October 19, 2009 – Harnois, Inc. recently announced the launch of TunnelPro, an advanced gutter connected, high tunnel featuring roller ventilation openings to not only protect crops, but control the growing environment for increased productivity.

TunnelPro’s venting solution operates via a manual hand crank for ease in opening up side, end and top-bay coverings of the tunnel, versus the labour intensive task of “pushing up plastic” tediously with forks and ropes. TunnelPro’s design features roller venting including top bay and side venting, sliding curtain doors and full-width roll-up door options for the gable ends in a structure with arches made of oval tubing for strength throughout the tunnel. 

Having to push up plastic along the tunnel leg row with forks and ropes can be very labour intensive. Most growers will not even bother venting because of those costs and therefore the benefits of utilizing a tunnel often go unwarranted. Producing a controlled environment, venting and the protection of crops helps jump-start and extend the length of the growing season thus increasing productivity.

Allowing for maximum protection and full venting options, TunnelPro’s sides reach all the way down to the ground in one connected piece forming side skirts that roll up completely to the top-bay. Using the manual hand crank that is fixed to the poly at the gable ends of the TunnelPro, one man can ventilate up to 300 linear feet of top bay or side venting and up to 250 feet wide of gable ends at one time, allowing for control of the growing environment in a more user-friendly way. One can walk through the side of the tunnel as side access is up to eight feet high, allowing for reduction of labour when moving plants.

TunnelPro features two gable end door options – sliding curtain or roll-up doors – for better ventilation at the ends of the tunnel. Growers can choose roll-up doors on the gable ends featuring a full-width roll-up allowing complete opening to the crossties. Curtain doors reach from the top of the same crosstie to the bottom of the ground, opening across the tunnel like a shower curtain to allow for full-width opening of the gable end. The TunnelPro comes in three different models – 28-, 30- and 31-foot widths – with arch spacing every 10 to 12 feet. 

TunnelPro features a four-year, UV stabilized polyethylene plastic that covers the entire steel frame. This polyethylene is held on by industrial strength, one-inch wide nylon straps. The one-inch wide webbing straps create a wider contact point than ropes, thus reducing the wear and tear of the poly on the steel frame.

The TunnelPro operates via the hand crank system by rolling the polyethylene completely up to store the poly up onto the top of the tunnel for the summer. A protective cover is then set upon the rolled up poly to protect it from the sun. The next time the tunnel is needed, it is simply uncovered and unrolled. For winterization, the tunnel can be fully closed up to protect the crops from the elements.