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Johan Vogel from Zeelandtrac in ‘s-Gravenpolder is the importer of the Tow and Blow mobile wind turbine. He notices that many growers have another form of frost protection.
What is the principle of the mobile wind turbine?
“The Tow and Blow wind turbine is used to prevent damage from night frost in agriculture and horticulture. Nighttime frost often occurs after a day with a bit higher temperature. The warm air rises and forms a warm inversion layer 6 to 7 meters above the ground. The wind turbine creates an air flow that pushes the hot inversion layer down. The hot air mixes with the cold air and thus ensures that the crop remains frost-free ”.
There is an increase in demand in the cultivation of fruits, but also in the cultivation of stone fruits, berries, strawberries, vegetables and flower bulbs.
Johan Vogel, Zeelandtrac
Where is the wind machine produced?
The Tow and Blow wind turbine is produced in New Zealand. Each year, six to seven hundred machines are produced, which find their way around the world. Frost Fans from New Zealand is a distributor. In the Netherlands, the machine is still a relatively unknown phenomenon. We have already sold several dozen wind turbines in the Netherlands and Belgium ”.
For which cultures?
“We are seeing an increasing demand for frost protection in fruit growing, but also in stone fruit, berry, strawberries, vegetables and flower bulbs. We are seeing great interest in the wind machine, especially among entrepreneurs who do not have enough water for nighttime frost irrigation.
What are the specifications of the wind turbine?
The wind turbine can be adjusted to a height of 5 to 8 meters. The mill can turn 360 degrees and therefore protect more than 4 hectares. The producer can set the temperature at which the machine starts and stops automatically on the machine’s control panel. The producer can also adjust the swivel range. The fan is directly driven by a 23 HP diesel engine. The average consumption is 5 liters per hour ”.
What are your plans for the future with the wind turbine?
“Sunburn is an emerging problem in fruit growing. In a hot summer with lots of sunburn marks on the fruits. A windmill with a misting kit could prevent sunburn in the future. By sending fog, evaporative cooling occurs and UV radiation is refracted. There are also a few machines on the New Zealand route with a larger 66 hp engine.
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