The LowCat™ heavy duty low tunnel hoops provide season extension and crop protection for a fraction of the price of high tunnels. Its unique patent pending design provides quick and easy setup. LowCats have the highest wind protection of any low tunnel.
Kits consists of Hoops and Shock Cord. Also included are two U-Stakes to hold down the cover and one Carry Bag per 11 hoops.
Your choice of row cover, poly, shade cloth, or insect netting is all that is needed, and sold separately.
We recommend a shoulder strap and carabiner which are sold separately to carry the bag and leave your hands free during setup.
Recommended spacing between hoops is 5' to 10'. 10’ is best for indoor protection and 5’ gives you the best wind and snow resistance An 11 hoop kit can create 50 to 100 feet of low tunnel depending on your spacing.
Patent pending
The LowCat™
The LowCat™
Low Tunnel Hoops
Apply For NRCS Funding for your LowCat Purchase
The NRCS department of the USDA can help reimburse your purchase of a LowCat tunnel and covering. It is pretty easy to apply. Just reach out to your local NRCS representative. To find yours, CLICK HERE, and select your state and county. Your rep can walk you through it.
LowCats exceed the NRCS requirements.
CLICK HERE for The LowCat Technical Sheet to give your NRCS Rep.
NRCS cost share contribution
1000 square feet or less - $4 to $5 per square foot
1000 to 5000 square feet - $1 to $2 per square foot.
Historically Underserved Farmers can get higher rates.
Most states have signed on to the program. To find out if your state participates, talk to your NCRS representative. The EQIP reimbursement practice code for Low Tunnels is 821. Example reimbursement rates for Georgia can be found HERE. Scroll to the bottom of the document.
It is important to contact your local NRCS representative for accurate information and to check whether your state participates. CLICK HERE, and select your state and county. Your rep can walk you through it.
Heavy Duty
Professional Quality
Uprights are made of high carbon thick spring steel with zinc coating. Arches are Stainless Steel for a lifetime of use without rust.
Regular hoops are 27” High, great for use with a variety of crops.
Designed for the High Production Market Farm
Versatile
Works with all Coverings
Tunnel can be covered with
- Clear poly
- Insect netting
- Shade Cloth
- Row cover
Coverings can be combined and layered.
See chart at bottom of page.
LowCat Advantages
- The LowCat's unique patent pending design makes it easy to move around the farm and extremely fast to set up.
- There are no bulky and awkward hoops to carry around.
- It is self tightening so coverings stays taut making it the low tunnel with the best protection from the wind.
- The Arch is stainless steel which will not rust.
- Many coverings can be layered and combined.
- Using a riser, The LowCat height can be extended for taller crops.
- Sides slide up and down without ripping.
Hands Free Installation
The only low tunnel where you need not carry hoops.
The LowCat bag keeps your hands free during set up and holds 100' of tunnel. Easy to store and carry.
Raise and Lower Sides
Harvest and Vent the LowCat with ease. Sides slide up or down and stay in place. Perfect for the high production small scale market farm.
Extra Secure Covering
Unique to the LowCat, you have the option of slipping the covering over the bottom ring which provides even stronger holding against high wind. It also holds the covering taut to the ground to prevent intrusion by wind or insects.
Coverings Stay Tight
High Wind Resistance
Low tunnels fail when wind is allowed to enter. Wind resistance is directly related to the tightness of the covering, the covering you choose, and the distance between hoops.
Other low tunnels require regular stretching of covering from the ends which is difficult and inconvenient.
The unique feature of the LowCats Shock Cord means that the covering stays tight without intervention.
This results in a better look, easier setup, and much greater wind resistance.
While low tunnels have their limits, the LowCat has the highest wind protection of them all.
Tips for Best Wind Protection
- Use heavier coverings like Heavy Duty Poly or Insect Netting.
- Covering width must be correctly sized for the LowCat tunnel so there is no extra fabric/poly that will catch the wind.
- Avoid coverings with holes or that are ripped.
- Lower tunnels have better wind resistance, so for windy areas, avoid tunnel risers.
- Setup covering so that it is taught and completely touching the ground on both sides.
- Avoid floppy covering setups that will allow wind to enter.
- When high wind is expected, pull covering over ring to secure.
- In high wind areas use anchor stakes.
Rust Free Arch
Stainless Steel
The Arch of any field tunnel is exposed to wear and the elements. The LowCat is the only one made of stainless steel.
More Information
LowCat Videos
For more about installing and using LowCat tunnels check out our YouTube LowCat playlist.