Tool carrier
In viticulture, various types of tool carrier are used to optimise work in the vineyard. These include front-mounted, between-the-wheel and rear-mounted tool carriers, each with its own specific features and advantages.
Front-mounted tool carrier
The front-mounted tool carrier is attached to the front of the tractor, improving the driver's visibility. It is particularly useful for operations such as pre-pruning, trimming and leaf removal. Manufacturers offer a range of models, from mast-mounted tool carriers that can straddle the row, to chassis-mounted models dedicated to working the soil. This frontal positioning makes it easier to attach implements thanks to quick-release coupling systems , and allows precise height, width and tilt adjustments thanks to double-acting cylinders. However, thelengthening of the tractor-tool assembly complicates manoeuvres at the end of the row.In-between wheels tool carrier
The in-between wheels tool carrier is fixed to the mass carrier of the inter-row tractor, and is particularly well suited to medium- to low-density vineyards. This steel tool carrier, often single-beam and mounted on a parallelogram, enables work to be carried out under the row without hindering manoeuvres at the end of the row, while providing good visibility of the tools. Moving parts and mounting plates ensure vertical and horizontal adjustment. Double-acting cylinders, or single-acting cylinders with a return spring, enable fine adjustments to be made. This system also frees up the tractor's three-point linkage, allowing combined work to be carried out without lengthening the unit.Rear-mounted tool carrier
Finally, the rear tool carrier consists of a frame hitched to the tractor's rear three-point linkage, combining inter-row and under-row work. It is often fitted with straight tines and inter-row or under-row blades. These welded steel tool carriers can be fitted with a range of equipment, including ploughs and claws. Articulated models enable the soil to be worked over the whole surface or just under the row without dismantling. Double-acting hydraulic cylinders provide the necessary adjustments, and fixing systems, often by flange or bug, ensure a robust connection. Hydraulic equipment allows various settings to be controlled from the tractor cab, making these tools increasingly efficient and versatile.Each type of tool carrier offers solutions tailored to the different requirements of vineyard work, improving the efficiency and precision of operations in the vineyards.