LowCat Ground Anchors help secure LowCat hoops in windy locations or loose, sandy soil.
- J-shaped 14" stake
- High-carbon steel
- Zinc-plated
- Sold in sets of six
INSTALLATION
Insert each anchor at an angle toward the bed and slightly to one side so the top of the stake hooks over the ring on the upright.
Ground anchors are generally not necessary for indoor installations or when using shade cloth.
LowCat Bulk Savings
22
Hoop Kit
220
Hoop Farm Starter Kit
660
Hoop Ultimate Kit
Cost per Hoop
$11.32
$9.95
$8.89
Savings
$49
$300
$1600
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.
Long Term Testing
We setup a LowCat at the farm. Filmed it for two years so far. Through wind storms, rain and blizzards, it was unaffected.
Heavy Duty
Professional Quality
Uprights are made of high carbon, high tensile, thick, 3 gauge (6mm), spring steel with zinc coating. Arches are High Tensile, Stainless Steel for a lifetime of use without rust.
LowCats are affordable because you are buying straight from the manufacturer, which is us.
Designed for the High Production Market Farm
Weight Capacity Measurements
Hands Free
Easy Setup
No bulky hoops to carry. Store and organize hundreds of hoops on a wall.
LowCat Advantages
- Trusted by 1,000s of farmers around the world.
- 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.
- LowCats are affordable because you are buying straight from the manufacturer, which is us.
- It is self-tightening, so coverings stay taut
- 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.
Works with all Coverings
- Clear Heavy-duty Poly
- Perforated Poly
- Insect Netting
- Shade Cloth
- Row Cover
Coverings can be combined and layered.
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 and your setup, 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 Heavy Weight Frost Covering.
- Covering width must be correctly sized for the LowCat tunnel so there is no extra fabric/poly that will catch the wind.
- Avoid coverings that are ripped.
- Lower tunnels have better wind resistance, so for windy areas, avoid tunnel risers.
- Setup covering so that it is taut. Avoid floppy covering setups that will allow wind to enter.
- Push all rings into the soil slightly so that the covering is completely touching the ground on both sides.
- For high wind situations or in loose soil use anchor stakes.
- When a severe windstorm is expected, you may want to remove coverings as a precaution.
- Watch our video on High Wind Setup HERE
Over wintering
Snow Load
For best results when overwintering, we recommend Heavy Duty Poly and not to use risers. Also 4’ between hoops is best and do not stretch hoop widths beyond what is advised in the table above.
Color Coded
Shock Cord
If you have different LowCat Models then no worries. Shock cord is easy to tell apart.
- LowCat 30 Regular - Black
- LowCat 40 Regular - Red
- LowCat 30 Extended - Green
- LowCat 40 Extended - Blue
More Information
LowCat Videos
For more about installing and using LowCat tunnels check out our YouTube LowCat playlist.
LowCat Frequently Asked Questions
We generally recommend spacing LowCat hoops 5 to 10 feet apart. About 5-foot spacing provides greater resistance to wind and snow loads. Wider spacing, up to about 10 feet, works well for lighter-duty or protected installations such as inside a hoop house.
Divide the tunnel length by your desired hoop spacing and round to a whole number of hoops. Closer 5-foot spacing requires more hoops than 10-foot spacing. Our kits are available in several quantities, including a 5-hoop Gardener Kit, 11- and 22-hoop kits, and larger farm packages.
Choose the covering based on the protection you need. Frost Protection Covering provides cold protection, Insect Netting excludes pests, Shade Cloth reduces heat and sun exposure, Perforated Poly provides heat retention with passive ventilation, and Heavy Duty Poly provides the greatest weather protection for overwintering.
Yes, as long as the hoops were made from 10-foot lengths of 1/2-inch EMT conduit. The 10-foot starting length is important because LowCat shock cords are sized for the resulting hoop geometry.
You need hoops made from 10-foot lengths of 1/2-inch EMT conduit, LowCat EMT Conversion Rings, Tek screws, LowCat shock cords, and a compatible covering. Using hoops made from 10-foot EMT lengths ensures the LowCat shock cords fit the intended hoop geometry. Complete EMT Conversion Kits include the LowCat conversion hardware but do not include the EMT conduit or covering.
Yes. The LowCat EMT Low Tunnel Hoop Bender forms repeatable hoops from 1/2-inch EMT using three bends. The 4-foot and 6-foot benders create different finished hoop dimensions.
Use LowCat or Wicket Risers together with the matching LowCat Extended Height Shock Cord. The risers increase the tunnel height by approximately 10 inches.
No. Raised LowCat installations require the Extended Height Shock Cord.
Ground anchors are recommended in windy locations or loose, sandy soil. They are generally unnecessary for protected indoor installations or when using lightweight shade cloth.
LowCat is designed to keep coverings taut, which is important for wind resistance. Performance depends on the covering, hoop spacing, soil conditions, and how tightly the covering is installed. For windy locations, use closer hoop spacing, correctly sized undamaged covering, push the rings slightly into the soil so the covering reaches the ground, and use LowCat Ground Anchors in loose soil or higher-wind conditions. For severe windstorms, removing the covering may be the safest precaution.
Yes, depending on the covering and setup. Heavy Duty Poly provides the greatest winter protection. For snow load and harsher weather, use closer hoop spacing for greater support. Extended-height LowCats are not recommended for overwintering under Heavy Duty Poly.
Most LowCat kits do not include a covering unless the product page specifically says one is included. The 5 Hoop Gardener Kit includes an FP-30 frost-protection covering.