit Focus is the best place for growers to get practical advice on the latest machinery and to see it in action,” says Mr Day. “Knowing which machinery to invest in will help advance your business as efficiently as possible, and is all part of planning for the future.”
This year’s event will play host to more than 120 leading suppliers. Here is a bit of a taster of what visitors can see at Fruit Focus this year.
AG & HT Miles
A bespoke crop shredder will be on display from AG & HT Miles, which has added the large machine to its contracting business. It offers whole crop removal while shredding it simultaneously and is designed for use in a green house or polytunnel, delivering very high capacity output.
Fargro
Smart sensing is already helping horticultural businesses to identify opportunities to improve their processes, eliminate inefficiencies and increase yield. Fargro has teamed up with Dutch company 30MHz to become the UK’s first distributor of its smart sensor technology.
Growers can choose a combination of sensors which then deliver analytics, visualisations and alerts back to their smartphone, tablet or desktop. “Having greater insight into what the plant is doing with 30MHz smart sensing tech is really useful and helps us focus on improving quality and reducing disease risk,” says Jonathan Zwinkels, a salad producer at Madestein UK.
Kirkland UK
Kirkland UK will be showcasing its new SRX 10900 R reverse drive tractor which is designed to work with specialised crops, vineyards and orchards. The tractor’s key feature is allowing the driver to rotate the seat by 180 degrees, offering direct visibility on trailing equipment when pruning, mowing and cultivating. Due to the even weight distribution of the tractor, root damage can be avoided, while the low centre of gravity increases safety and stability on steep slopes.
Another new offering from Kirkland is the new Orvin Bi-Turbo sprayer. With fully adjustable fans on the back it delivers the right airflow to crops while matching the horsepower of the tractor. It has a stainless-steel tower and a fully galvanised chassis and frame which ensures durability.
Kubota
Kubota will have the M5001 Utility Narrow tractor on show, exhibited by Lister Machinery. It’s designed to fit between narrow crops such as olive and orchard trees and vines. “We understand that each grower has unique requirements specific to their operation and supplying the correct machinery for the task is absolutely critical to their success,” says Phill Hughes, divisional sales director at Lister Machinery.
New Holland
Haynes Agricultural will showcase tractors from New Holland’s specialist T4 FNV range. Four models offer a choice of engine sizes and three different widths. The narrow T4 N, which will be on display, features New Holland’s SuperSteer front axle offering an effective steering angle of 76° and a turn radius as low as 2.9m. A T4 V will also be on show and is suitable for vineyard applications.
New Holland’s exclusive Blue Cab 4 is available in the T4 FNV range and provides operators with best-in-class protection against dust, aerosols and vapours. It’s also the quietest cab yet, at 78dB.
Haynes will also have a Votex twin rotary mower on display, which has been especially produced to suit narrow orchards and vineyards. The addition of rollers means that mowing and rolling can be completed in one pass, saving time, fuel and money.
Vineyard Supplies (GT Products Europe)
Vineyard managers are facing uncertain labour costs and availability so, speeding up processes can help. Vineyard Supplies (GT Products Europe) is showcasing several options to save time when carrying out essential tasks, including the Mage LEA30 tying tool, which topped La Vigne magazine’s test of 10 vineyard tying tools.
“Environmental issues are also uppermost in peoples’ minds these days, particularly in the use of plastics,” says Brett Adshead at Vineyard Supplies. The firm will therefore be exhibiting a wide range of bio and micro-degradable clips, including one made entirely from food-grade vegetable matter which decomposes completely into the soil.
Book your tickets at http://www.fruitfocus.co.uk/.
