Blower leaf remover
Blower de-leafers are sophisticated viticultural tools that use a stream of compressed air to shred the leaves without damaging the bunches. This airflow, produced by a compressor and distributed by rotating nozzles, ensures efficient leaf removal.
Their use during flowering and after veraison ensures precise and safe foliage management.
Their use during flowering and after veraison ensures precise and safe foliage management.
Food
The air-blow leaf-stripping machine is powered by a blower that generates a flow of compressed air. On the defoliation head, two rotors, each fitted with a nozzle, direct the air streams towards the area to be defoliated, causing the leaf blades to be shredded. The blower is integrated into the machine itself. The compressed air is then directed towards rotating nozzles which disperse the air in the form of powerful, intermittent jets to create a ‘hammer blow' effect, capable of shredding the leaves without touching the bunches.
Booster
Settings
The blower leaf stripper has several adjustment options to suit different vineyard conditions. You need to find the right combination of forward speed, working pressure and nozzle distance from the foliage.
Pruning height
The defoliation head, fitted with two rotors, each with a nozzle, is adjustable and can be tilted to effectively target the area to be defoliated. The more it is tilted, the larger the area defoliated. When horizontal, it ensures defoliation at a standard height.The maximum defoliation height is around 80 cm, depending on the make. However, whenever the tilt is adjusted, the working pressure, rotor speed or forward speed must be reviewed, as this affects the quality of defoliation.
Leaf-removal height adjustment
Maximum pruning height
Nozzle on rotor
Petit Verdot before leaf removal
Petit Verdot after leaf removalDriving
Hitch
Pneumatic leaf strippers are generally attached to the rear or front of a tractor, depending on the model. Rear attachment is more common, but some models are designed for front use (straddle tractor), giving the operator better visibility and manoeuvrability.Driving a leaf blower requires a certain amount of skill and attention on the part of the operator.
The offset of the stripper in relation to the tractor and the axis of the row is managed to be as centred as possible.
Getting started
Before starting, the operator attaches the leaf stripper to the tractor and makes the initial adjustments described above. The compressor pressure is checked to ensure that it is working correctly, as is the tractor's forward speed, which is generally between 2 and 3 km/h.Security
The protective casing around the nozzles ensures that there is no direct mechanical contact with the bunches, minimising the risk of injury to the fruit. Other safety systems, such as mechanical jacks or springs, ensure that the arms are retracted if the leaf-stripping head is too close to an obstacle (vine, stake).
Safety by mechanical erasure
Benefits
Pneumatic leaf strippers, using a blower, are very popular in viticulture and are being used more and more for the following reasons:- Efficient leaf removal and safe working (no cutting tools or rollers)
- Can be used from the time the flower caps fall off until just before the harvest. The air flow does not cause any damage to the ripened bunches, so these machines are very popular for leaf removal prior to manual harvesting.
- "Cleaning the bunches by removing flower caps and other end-of-flowering debris.
Bunch before pneumatic leaf removal
Bunch after pneumatic leaf removal
Points to watch
There are a few points to watch out for when using this tool:- More expensive to buy than a suction leaf remover
- Power requirement (PTO at 540 rpm)
- Use at bunch closure, plant debris and shredded leaves can get into the bunches and cause the risk of grey rot later on.
- Find the right compromise between forward speed, working pressure, rotor rotation and nozzle distance.
