Abstract: An economical and compact air handler specially configured for use in agricultural applications is provided. The agricultural air handler includes a shroud formed to surround a rotating shaft having a propeller attached to each end of the shaft. The propellers draw air through an air inlet located proximate the top of the shroud. Each propeller blows the air out of an end of the shroud. A shaft drive rotates the shaft. The shaft drive can be powered by a source outside the shroud, or a source contained within the shroud. The power source can include a hydraulic pump driven by the power take-off of a tractor. An air stream is blown from the shroud. The air stream is directed in an approximately vertically planar flow pattern to remove water ponded within the stem cup of a agricultural crop, such as cherries. The air handler can be used as a freeze protecting heat exchanger or for the application of liquid or dust formulations of agri-chemicals.

Abstract: An orchard heat exchanger comprises an engine-driven shaft having an air propeller on each end. The assembly is enclosed in an open-ended horizontal cylindrical shroud, which has a large converging-diverging air inlet at the top, and is trailer mounted. The orchard heat exchanger has the capability of being elevated to treetop level. In a first embodiment, the engine-propeller-shroud assembly may be rotated in a horizontal plane. In a second embodiment, there is no horizontal rotational capability, but the cylindrical shroud is fitted with directional louvers at each end.