Greenhouse Vent Mechanisms
Effective environmental control must always include proper air circulation throughout the greenhouse. Most plants require consistent airflow to grow well, as it actively minimises the stagnant air that frequently contributes to plant disease.
Optimal circulation is achieved by utilising a combination of side and roof vents to encourage fresh airflow into and out of the glasshouse. TThese can be traditionally manually operated or fully automated with our electric motors. For complete climate management, your ventilation can also be integrated with your heating systems via Harrier’s HH2 controller.
Side Vent Mechanisms
These are normally operated manually and there are two options:
Individual ‘Monkey Tail’ Vents:
Individual vents are pushed out and set securely in position by a notched metal stay. These are traditionally known as a ‘monkey tail’ due to the elegant, typical twist at the end of the push rod.
Linked Vent Banks:
For larger runs of vents, it is much more effective to operate them together. A bank of top-hung vents, opened just a little, provides better circulation than one or two fully opened individual vents. The operation uses a series of metal linkages, comprising attachment cleats, push rods, levers, and a torque tube suspended by elegant cast tube carriers with nylon bushes. The entire linkage is opened and closed smoothly via a wonderful solid cast lever handle.
Roof Vent Mechanisms
Because heat rises, roof vents are critical for temperature regulation. These can be opened in several ways:
Manual Operation:
Controlled in a very similar way to the side vents, utilising a traditional lever and link system.
Automated Operation:
Utilising Harrier Garden Developments’ bespoke motors and gearboxes to operate the vents with a series of push rods. These work exceptionally well with a continuous run of vents, though motors can also be supplied for individual vents if required.
While there are other mechanisms on the market that rely purely on the sun/heat to expand and open, we have found that these are unfortunately not consistent or responsive enough to be reliable for serious growers.
Looking to improve the airflow and ventilation in your glasshouse? Get in touch with our expert engineers today.