northern polytunnels

[Girlfarmer]

Has anyone in the north Yorkshire area got a Northern polytunnel? I've just asked the company if it's possible to see any in the area, if it was ok with the farmer, as we've never had anything to do with polytunnels before and they said that can't give out that information. I sort of understand why but then again it's made me immediately suspicious of them that they aren't prepared to contact anyone to see if they'd be happy for us to have a look. You'd think they'd want to promote their products with happy customers.

 

[Kidds]

If I was buying a new poly tunnel it would be them I bought it off and have had acres of tunnels over the years.

 

[Grassman]

Very good business. Nothing to be worried about with them.

 

[Pasty]

Could do with a better online system though. I did look on their site and it's not great for the novice. Prices would be good for a start. I couldn't see any but I am a bit slow.

 

[llamedos]

Could do with a better online system though. I did look on their site and it's not great for the novice. Prices would be good for a start. I couldn't see any but I am a bit slow.

Just click the section you are interested in ie livestock housing and there is a bright blue tab underneath which says Quick Buy

 

[Pasty]

Just click the section you are interested in ie livestock housing and there is a bright blue tab underneath which says Quick Buy

OK, if I go to their site there is a product called 'Commercial Single Span Polytunnels'. Quick buy price is £0.00. I'll have 1000 please and I want them tomorrow. Or I have to call them to 'discuss'. Wouldn't they save a whole load of money by putting the info online? The people I bought off have done that and I did make a quick call to check something but it was minutes and they got my £3k order.

 

[llamedos]

That would be a lot of info, there are so many variations on that range, probably simple to just ring as you did the other company

 

[Pasty]

That would be a lot of info, there are so many variations on that range, probably simple to just ring as you did the other company

All the info was on the website with the other company with explanations I could click on and then select or not. It was a lot and took us a couple hours to suss it but that was our 2 hours with kids running mental and being able to stop and start and finally make the purchase. I guess some people like the phone, I like the web. My call to them was a delivery
question, nothing to do with the product itself which has arrived today in fact.

 

[llamedos]

Have fun erecting it

 

[Girlfarmer]

We would really like to see one erected somewhere. Can't bring ourselves to buy one just after a conversation. I'm just hoping someone might see this who isn't too far away and offer to show their's off!

 

[spin cycle]

anybody use 'premier polytunnels' from ebay?....they look good

 

[Old Tip]

Theres a few round here in fact my brother has one and its been up at least fifteen years now and is great.

OT

 

[7610 super q]

Northern Polytunnels do a 'posh' catalogue which they can post to you. Much better than looking at a website IMO.
Good company to deal with IMO.

 

[Pasty]

Have fun erecting it

I'm sure I will. I'll do the 'you were right all along' post around the middle of 2017.

 

[FE35]

Theres a few round here in fact my brother has one and its been up at least fifteen years now and is great.

OT

Mine is part 2nd hand /part NP tunnels & I checked out OT's brothers prior to putting mine up - been up 8yrs now & still going strong on the original plastic too!
The only problem I had was with the plastic mesh round the outside, it had a manufacturing fault so split easily, NP weren't interested in sorting/helping out if your tunnel is for sheep don't bother with the plastic mesh use normal sheep netting & if you've a problem with rain blowing in you can get galebreakers made to fit down the sides very cheaply (what I've done!)

 

[Grassman]

Mine is part 2nd hand /part NP tunnels & I checked out OT's brothers prior to putting mine up - been up 8yrs now & still going strong on the original plastic too!
The only problem I had was with the plastic mesh round the outside, it had a manufacturing fault so split easily, NP weren't interested in sorting/helping out if your tunnel is for sheep don't bother with the plastic mesh use normal sheep netting & if you've a problem with rain blowing in you can get galebreakers made to fit down the sides very cheaply (what I've done!)

Some of the windbreak plastic mesh is very light duty. I put up a building about 30 years ago and it still has the original plastic mesh windbreak(netlon I think). I bought another brand a couple of years ago and it's very poor in comparison.
The old netlon used to be sold for making sheep windbreaks in the fields and sheep hurdles. Excellent stuff!

 

[Longlowdog]

Poly tunnels are not hard to construct or install. They come with Meccano style instructions. The only key thing to bear in mind is do not try to sheet them if there is any breeze what-so-ever. 20 tonne yachts move through water in a gentle breeze and they have sails much smaller than a tunnel sheet.
I've worked on 6 tunnels with the bottom 3 feet done in heavy black wind break and I've not seen one strand rot in ten years, neither have I seen any sheep come close to breaking it. Still air trapped inside tunnels prevents all but the most horizontal rain from entering. Guttering and a large soakaway are very good investments.

 

[7610 super q]

Yes, as above, warm sunny day, no wind, plenty of people, ground tubes anchored well in concreate. Centre up sheet, anchor one side WELL, start in the middle on t'other side, pull like f**k, anchor WELL. Pull ends like f**k, anchor well.
On a really hot sunny day jack up tubes and secure with exhaust clamps to get really drum tight. ( Not possible if using bottom windbreak).

 

[spin cycle]

bumping this up...does anyone use marquees?

 

[Longlowdog]

If you are using windbreak the sheet is anchored to wooden rails and they are left 50 mm above the projected top of the windbreak to start while the sheet is wrapped to it. When the sheet has been tightened by hand the rails are knocked down the hoops with a lump hammer and you are good to go. If you are putting the sheet on in really cold weather just leave a bigger gap and knock it down again when it warms up.