Orchard-Rite
Your number one choice for wind machines
How Wind Machines Work ♦ Blade Evolution ♦ Auto-start ♦ Head and Tower
Orchard-Rite® wind machines have been used by growers to help protect their crops from cold weather for over 30 years and their proven track record for durability, reliability, performance and safety is unmatched.
In New Zealand, Fruitfed Supplies has exclusively represented Orchard-Rite since the early 1980s, so our experience with the use of Orchard-Rite wind machines in local conditions means our staff are well-qualified to help growers determine whether an Orchard-Rite wind machine is the best solution for frost-prone blocks.
Orchard-Rite makes ongoing improvements to their wind machines’ ability to pull large volumes of warmer air from the inversion layer down to mix with colder air at ground level and blow that warmer air as far as possible across the ground to help prevent frost forming on vulnerable spring growth or ripening autumn crops.
The single biggest effect on performance is blade design, as it is the function of the blade to pull and blow this air. Orchard-Rite fibreglass blades are injection-moulded for strength and longevity, with key measurements such as width, pitch and thickness of each blade carefully specified to provide optimal performance – maximum lift and minimal drag – in the machine’s particular location.
Latest developments
- Model 3000 series with new 6.22m injection-moulded fibreglass blades
The longer, re-tuned blade running at a slower RPM delivers greater air volume and flow at a lower acoustic level
- CAT and John Deere engine packages
The Caterpillar C6.6 diesel engine with a USA tier-3 emission rating is now available in New Zealand after thorough factory testing. The John Deere diesel is a proven performer that continues to deliver
- Remote monitoring
Currently in testing with Orchard-Rite’s US clients, the remote monitoring system allows the management of a group of wind machines with data collected from each machine transmitted via satellite to a web-based internet service. We expect this service to available in New Zealand within the next two years and will be able to be retro-fitted to any auto-start Orchard-Rite wind machine
- Retro-fitting of Orchard-Rite fibreglass blades to other brands of wind machine
Orchard-rite fibreglass blades and gearboxes can be fitted to other wind machines, offering significantly increased air volumes, long blade life and excellent safety record to protect investment in the machine
There are literally hundreds of Orchard-Rites in use in New Zealand and thousands around the world. Orchard-Rite has machines protecting more than 20 crops grown in at least 15 countries and is the largest manufacturer of wind machines in the world.
For more details about how wind machines work (the inversion layer principle) click here.
Key features
- 15 year guarantee on Orchard-Rite wind machine blades
- Optional blade lengths – see how the Orchard-Rite blades have evolved ->
- Optional gearbox (head) and tower designs -> for different terrain requirements, e.g. tilt head, contour head and dog-leg tower
- 5 year guarantee on the engine and driveline
- Engine options include:
- John Deere or CAT diesel
- CAT petrol
- Temperature-controlled auto-start option for diesel only [check with Rob]
- Gearboxes use a fail-safe oil submersion system for added reliability and longevity
- Tools such as topographical mapping, aerial photography and GPS positioning are used to determine optimal placement on your site
- Finance options available
- Factory-trained and experienced service agents around New Zealand
More detailed information on the Orchard-Rite wind machine, including current brochures, are available by calling your local Fruitfed Supplies branch or visiting www.orchard-rite.com.
The inversion layer principle
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During the day, the sun heats the earth’s surface. The soil and trees become warmer than the air in contact with them, thus heating the air. At night, the colder air settles next to the ground and the warmer air rises forming the inversion.
Radiant frost occurs when a sudden drop in temperature due to irradiation of the trees and soil causes the surrounding air to cool rapidly. The chilled air settles into the lowest areas in the orchard or growing field causing frost damage.
A wind machine works by powering an upward-angled blade at the top of a 10 metre tower to draw the warm air from the inversion down into the crop zone. (The use of helicopters over crops uses the same principle.)
One Orchard-Rite wind machine is capable of protecting an area of six hectares, raising temperatures around the crop by as much as six degrees to prevent spring frost and winter freeze injury.
Wind machines are most effective when the inversion layer is 5-22 metres above the crop zone and when the differential between the ground temperature and inversion layer temperature is 3-7 degrees.
Inversions are designated as either strong or weak depending upon how much higher the night temperature is at 15-18 metres above ground compared to 1-2 metres.
The popularity of wind machines has grown steadily since the early 1970s when rising fuel costs made oil-fired heaters an expensive option for frost damage control. Today, in extreme cold, heaters are used in combination with wind machines. Wind machines have proven to be an effective and cost-efficient means of protecting crops of all kinds against the damaging effects of spring frosts and winter freezes.
Benefits of a wind machine:
- Ease of operation, particularly with Orchard-Rite auto-start wind machines which also switch off again as soon as temperature around crop reaches a safe pre-determined level
- No need to make decisions in the afternoon prior to an anticipated frost to order a helicopter
- Long term cost savings
- Lower noise, approx. half that of a helicopter
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1974-1978: Industry standard – Tropic Breeze 17’ 4” aluminium blade
- Initially produced by Tropic Breeze wind machine company
- Extruded aluminium blades with splice plates
- Blades twisted to obtain necessary blade set
- Based on 1957 design by University of California
- 1 year limited warranty
Best available at the time, but numerous disadvantages:
1. Not strong enough to be lengthened for increased sweep and volume
2. Hard to control pitch of blades to get efficient airflow
3. Inconsistent blade performance and HP rating
4. Impossible to strengthen the major stress points
5. Vulnerable to cracking at hub
6. Limited service life
7. Vulnerable to vibration fatigue and breakage if run in wind
8. Vulnerable to breaking in freezing fog conditions
9. Vulnerable to corrosion in marine climates
1979-1995: Industry standard – 18’ 4” Orchard-Rite fibreglass blade
- Utilised new computer design technology and moulds machined by computer-controlled mills to exact specifications
- This blade led to the demise of the Tropic Breeze and the adoption of fibreglass blades as the accepted standard
- 5 year extended warranty made available
Fibreglass advantages:
1. Longer blade moves greater volume of air
2. Better design creates more cohesive and efficient air pattern
3. Blades more uniform and consistent in performance and HP draw
4. Root of each blade is reinforced and provides durability and safety
5. Orchard-Rite has proven 25+ year service life
6. Blades handle wind and freezing fog conditions
7. Fibreglass impervious to corrosion in marine climates
1996: Industry standard – 19’ (5.79m) Orchard-Rite fibreglass blade
- Longer blade and redesigned hub
- Increased air volume creates stronger temperature lift
- More precise moulds create even more uniform blades
- 10 year extended warranty made available
2005: Industry standard – 19’ 10” (6.05m) Orchard-Rite fibreglass blade
- Increased length, more volume
- Decreases cost per acre by extending area protected
- 15 year extended warranty made available
2005: State of the art – 20’ 5” (6.22m) Orchard-Rite fibreglass blade
- Improved performance in volume and distance
- Extended protection zone; increased efficiencies in cost per acre/hectare
- 15 year extended warranty available
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Convenient and practical
Pioneered by Orchard-Rite in the late 1990s, the auto-start system is the most convenient and economical way to manage spring frosts and winter freezes. Pre-setting start and stop temperature settings reduce both fuel and labour costs.
The most dependable auto-start system on the market today, the Orchard-Rite auto-start system is available as an option on all new Orchard-Rite wind machines and can be retro-fitted to most makes and models of wind machines.
How does auto-start work?
A continuously-monitored probe located in your vineyard or orchard measures the ambient air temperature. When the temperature drops to a pre-set level, the auto-start system sounds an alarm before starting the wind machine. When the temperature rises to the pre-set shutdown temperature, the wind machine is automatically stopped by the system.
Benefits
- Convenience and peace of mind
- Reduce labour and fuel costs
- Proven reliability
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Flat, rolling or sloping – there is an Orchard-Rite wind machine for every site
A key reason why Orchard-Rite wind machines are so well regarded around New Zealand and the world is the ability to mix and match head and tower options to suit the specific requirements of your site’s terrain.
Orchard-Rite respects the laws of nature by designing wind machines to work with the topography of the orchard or vineyard.
For specific details on the combination of Orchard-Rite heads and towers to suit your site, please talk with your local Fruitfed Supplies representative. The options for heads and towers include:
- The flat or standard gearbox provides protection on nearly flat sites or those with minimal topographical variations.
- The tilt gearbox provides protection on sites with a slope of 2-6 degrees; designed for use with a single topographical variance, i.e. one continuous slope.
- The contour gearbox allows the wind machine’s actions to follow the site’s terrain, providing coverage for sites with variations in slope direction and steepness.
- The oscillating gearbox offers custom coverage in narrow blocks and gullies.
- Tower construction of 1/4” or 5/16” steel, depending on model; galvanising an option for wet climates. [check with Rob – ours would all be galvanised?]
- The straight or standard tower can be used on most sites.
- The dog-leg tower compensates for slope steeper than 6 degrees; when combined with contour gearbox, this option provides coverage for slopes up to 12 degrees.
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