Quickcrop Steel Fruit Cage User manual

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Quickcrop Steel Fruit Cage Assembly Instructions
1 - Check pack contents. For custom orders the parts list will be on the invoice. For standard
cages the parts list is displayed under ‘specification’ on the relevant product page.
2 - Mark out the post hole locations. The easiest way to do this is to temporarily build the roof
section; this may seem like unnecessary extra work but it is well with it as it removes any
possibility for error.
The roof section is a grid made up of roof bars connected by clamp fittings. There are 3 types of
fittings used to build the roof as follows:
3 way corner fittings - Place these fittings at the corners of your grid.
4 Way fittings - Place around the perimeter of your grid where 2 poles meet.
5 Way fittings - Place in the center of your grid where 4 poles meet. 5 way fittings are only
required for cages over 2 bays deep.

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Once your grid has been laid out the tubes should be inserted into the fittings and locked by
turning the stainless-steel grub screws with a 6mm allen key. In order to ensure the tubes have
been inserted to the correct depth temporarily place one of the 60cm tubes vertically in the
fitting as a stop guide. Insert the horizontal poles until they meet the vertical pole and lock them
in with the grub screw. Continue this process on all the fittings until the grid is complete.
The grid can be moved on the ground until you are happy it is lying square. Once this has been
achieved the locations of the uprights can be marked by pushing a crowbar or similar through
the open sockets of the fittings.
The grid can now be disassembled and put it one side. It is not necessary to completely break
down the grid at this point; the lateral bars can remain intact; you only need to remove the
connecting poles.
If your site permits the upright poles can be hammered into the ground with a heavy hammer.
Hold a piece of scrap timber on the top of the pole to protect the end if a lot of heavy hammering

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is required. If your site is stony you may need to dig out post holes and backfill with spoil or
concrete to secure the poles.
In order to build a neat structure it is important make sure the uprights are level with each other.
To do this mark the poles at 60cm with a permanent pen. Set up a string line 20cm above soil
level using pegs placed at either end of your line of poles. The line should be levelled using a
spirit level or line level.
By aligning the mark on the poles with the line you will ensure the required 40cm of the pole is
in the ground and that they are all on the same level. Once a line of poles has been set continue
this process until all the poles are in their positions. While hammering poles it is helpful to have
an accomplice to hold a spirit level against the upright to ensure it is as close to vertical as
possible.

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To fix the roof bars to the vertical poles simply slide the fittings over the tops and lock off. The
connecting bars are slotted and locked in the same manner as when the grid was first
assembled.
N.B. You should assemble the roof fittings with the grub screws facing down to make it easier to
adjust them when the roof is complete. This is the opposite to how they were assembled on the
ground so you will need to flip any partially assembled pieces the other way around.
Before the root fittings are installed any accessories that are required should be added as once
the roof is attached this will not be possible. Accessories include mowing strip brackets, door
hinges or strengthening braces. Accessories are fitted as follows:

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Door Hinges- Doors hinges come in 2 parts, an eye and a peg fitting. The peg fitting is slotted
over the upright pole from which the door is hung. A door can be placed anywhere on the
structure where there is an upright. The fittings need not be secured at this stage, you only need
to ensure that the peg fitting is facing upwards when you slide them over the pole.
Mowing Strip - The mowing strip is an optional timber strip that runs around the base of the
cage and enables grass to be strimmed without fouling the netting. There are two fittings used,
a single and double lug. The single lug is used at the corners and beside the door, the double
lug is used on all other poles.
2 x single lug brackets are placed at the corners with the lugs opposite each other and facing
outwards. Only one double lug fitting is required for all other poles. To fit the timber boards align
the fittings so the brackets face outwards. Offer the boards up against the brackets and mark
the fixing hole. Drill the boards using the bit provided and fix to the brackets using the included
fixings; the washer is placed against the timber on the outside. Adjust and tighten the fittings
until the boards are level.

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Strengthening Braces - Braces are placed on the top right-hand corner of each side for cages
placed in exposed locations. The brace is a 1.2m diagonal bar fixed using a swivel bracket slid
over the corner pole and the roof bar above.
When fitting the roof bar above a strengthening brace add a swivel bracket and join the 1.2m
diagonal pole to the swivel bracket on the pole below.
Once any accessory fittings are in place the roof structure can be fitted and fixed. When fitting
the roof bar above the door add the ‘short tee’ fitting before the ends are connected.
Once the roof is in place check the horizontal bars with a spirit level and adjust where
necessary.

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Fitting the door - First assemble the door using 4 x elbow fittings, 2 x 1.8m poles and 2 x .60m
poles. Slide 2 x hinge eyes onto one of the 1.8m poles. The door can now be hung on the hinge
pegs previously installed by locking the pegs at the correct height and adjusting the eye fittings
on the door to suit. If the door is not hanging square this can be remedied by slackening the
elbow joints and adjusting the poles. The door is 20 cm shorter than the uprights to allow for
uneven ground under the door. Fit the door snug with the roof bar above, the gap below is
closed with the door mesh.
To install the pole for the door to close against offer it up against the door for correct positioning
and sink in the ground in the same manner as the other uprights. Slide a hook fitting over the
pole before the top is fixed into the short tee fitting on the roof bar above.

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Fitting the net - There are 2 types of mesh used to cove the fruit cage; a rigid plastic mesh for
the sides and door and a woven mesh for the roof. To fit the side mesh start on one side of the
door and continue around the cage to the other door frame. The mesh is fixed using cable ties.
If a mowing strip is being used fix the mesh 8cm above ground level, if not fix at ground level
and secure with pegs provided.
To fix mesh to the door cut a piece approx. 10cm larger than the door to cover the gap between
the door and the frame.
Arrange the roof netting on top of the structure with the edges hanging down over the sides. The
roof netting is intentionally slightly larger than the roof area; this is so it can be pulled over the
edges and fixed to the mesh sides effectively covering any gap between the sides and the roof.
The roof mesh will need to be rolled and tied off above the door.