Pruning machine
The mechanisation of vine pruning represents a significant advance for winegrowers, enabling them to achieve greater efficiency and precision. Different solutions exist to meet the specific needs of each operation, ranging from partial pre-pruning to fully mechanised pruning. These technological innovations help to optimise pruning operations, reduce the labour required and improve the quality of the vines. Here's an overview of the options available for mechanised vine pruning.
Partial pruning, more commonly known as"pre-pruning", involves mechanically cutting off a portion of the shoots. This method makes it easier to pull the shoots after manual pruning, or to use a pruning machine known as a TRP (precision pruning machine). The tool used for this method is a pre-pruner. The pre-pruner makes a preliminary cut, reducing the length of the shoots, which simplifies subsequent operations and saves time during manual pruning.
Toachieve 100% mechanised pruning, a pre-pruning machine is first used to shorten the wood to around twenty centimetres as close as possible to the stump. The operation is then completed with a TRP machine. The TRP makes clean, precise cuts just a few centimetres from the stump. This method ensures uniform, precise pruning, tailored to the needs of winegrowers looking to optimise their production while reducing labour.
It is also possible to combine the pre-pruner and the TRP on a high-clearance tractor for 100% mechanical pruning in a single operation. This solution maximises efficiency and reduces production costs. The high-clearance tractor, equipped with these tools, can travel along the rows of vines carrying out both stages of pruning simultaneously, greatly simplifying the process and enabling large areas to be covered in a short space of time.
In short, there are several options for mechanised vine pruning: the pre-pruner for partial, preparatory pruning, and the combination pre-pruner-TRP mounted on a high-clearance tractor for fully mechanised pruning. These technologies offer winegrowers effective ways of optimising their pruning operations, improving the quality of cuts and reducing dependence on labour.
Experiment
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