Aug. 13, 2009 — Harnois, Inc. has launched TunnelPro, a technologically
advanced gutter-connected, high-tunnel growing solution featuring
roller ventilation openings to not only protect crops, but control the
growing environment for increased productivity.
Aug. 13, 2009 — Harnois, Inc. has launched TunnelPro, a technologically advanced gutter-connected, high-tunnel growing solution featuring roller ventilation openings to not only protect crops, but control the growing environment for increased productivity. By reducing the amount of labour it takes to actually utilize and control a high-tunnel, growers will actually improve their profitability.
TunnelPro’s venting solution operates via a manual hand crank for ease in opening up side, end and top-bay coverings of the tunnel, versus the labour intensive task of “pushing up plastic” tediously with forks and ropes. TunnelPro’s remarkable design features roller venting, including top-bay and side venting, sliding curtain doors and full-width, roll-up door options for the gable ends in a structure with arches made of oval tubing for extraordinary strength throughout the unit.
Having to push up plastic along the tunnel leg row with forks and ropes can be very labour intensive. Most growers will not even bother venting because of those costs, and therefore the benefits of utilizing a tunnel often go unwarranted.
Producing a controlled environment, with venting and the protection of crops helps jump-start and extend the length of the growing season, thus increasing productivity.
Allowing for maximum protection and full venting options, TunnelPro’s sides reach all the way to the ground in one connected piece, forming side skirts that roll up completely to the top-bay.
Using the manual hand crank that is fixed to the poly at the gable ends, one person can ventilate up to 300 linear feet of top-bay or side venting and up to 250 feet wide of gable ends at one time, allowing for control of the growing environment in a more user-friendly way. One can easily walk through the side of the tunnel, as side access is up to eight feet high, allowing for reduced labour requirements when moving plants.
“As always, Harnois is excited to offer growers the capability to reduce labour costs and increase productivity,” said Caroline Forest, vice-president of marketing. “With the TunnelPro, growers have a user-friendly way to control the growing environment and provide maximum crop protection. We aim to provide a way for natural ventilation to be easily achieved.”
TunnelPro features two gable end-door options – sliding curtain or roll-up doors for even better ventilation at the ends of the tunnel. Growers can choose roll-up doors on the gable ends featuring a full width roll-up, allowing complete opening to the cross-ties. Curtain doors reach from the top of the same cross-tie to the bottom of the ground, opening across the tunnel like a shower curtain to allow for full-width opening of the gable end.
TunnelPro comes in 28', 30' and 31' widths, with arch spacing every 10 to 12'.
TunnelPro features a four-year, UV-stabilized polyethylene plastic that covers the entire steel frame. This material is held on by industrial strength, one-inch wide nylon straps. The one-inch wide webbing straps create a wider contact point than ropes, thus reducing the wear and tear of the poly on the steel frame.
Off-season care is easy. The TunnelPro operates via the hand crank system by completely rolling up the polyethylene to be stored on top of the tunnel for the summer. A protective cover is then set upon the rolled up poly to protect it from the sun. The next time the tunnel is needed, it is simply uncovered and unrolled. For winterization, the tunnel can be fully closed to protect the crops from the elements.
• 450-758-9550, e-mail c.forest@harnois.com, or visit www.harnois.com
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