Top foliage management in the vineyard: Rinieri trimmers
The work in the vineyard involves a series of interventions aimed at a balanced development of the crop and quality production.
The management of the top foliage indicates that series of agricultural processes that allow the correct development of the vegetation, in order to guarantee the correct ventilation and lighting. With direct benefits on the health of plants and fruits and on the quality of the harvest.
Vineyard management interventions are actions that change the relationship between vegetation and fruits. With a strong impact on the crop and the quantity and quality of the product.
After the introduction on the market of top trimmers, agricultural machines specialized in green pruning, the operations of trimming the top foliage are increasingly spreading.
Mechanizing green pruning operations allows on one hand to increase their effectiveness and on the other to obtain a saving of the time and costs associated to manual intervention.
The top trimming of vineyards
The top foliage management interventions allow the vineyard to grow and develop in a balanced, tough and healthy way.
In fact, other interventions aimed at reducing the quantity and length of the branches should be added to winter pruning.
One of these interventions is the top trimming, which restricts the uncontrolled growth of the plant and strengthens the vine by removing part of the vegetation that hinders production.
Removing the excess of sprouts we can concentrate the nutrients absorbed by the plant, with great benefits for the development of the vine and for the quality of the fruits.
In addition, by reducing the number of leaves we facilitate the penetration of air and light. The plant and bunches will be less prone to disease and will also improve the effectiveness of treatments.
Finally, the top trimming allows to keep the vineyard in order, making the subsequent work between the rows simpler and more comfortable.
Top trimming is an operation that can be carried out several times during the year. But performing a top trimming in periods other than those programmed causes negative effects, for this reason the timing of the intervention is very important.
That is why it is better to prefer mechanized top trimming instead of manual trimming. Using a top trimming machine, indeed, thanks to the reduction of the time and cost to complete the work, allows you to act promptly and intervene at the most appropriate times.
Rinieri Top Trimmers
Top trimming is an important work for the maintenance of the vineyard. And at Rinieri we have created a range of tooth and knife top trimming machines built in different geometries, both single and double, to adapt to all needs and types of crops and able to meet the requirements and needs of each individual vine grower.
We have been manufacturing carried top trimmers for over 30 years and we export them to all the main wine producing countries. Most of the top trimming machines on the market can beattached in front of the tractor, which allows you to constantly check and adjust the position of the cutting bar while driving inside the row for a perfect trimming. In Rinieri we also have in the catalogue the towed top trimmer that can be attached to the rear of the tractor.
We can divide our top trimming machines initially according to the type of cutting bars:
- The double-blade CRL cutting bars are very robust and allow a precise and clean cut (scissor type) of the vine branch thanks to the double blade-tooth reciprocating movement. The maximum processing speed can exceed 10 km/h without compromising the foliage cutting quality.
- The CRV cutting bars with rotating stainless steel knives are very strong and lightweight and allow a fast and precise cutting of the vine branches. The blades are brought to a speed of over 3000 rpm, effectively cutting even when the advance speed of the tractor is high. The maximum processing speed can exceed 15 km/h without compromising the foliage cutting quality. The bars are equipped with aluminium pulley transmission and toothed belts that significantly reduce their weight and improve their performance.
In both cases the top trimmer ensures high quality cutting. In addition, the cutting bars are protected by an anti-shock system that allows the cutting bar to re-enter if it encounters an obstacle during the cutting work.
In Rinieri we build three families of frames for top trimmers with different technical characteristics depending on the type of vineyard and soil on which to work.
The Visiontop trimmers have a lowered frame that is hooked in front of the tractor, ensuring greater visibility of the front work. A machine with a multi-purpose frame, very resistant and solid. And adaptable to the customer.
They are stable and reliable top trimmers, ideal for medium or large vineyards and for contractors.
In addition, thanks to the possibility of adjusting the vertical bars hydraulically at different heights, it is also suitable for various types of plantations also with lateral slopes of the ground.
The top trimmers with Tower frames are characterized by a very robust and resistant central fixed column structure. Ideal for vineyards of all dimensions and kinds of contractors with prevailing level ground.
The sturdy fixed column that supports the cutting bars increases its stability. The multi-purpose frame is adaptable to the customer and is equipped with hydraulic tilt and lift to which the different cutting bars are then fixed.
The ECO top trimmers are characterized by a robust and resistant central fixed column structure.
Compared to the Tower frames, the Eco models are simple and high-performance machines, but with a lower price. Ideal for a quick summer top trimming for small and medium vineyards that do not require many adjustments.
The Rinieri top trimmers allow all the movements and adjustments of the structure and bars necessary for a precise and perfect management of the top foliage. Depending on the model, the adjustments can be manual, hydraulic or operated by an electro-hydraulic distributor with joystick.
The frames can be fitted with single and double top trimming machines with different bar geometries: I, C with upper top, L with lower top, U upside down and with optional upper or lower element, to be adapted to the customer's needs.
- The double models allow you to prune both sides of the row in one pass, thus saving time. Mounting the optional top element the upper trimming can also be performed.
- The inverted U-shaped model, or over top, allows you to work on both sides of the same row in a single pass, thus saving time.
- The double over top model allows you to prune both sides of two rows in a single pass, thus saving time, with the possibility of adjusting the vertical bars hydraulically at different heights to adapt perfectly to the various types of plantations, even with lateral slopes.
In addition, the frames of the top trimmers can mount the branch deflector, that raise the lower branches preventing them from escaping the trimming. In frames with the PLUS quick coupling you can easily replace the heads: rotary brush, defoliating machines or winter pre-pruning machines either simple or guyot.
The use of a top trimmer allows to optimize the cutting of branches and superfluous vegetation. Based on individual needs, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the most suitable solution.
The wide range of Rinieri top trimming machines can meet all the needs for performing a simple and fast top trimming.
