Re: Apple-Crop: Electronic ShearsHello Apple Croppers,
After nearly 2 years of use, we thought it appropriate to offer a few
observations on the use of an electronic shears. In October of 2006, I
initiated a brief thread; the responses (of which I was most grateful) are
copied below under OCTOBER, 2006 for reference. Possibly others may wish to
share current experiences again.
A Campagniola battery-powered electronic hand shears (Tronic Star) has been
used to prune 12 foot trees for two winters (total 12 months, 30-35 hours/week)
in a Vermont apple orchard. It was originally acquired to mitigate tendonitis
experienced from hand pruning by a long-term employee.
Observations:
a.. About 12 hours of actual use can be expected before battery recharging
required.
b.. Comfortable in hand.
c.. Up to 1 inch cuts can be made in frozen wood; slightly more if limb
leveraged with other hand.
d.. Less use of hand saw.
e.. Generally more trees pruned per day compared to hand shears/saw alone.
f.. Battery pack (on back) not burdensome. Climbing beyond first tier
scaffolds not recommended.
g.. Supplementary elastics around arm help prevent power cord from snagging
wayward branches.
h.. Daily blade sharpening recommended.
i.. Discipline to control potential urge to over prune (it's now so much
fun!)
j.. A well-made unit.
k.. Warranty covered repair of power cord, trigger safety and indicator
light, the only failures for first 7 months use.
l.. A negative: trigger guard can be too small for an insulated glove.
m.. NO tendonitis experienced: purchase more than justified.
We are generally very pleased with the unit and recommend it (or a comparable
quality electronic shears) for increased pruning speed and, especially, for
minimizing repetitive motion injury such as strained muscles and tendonitis
which, besides being painful, can result in increased general fatigue and
poorer employee performance.
Sandy Witherell
Shoreham, Vermont
USA
OCTOBER, 2006
Karl Townsend - Dassel, MN:
A neighboring orchard to mine has one. I do know he's only marginally happy
with it. Not that fast and has low battery problems in cold weather. Sorry,
I don't know more. Email me your phone number off-list if you want and I'll
forward your number to him.
Have you considered air power shears? That's the more common solution. They
have cold weather problems but can (mostly) be solved.
Allen Teach
Sunrise Orchards Inc.
Gays Mills,WI
We purchased the latest available model Electrocoup and three or four foot
extension from Bubco. This sounds like an infomercial but I have never been
more impressed with a tool ! Everyone should have at least one.
A few thoughts:
1) Our model is the small one --not the unit with the large opening.
2) I used it up to 10 hours a day Jan. through March in temperatures down to 10
F and never could run the batteries down.
3) Unit will cut anything the smaller Maibo or older E series limb lopper air
tool will handle without the hose hassle.
4) With no air hose working in snow is much easier.
5) Unit will cut anything you can get into the jaw if you stress the branch
with your free hand even hard Mac and Honeycrisp wood.
6) With the extension, a glove is supplied with a microswitch in the thumb.
You simple push your thumb on the extension rod at any angle to actuate the
clipper. Glove is not warm enough to wear alone in cold conditions.
7) Unit feels like a natural part of your hand when used alone but when used
with the extension it is heavy on the tool end--nothing like a limb lopper
chain saw ,however.
8) I would have no qualms about letting an employee use it with the extension.
However, used alone I would have serious questions about enduring a cut-off
finger workman's compensation claim. Only use it in the proportional mode when
used without the extension--you may get a bad cut but hopefully not a trip the
microsurgeon.
9) I did not "baby" the tool at all last winter but had no problems other than
a chipped blade.
10) Case supplied is flimsy--had to find one negative!
11) If you have to pry your hand open in the morning after a day with the Felco
--buy an Electrocoup--do not think twice.
----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin A. Iungerman
To: Apple-Crop
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Electronic Shears
Sandy,
If you value your wrists and future hand dexterity, I would not hesitate in
moving to battery power-packed pruning shears.
I know many are put off by the up-front costs comparable to standard hand
pruners. But really, I believe that productivity increases, and joint stress
is certainly reduced, and both of these aspects have significant monetary
impact that is not easily seen, but is nevertheless present.
In a prior examination, I thought Electrocoup had the edge to other
manufacturers, but my look is several years past, and equipment modifications
and new options may have changed since then and would have me inclined
otherwise.
I emphasize that the overall utility and wisdom of using such instruments
remains unchanged! I am not making any particular product endorsement. I know
an orchardist in the Saratoga region of NY who has about a target 100 acre
retail operation (and shrinking as initial wholesale was foresworn -- and
retail is growing and improving) who swears by his electronic pruner.
I agree that air tools have merit, but for an individual, or even small
crews, I think - especially with dwarfed tree systems - the electric are the
way to go.
With larger trees, and crews, the air equipment is more reasonably handled
and is probably more appropriate. In truth, tool approaches are compatible.
I hope at a future point to have a field demo so growers might consider these
tools not on the showroom floor or catalog, but right there in their mitts
going down through their pruning task. The grower I mentioned has indicated a
willingness to demo, and by that time, perhaps you might join us for your - by
then - added evaluation. Thanks.
Best Regards, Kevin Iungerman
Hello Folks,
Some time (years?) ago I believe a thread on Apple Crop discussed pros and
cons of portable electronic shears for pruning apples. I unfortunately can not
recall any of the particulars in that discussion. We are interested in
information derived from your experience which could help us in a decision to
purchase. Our dormant pruning is mostly on frozen wood in trees generally not
exceeding 12 feet. Has anyone used the extensions available for the Electrocoup
shears? How much is weight and balance a consideration? Do you have any
preferences? Any other thoughts?
Many thanks.
Sandy Witherell
Shoreham, Vermont USA
--
Kevin Iungerman, Extension Associate
Cornell Northeastern NY Commercial Fruit Program
Serving NY's Upper Hudson and Champlain Region
(Albany, Saratoga, Washington, Essex and Clinton Counties)
Growing McIntosh, Honeycrisp, and other fine apples and fruit!
50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 885-8995
FAX: (518) 885-9078
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
