Inter-vine tool
In viticulture, the in-row tool is used to maintain vines, in particular to work the soil between the rows and around the vines.
It generally consists of a frame mounted on a tractor, with specific tools for working the soil.
It is designed to be precise and efficient, allowing the undervine weed management without damaging the vines.
It generally consists of a frame mounted on a tractor, with specific tools for working the soil.
It is designed to be precise and efficient, allowing the undervine weed management without damaging the vines.
Main in-row tools
In winegrowing, inter-row cultivation tools are essential for maintaining the soil under the rows of vines, making it possible to weed and aerate the soil without using chemical products. Here are the main types of inter-weeder used:In-row cultivator
Uses rubber fingers or rotating blades to pull up weeds and work the soil superficially.Undervine plow
Designed to remove the soil that has built up around the vines, it helps aerate the soil and limits weed proliferation by exposing the roots.In-row blade tools
Use blades to weed and cut superficial roots around vines, providing precise soil maintenance and reducing weeds.In-row disc tools
Equipped with rotating discs to work the soil between the rows of vines, promoting aeration and weed control by cutting the roots and disturbing the top layer of soil.Powered inter-row tools
Equipped with rotating or vibrating mechanisms, these tools mimic manual movement to weed and work the soil effectively, often used for precise and rapid intervention between the vines.In-row mower
Designed to cut grass and weeds between the vines, this special mower uses blades or wires to work very close to the vines without damaging them, ensuring that the vineyard is neatly and evenly maintained.How do I choose the right inter-vine mower?
Before buying inter-vine equipment, there are 3 steps to follow, and it's important to start your considerations in the following order, because before buying a tool you need to make sure it's suited to your soil:Know your soil
The texture and structure of your soil, the weeds present and the topography of your vineyard will help you choose the technical itinerary(s) to adopt on your farm.Choosing one or two technical itineraries
Depending on the assessment and characteristics of your soil, you have several choices of itinerary:- The 4 ways (2 shod and 2 unshod). Less and less common because they require a lot of work and there is a high risk of injury to the vines, they are often replaced by shallow cultivation or 2 cultivations + shallow cultivation.
- 2 methods (1 shoeing and 1 unshoeing) + superficial (blades and discs)
- Shallow cultivation (blades and discs). This technique limits the amount of deep tillage required, thus reducing the risk of injury, and also increases the work rate compared with the 4-way system.
- Inter-vine mowing. Quite widespread, it is strongly recommended to combine it with tillage of the superficial type or 2 ways.
Choosing the right tools
Choosing the right type of Inter-vine tools depends on a number of factors, including the size of the vineyard, soil type, planting density and specific cultivation practices.Each type of equipment offers unique advantages and can be chosen to meet the particular needs of a vineyard, improving the efficiency and sustainability of soil management practices.
Experiment
See the list of experimentsSee more