UV and Heat Reflective Fruit Bin Cover with Blackout Coating

Keep picked fruit cool until it reaches the coolstore

Fruit sitting in a bin at the end of the row heats up fast in the sun, and heat costs you firmness, shelf life and pack-out. LightBloc bin covers reflect sunlight and block UV, so the fruit stays at or near air temperature instead of cooking in the bin.

What our trial showed

In a Harvestwear trial run by Fruition Horticulture on a Hastings apple orchard, data loggers recorded the flesh temperature of Royal Gala apples on the top layer of field bins over three days:

• Uncovered fruit reached about 35°C, 15°C hotter than the air.
• Fruit under covers stayed within about 2°C of air temperature, roughly 20°C.

That was on mild autumn days. On a hot summer day, the sun has even more heat to put into uncovered fruit.

Sizes

• B116: 1165 × 1165 mm with 100 mm drop sides. Made to fit standard Australian plastic bins.
• B116W: 1200 x 1200 mm with 100mm drop sides - made to fit wooden bins
• B120: 1200 × 1200 mm. For standard wooden bins.
• B156: 1560 × 1020 mm. For larger bins.
• Custom sizes made to order for non-standard bins.

How they're made

• Reflective LightBloc surface to bounce back sunlight and UV
• Blackout layer on the back, so no light comes through
• Woven, water-resistant construction that handles light rain and irrigation splash
• Elastic corner straps to fit and remove quickly, with no knots or clips
• Lightweight, so pickers can cover bins as they fill

Which fruit?

Apples, pears, cherries, stonefruit, citrus, kiwifruit, mangoes, or any fruit that needs protecting from heat between picking and the coolstore.

Tip: take covers off at night

Covers hold heat in as well as keeping it out. In our trial, covered fruit cooled less overnight than uncovered fruit. If bins are staying in the orchard overnight, take the covers off in the evening and put them back on in the morning, or get the bins to the coolstore the same day.

Made in Hastings, New Zealand

Designed and made by Harvestwear, makers of harvest equipment since 1985.

Bin cover FAQs

Do bin covers keep fruit cool?

Yes. In our trial, uncovered apples in field bins reached about 35°C, while covered fruit stayed within about 2°C of the air temperature.

Which size fits Australian plastic bins?

The B116, which is 1165 × 1165 mm with 100 mm drop sides.

Should I leave bin covers on overnight?

It's best not to. Covers slow overnight cooling, so take them off in the evening if bins are staying in the orchard.

Is a reflective cover better than shadecloth?

Shadecloth cuts sunlight but still lets some through. LightBloc reflects sunlight from the top surface, and the blackout backing stops light passing through completely.

Can you make covers for other bin sizes?

Yes. Custom sizes are made to order. Email sales@harvestwearglobal.com with your bin dimensions.