Machinery

Weed control between vines

Helping vineyards find the right kit to deal with the weeds.

David Sayell & Rich ar d Wit

VITIFRUIT EQUIPMENT

> Before and after use with the Petalmatic

This season has been challenging to say the least. The wet and warm weather has encouraged the weeds to flourish and David Sayell at Vitifruit Equipment has been extra busy helping vineyards find the right kit to deal with the weeds by hiring and selling both herbicide sprayers and under vine Boisselet hoes and strimmers.

Many vineyards are new to the Boisselet equipment so David explained that his practice is to take the kit to the vineyard and try out the various modular add-ons to find out which is the most suitable for the soil type, weed abundance etc before starting the hire period.

With the diversity of soil types and conditions experienced, knowing exactly what you are working with and understanding how best to address specific issues is imperative. Flexibility is the order of the day and the Boisselet range adapts to meet any needs. Finding the perfect fit means assessing all the options for working in the ground these options are:

Cutmatic – simple knife blade for shallow work. Speed 4 to 8 kph.

Petalmatic – rotating head 250 mm or 350 mm diameter. Speed 2.5 to 3 kph for deeper more powerful work undercutting and shaking out the weed roots from the soil. This is normally done first thing in the spring and straight after harvest and followed by the faster Cutmatic during the summer. It is also used to pull out and level any soil ridges which have been pushed over the graft.

Petalmatic Plus – by adding one or two yellow rubber " fins" to the Petalmatic vertical blades it is possible to stroke the stems of more mature vines and pull away any weeds.

Discs and hoes – to be inserted in front or behind the Cutmatic or Petalmatic to broaden the cultivated strip, cut a clean line between the grass alley and cultivated strip or cut through tall grass and weeds to stop them clogging up the main tool.

Rollhack – a clod breaker for use in low weed density sites in dry or stony ground to move soil along a line beside the vines and push it toward the vines; usually used in conjunction with the Cutmatic or if the soil is dry and loose with the finger weeder.

Finger weeder – for use in low weed density and previously cultivated dry soil to run along the side of the vines disturbing the soil between the vine stems with rubberised fingers which push the soil rather than undercutting and thus is only used in kind dry soil types which move easily.

There are also options for working above ground:

Filmatic Strimmer - to strim in and out between the vines.

Mini Rotofil - multi head strimmer to run along the outside of the vines clearing long grass and weeds; clearing the strip between the vine stems and the mowed alleyway.

New McCormick compact

The new X2 compact vineyard tractor range by McCormick will be available in the UK from September 2021. The two models in the range, X2.055 and X2.060, have a maximum output of 49 and 57 horsepower (ISO) respectively, with 1.9-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo aftercooled engines, and boast the Kohler Stage V emission engine.

A new feature of the X2 is the Engine Memo Switch that allows the operator to quicky save and retrieve engine rpm settings. It is available in two configurations: Standard, available for the platform or cab versions, and GE (Ground Effect), only for the platform version which, with a “lowered” set-up further reduces the overall height from the ground, making it suitable for working under polytunnels. The cab has air-conditioning, flip-up front window and radio, as well as noise and vibration insulation.

The mechanical power shuttle transmission is available in 12/12 or 16/16 versions if equipped with a creeper unit, with a minimum speed of 220m/h. The fuel tank has a 40-litre capacity, while the hydraulic flow rate is increased to 35 litres/minute for the rear lift and it also has a dedicated 20-litre/minute steering pump. The category one threepoint hitch can lift up to 1200kg and the front lift system, optional with or without a 1,000 rpm PTO, up to 400kg. The rear mechanical PTO is available in 2 different speeds: 540 and 540E, plus the synchronised forward speed. The dual traction front axle has an electro-hydraulic engaging “Hydralock” differential lock in both the STD and GE versions.

The tractor weighs just 1600kg for the platform version and has a maximum permissible mass of 3050kg, while the wheelbase of just 1790mm and the minimum width of 1260mm with rear tyres available in two versions, 20” and 24”, which allow the GE version to maintain bonnet heights from the ground of 1131mm and 1206mm respectively (on the Standard version these measurements become 1230mm and 1301mm).

The McCormick X2 range can be equipped with the advanced “McCormick Fleet Management” telematics monitoring system, designed to monitor the efficiency of the work site in terms of fuel consumption, working hours and scheduled maintenance. The system operates through a dedicated portal that allows the owner to maximise the activity of the tractors and monitor their operating costs.

www.farol.co.uk

Rycote Lane Farm, Milton Common, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2NZ Unit 12, Newton Business Park, Newton, Nottinghamshire, NG13 8HA Coldridge Copse, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 7BP Wharf Farm, Coventry, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0NB Holmbush House, Holmbush Ind. Est., Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9XY London Road, Twyford, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9EQ