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Giant Vacuum Helps Them Double Greens Production
This Italian-made vacuum from Ortomec makes getting a second cutting from commercial scale beds of greens easier. It vacuums away clippings and other refuse, prepping a bed for a first cut or cleaning it up to grow a second cutting.
    “It’s an expensive piece of equipment, but without it, not many crops get cut a second time,” says Bob Sutton, Sutton Ag. “Most growers plant, harvest and then rework the bed for another crop. This tool gives them a better shot at a second crop.”
    Sutton gives the example of a bed of spinach, which can be harvested once, gone over with the Ortomec vacuum and harvested again only 10 days later. Without the trimming and vacuuming, debris left in the field, such as half cut leaves and stems, would prevent a quality second cut.
    “There are a lot of high density crops that are planted in beds, such as arugula, spring mix, lettuce, mustard, parsley, cilantro and especially spinach, that could be cut a second time,” says Sutton.
    Sutton notes that the self-propelled rig ranges in price from $60,000 to $70,000, depending on options. A pull-type version starts at $40,000.
    The unit’s cutting head ranges in width from 47 to 70 in. with height adjustable from 1/2 in. to about 8 in. The 4-WD is powered by a 73 hp diesel motor. Forward speed is 1 1/4 to 2 mph.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Sutton Agricultural Enterprises, Inc., 1044 Harkins Rd.
, Salinas, Calif. 93901 (ph 831 422-9693; toll free 866 280-6229; www.suttonag.com; info@suttonag.com).


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2016 - Volume #40, Issue #4