Selection and sale of equipment for Greenhouse industry | Agriculture | Machinery
We also specialize in Key-inn Construction of greenhouses | Projecting in agriculture | Consulting in agriculture
Greenhouse industry
Buying a greenhouse can be a daunting process, but the results are well worth it. Greenhouse growing is not just for the professionals these days. With the high cost of food and the increased use of pesticides, backyard hobby organic growing is becoming increasingly popular.
Year-round growing requires a more insulated, tightly-sealed greenhouse. Seed germination or early season plantings do not always require the same integrity. Take some time to research the climate requirements for the plants you wish to grow. Heat-sensitive plants may require extra ventilation and shading.
By providing the perfect climate, our solutions enable growers to operate and produce under optimum conditions. The innovative product range includes ventilation, evaporative cooling, and heating.
We are aware of the challenges faced in the greenhouse industry and how climate affects plant growth. For instance in extreme conditions the excessive relative humidity can give rise to water droplets forming on the leaves which can harbor and spread disease or fungi, while the excessive heat will shrivel fruits and stop growth. Some other times the conditions outside a greenhouse impact the natural ventilation process negatively. The key to sustained quality, quantity and profitability lies in awareness of these conditions and their impact, and maintaining control of them.
These and some other challenges faced in a greenhouse can be solved by installing the right combination of climate control equipment to the greenhouse to assure perfect conditions for plant growth.
Agriculture
Agricultural farming products and equipment concerns all tools and machinery used in horticulture and animal husbandry. A wide variety of equipment and products are required based on the industries and operations of a particular farm. The agricultural industry has seen a drastic reduction in labor needs in the past century due to mechanization improvements; further labor reductions are expected as automation and digitalization yield more efficiencies. The following is an abridged list of products and equipment that play significant roles in agriculture.
Machinery
Venicles
Work on farms starts and stops with the tractor, which replaced draft animals for the majority of labor needs in the early 20th century. With the right attachments a tractor could solely complete the majority of tasks needed to tend a farm. Tractors supply high torque at low speeds from an internal combustion engine powered by gasoline, kerosene, diesel, biodiesel, or liquefied petroleum gas. They tow heavy loads and farming equipment in off-road terrain, and can also supply mechanical power (power take-off) to versatile attachments which determine functionality. Some tractors have locomotion supplied by caterpillar treads. Hiboy tractors have additional ground clearance to pass crops without damaging them. Another variant is the two-wheeled tractor, which places a motor above a single-axis; the operator walks beside it or rides on the towed equipment. There are also monowheel tractors, which in fact have three wheels. Attachments mate with most modern tractors via a three-point hitch or by hydraulic arms on the front of the vehicle. Tractors also supply power take-off (PTO) for countless external and attached mechanisms. Tractors come in a variety of form factors, from the classic open-cab design, to walk-behind models and large industrial tractors. Tractor tread widths, body designs, and ground clearances also vary depending on the types of crops being attended.
Pick-up trucks fulfill many light hauling and passenger transportation jobs on farms; however they may not have the all-terrain capability that utility task vehicles can provide, or the multi-role support and PTO available in a vehicle such as a Unimog. These vehicles are increasingly common to meet the dynamic needs of the agricultural industry.
Utility task vehicles (also called side-by-sides) typically can carry two or four persons, include a cargo box, and have four or six tires. Their primary purpose is to work off-road and carry equipment. Cab styles, towing capacity, wheel count, performance capabilities, and attachments vary by manufacturer and model.
Material Handling Equipment
Though these are primarily recognized as construction equipment, they are quite serviceable for agricultural purposes. Backhoes are a specific type of tractor equipped with hydraulically-actuated tools, typically an excavator and bucket scoop. They can clear land, help erect or demolish structures, dig and trench, and provide bulk material handling.
Skid-steer. A light construction vehicle with a bucket scoop for moving bulk aggregate, such as dirt, hay, and manure. Interchangeable tools greatly enhance the versatility of this machine.
Forklifts and Telehandlers. For moving and lifting large-sized items, especially those that have been palletized. Visit the Engineering360 selection pages for forklifts and boom lifts.
Excavators are solely used for digging purposes, but often have larger, more powerful excavators than those on a backhoe. Individual and family farms are unlikely to own a backhoe or excavator simply due to expense and maintenance, but service contractors and equipment shares are common in farming communities. Tools on backhoes and excavators can often be swapped for other implements
Pallet Jack. A variety of pallet jacks can be useful short-haul freight handling. More information is available on the pallet jack page.
Hoist. A manual, electric, or pneumatic hoist allows heavy items to be lifted. Agricultural hoists could be found in barns, workshops, and garages for a variety of tasks.
Other equipment
Harvesters. Selecting combine harvesters Harvesting many surface plants is accomplished by combines, which can be discrete vehicles or tractor-towed machines. Vehicle units are off-road gasoline- or diesel-powered units with a high driver cab for visibility. They are usually wheeled, but tread or wheel and tread models are also manufactured. Some include hillside leveling systems for harvesting on slopes.
Combines utilize interchangeable tools, called heads, that are specific to the type of crop collected. They are responsible for shearing or picking and sending crops to the feedhouse, where crops are further processed by integral combine machinery.
In conventional combines, crops move from the head via conveyor to the feed accelerator that in turn moves crops to the rotor for threshing. Threshed grains fall into the grain tank, while chaff and debris is moved to a chaffing mechanism to further divide grains from the plant. The processing speed and threshing tolerances are operator controlled to handle different crops. Plant debris is expelled from the back of the harvester, and can be collected for baling or left in the field. The grain tank is periodically emptied into a grain hopper, usually towed by a tractor or even the combine itself. Rotary-style combines thresh crops via one or two augers situated lengthwise in the combine.
Mowers, Brush Cutters, Hedge Cutters, and Tree Trimmers. These machines utilize a shearing mechanism, such as a rotary blade, reciprocating blade, or flail, to cut down excessive plant growth, usually weeds, grass, and shrubland. These machines can be attached to a tractor, but discrete vehicles and walk-behind models are also manufactured. Mowers and brush cutters help establish new pasture and farmland and maintain landscapes; hedge cutters contain excessive growth from bushes, hedges, verges, and trees. These devices can often be outfitted on tractors and Unimogs. Tree trimmers outfit a boom or articulate arm with a saw to remove high branches.
Irrigation Equipment. Complex and simple watering systems are implemented to keep crops hydrated. Some topographical engineering is required for most irrigation techniques.
Woodchipper, Tub Grinder, and Log Splitter. Woodchippers fragmentize logs or planks into wood mulch and pulp. They are typically loaded by hand. Farmers use woodchips to manage nitrates in nearby watersheds. Woodchippers are typically towed, but discrete woodchippers on vehicles are also manufactured.
Tub grinders are essentially larger, top-loaded wood chippers that are fed waste wood by bucket loaders or telehandlers. Tub grinders are usually mounted on semi-trailers.
Hydraulic log splitters break hardwood or softwood rounds into firewood. A hydraulic or electric piston with a wedge delivers immense force to the flat side of a log. Some log splitters are mounted on dedicated trailers, while others are tractor-mounted.
Key-inn Construction of greenhouses
7 key questions to ask before building a greenhouse
1. What is the budget for your greenhouse project?
Every construction project starts with a plan. This is the stage at which you determine a budget for your project and make sure you invest your money in the right places. A producer growing a crop for the first time can opt for mechanical management and a slightly smaller greenhouse to save on costs the first year. If all goes well the next year, they can then automate it gradually and enlarge it section by section thanks to Harnois Greenhouses’ innovative designs.
2. What type of soil will the greenhouse be built on?
The composition of the soil affects crop production as well as construction. The land may require special foundations, which come with additional costs. With some soils, you can install a standalone greenhouse with anchors (no foundations). To avoid unexpected surprises, you absolutely need to know the type of soil before investing in the land.
3. Is there a water and energy supply nearby?
Water supply is essential to production, and limited supplies can hinder the long-term development of your business. The quality of the water is also important since it will influence the choice of equipment you use to treat and condition the water.
You must also ensure that you have access to an energy supply (electrical input, natural gas, biomass, etc.) near the production site, so as not to hinder the future growth of your business. The majority of low-tech greenhouses are evolving to mid- or high-tech greenhouses and have higher energy requirements.
4. Does the land have sufficient exposure to natural light and wind?
The greenhouse must be installed on clear ground to create a natural flow of air inside the greenhouse. Where you position the greenhouse has a significant impact on the duration of exposure to natural light. You must also choose land that’s exposed to light for as long as possible to ensure high productivity of your crop.
5. What crop will you be growing?
Market research will allow you to choose your crop wisely. Tomato production, for example, is likely to be more challenging for small producers as the market is dominated by large producers. In addition, if sales costs aren’t competitive, you should think about choosing a niche or less popular crop such as herbs or special varieties of cucumbers. The crop will also determine which model of greenhouse you choose.
6. When will production take place?
A greenhouse exposed to extremely cold winter temperatures must be adapted accordingly. In these conditions, a greenhouse is typically partially insulated and equipped with a heating and lighting system to protect the crops.
7. Do you have a team in place?
Before starting production, you need to make sure you have a team in place and nearby. Not having the right team could be detrimental to your business. The size of your greenhouse will affect the number of employees you hire.
Earthmoving and level surface
The first phase of the construction and assembly of a greenhouse is leveling the surface where it is installed, which involves the movement of relevant land to the correct level according to the criteria for the disposal of water and inclinations to improve working conditions in the greenhouse.
- Clearing and grading: Starts with cleanliness and suitability of the land for their own work of earthmoving.
- Sockets and embankments: If the surface where the greenhouse is installed is too irregular we will require the design and construction of cuts and / or embankments in order to adjust the surface leveling restrictions for the design of the greenhouse.
- Leveling:The last phase of earthwork is leveling the ground under the terms of design.
Reception of materials. Preassembly at work
The first phase of the construction and assembly of a greenhouse is leveling the surface where it is installed, which involves the movement of relevant land to the correct level according to the criteria for the disposal of water and inclinations to improve working conditions in the greenhouse.
- Clearing and grading: Starts with cleanliness and suitability of the land for their own work of earthmoving.
- Sockets and embankments: If the surface where the greenhouse is installed is too irregular we will require the design and construction of cuts and / or embankments in order to adjust the surface leveling restrictions for the design of the greenhouse.
- Leveling:The last phase of earthwork is leveling the ground under the terms of design.
Framing and Glazing Materials
The two most common framing materials are wood and metal. Wood is excellent for smaller greenhouses and has the advantage of being a cheaper, familiar material that is easier to work, with or without specialized tools. Salvaged, rough-sawn, or beetle-kill lumber is readily available. Wood requires greater upkeep; although depending on the type of lumber, it can easily last fifty years in a dry climate with the proper paint and maintenance.
Nearly all commercial greenhouses today are made with galvanized steel, often designed to be connected in a long series. Kit greenhouses are most often made of steel, and the included fasteners and instructions can make assembly quite easy. Galvanized steel has a much longer life span than wood and doesn’t require staining, sealing, or much maintenance. As shown by the roof slope of Phoenix, steel framing often offers less flexibility in construction, especially when salvaged from other projects.
Glazing options are constantly evolving. Six-mm double- inflated poly will be cheaper, more flexible, and less insulating, while more expensive, rigid polycarbonate panels tend to last longer and hold up better against snow. Double-inflated poly was an excellent cheaper option in the early years at CRMPI, and it continues to function well on the roof of several of our greenhouses.
Glass can be appropriate for eastern or southern walls, but it should be used only for vertical glazing because of its considerable weight. Mounting problems can occur because of expansion and contraction, and glass presents a much bigger problem than polycarbonate or plastic if it breaks. It is typically more expensive and less insulating than polycarbonate and will also tend to intensify direct sunlight, which can even burn plants in some cases.
Consulting and Projecting in agriculture
The global agricultural industry is uniquely positioned to meet the demand of the world’s expanding population. This demand is being driven by a growing middle class with a greater appetite for protein and better quality food. In addition, increasing consumer awareness of the food and fiber the world is consuming is driving changes in diet and purchasing choices. To take advantage of these opportunities, producers, accumulators and processors must continue to manage the variables of weather, commodity prices, availability of capital and moving exchange rates. Affected parties also must confront evolving challenges such as animal welfare, climate change, biodiversity and sustainable practices. GreenTech have extensive experience in assisting participants — from stakeholders of small to medium domestic agribusinesses to large multinational organizations — to address global concerns. We understand the political and economic trends that impact the industry and have a proven track record across a wide variety of agricultural sectors, from the farm gate, along the supply chain, to the end processors. GreenTech works alongside our clients to anticipate industry disruptions, innovate, apply a unique point of view on agricultural trends and opportunities, and build proven, successful business models.
Clients may include:
Farmers
Growers
Landowners
Conservation organisations
Public bodies
Other agricultural businesses in manufacturing and services
Our technical consultants provide specialist advice on:
Agronomy
Environment and conservation
Livestock
Nutrition
Waste management
Other technical applications
Business consultants help with:
Business planning
Estate and financial management advice for agricultural businesses and farms
Personnel management
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