February 2019 - 32

FROST CONTROL
Wind machines an effective frost preventative
By Robert Crassweller
Penn State University
The lowest several hundred feet of
the atmosphere becomes stratified
under calm, clear, frost conditions.
An inversion condition thus exists,
meaning that temperature increases as
it rises to the top of the inversion layer.
A wind machine mixes the warmer
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air from the upper portions of the
inversion layer with the colder air near
the ground, raising air temperatures
around the trees by a few degrees.
Wind machines are motor-driven
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Lee DeLeeuw
(616) 893-4507
Did you know?
Wind Machines are not
only for protecting your
crops against frost.
They can be critical
for assisting in
protecting your new
plantings.
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Brad DeLeeuw
(616) 299-3992
WIND MACHINE OFFICE
Pam Silvernai l
(616) 971-8177
Superior Wind Machine Service, INC.
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and therefore consume fuel, although
not nearly as much as stack heaters.
There are two types of wind machines:
those that have the engine mounted at
the top of the fan and those with the
engine located on the ground. Having
the type with the engine on the ground
makes servicing the machine easier.
They work under calm, clear conditions
as long as the frost is not too " deep; "
that is, temperatures are not more than
three or four degrees below the critical
temperature. Wind machines do not
work under cold, windy conditions,
because the wind usually mixes the
atmosphere enough to prevent an
inversion layer from developing.
When using wind machines, it
is important that the machines are
turned on when the air temperature
in the orchard is still above critical
temperatures. If air temperature is
being monitored in a protected shelter
within or outside of the orchard, the
machines should be initiated when the
air temperature is still above 32° F. It
is very possible that bud temperatures
may be several degrees below the air
temperature due to radiational cooling,
and they can experience damage even
if the air is still above freezing.
More information about choosing
Wind Machines
* 24/7 Emergency Service
* 24/7 Technical Support
* Complete Sales, Service and Parts Department
* Authorized Warranty Center
* Service All Makes and Models
* On-site Service
* Factory Trained Technician
* Complete Installation
Orchard-Rite
re.
®
www.orchard-rite.com
and implementing frost protection
systems can be obtained from your
county Extension educator or from
commercial dealers that offer frost
protection systems and components.
For additional information, refer to
the Penn State Extension Tree Fruit
Production Guide. FGN
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February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2019
