Because of climate change, extreme weather events are likely to escalate in the future, with a high frequency of spring frost events as well. These are increasingly dangerous, because they occur after fall and spring months characterized by temperatures above the seasonal average which reawaken fruit plants early.
Above and below: two parts of anti-frost wind machine WMD230
Over the past four years, frost events have affected various regions in northern Italy, halving and in some cases even destroying the summer fruit productions. Those producers who wish to keep working in the future will have to implement active defense mechanisms, and anti-frost wind machines seem to be the most popular solution.
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AID-Oranfresh is an Italian company, the only producer on a national level of anti-frost wind machines, which has been operating in the anti-frost technology sector for agriculture for over 50 years.
Propellers
After many years of research carried out by the R&D department, in 2021 it introduced three new models:
- Model WMD170 boasts a 5.90 m propeller, a 175 hp IVECO N67 IPU engine, mechanical clutch and galvanized tower.
- Model WMD230 is the most powerful in the world and boasts a 238 hp IVECO N67 ENT engine, a 6.10 m propeller, mechanical clutch and galvanized tower.
- Model WMD170 CARRELLATA boasts a 5.60-5.90 m propeller and a 175 hp IVECO N67 IPU engine, it can be transported as it comes with a trailer.
The WMD170 and WMD230 models feature a 500 liter tank, photovoltaic panel to preserve the engine batteries, anemometer for the electronic control of wind speed and 2 thermometers to monitor the temperature.
Engines
AID-Oranfresh propellers are manufactured in Italy, as well as the IVECO FPT Avoni engines, by the only company that produces anti-frost wind machines in-house.
All AID-Oranfresh wind machines can be fully controlled remotely via smartphone and can be turned on and off with a simple click. It is possible to set the automatic switch-on and off temperature, plus they are interconnected with the management systems of the companies that purchase them. They actually hold the 4.0 certification, so clients are granted tax credit.
Due to the frost events that have occurred in Emilia Romagna over the past 4 years, the region published tender 5.1.04 - Prevention of damage to the fruit production caused by spring frost, which features a 70% free grant, plus a further 10% if the wind machine holds the 4.0 certification like AID-Oranfresh ones. The tender will expire in mid-September 2023, and it definitely encourages producers to purchase wind machines to protect themselves against future frost events.
For further information:
Oranfresh-AID
Mr Vincenzo Castiglione
Technical Sales Office Italy
95121 Catania, Italy
+393384092587
[email protected]
Ms Sofia Bono
Foreign Technical Sales Office
+393475630779
[email protected]
