CO VER s T OR y
The leaf-removal system, for example, has a totally new design that does less berry damage. Ground radar has been added that will automatically slow down or speed up implement RPMs when ground speed is changed. A new shaker for fruit thinning is still in the R&D phase. W&V: What was your role in improving the equipment? Ashby: I first drew the concept of a trailer with a self-leveling mast. Oxbo took the concept, changed the two masts to arms and added various safety changes. I went to the Oxbo factory in Clear Lake, Wis., with Tom Oldridge a couple of times to help decide where to put the seat and controls. W&V: What reaction have you gotten from the wineries you supply grapes to? Ashby: The winery reaction has been very enthusiastic. All the wineries involved agreed to purchase the grapes for the same price as when we hand-farmed, or they requested that we switch their acreage to machine farming. This usually was because they liked the balance of fruit-to-leaf ratio, and they knew that some day the labor shortages would force these measures. In 2003 we started doing production acreage. We bought two vMechs and farmed more than 450 acres. In 2004 we bought a third
COMPANY
Pruning & Harvesting Suppliers PHONE
WEBSITE
American Grape Harvesters BDI Machinery Sales Inc.
Blueline Manufacturing and Equipment
Euro-Machines Inc. Gregoire Group
H & W Equipment Infaco USA
Machinery Services Ltd. Michael Dusi
Logistics Warehouse
New Holland Agriculture Ogletree's Metal Fabrication Orchard Valley Supply Inc. OXBO International Corp. Pellenc America Inc. S & H Farm and
Vineyard Supply Spec Trellising Union Jack
(559) 277-7380 aghinc.com (800) 808-0454 bdimachinery.net
(509) 952-9488 bluelinemfg.com (707) 864-5800 euromachinesusa.com (805) 458-2863 gregoiregroup.com
64 2728 17492 langlois.co.nz (805) 237-9499 michaeldusi
trucking.com
(866) 639-4563 newholland.com/na (707) 963-3537 ogletreecorp.com
(888) 755-0098 orchardvalleysupply.com (360) 354-1500 oxbocorp.com (707) 568-7286 pellencus.com
(336) 679-6244 sandhfarmandvineyard supply.com
(215) 322-5588 spectrellising.com (800) 672-8119 unionjacktools.com
Western Square Industries Inc. (800) 367-8383 westernsquare.com
For more on pruning and harvesting suppliers, see Wines & Vines' 2011 Buyer's Guide in print or online at winesandvinesbuyersguide.com.
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(905) 468-5016 vineyardmachines.com X infaco-usa.com
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Wines & Vines MARCH 2011 27
Pruning Machinery Harvesting Equipment
