An independent cider maker has invested in a Kubota compact half-track to preserve its orchards and improve harvesting efficiency across multiple locations. Farmers Guardian reports
Having invested in a narrow fruit tractor to improve mechanisation at its cider farm, the Healey family understood the short-comings of wheels and tyres when working on the farms steeper slopes.
It all comes down to traction, says Sam Healey, who is responsible for field and orchard operations at the family-run business, located at Penhallow near Truro, Cornwall.
We soon started to make ruts in the orchards, and this eventually led to crop losses during harvest.
As the ripe fruits are shaken from the trees, the crop is swept up and collected by our apple harvester.
But if there are any ruts in the orchards, the apples drop into the ruts and are unable to be collected, says Sam.
An average of five and a half apples used in each 500ml bottle of cider, so any crop loss quickly translates into a reduction in production and subsequent sales.
We needed a different approach from a traditional wheeled tractor for the bulk of our orchard work, he says.
Healeys Cyder makes around 10 million pints of its Rattler Cornish Cloudy Cyder each year, produced from 10ha of orchards comprising of 3,500 trees in eight different varieties.
A newly established vineyard with 12,000 vines at nearby Tregoninny has moved the business into sparkling white and rose wine production.
It is very important for us that our orchards are kept well-maintained and in good condition, which means regular flail mowing is required, says Sam.
The farm looked at the options available for a tractor that could deliver better grip and lower ground pressure, to reduce the surface rutting caused by using a conventional fruit tractor.
We needed a compact tractor that could work in the confined spaces of our orchards with all our implements, and deliver traction and stability on the slopes. And we did not want a full crawler as we felt there would be too much compromise with manoeuvrability.
We need all our kit to deliver when carrying out all the tasks we require for orchard production, which includes spraying, fertiliser spreading, harvesting and cultivation, he says.
Offering a ground pressure reduction without the potential manoeuvrability issues of a full crawler, the business purchased a half-track Kubota M8540 Power Crawler.
The 85hp narrow tractor uses a half-track design that replaces the rear wheels with a rubber-track assembly using parts sourced from the manufacturers midi excavator business.
Developed predominately for vineyards and fruit growers, this tractor design claims a 60 per cent reduction in ground pressure compared to an equivalent wheeled configuration.
The 300mm wide rubber tracks engage front and rear idlers with twin mid-rollers in support. A mechanical drive hub provides power to each side, mounted in the same position as the rear wheel it replaced. The mechanically driven front axle remains the same as the wheeled variant with a bevel gear drive built into the front axle kingpins. This allows a claimed 55 degree maximum steering angle
Frame oscillation of +/- 10 degrees on either side of the tractor provides some ground following to help keep the tracks in contact on undulating surfaces.
The Kubota is so low pressure on the ground, that you can hardly see where it is been, says Mr Healey.
We have gradually reinstated a permanent ley all the areas between rows of fruit trees, leaving a firm, grassy surface on which to run. This makes it easier for tasks such as spraying, fertilising, flail mowing and harvesting.
"We have also reduced our soil compaction, which is also good for soil structure and root growth.
A downside of the half-track it the reduced maximum travel speed.
At 21kph, it is just too slow on the road.
When we want to use the tractor at the vineyard, we have to put it on a trailer and move it the few miles between our two locations, says Mr Healey.
- Model: Kubota M8540 Power Crawler
- Engine: 3.8-litre, four-cylinder, Kubota
- Rated power: 85hp
- PTO power: 76hp
- Transmission: 12x12 with hydraulic shuttle
- Rear lift capacity: 2,300kg
- Hydraulic pump: 61-litres/minute
After four years and 1,700 hours, orchard manager Matt Goodall is happy how the machine was performed.
Reliability has been very good," says Mr Goodall.
Aside from regular servicing, it has needed nothing but fuel and grease, and has been an effective asset for the farm.
The narrow cab is surprisingly roomy, and the narrow chassis gives good visibility down both sides of the tractor, so you can thread the tractor into some fairly tight spots.
Based on the performance of the machine, the farm is looking for a second model, to accommodate expansion of its fruit farming activities.
Mr Healey says: We would like an additional half-track that we can keep specifically at our vineyard, rather than keep moving our existing tractor between the two sites."
