Keeping on top of grass and weed growth between the rows is a vital task, to reduce competition, improve airflow, and just make the place look a bit neater write Matt Pinninton of Haynes.
With a plethora of options of machinery available to growers, taking time to pick the correct one can save money, but can also save valuable time that will significantly add up over the course of the year, so a versatile machine has huge advantages. The BV mulcher available from Clemens is a true all-rounder, with four sizes available – each with a variable width deck, to cater for variations in rows or row spacing in different vineyards. Across the range, the total working width varies from 1,150mm-2,500mm, although the L model with 1,400mm-1,900mm cutting width is the bread-and-butter machine for the UK, suiting the majority of 2m or 2.2m rows.
Each mower is built in three parts; a central bed to which the main gearbox is mounted, then two decks that slide up and down twin bars with bronze bushes, powered by hydraulic rams. This means the width can be adjusted on the move from inside the cab, using a double acting spool – perfect for vineyards planted in the days before GPS!
Power is transmitted from the tractor PTO into a heavy duty gearbox protected by a slip clutch, then out to two further (or three in the case of the XXL machine) bevel gearboxes. These are connected by sliding PTO shafts, to allow them to move in and out when the deck width is adjusted. Each rotor is equipped with two free moving blades for a fast chopping speed at low engine RPM, improving operator comfort inside the cab and reducing fuel consumption.
The mulcher can be used throughout the year for usual grass maintenance, as well as in the winter or spring to mulch prunings. The 8mm steel deck is shaped to hold material in the mower for longer, meaning a thorough and consistent chop of even the thickest, chewiest wood. Height adjustments are made simply by moving the four steel support wheels up and down, along with the stainless scrapers.
One can imagine the degree of frustration felt by the operator while mowing the grass in the spring or summer, watching the weeds crawl past unaffected, knowing that before long they’ll be driving down this row all over again to knock them down as well. To this end, Clemens have designed the latest iteration of the mulcher to act as a tool carrier, allowing operators to mow the grass and also control weeds in one pass, saving time, fuel and easing ground compaction.
There are two weed control options available – the first is a pair of Multiclean heads, mounted on the rear corners of the mulcher using the heavy-duty brackets that are in-built to each deck. These machines are increasingly popular for those wanting to knock back weeds early on in the season, and those looking to combine spring weed control with bud-rubbing. Each head can be adjusted individually, and is hydraulically driven – there are options to either control the flow manually on the machine, or to include electro-hydraulic control to enable left and right shut-off, to enable efficient use in rows of uneven lengths.
The second option is to fit finger rollers to the front corners of the mulcher – these can be combined with poly finger hoes on the rear corners. Together, these machines will work the soil underneath and between the vines to provide simple, cost-effective weed control – the finger rollers work the soil undervine aggressively, while the finger hoes work gently in between and around the trunks to prevent the issue of a ridge forming. Each tool can be either manually engaged, or engaged hydraulically from the cab – this option means the tools can be lifted out of work to either work the end rows, or to shorten the overall length to make headland turns easier.
The BV mulcher is available for demonstration across the south from Haynes Agricultural.
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