Installing a high tech vehicle biosecurity system to reduce the risk of spreading the disease Psa-V has been a worthwhile investment for Birchwood Packhouse, says general manager Karen Roche.

'The unit cost a little over $20,000 but we feel it was worth the investment for the peace of mind it has given us and it's been well used by our own vehicles and those of our growers and other orchard contractors.”

The truck sanitiser, designed, built and installed by Spray Pump Services of Hamilton, uses high pressure nozzles and a minimum of water to spray an industry-approved product on to trucks carrying kiwifruit bins and other vehicles visiting orchards. The unit is essentially a frame constructed from metal pipes, with hoses and spray nozzles mounted on the top, sides and at its base.

The nozzles are the same as those used in hi-tech agricultural spray equipment.

The system is not a vehicle wash but is designed to sanitise the truck cab and chassis as well as bins it carries while reducing product drift, even in windy conditions.

The computer senses a vehicle as it approaches, switching the units 'traffic lights' from red to green. Vehicle proceeds through at 4 kph while nozzles spray on the product at a controlled rate. It uses about 12 to 13 litres of water for each vehicle.

It was Birchwood operations manager Dave Wright who contacted the Hamilton company after searching for someone who could supply the kind of equipment required.

"We didn't want a system which would make vehicles, and bins in particular, soaking wet as Psa-V is known to be transported by water," he said.

Spray Pump Services first supplied a misting unit for the packhouse bins as they come off the bin tip, using high-tech imported nozzles which deliver the sanitising product as a fine mist to all sides of the bins, including the insides.

What doesn't land on the bins drifts away and evaporates, leaving no excess water to drain away.

Karen says Spray Pump Services has been excellent to work with, refining vehicle sanitiser design to meet Birchwood's specific requirements.

Spray Pump Services has a long association with the poultry and pork industries and in providing industrial high-pressure hot and cold water systems for several food-producing companies.