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E&B Medel Orchards in Ruthven, Ontario, have made a significant investment in mowing technology to enhance both productivity and orchard presentation. The purchase of the Major Cyclone 2.5m mower has delivered measurable improvements in grass management, harvest workflow, and long-term equipment reliability.
“Quality of product is dominant in everything we do. This is a complete way of life for our entire family,”
— Bill Medel, E&B Medel Orchards
A Multi-Generational Orchard Business
Founded in 1961, Medel Orchards has grown from an 18-acre peach orchard to a 180-acre diversified fruit operation producing apples, peaches, pears, and plums. The Medel family supplies produce to the Ontario Food Terminal and local markets, with operations managed by Bill Medel, his wife Doris, daughter Melissa, and son-in-law Jared.
“We grow about 14 different apple varieties. We have our own controlled storage and packing facilities that enable us to supply produce year-round to our customers.”
Their busy season stretches from March (pruning) through to November (harvest), with replacement tree stock grown in their own nursery and sold to other regional growers.
Investing in Improved Mowing Performance
As part of their commitment to continuous improvement, the Medels recently upgraded to a Major Cyclone mower for managing grass between tree rows.
“The finish it leaves is so good that it has actually helped us improve our harvesting output because the fruit picking teams are able to move more freely between the tree rows.”
After evaluating alternatives, they selected the 2.5m Major Cyclone based on demonstrations and dealer recommendations.
“The feedback was nothing but good news. That was good enough for us, so we ordered one and haven’t looked back since.”
Mower Specifications and Field Performance
The Major Cyclone 2.5m model features:
- 3-point linkage deck
- Four rotors and 16 blades
- 40–200mm cutting height adjustment
- Full-width rear roller to reduce scalping
- 60cm rotor spacing for complete cut coverage
- Heavy-duty gearbox and shaft drive (no belts)
“We bought the 2.5m version because it suited our row spacing, including an herb strip. The rear roller leaves a pristine finish and gives the orchard a professional appearance.”
The finish quality is particularly valued for customer-facing presentation, as well as harvest efficiency.
Reliable, Belt-Free Design
One of the most appreciated features is the direct-drive design, eliminating the need for unreliable belts.
“It doesn’t have those belt drives which always become a reliability problem. Instead, it has a heavy-duty gearbox and shaft drive. Even when the grass is heavy, it takes it in stride and leaves an absolutely perfect finish.”
The mower also improves soil health through its fine shredding action:
“The blade system shreds all material finely, returning nutrients to the soil. The clippings act as free nitrogen — there’s no man-made fertiliser needed because you’ve done that naturally.”
Built for Commercial Workloads
Constructed from Strenx™ 700 MC structural steel and Hardox® 450 abrasion-resistant steel, the Cyclone is engineered for durability. It is hot-dip galvanised to EN ISO 1461:2009 standards, ensuring resistance to rust and wear.
“We are using the Cyclone six to eight months a year. So far, we’ve not had to replace anything.”
“There’s hardly any maintenance required. It does exactly the job we ask of it.”
With support from local dealer Colvoy Equipment, parts availability has never been an issue — but, according to Bill, they’ve barely needed any.
Long-Term Value and Recommendation
“We’ve seen great performance and reliability. We can see this lasting us at least ten years or more.”
As growers managing a large orchard with varied equipment needs, the Major Cyclone stands out.
“We buy new equipment every year and my absolute favourite machinery investment is without a doubt the Major Cyclone. We highly recommend it to other growers.”
Summary: Why the Major Cyclone Works for Orchards
Key Benefits:
Minimal downtime or maintenance
Eliminates belt-drive reliability issues
Clean, professional finish across varied terrain
Reduces fertiliser needs via mulched clippings
Robust design built for commercial longevity
