Brambles - Production Management and Marketing

Bulletin 782-99

Chapter 3 Selection and Care of Plants

Tools and Equipment

Tools and equipment aid growers in accomplishing the proper cultural practices needed in a bramble operation.
There are three important factors in successful tool and equipment management. They are:

1. Selecting the proper tools or equipment for the job to be done.
   
2. Operating the tools or equipment properly.
   
3. Keeping your equipment cost per unit as low as possible.

Tools and equipment that are generally needed for various cultural practices are listed here.

• Site preparation - tractor, tillage tools
• Planting - tractor, mechanical planter, pruning shears, or shovel
• Spraying - tractor, tank sprayer capable of about 200 pounds per square inch pressure, spray boom, hand sprayer, and protective equipment
• Pruning - mechanical hedger, pruning hooks, and pruning shears
• Maintaining sod drive area - tractor, mower, or tillage equipment
• Fertilizing - tractor and spreader
• Irrigating - water source, pump, pipe, emitters, and timer
• Marketing - signs, sales area, cash register, and scales

A grower may wish to own equipment that is used frequently. Other equipment used less frequently can be borrowed, rented, or purchased with other growers. Remember, the important principle is to get the proper job done at the proper time with the least possible equipment cost.

Equipment is a replacement for labor in many cases. Large, new equipment may get the job done quickly but at a high cost. Older, smaller equipment may require more labor but may be cheaper. A grower needs to balance his or her equipment with labor and dollars available for investment.