news
#article
INFACO AT1000 stapler: the best tool for raspberry growers
in the United Kingdom
Across Hugh Lowe Farms’ 120 hectares of greenhouses, the efficiency of tying operations is essential to maintaining the quality and profitability of raspberry production. In search of a more robust and high-performance solution to support his teams, Alex Vankovs, who has been head of fruit production for over 20 years, tested INFACO’s AT1000 tying machine. After a season of use, the results speak for themselves: up to a 15 per cent time saving in the field and a 30 per cent reduction in maintenance costs.
Why is the AT1000 a game-changer for raspberry cultivation?
With the AT1000, the game has changed. “Since we started using INFACO tie-up machines, we’ve improved our efficiency because we spend less time waiting for machines to come back from repair. They’re much more robust and require less maintenance. ” Alex highlights a 10–15 per cent improvement in the time spent in the field – a valuable gain for raspberry farms focused on quality and profitability, where every minute counts. “The mechanism is optimised to allow for more precise diagonal application around the canes and horizontal wires, which is crucial for raspberry bushes.” The tangible result: over the course of a season, Hilo Farms has reduced its maintenance costs by 30 per cent whilst increasing its fruit yield.
An ergonomic, cost-effective solution that is compatible with your existing equipment
From the moment you pick it up, the AT1000 stands out for its meticulous design and light weight. Alex Vankovs says: “As soon as I picked it up, I was impressed by its robustness and design. It’s very easy to handle, and everyone finds it comfortable. ’ Another major advantage: ‘The wire spools are much larger, which means we can spend more time tying and less time changing them.’ The result? ‘The cost per tie is reduced, and overall productivity increases.’
For fruit growers already using the F3020 pruning shears, INFACO offers the AT100036 tying machine, which plugs into the same battery as the pruning shears. A cheaper option to buy and ideal for optimising your fleet of equipment without having to buy extra batteries. A winning formula for experienced teams, such as those at Hilo Farms in raspberry production, who “are now achieving much more with far less effort”.
A recommended investment for all raspberry growers
For Alex, the choice is clear: “I’d recommend it without hesitation, as it’s a very robust, well-designed and extremely practical machine.” His teams are now getting more work done with less effort – a winning combination for any farm looking to optimise its raspberry production. The AT1000 (and its AT100036 version) stands out as a reliable, high-performance tool tailored to the specific needs of raspberry bushes, offering professionals a solution to save time, improve comfort and boost profitability.
Ready to try out the AT1000 on your farm?
Are you a raspberry grower in the UK or Europe? Try the AT1000 or the AT100036 on your farm!
Contact your nearest distributor for a free demonstration.
Watch the video testimonial, filmed at Hugh Lowe Farms by VDYO.
❓frequently asked questions❓
Oui. L’AT1000 a été conçue pour un usage professionnel quotidien. Elle est utilisée sur le terrain par des viticulteurs et arboriculteurs dans des conditions exigeantes. Sa fiabilité, sa rapidité d’exécution et sa prise en main identique au sécateur F3020 en font un outil parfaitement adapté aux chantiers intensifs.
L’AT1000 est polyvalente et permet de réaliser différents types d’attaches en viticulture : guyot simple, guyot double, arcure, chablis ou treille. Elle est également adaptée à certains usages en arboriculture fruitière, comme le framboisier ou le kiwi, grâce à la large ouverture de son bec.
Oui. Les bobines INFACO sont fabriquées en France, dont une partie directement dans les usines INFACO situées dans le Tarn, en Occitanie. Elles sont conçues pour garantir régularité, solidité et fiabilité à chaque attache.
L’AT1000 est vendue avec sa mallette dans laquelle vous retrouvez : le produit, les accessoires (ceinture, dévidoir, crochet, pince, burette d’huile…), sa batterie et son chargeur.
L’AT1000 existe aussi en version 36V, compatible avec la batterie des sécateurs professionnels F3015 et F3020. Dans ce cas, le pack ne contient pas de batterie et est plus léger, plus puissant et à un tarif plus avantageux.