Portable Shade Trailers

Portable Shade Trailers MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 31-4-19 If you've ever wondered how to improve conditions for agricultural field crews who work in the sweltering sun, a California company has found a solution. According to Dave Edwards of Valley Harvesting and Packing Inc., the company developed, patented and built portable shade units they use to provide workers with a cooler, more comfortable place to take breaks and eat lunch. This helps prevent heat-related, on-the-job illness and stress. "Originally, we thought we would convert old cotton trailers to make these shade units, but then discovered too much would be involved to re-do them the way we wanted," Edwards says. "It was cheaper to just build it from scratch, so we ended up fabbing our own design." The two-wheel, single axle trailer has a 4 by 4-in. center tube and can be pulled with a tractor, truck or bus. Three 8-ft. wide shade panels are covered with "85 per cent shade cloth" which allows air movement. The center panel is stationary, while the other two are adjustable to the position of the sun. The side panels can be positioned horizontally, effectively tripling the size of the top panel, or they can hang down vertically. No support poles are needed for the side panels. The trailers incorporate a couple of small tables, some retractable benches, and 10-gal. Igloo water coolers, where lunches and water are kept. Each system accommodates 18 to 20 people. The trailer is moved along the field where crews are working, Edwards says. To facilitate ease of moving, each shade is on a cable that will collapse into the center so that a string can be tied around it to prevent wind damage. Each trailer cost about $6,000 to build. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Valley Harvesting and Packing Inc., Heber, Calif.

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