For this reason, Agrifast decided that the time was ripe to further develop the system and tool and tailor it better to the needs of its user. Now, after more than a year of research and development they are ready to launch the second generation of the tomsystem, which offers some substantial improvements compared to its predecessor.
"We have listened to the feedback from the growers and have redesigned the ergonomics of the tool to make it more convenient and suitable for the use in greenhouse crops" said Alberto Lizarraga of Agrifast. He explained that the first generation of tools was designed on an existing pruner tool from Felco. "The first tool was initially designed for different purposes and heavier applications. It was quite heavy and had too much power for clipping in greenhouse crops".
The new redesigned second generation tomsystem is lighter and the power has been adapted. "The new tool is completely designed specifically to clip greenhouse crops. It is lighter thanks to a more ergonomic polycarbonate casing. The new tool weighs only 790 grams, which is half of the weight of the first tool."
Another improvement is made in regards to the capacity of the cartridge. This now has room for 100 instead of 60 metal clips. "Next to this, the jaws of the tool have been redesigned, which improves the overall quality, functioning and durability of the tool", added Lizarraga. "The new tool incorporates 5 levels of adjustment, so you can regulate how tight the ring will close, depending on the thickness of the twine and the weight of the crop."
Agrifast offers a deal for existing clients to switch to the second generation tomsystem. A majority of the users are Dutch greenhouse growers, but also by growers in important greenhouse industries like the U.S. , Canada, Australia, Russia, Korea, Turkey, France, Switzerland, Mexico and other countries are using the tomsystem.
Alberto Lizarraga presented the new Tomsystem in Holland this week.
"We are currently active in thirty countries all over the world and we believe that the new reliable, faster and lighter tool makes us quite powerful to increase our presence in the market. We are now in the market for five years and have shown that the system is working and that it reduces the costs of clipping and twining the crops. Five years ago it was still a new invention, but nowadays we are the third system to tie the crops in the greenhouse industry."
Another reason for many growers to start using the tomsystem is the ease of use. "It takes experienced people to twine or clip a crop, but with the tomsystem anybody can learn it in a flick of a switch. Fast working speeds of 1,500-1,600 plants per hour can be achieved, while an employee with plastic clips has an average speed of 1,000 clips per hour. As well the lower discharge costs for the crops are attractive for growers, since the metal clips are degradable and no higher discharging costs apply during the crop change.
Click here to enlarge the graph
The tomsystem can be used in bell pepper, tomato and cucumber crops. In Holland, 50% of the high wire cucumber growers use the tomsystem.
Agrifast is officially presenting the tool this week at the HortiContact in Gorinchem, booth 324.
For more information
Agrifast
Alberto Lizarraga
alberto.lizarraga@agrifast.es
http://www.thetomsystem.com/