Hello Listers:
At first glance I thought Jerry was going to say he had a hydraulic
lift that put the person doing the pruning (him in this case) up in the
canopy for ergonomic ease of pruning. That is not such a bad idea
really. Agricultural engineers are inventing equipment all the time to
reduce agricultural labor, so wonder if there is such a lift available?
If we can lift a downer cow, or if the nursing homes can lift people
via automation, why not do it for orchardists? It would be great to be
able to keep one's head level rather than having to tip it back when
pruning and harvesting, something which commonly causes balance
problems. State industrial insurance claims would probably be reduced
as a result.
As long as I am making my wish list for next Christmas, new, deep
rooted truly dwarfing rootstocks that can withstand drought in summer,
keep the canopy at pedestrian level, and produce a commercial level of
yield would be a considerable, ergonomic help too. ;-D
Thanks
D. Del Boca
N.W. WA State
On Monday, March 5, 2007, at 06:49 AM, Jerry Mills wrote:
My solution to all of the above is a hydraulic limb lopper off of a
Brownie
pruning tower. The thing that makes this feasible for an old man is a
suspension system over the top that holds up the loppers with only a
minimum
of lifting required. By being able to move around and cut from the top
down, the strain of reaching up is eliminated. A simple system using a
pulley on a curved conduit pipe overhead, and a light cable with the
lopper
on one end and a soda pop can full of lead on the other allows the
lopper to
literally float through the air. Plastic water pipes strapped to the
tower
hold the conduit and provide a guide for the counter weight. I can go
all
day and the worst part is fatigue from standing, and a hand sore from
squeezing the trigger. Costs a little money but it prolongs the
working life
of an elderly old fart.
Jerry Mills
Southern Illinois Grower.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 10:45 PM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: Apple-Crop Digest #1516 - 03/04/07
Apple-Crop Digest #1516 - Sunday, March 4, 2007
pruner for small trees
by "Karl Townsend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Re: Apple-Crop: pruner for small trees
by "Andre Tougas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Re: Apple-Crop: pruner for small trees
by "Jon Clements" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Re: Apple-Crop: pruner for small trees
by "lee elliott" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Re: Apple-Crop: pruner for small trees
by "david kollas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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