Harvest season isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It’s high-pressure, fast-paced, and full of unexpected challenges. And when a key piece of machinery breaks down, every second counts. In a vineyard, downtime is costly.
That’s the situation Tahbilk Estate, one of Australia’s oldest wineries nestled in Victoria’s Nagambie Lakes, found themselves in. Their Pellenc harvester proved tricky to access—especially when a hopper jammed in the middle of the night, out in the field. Difficult to access with a ladder and not enough time for scaffolding, Tahbilk needed something better.
To improve safety and efficiency, they turned to SafeSmart Access for a better solution.
Harvester Access in the Real World
Working at height on uneven ground is never easy—add poor lighting and tight spaces, and it quickly becomes a serious safety issue. Traditional ladders and scaffolding weren’t reliable or fast enough to keep up with urgent, late-night maintenance tasks.
The harvester’s hopper is especially difficult to reach, and delays during a breakdown can stall the entire harvest. Tahbilk needed a smarter way to work—one that could handle rough terrain and keep everything moving, even under pressure.
The Cantilever Platform
To address these challenges, the innovative cantilever platform by Safesmart Access is a masterclass in design efficiency and functionality.
It enables technicians to safely navigate around the protruding elements of the harvester, such as the hopper, without compromising stability. The overhanging structure provides a sturdy, unobstructed platform that is crucial for performing detailed work on top of the harvester, such as unblocking the conveyers during harvesting & general maintenance to the machines.
Safer Crews, Faster Turnarounds
since bringing in the cantilever platform, the team at Tahbilk has seen a clear difference. Maintenance is quicker, crews are safer, and harvests keep moving without unnecessary delays. It’s made those middle-of-the-night repairs faster and less stressful—giving the team the confidence to get the job done right, the first time.
Built for the Grit, Proven in the Vines
Vineyard work is tough, unpredictable, and nonstop—and it demands equipment that’s just as dependable. The SafeSmart cantilever platform is made for those moments: in the field, under pressure, when smart access is essential.
Need to improve safety and speed around your harvester fleet? Call the height access experts who know the terrain. SafeSmart Access has your back—and your balance.
