Tiverton-based company Morrish Engineering has designed a baby-leaf harvester after growers asked for higher travel speeds and better operator comfort.

See also: New kit launched at Ames show

The unit consists of a modified four-wheel drive hydrostatic base unit (usually used on the company’s sand skimming machines), a harvesting system from a tracked harvester, a bandsaw cutting head, plastic chain link elevator and vibrating shaker belt.

The new harvester has been developed over two seasons, and the first production machine has been sold to Capel Farms, Perth, Western Australia.

Power comes from a 100hp Kubota diesel engine with twin variable displacement piston pumps, driving two-speed Poclain motors in each wheel.

The spacious-looking cab is mounted centrally and has a heater/air conditioning, digital dash, camera system and a full set of road and worklights.

At the rear a carousel system allows crates to be unloaded/loaded to a trailer alongside.

As an alternative, you can pull a trailer behind the harvester with a modified carousel system.

Cost is £80,000-£110,000, depending on spec.