Putting latch system to the test

It’s a small piece of metal making a big difference to the production of dried grapes on Rowena and Warren Smart’s property.

The couple have upgraded from the traditional pin on their property’s Shaw swingarm trellis system to a latch.

Manufactured by Rodney Trigg, the latch provides another method of locking swingarm, resulting in a stronger hold.

The Smarts installed their latches before the Shaw swingarm frames were brought out to the vineyard.

Rowena explained that they could be installed in an already functioning vineyard, and not just those redeveloping.

“If adding to existing plantations it will be time consuming, and possibly easier spread over two seasons to do each side. But in saying that it will be well worth it for the ease and convenience of running the farm,” she said.

“Since we were still in the set-up phase, we added them on to our secondhand frames and bent the arms to suit the hook.”

With a latch, swingarms don't fall free during the season, saving the labour-intensive job of lifting arms back into place with a heavy crop weighing them down.

Warren said harvest became much more difficult when individual swing arm pins freed themselves and the fruiting zone dropped and became unstable.

Rowena said that when Warren completed his certificate at the Department of Ag, he wasn’t happy with the design of the frame and knew there would be a better way, even putting together a prototype with washers and rod.

“When we decided to develop our properties to dried fruit in 2020, it was a no-brainer that the hooks be added to make it easier to hook the frames and not be rehooking throughout the season,” she said.

So far, it’s working.

“We haven’t had to re-hook a frame since installing them, and we have at least a 4 tonne/acre crop on the vines this year,” Rowena said.

“We haven’t had to spend time rehooking or, as some people do, paying someone to rehook, which means money saved.”

This means that in addition to stabilising the vines while growing, harvest will also be more efficient and productive.

“Fruit will go through the harvester easier, instead of hanging lower and going under the fish plates, or sitting close to the post and not ending up in the bin,” Rowena said.

“When we harvest and all the fruit is in the bin, instead of having some being left behind, we will see its worth.”v