Pre-Pruners
Rinieri Pre-Pruner For Your Vineyard
The vineyard pre-pruner is an essential tool for modern vineyard management, dramatically reducing the labor and time required for winter pruning. Rinieri pre-pruners are engineered to offer a high-efficiency solution that prepares your vines for the final cut, delivering precision, speed, and versatility across various training systems.
Technical Function and Cutting Mechanism
A pre-pruner is a mechanical implement designed to cut and remove the majority of the previous year's cane growth from the trellis wires, particularly in spur-pruned (Cordon) and cane-pruned (Guyot) vineyards. The primary purpose is to leave only a short, consistent stump of cane, making the final, detailed pruning cut by hand significantly faster.
Rinieri pre-pruners utilize rotating disc cutting mechanisms to achieve a clean and powerful cut. These are not simple blades or reciprocating bars; they are specialized cutting discs (CPL prepruner HEAD). The machine head is composed of multiple pairs of these high-speed discs (e.g., 4+4, 6+6, 8+8, or 10+10 modules). The discs spin to cut through the wood and, in some more specialized models like the SVC VINE CATCHER - CANES EATER, they incorporate an auger and rubber wheels to actively lift and shred the canes, letting the residues fall to the ground. This dual action is vital for clearing the wires safely.
A pre-pruner cuts all the material above a set height, typically leaving several inches of cane, and it performs a rough cut to speed up the final manual process. The pre-pruner is a labor-saving tool that precedes the final, skilled cut, ensuring that the necessary detail work remains simple for the pruner.
A Rinieri pre-pruner can be adjusted for different vine training systems because our models are highly adjustable. The disc heads, such as the CPL Pre-pruning head, is available with different disc spacings: 100mm (4 in) spacing for Cordon systems or 70mm(2,7in) for compact Guyot systems—to ensure the best clean-up for the specific trellis. The cutting height range is managed by the hydraulic lifting on the frame, providing ample vertical adjustment, typically between 60 to 70 cm (24 to 27.5 inches) of vertical lift to adapt to different cordons.
Performance, Efficiency, and Results
The most significant advantage is the drastic reduction in manual labor. Pre-pruning can reduce the total pruning time by at least one-third, sometimes more, as the hand pruners are left only with the final, precise cut and occasional clearing of remaining wires.
While speed depends on vine density and the operator's skill, the Rinieri CPL models are designed for high efficiency. The PREPRUNING MACHINE CPL TOWER-1 PLUS SENSING (PREPRUNING MACHINE CPL TOWER-1 PLUS SENSING), for example, can achieve working speeds of up to 3.5 km/h when using its automatic pole recognition system SENSING . This translates to substantial acreage coverage per hour, suitable for large and medium-scale operations.
A well-executed pre-pruning improves efficiency without sacrificing quality. The pre-pruner simply removes the bulk of the unwanted wood. The final, critical decision of where to cut the spur or cane is still made by a skilled worker, ensuring the highest quality pruning cut for optimal yield. The machine is effective even in older or thicker vine wood due to the power of the rotating disc cutters, especially when adding optional finishing saw discs.
Compatibility and Tractor Requirements
What tractor requirements are needed for a vineyard pre-pruner?
Rinieri pre-pruners are designed to be compatible with most vineyard tractors. They typically require:
- Hydraulic Connections: A small number of hydraulic distributors on the tractor (e.g., N.1 Single-acting and N.1 Double-acting distributor, or N.3 Double-acting, depending on the frame and optional movements).
- Oil Flow: A relatively low, constant oil delivery, usually around 25–35 Litres/min (6.6 – 9.3 gpm).
- Mounting: Most Rinieri pre-pruners, such as the PREPRUNING VINEYARD CPL TOWER-1 PLUS (PREPRUNING VINEYARD CPL TOWER-1 PLUS) and PRE-PRUNING MACHINE CPL VISION-1 PLUS (PRE-PRUNING MACHINE CPL VISION-1 PLUS), are front-mounted for better visibility and control, although they can be adapted. They do not need an external oil tank as they use the tractor's hydraulic supply.
- The CPL TOWER-1 PLUS SENSING model includes a sensing system that automatically detects poles (wood, concrete, or steel) and opens the cutting head to avoid contact, ensuring safe operation and eliminating the need for manual pole avoidance. This allows the operator to focus purely on machine control and speed.
Rinieri pre-pruner can be use in specializes in narrow rows or hillside vineyards thanks to their compact, high-maneuverability equipment.
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Narrow Rows: The CPL Vision and Tower frames are designed to work effectively in rows down to 170-180 cm (67-71 in).
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Hillside Vineyards: All frames feature essential hydraulic movements: hydraulic tilting of the vertical frame (up to +/-20°) and hydraulic side shift, allowing the operator to maintain a precise, plumb cut even on steep slopes or uneven terrain.
Why Choose Rinieri and Availability
Rinieri has decades of experience as a Italian manufacturer specializing in robust, high-performance machinery for intensive agriculture. We offer a polyvalent solution: the pre-pruner heads can often be quickly disconnected using the Quick Connection PLUS system and replaced with other working heads like summer trimmers (hedgers), leaf removers, or sucker removers, maximizing the utility of your frame investment.
Our main product lines focus on the CPL disc-cutter head mounted on our versatile frames:
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VISION-1 PLUS: Features the VISION-1 PLUS frame, known for its hydraulic lifting, tilting, and side-shift capabilities.
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TOWER-1 PLUS SENSING: Features the TOWER-1 PLUS frame with the crucial automatic pole sensing system for maximum safety and efficiency.
Maintenance and Durability
How do I maintain a vineyard pre-pruner?
Maintenance is straightforward and involves routine checks of hydraulic connections and cutting elements. The machine is designed for easy cleaning. It's built with safety features like maximum pressure valves for the motors and the opening cylinder to protect the components.
How often should blades or cutters be replaced?
The durable steel cutting discs are made for longevity, designed to withstand the tough conditions of winter vineyard work. Replacement frequency depends entirely on usage and wood thickness, but the heads are built to allow for easy replacement of these wear parts when they eventually become dull.
How long does a Rinieri pre-pruner last in tough vineyard conditions?
Rinieri machinery is known for its robust, professional construction, ensuring that a pre-pruner can last for many years, providing a solid return on investment. Spare parts for a Rinieri pre-pruner are available through the authorized dealer network, ensuring minimal downtime.