We went to meet Julien Carle, an organic farmer in Hauts-de-France. He has his own equipment, including tractors and harvesting and hoeing tools. We had already met him two years ago to install a conventional 7″ monitor with a PAL camera equipped with white LEDs on his leek harvester, so that he could optimize harvesting at night and gain greater visibility to distinguish white from green when harvesting. As our product range advances, and our cameras and monitors upgrade to very high definition, we wanted to enable him to further improve his harvesting comfort and precision.
Optimum position on the tool
Victor, R&D Division Manager:
“You didn’t yet have a complete video solution on your equipment, and you told us about the problems you were experiencing with your leek harvesting. We came to install the first cameras two years ago, so that you could significantly improve your daily routine. Can you tell us a little about what the installation of the camera means to you on a daily basis?”
Julien Carle, farmer:
“Yes, it has clearly improved my daily routine. Where I’m digging up leeks, I need the optimum position for the spade. If I go too deep, I raise balls of earth and the shaker doesn’t work properly. If I go too high, I cut off the bottom of the leek and it becomes unmarketable. The camera has enabled me to see what my eyes can’t see, especially at night. It helps me enormously to position the spade correctly.”
Improved yields
Victor, R&D Division Manager:
“Recently we installed a very high-definition camera for you, so that you have an even clearer view of your leeks and your tool. Have you seen a noticeable difference and improvement?”
Julien Carle, farmer:
“Yes, the camera was placed in a tight spot where I wouldn’t have been able to look otherwise. Image quality and angle of view are essential, especially with the shaker running fast. Before, the images were a little blurred, now they remain stable even with the speed. The high definition allows me to see details better, and with a large 9″ screen, I can really concentrate on the leek emerging from the shaker. This greatly improves my accuracy and significantly reduces losses.”
Custom installation
Victor, R&D Division Manager:
“We had also connected a second camera, but this time to the front of your machine. Can you tell us a little more about it?”
Julien Carle, farmer:
“With a second camera, I can get a more precise view at the level of my forks to place the leek racks easily. It’s much more practical, I gain in comfort and thanks to the little custom-made bracket for my setup, I can position the camera exactly where I want!”
