In-row rotary tool
In-row rotary tools are used to destroy plant cover, leaving the soil flat, and to incorporate manure and fertiliser. Mounted on inter-row or high-clearance tractors, they are driven by the PTO or a hydraulic motor, sometimes requiring an independent hydraulic power unit. They include tines, spades and retraction systems, mainly hydraulic, to retract in front of the vines.
Maintenance is facilitated by the use of standard components and the speed with which brushes can be replaced.
Maintenance is facilitated by the use of standard components and the speed with which brushes can be replaced.
Work objective
Rotary tools are mainly used to break up vegetation cover, leaving the soil level. In some cases, they are used to work manure and fertiliser into the soil.When mounted behind row-crop tractors on the three-point hitch, they are driven by the tractor's power take-off (PTO). The power available can be considerable. In the case of certain set-ups on straddle tractors, the drive is generally provided by a hydraulic motor. If the tractor has sufficient oil flow, the implement is connected to the tractor's hydraulic oil ports; otherwise, a separate hydraulic power unit is used to supply enough oil to drive the equipment. (Bear in mind the additional cost.)
MCV rotary tool
Components of intercephalic rotary tools
Manufacturers offer a wide range of teeth, spades and rotating components.- Tools with a vertical axis of rotation
- Tools with a horizontal axis of rotation (though this category is significantly less common)
The hydraulic motor
The hydraulic motor drives the tool's rotation. It must be connected to a single-acting valve with a free return, as the required oil flow rate is high (~ 25 l/min).Working parts
A range of accessories is available. These are most commonly tines. Naturagriff has expanded its range by offering metal brushes as an alternative to tines.The erasure system
Two main retraction systems ensure that the rotating tool is withdrawn:The hydraulic cylinder
The hydraulic cylinder is the most commonly used solution. The cylinder, controlled by a solenoid valve actuated by a sensor, causes the implement to retract. The solenoid valve can be controlled mechanically or electro-hydraulically. Mechanical control requires slightly more effort to activate, but it is more gradual. The hydraulic system can be supplied by the tractor's hydraulic oil or by a separate power unit. At Egretier, the power unit is a closed-circuit system characterised by a small reservoir capacity (a feature of the closed circuit), but also by the use of a specific hydraulic fluid, LHM – please take care to avoid errors.
The hydraulic cylinder is the most commonly used solution. The cylinder, controlled by a solenoid valve actuated by a sensor, causes the implement to retract. The solenoid valve can be controlled mechanically or electro-hydraulically. Mechanical control requires slightly more effort to activate, but it is more gradual. The hydraulic system can be supplied by the tractor's hydraulic oil or by a separate power unit. At Egretier, the power unit is a closed-circuit system characterised by a small reservoir capacity (a feature of the closed circuit), but also by the use of a specific hydraulic fluid, LHM – please take care to avoid errors.
The hydraulic torque amplifier
The torque amplifier used by Boisselet is a system that combines, within a single unit, a rotary valve coupled to a hydraulic motor. Acting on the feeler causes a drive shaft to rotate, which in turn rotates an output shaft by the same angular value. The role of this device is to multiply the torque between the two shafts. It is a compact, simple and robust component.Examples of interdental rotary tools
Rotary hoe-type machines (with a vertical shaft) are the most commonly used.Some manufacturers combine them with inter-row blades, which breaks up the strip of soil lifted by the blade and thus allows the weeds to die off more quickly. As with all hydraulically retractable inter-row tools, a sensor allows the tool to retract in front of the vine stock. Adjusting the sensor is essential, as it determines the safety margin around the vine stock (see, for example, the two machines below).The DISCOMATIC
The DISCOMATIC is a unique piece of machinery. The working part consists of a vertical tube to which three blades are welded; at the base of the tube, a concave disc ensures that a thin strip of soil is loosened, which is then thrown into the row spacing by the blades.
The operation carried out is a gentle rotary weeding process.
This machine allows for weeding beneath the row without the need for prior soil loosening. The weeds thrown into the inter-row space dry out. This machine gives good results in light soils, but it is not suitable for heavy soils as it lacks penetrating power.
The machine is cleared from the vines as it passes by means of a hydraulic torque amplifier.
THE ALTERNACEP
This piece of equipment is a hoe that moves back and forth on a vertical axis at a rate of 200 oscillations per minute. It somewhat mimics the action of a hand hoe. It is particularly useful because its reciprocating motion displaces very little soil compared to other rotary tools.
This piece of equipment is a hoe that moves back and forth on a vertical axis at a rate of 200 oscillations per minute. It somewhat mimics the action of a hand hoe. It is particularly useful because its reciprocating motion displaces very little soil compared to other rotary tools.
Testimonials from winegrowers who use inter-row rotary tools
Interceps fitted with 2 brushes on each side (Naturagriff)
Julien MAILLÉ – Winegrower in Le Pian-sur-Garonne (Gironde)
"I have been working on the family estate since 2001. In 2010, I took the plunge and decided to set up on my own by taking over the family business. The estate covers 20 hectares, comprising 13 hectares of hillside vineyards on clay soils and 7 hectares at the foot of the hillside.
"I have been working on the family estate since 2001. In 2010, I took the plunge and decided to set up on my own by taking over the family business. The estate covers 20 hectares, comprising 13 hectares of hillside vineyards on clay soils and 7 hectares at the foot of the hillside.
"A low-impact approach"
"Following a training course on organic viticulture organised by the Chamber of Agriculture, I decided this year to completely stop using herbicides on the estate. I was looking for a tool that wasn't too demanding, as I have little time to devote to mechanical weeding, and one whose frame would allow me to work on my plots with row spacings ranging from 3 to 3.50 metres. After various trials, I turned to Naturagriff. They offered me a hydraulically extendable frame that could adapt to my different row spacings. “x on sandy soils.”“The implement is fitted with a pendulum system as well as a hydraulic power unit (essential when using rotary implements).”
"The attachments used are rotary cutters and metal brushes with a diameter of 450 mm. The machine is fitted with two rotating units on each side, giving me a working width of 70 cm on either side of the row. A deflector is attached to the skid to return the soil displaced by the rotary tool back towards the row. In order to preserve the root system (which has developed close to the surface following years of chemical weed control), I am currently using only the wire brushes. So far this year, I have carried out three passes using a single set of brushes. A new set will be needed for the fourth pass, scheduled for August.”"The advantages of this equipment are the use of standard components, which facilitate maintenance; the inclusion of a hydraulic power unit; the speed with which the brushes can be replaced (six bolts per element); and the ability to operate in dry conditions.""The limitations are dust formation (in dry conditions) and the difficulty of working on a slope, as the tool's return to the working position is ensured solely by a spring."
Before using the brushes
After brushing
“The combination of a toothed tool and a wire brush is an interesting one”
“Naturagriff has developed a range of interproximal tools that can be fitted to a single retraction system. The design of this system minimises overheating of the hydraulic circuit since, unlike other manufacturers, hydraulic pressure is only required to retract the tool away from the vines. A spring ensures the tool returns to its working position. This technique reaches its limits in plots with a steep slope and a step at the edge of the ridge. The tool then rests on the step and does not return correctly beneath the row.”" The advantages: the tine implement creates a loose layer of soil beneath the row, whilst the brush ensures weeding is carried out as close as possible to the vines without damaging them. "" Limitations: soil displacement is channelled by a blade attached via a ball joint to the height-adjustment skid. This system could be improved as, when manoeuvring at the end of a row on uneven paths, the blade may be damaged. It would be advisable to restrict its vertical movement to prevent the blade from scraping the ground during manoeuvres.”
Experiment
See the list of experimentsSee more 
