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Its purpose is to provide a temporary structure which can be rotated with the crops, to provide effective hail protection as economically as possible, and not to shed or support hail, but to allow a controlled, partial collapse of the structure.
The 39.37 x 39.37 ft (12x12m) grid, combined with the 'elastic' properties of the net, allows the hail to form a bag in the center of each grid, its weight resting gently on the crop. Chains are used to adjust and retention the structure as and when required. The nets are joined into grids, before fitting to the structure, by lacing 0.11 inches (3mm) diameter nylon monofilament through the reinforced selvages and cut ends to form a frame for the net. This is lighter and more flexible than steel wire, making the net easier to roll up and transport when moving the structure. The grids are simply lifted into position and hooked onto the cable-and-pole structure, as illustrated. Pole caps are made of 3.93 or 4.92 inches (100 or 125mm) piping - depending on the diameter of the poles used - cut into lengths of ± 11.81 inches (30 cm). Four open, heavy chain links are welded on to accommodate the hooking on and off in four directions of cables and/or anchors. To save the time and effort of digging holes, the bottom ends of the poles are sharpened to enable them to be rammed into the ground to a depth of ± 23.62 inches (600mm).
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