The Toolbox Assistive Technology Database logo

Back   |   Search   |   View by Category   |   Technical Articles
UTV Bird Net Applicator
Left pic of red UTV with metal T-Bar attached to back standing about 5 feet above UTV bed with bird netting on arm of T being spread over vines. Rt pic of 2 people working with netting in vineyard.

Albert and Jackie Becker's homemade UTV Bird Net Applicator allows workers to place netting over the rows of their wine-grape vines with less walking and reaching overhead. It consists of (1) a T-shaped 1-inch-square metal pipe frame that fits into the receiver hitch of a utility vehicle; and (2) four lengths of 8-inch-diameter PVC piping looped 2 feet apart atop the frame, with elbows on each end-piece to keep the net from catching as it slides through. Stored in a bag in the UTV's cargo bed is enough netting to cover a full row. The net is deployed by (1) threading the lead end through the PVC piping so that the dispensing end is over the row, (2) driving slowly to allow the net to feed out atop the row; then (3) having a person or two on each side of the row to pull the netting out over the vines. The reverse procedure is followed to retrieve the netting at season's end.

Estimated Cost Cost range: See below

Limitations Limitations Addressed by Product: Lower extremity, Upper extremity, Strength/endurance


SourceAdapted from Farm Show Magazine (vol. 36, no. 6)
Albert & Jackie Becker
Plainview Winery
Plainview, IL
Est. Cost$100
Last updated: Jul 28, 2022


Back   |   Search   |   View by Category   |   Technical Articles