Dried grape news Pruner prototype

Pruner prototype

SET FOR WINTER TEST

The dried grape industry's mechanised pruning prototype will be finalised this upcoming pruning season following further field trials this year.

The project, a collaboration between Dried Fruits Australia (DFA) and Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC) partner La Trobe University, has delivered three prototype trials during a very disrupted 2021 season. DFA consultant field officer Stuart Putland said the trials had provided valuable data that led to a move from electronic to hydraulic powering of the on-tractor tool.

“Good progress has been made on getting the prototype up and running, but 12 weeks of Covid-19 lockdowns during the pruning season meant we weren’t able to do as much as we’d planned,” Stuart said.

“The plan was to have another two prototyping runs to finalise the cutting head retraction speed and vision system control. But because the project couldn’t be completed, we have organised an extension to allow time for more extensive testing under the correct conditions over winter this year.”

Stuart said for the third prototype Dr Robert Ross from La Trobe University had worked on a faster retraction mechanism to link the cutting head to the camera sensing system. “The third prototype also has a fourblade cutter bar with removable blades for sharpening,” Stuart said.

“In an effort to speed up the movement towards and away from the cordon as the machine moves down the row while still using an electric actuator, we have swapped to a four-bar mechanism to move the cutting head.

“This has allowed Robert to triple the in/out speed compared to previous versions.” v

This update initially appeared in the November MRIC newsletter at https:// eng.unimelb.edu.au/mric, which also includes a link to a YouTube clip demonstrating how the system works.

Top left: The mechanised pruner trial in action late last year. Right: Dr Robert Ross has worked on a faster retraction mechanism for the most recent mechanised pruner prototype. Left: David Lyons, Dr Robert Ross and DFA field officer Stuart Putland during the most recent trial of the mechanised pruner.