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 and reduce the labour required. Here's an overview of the options available for mechanised vine pruning.
Presentation of the two pruning techniques
Vine pruning is an operation that can be mechanised either-partially, known as pre-pruning
-totally, in which case it is called precision mechanical pruning.
Pre-cutting
This consists of mechanically cutting a portion of the shoots. This method makes it easier either to pull the shoots before pruning them manually, or to use a precision mechanical pruning machine.
The tool used for this method is a pre-pruner. It makes a preliminary and summary cut by reducing the length of the shoots, which simplifies subsequent operations and saves time during manual pruning and, above all, during the descent of the wood.
Pre-pruning is not a definitive operation!
Manual or mechanical pruning must then be carried out to achieve a better finish, to select the number of eyes per vine and to make a clean, straight cut.
The tool used for this method is a pre-pruner. It makes a preliminary and summary cut by reducing the length of the shoots, which simplifies subsequent operations and saves time during manual pruning and, above all, during the descent of the wood.
Pre-pruning is not a definitive operation!
Manual or mechanical pruning must then be carried out to achieve a better finish, to select the number of eyes per vine and to make a clean, straight cut.
Cutting a pre-cutter
Precision mechanical cutting
This technique is a clean, definitive cut: the timbers are cut cleanly just a few centimetres from the frame using regularly sharpened circular saws, ensuring a clean, precise cut without splintering the wood.
This is quite simply mechanised cord cutting.
If pre-pruning has been carried out as close as possible to the stumps (highly recommended), 100% mechanised pruning is a method that optimises costs in the vineyard (less labour, no wood falling, no crushing of shoots or bending).
This is quite simply mechanised cord cutting.
If pre-pruning has been carried out as close as possible to the stumps (highly recommended), 100% mechanised pruning is a method that optimises costs in the vineyard (less labour, no wood falling, no crushing of shoots or bending).
Cutting a precision cutting machine
Combining the two
It is possible to combine pre-pruning and mechanical pruning on a high-clearance tractor to achieve 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 the two pruning stages simultaneously, greatly simplifying the process and enabling large areas to be covered in a short space of time.
Combination "pre-cutter and precision mechanical cutting"
In a nutshell
There are several options for mechanised vine pruning: the pre-pruner for partial and preparatory pruning, precision mechanical pruning or a combination of the two 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
See the list of experimentsSee more 
