Australian agricultural sector faces a huge amount of risk when preparing, planting, growing, and harvesting their crops. The risks include drought, plagues, frost, hail, floods, fires and other phenoniums which leave our farmers exposed. The last thing our agricultural sector needs is that once they have harvested the crop that they lose value or worse have the crop destroyed as a result of it not being protected.

Covers, Tarps or Tarpaulins have been widely used by the agriculture sector to provide a secure and cost-effective cover for produce and crops in the event of “Hard Stand Covers” not being available. ABC Tarps have been supplying the agricultural sector for a few decades with Heavy Duty Polyethylene Tarps, these tarps have been designed specifically for the tough Australian climate.

Key Features of Our Hay Tarps:

  • Hay Tarps are 220 gsm Virgin PE Fabric.
  • Protected by an upper and lower scrim providing Ultraviolet Light and Waterproof protection.
  • Heavy Duty Rope lined edges.
  • Brass Reinforced eyelets conveniently spaced every meter apart.
  • 25mm Looped ripping on the parameter to assist in Tie-Off and securing the Tarp once in place.
  • Silver (reflective top coating) Black underside.

Hay Cover Installation Tips:

It is critical to ensure that the following are adhered to:

  • Be prepared – be conscious of the weather, in particular, the wind, work out the orientation of the Hay Cover – where and how this is going to be done and be ready to Tie the Hay Cover off – cut (and ideally attach) the rope to the Cover before putting it into place.
  • Check the weight of the Hay Cover before lifting and placing on the Roof this is more from a Health and Safety point of view.
  • Work out the orientation/position of the Hay Cover to ensure its position is as per the required dimensions when unfurled. The Hay Cover will roll out the short side first and then the long side, for instance, a 10.0 x 12.8 Meter cover will roll out the 10 meters first and then the 12.8-meter side.
  • When unfurling the Hay Cover always to this so that you are heading “downwind” – Do Not attempt to unfurl into a prevailing wind – the tarp will form a sail and your crew will end up in a neighbouring suburb.
  • As the Hay Cover is positioned Tie the Tarp off to ensure it stays in place, our recommendation is to use rope from the eyelet and then tie the lower of the rope to a Spring (refer below).  The spring is then attached to either the lower bale Twine or a “Star Picket” or “Hay Bolt” (refer below).

11.5-inch Tarp Springs                                                                     Hay Bolt/Screw Peg

Additional Support:

Once the tarp is in place additional support can be applied – crossed over ropes to ensure the tarp will not dislodge and is secure. The tarp should be tightly secured with reasonable coverage on all sides of the stack, this will maximise the coverage and the protection of the products under the tarp.

The use of the Springs is a very important addition to the process, in the circumstance of a wind getting underneath all or part of the Hay Cover the springs will provide a small amount of giving on the Hay Cover enabling it to lift up – but the tension of the springs will ensure this is only temporary. The use of springs when using Hay Covers will add to the life cycle of the tarp by not applying excessive pressure on the brass eyelets.

We strongly urge you to watch the video below showing the install of a Hay Cover utilising the springs: –

For additional information or assistance at any stage with your Hay Cover or Ag Tarp please contact ABC Tarps –   1300 656 211 or via email info@abctarps.com.au.
Thank you for considering ABC Tarps.