Nelson Mfg. Co., Inc.
Nelson Manufacturing Company builds the Nelson Hardie air-blast orchard sprayers, Orchard Cab for Low Profile tractors and Nelson Tree Squirrel orchard pruning tower. Located in Yuba City, CA, we pride ourselves with providing quality equipment that is not only durable and delivers exceptional performance, but requires very little maintenance and is easy to operate. Our newest sprayer the Nelson Hardie Super 92, also known as THE BEAST. With Twin 46? diameter fans and 325HP diesel engine, this machine will provide excellent coverage in the tallest trees such as pecans and walnuts.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Agriculture
- Market Focus:
- Nationally (across the country)
- Year Founded:
- 1968
About Us
Founded in 1968, Nelson Manufacturing was originally a welding and repair shop but Nelson soon started building Land Planes, Orchard Fenders for tractors, heavy duty Rear Bumpers for pickups and then Vine Seed harvesting equipment including Seed Harvesters, Washers and Driers.
In 1982 Nelson bought the Air-blast sprayer portion of Hardie sprayers from Lockwood Corporation in Nebraska. Not long after we re-named the product line “Nelson Hardie.” Improvements over the years include all stainless steel hoods, doors, panels and plumbing. In the nineties, Nelson introduced the Nelson “SuperTuff” reinforced composite air blast fans and made the change to John Deere engines.
Also in the early eighties Nelson built the first Nelson Spray Cab for orchard and vineyard tractors. Soon after the cab was tested and was certified as a Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS). In 2005, with a new focus toward Operator comfort, we redesigned the cab and re-named it “Orchard Cab”. Please read the history and details of the evolution of our cab on the Orchard Cab page.
The Tree Squirrel orchard pruning tower line was purchased from Woods Manufacturing in Yuba City in 2006. Noteworthy improvements to the Nelson Tree Squirrel include the implementation of the dependable Kubota 25HP Diesel engine and Sauer-Danfoss hydraulics that provide smooth action with all hydraulic functions: forward, reverse and turning as well as the lift.
in 2010 we introduced the Nelson ONE SHOT tree recognition system for sprayers. This inexpensive, yet dependable system not only minimizes spray drift but it offers substantial savings on chemicals and costs! Also, because you will go farther between fillups, you will see considerable time savings! Read all about it on the “More Products” page.
All of our product lines have received improvements over the years; always with an emphasis on long lasting durability, superior performance and with attention to operator convenience.
Please see the individual product pages for details on why Nelson machines can help you improve production and ultimately will save you money.
Nelson Cab History
Nelson Mfg. Co., Inc. built the first Spray Cab in the early 1980’s at the request of a local peach farmer that wanted protection from the elements and from tree limbs. Soon after the cab was tested and was certified as a Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS).
With even more testing and refinements, in the nineties and up until 2006, the Spray Cab met the requirements of US EPA as “An enclosed cab for use without a respirator while spraying dangerous chemicals.” Nelson used two blower motors to draw outside air through a pre-filter, a HEPA filter and a Carbon filter and then pressurized the cab with filtered air. A gauge inside the cab allowed the Operator to monitor the cab pressure.
Because of the tough working environment in orchards and vineyards, and with the possibility of interior contamination via the operator’s coveralls, etc., it is virtually impossible to keep any cab maintained in the condition necessary to meet respirator requirements. Due to these situations, we made the decision in 2005 to re-design the Nelson cab and re-named it “Orchard Cab“. Today, the operator MUST wear a respirator in the Nelson Orchard Cab while spraying dangerous chemicals. As always, in order to use the original “Approved” Nelson Spray Cab as a respirator, the cab MUST be maintained as outlined in the original Nelson Spray Cab Operator’s Manual.
Today’s Nelson Orchard Cab reflects a focus toward operator comfort. Still ROPS certified, and providing the ultimate in protection from tree limbs and the elements, the Orchard Cab keeps the operator comfortable in a cool, dry environment. The design includes the quality SyKlone Filter/Blower unit which pressurizes the interior of the cab with filtered air to help keep dust out. The dependable Red Dot A/C unit re-circulates the cab inside air through the evaporator and creates the most refreshing inside atmosphere ever, a MUST for efficient production. Nelson also utilizes tractor-factory A/C engine components wherever possible for dependability.
*An optional Cab Filter with a Carbon inner element is available. Operator still is required to wear a respirator inside cab while spraying dangerous chemicals.