Harrod GFC-128 Instruction manual

HEAVY-DUTY STEEL PEAKED
DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
PRODUCT CODE: GFC-128/129
INS 809
Revision 5
If you wish to concrete your cage in place please see page 8.
For more information on our cages please follow the below link:-

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PART IDENTIFICATION
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DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 3
HEAVY-DUTY STEEL DOOR KIT
PARTS IDENTIFICATION (GDN105)
Ref No. Part Description Part No.
1. 2 x 0.7m Horizontal Supports PGG117
2. 1 x Diagonal Support PGG007
3. 2 x 1.9m Vertical Supports PGG006
4. 1 x 2.3m Door Support Upright PGG112
DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE
PARTS IDENTIFICATION (GFC - 128/129)
Ref No. Part Description Part No.
14. 2.5m Horizontal Support PGG035
15. Three-Way Connector GDN-675
16. Four-Way Connector GDN-679
17. Five-Way Connector GDN-678
18. Square Connector Plate PGG016
19. Long Connector Plate PGG021
20. Corner Connector Plate PGG019
21. Connection Node PGG008
22. Hex Bolt M10 x 20mm BOL342
23. M10 Washer BOL712
24. Curved Roof Support PGG011
25. Ground Peg GPP001
26. Net Clip GPP005
27. Net Tie GAR914
4. 2.3m Support Upright PGG112
NA 2m Wide Standard Side Netting GAR070
NA Fitted Roof Net GDN-072
NA Whipping Twine TWN-294
NA Whipping Needle TWN-295
Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing this Harrod Horticultural Decorative Fruit Cage.
These instructions show the step by step assembly of a three unit cage which will help
demonstrate how to install your fruit cage, regardless of whether you have bought a
single, or a multiple unit cage.
Safety
To install your cage safely we recommend that you enlist the help of three or more people. Take extra
care when working on step ladders on soft ground.
Tools Required:
1 x soft mallet, 1 x 8mm spanner, 2 x 13mm spanners, 1 x 17mm spanner, 1 x tape measure,
1 x scissors,1 x ball of string, 1 x spirit level, 1 x hole former (ARC-021) (Optional).
Parts Identifcation
Before constructing the fruit cage remove all protective packaging and check that all parts listed in
the pack contents list (CHK-809) are present. Use the part identifcation diagram on the opposite
page to help you recognise the parts. You will have varying quantities of fruit cage parts depending
on the number of units combined to make up your specifc arrangement. Each door kit, of which you
will have at least one, comprises of the parts listed in the table below left.
STEEL DOOR ASSEMBLY PACK
PARTS IDENTIFICATION (GDN116)
Ref No. Part Description Part No.
5. 4 x Two-Way Connector GDN-676
6. 1 x T-Joint PGG005
7. 1 x Catch and Fixings GDN-809
8. 2 x Hinge and Fixings GDN-808
9. 2 x Hex Bolts M8 x 45mm GPP510
10. 4 x Plastic Washers M8 GPP710
11. 2 x Nylock Nuts M8 GPP500
12. 1 x Foot Plate Clamp GDN-108
13. 1 x Foot Plate GDN-108
Note: A 3mm allen key is provided
with GDN-809 for assembly of GDN-809
and GDN-808

DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 4
1. After reading the introduction,
lay out on the ground in the desired
arrangement of the final cage all 2.5m
horizontal support bars (ref. 14), all
connector plates (ref. 18,19, & 20) and
all three, four & fve way connectors
(ref. 15,16, & 17).
3. Using the correct connector (ref.
15,16 & 17) for the joint in question,
connect the 2.5m horizontal bars (ref.
14) together to form a framework of
bars which represents the roof of your
cage (in plan form) on the ground. The
soft mallet may be needed to help slide
the bars home.
4. Check that you are happy with the
positioning of the framework within your
plot. Then using a corner connector
plate (ref. 20) make absolutely sure
that the joints are perfectly square as
the ultimate success of the assembly
relies upon this! Diagonals can also be
2. Decide where the door(s) should go
(see step 9) and slide a T-joint (ref. 6)
onto the appropriate horizontal bar(s)
(ref.14). Ensure that the orientation of
the parts is as shown, with the threaded
holes facing upwards and the locking
bolt on the T-joint facing into the cage.
5. Using string tied to ground pegs (ref.
25), mark out the plan of the cage on
the ground as shown above. Where
ever the strings cross, this accurately
marks the intended position of an
upright (ref. 4).
6. Ensure that the marking string is
pulled tight and accurately follows the
framework of horizontal bars which act
as a template. Check once more that
all is square as described in step 4.
8. Once all of the marking out with
string is complete, carefully dismantle
the horizontal bar framework leaving
connected only bars that can exist as
a complete square unit (see step 13
for reference). Note that the threaded
holes in the horizontal bars always
face upwards.
7. When more than two horizontal bars
come together, it is essential to mark
which side of the string the uprights will
be located. Ground pegs (ref. 25) can
be used for this.
9. Your site should be marked out in
the manner shown above. If your site
slopes, level the strings with the aid
of a spirit level. Position the door on
the lowest side of the cage if possible
to ensure that all of the uprights (ref.
4) can enter the ground at least the
required distance of 32.5cm.
measured. When both are equal the
frame is square.

DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 5
10. With the aid of a mallet and a stake,
carefully create appropriately sized
holes in the ground about 32.5cm deep
to receive the uprights (ref. 4). The
uprights can be concreted if required
but do not set until the steel framework
is fully assembled and levelled. (You
11. Place the uprights (ref.4) into the
holes and at the same time slide on
the foot plates (ref.13) as shown. The
uprights should be pushed into the
ground approximately 30cm at this
point.
13.Your site should now look something
like the above - albeit with your own
particular cage’s arrangement. Check
the uprights are vertical with the aid of
a spirit level.
12. Before attaching the roof unit to
the uprights ensure that two hinge
blocks (Ref.8) are slid onto the
hinging upright. Attach the fixings but
at this stage do not fully tighten.
Ensure the pivot axis is towards the
outside of the cage for a door that
opens outward. This can be reversed
for an inward swinging door.
15. Slide the flat latch block (Ref.7)
onto the door support upright and
tighten loosely. Position the T-joint
along the horizontal bar to line up with
the door support upright.
14. Locate the door support upright(s)
(ref. 4) such that the gap between it and
the upright that the door will hinge from
is 770mm (between inside faces).
Pick up the first square horizontal bar
unit as in the photo (note the position
of the T-joint).
16. Locate the square unit into the tops
of the uprights and the door support
upright as shown above.
17. Locate any other complete square
horizontal bar units as in step 15
as applicable. Then add all other
horizontal bars one at a time until all
horizontals are in place. Make sure that
all threaded holes on the horizontals
are facing upwards.
18. At all horizontal bar joins, bolt (ref.
22 & 23) the appropriate connector
plate (ref. 18,19 & 20) as in the example
above using a 17mm spanner.
may find a hole former (ARC-021)
useful for making the holes.)
Refer to
diagram
on page 2
Refer to
diagram
on page 2

DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 6
24. Take the connection node (ref. 21)
and insert four curved roof support bars
(ref. 24) into it and bolt (ref.22 & 23) in
place with the aid of a 17mm spanner.
27. With the aid of at least three people,
lift the roof unit(s) into place as shown.
Have the washers and bolts to hand
when you lift the roof unit(s).
20. The door frame(s) can be
assembled using the diagram on page
2 to assist you. Before inserting the
connectors ensure the hinge/latch
blocks are inserted on as shown.
The hinge blocks must be in the same
orientation as that on the door hinging
upright and the flat of the catch blocks
must face each other.
19. Your cage should now in essence
resemble the above example, with all
horizontal bars and connector plates in
place.
21. On side(s) of the cage that door(s)
are located, measure from the ground
to the top face of the horizontal bar.
With a soft mallet, tap the uprights into
the ground until this measurement is
2 meters. Check that the horizontal
bar is level and that the previously
assembled door frame will fit under the
bar.
22. Check that the door support upright
(ref. 4) is vertical and then tighten the
bolt with a 13mm spanner.
23. Using two 13mm spanners lock the
foot plates (ref. 13) in place on the door
support upright and the hinge upright
using foot plate clamps (ref. 12). This
prevents uprights sinking. After this
level out all horizontal bars using a
spirit level and soft mallet. Lock off all
remaining foot plate clamps once this
is done.
25. Assemble as many roof units as
required for the constructed framework
and place inside the cage as shown.
Then place a ftted roof net over each
roof unit.
26. Slide the fitted roof net down over
the fnial and align the seams with the
curved bars. Using net ties (ref. 27)
secure the net around the base of the
fnial and also around the curved bars
as the red arrows show. Trim off the
ends of the ties and also any untidy
stray netting.
Refer to
diagram
on page 2

DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 7
36. Fold the side net around the catch
side of the door and hold securely
with several equally spaced net clips
(ref.26). A small cut can be made in
the net to allow the catch to protrude
cleanly.
30. Place the assembled door frame
in position and secure in by joining the
hinge blocks (Ref.8) as shown and
tightening the bolts with the 3mm allen
key supplied and an 8mm spanner.
Note as the hinge blocks must rotate
freely, do not over tighten.
31. Secure the latch in place by sliding
it over the latch block and inserting the
latch inserts as shown. Tighten the
bolts with the 3mm allen key supplied
to hold in place. Note the latch should
not be over tightened as it must slide
freely. Note the latch has one longer
side and this be positioned on
the side you wish to open the door.
must
28. Bolt (ref. 22 & 23) the curved roof
supports (ref. 24) onto the connector
plates (ref. 18,19 & 20).
29. Tighten the bolts using a 17mm
spanner.
32. To fix the 2m wide side netting,
start by cutting as shown to allow the
net to wrap around the door support
upright. This will allow the top edge of
the net to run along the top edge of the
horizontal support bars.
33. Wrap the cut section of the side
net around the door support upright as
described in step
shown using net ties (ref. 27) at the top
and bottom of the upright and a couple
equally spaced in between. Secure
the top of the net along the horizontal
bars again using net ties (approx. four
per 2.5m length).
30. Tie in place as
34. Continue to unroll the side netting
all the way around the perimeter of your
cage, keeping it as taught as possible,
securing as step
are encountered snip the bottom few
cms in touch with the ground as shown
to allow the net to neatly fold.
31. When corners
35. To finish the side net and cover
the door, unroll to about 30cm past the
door as shown and cut vertically.

DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 8
39. Using net ties (ref. 27) passed
through the slots provided in the
connector plates, secure the ftted
roof net(s). Then using more net ties
(approximately 1 every 30cm) work
your way up the curved roof support
bars (ref. 24) and secure the net to the
curved bars along the net’s seams.
40. Where two roof nets meet, pull
one of the net’s edges over and under
a horizontal bar and secure to itself
with net clips (ref. 26) as in the above
photo. Do not pull the net too tight or
it will not follow the form of the curved
roof bars.
41. Next pull the adjoining net’s edge
under the horizontal bar and secure to
the underside of the other net panel.
Again do not pull the net too tight or
it will not follow the form of the curved
roof bars.
42. Load the whipping needle with the
whipping twine supplied by frst tying
one end to the needle.
43. Pull the twine to the blunt end of
the needle and turn the needle over as
shown.
44. Wrap the twine around the central
spine and back under the blunt end of
the needle as shown.
45. Continue to wind the twine onto the
needle stopping just before the needle
becomes too large to ft through the
mesh on the fruit cage.
37. Trim the net level with the top of the
door as shown. Any side net sticking
up above the top edge of the 2.5m
horizontal bars around the perimeter
of the cage can also be trimmed.
38. Secure the net to the door using
ties (ref. 27) as shown.

DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 9
47. Finally, if you are happy with the
ft of the nets, with scissors or side
cutters trim off the ends of the net ties.
You may wish to also whip in the roof
nets to the curved bars. Your cage is
now fnished - happy growing!
46. Tie in the sides of the roof net(s)
to the horizontal bars and side net by
using the twine and whipping needle
as shown above again trimming where
necessary. Net clips (ref. 26) can be
used to aid in this process.
46. With the whipping needle loaded
with twine, tie one end of the twine
through the slot in the appropriate
connector plate. Then feed the
needle around the horizontal bar to
neatly tie in the nets as shown. Finally
tie off the twine through a slot in the
opposing connector plate. When you
are completely happy with the result,
remove all of the net clips (ref. 26)
and trim off any untidy net edges with
scissors.
47. Walk around the perimeter of your
cage and insert ground pegs (ref. 25)
(as shown above) approximately three
per meter to secure the bottom on the
side net. Check that the top edge of
the side net lines up with the top edge
of the horizontal bars, trimming where
necessary.

0.15m 0.15m
0.15m x 0.15m holes can be dug
to the 32.5cm required depth at
the marked upright locations.
Once the frame is assembled holes can be backfilled with dry mix post-crete. When concreting your
uprights in place leave some space at the top where soil can be placed over the set concrete.
Set the uprights level in the dry mix post-crete by bracing with 45 degree wooden stakes. G-clamps
can be used to secure the braces to the uprights. When satisfied that the uprights are vertical, soak
the post-crete with water as instructed.
Ready made post-crete is available from DIY stores.
Ground
Concreting your Cage
In most cases uprights will not require concreting in place. However if you require extra rigidity you
may prefer to secure the uprights with concrete.
DECORATIVE FRUIT CAGE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE 10