ACTA TECHNICA CORVINIENSIS – Bulletin of Engineering

Tome XII [2019] | Fascicule 3 [July – September]

1.
Andreea–Cătălina CRISTESCU, 1.Lucreţia POPA, 1.Vasilica ŞTEFAN, 2.Alexandra ROTARU,
1.
Alexandra ANGHELEȚ, 1.Ana ZAICA, 1.Alexandru ZAICA, 1.Iuliana GĂGEANU

STUDY ON NEW MECHANIZED HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES IN VINEYARDS

1.
National Institute of Research–Development for Machines and Installations for Agriculture & Food Industry – INMA Bucharest, ROMANIA
2.
University Polytechnic Bucharest, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, ROMANIA

Abstract: Based on the needs of a constantly growing industry, researchers have been working on the development of vineyard mechanization
in order to maintain the fruit quality and a good efficiency in the aspect of time, economy and productivity in the vineyards. The present paper
presents the latest technologies used in vineyard harvesting, aiming to emphasize good practices in order to promote crop quality, reducing
environmental impact and raising yield productivity, but also allowing the delay of some procedures that must pe done in vineyards without
consequences. Studies have shown that mechanization in vineyards can achieve benefits of cost savings from hand labor, but also time saving
and healthy grapes.
Keywords: vineyard machinery, harvesting, new technologies, self–propelled, mechanized harvesting

INTRODUCTION not be successful. (Morris J.R., 2008, Hays P, 2008, Kaye O. 2008)
Traditionally, growers have used manpower in vineyards for many https://www.wineland.co.za/mechanical–harvesting–of–grapes/)
years. In time, after the increasing of labor expenses, the needs of New generation of harvester offer several new advantages such as:
an expanding business and lack of time, but also the increase of automatic sorting on the harvesters that presents berries without
local or global competition, the commercial growers had to seek any material other than grapes, sorting of different colour berries,
methods of mechanizing vineyards operations. Since 1960, when sorting of the grapes according to the condition of ripeness of the
the first machine was used in vineyards, researchers had conducted grapes, easy cleaning based on the fact that the success of the
their work in developing postharvest handling, adapting harvesters mechanical harvesting is largely influenced by the maintenance of
to different trellises, developing machines that mechanize canopy the harvester. (https://www.mondomacchina.it/)
management practices such as dormant and summer pruning, leaf A great area of interest revolves around the mechanization of
removal, shooting positioning, fruit thinning etc. The main goal is harvesting, as testified to by the continuous arrival of new features
to develop systems that are able to reach every expectation of a on the market. What is not new is the idea of the selective collection
complete mechanized process in vineyards without any loss in fruit of the grapes on the basis of their quality, beginning with a specific
quality and quantity. (Morris J.R., 2008) map of the site. Currently, this is now possible and becoming more
Mechanical harvesters quickly gained popularity in vineyards for and more accessible thanks to the availability of optic sensors
wine grapes, but also for juice grapes. During the time of a capable of detecting in real time the phenolic, or physiologically
continuous growing interest, researchers investigated the post ripe grapes, that is according to the content of grapes’ anthocyanins
harvesting quality of mechanically harvested grapes. Based on the and flavonoid. The important arrival of sensors and systems for the
fact that grapes have a rapid fermentation rates with time, the approach of the machine to the vines is justified by the need for
industry have established a maximum six hours interval between precision provided for work in vineyards in which driving is often
mechanical harvesting and processing. (Morris J.R., 2008, Hays P, made difficult by a number of factors, such as sloping terrain,
2008) narrow rows and the length of the worksite. For this reason, assisted
In time, several new generations of harvesters have been driving has taken on more and more interest. Thanks to GNSS
developed. Currently there are two types which beat and shake de (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) with real time corrections
vine, either by means of staves beating foliage, or the impulse (with RTK, Real Time Kinematic systems) the tractor and machine
harvester which beats the trunk and cordon. Both aim to detach the can be positioned with precision of up to a couple of centimeters.
berries. The berries are then collected on a conveyor which move This is of importance not only for planting cuttings and setting
past a blower that removes the leaves, where after they are dumped posts but also for making and using the prescribed maps and
into a bin. assisting and facilitating the work of the driver, especially when
Mechanical harvesters are able to work against slopes and driving is complicated by combined operations. In this area, an
adjustments may be made without stopping. Three basic Enovitis in the Field Technological Innovation Award was given to
adjustments may be effective, namely the width between the two Spektra–Agri which, in collaboration with Fendt, came up with an
sets of staves (pitch), the extent of the beating action (amplitude) AutoCombiGuide drive system which automatically controls
and the speed of the beating action (frequency). Different operational sequences in the field and provides the possibility of
combinations of these three factors may be used for various controlling the equipment while running. These features enable
vineyards. The success of mechanical harvesting is ascribed 35– work to be performed for carrying out various combined operations
40% to the harvester, 30% to the operator and 30% to the vineyard. to reduce time and labor and entries to the field to lower stress on
If the canopy is not suited to mechanical harvesting, the process will the operator and the soil.

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A CTA TECHNICA CORVINIENSIS – Bulletin of Engineering
Tome XII [2019] | Fascicule 3 [July – September]

There are now so many technologies and solutions for improving are shaken off with the minimum of skin damage. Furthermore, it is
the quality of operations. Though the spread of agricultural a well–known fact that the quality of many white cultivars is better
mechanization in the vineyard involves in various ways nearly 30% if the grapes are pressed cool. Therefore, night and early morning
of these vineyards for grape harvesting alone, for a total of some pressing by harvesting machines can even result in an
2,600 machines at work on nearly 15,000 hectares harvested, it is improvement in wine quality.
important for manufacturers’ research to continue in this direction In order to carry out the harvesting process, the vineyardists
to provide increasingly competitive and convincing solutions for inspects the samples of grapes whit a refractometer to determinate
agriculture. (https://www.winesandvines.com/). if the grapes are ready to be picked. If the answer is positive, the
MATERIALS AND METHODS process may begin.
Various machines are available and technology is advancing rapidly For the best results, the harvester may be equipped with several
to speed up harvesting of the grapes in the case of almost all kinds features that ensure a good efficiency of the process, with minimal
of trellis systems, and to harvest more “softly” with less damage to impact on the grapes.
the bunches. Bunches may already be harvested as low as 25 cm One of the best features that such harvesters present, is the
from the surface of the soil. Machines are being developed to continuous harvest bin system, which allows a great working
harvest even bush vines. There are currently two types of harvesters efficiency with continuous harvesting bin. The harvest can be
available on the market, such as self–propelled harvesters (Figure1) redirected directly to gondolas, valley or macro bins by using the
and towed harvesters (Figure 2) (https://pellenc.com/). side discharge conveyor for long rows. (https://pellenc.com/).

Figure 1 – Self propelled harvester–PELLENC (https://pellenc.com/)

Figure3 – Continuous harvest bin system (https://pellenc.com/)

The cab is equipped with a console that allows frequency, pinch,
amplitude, destemming and other settings adjustment instantly
and continuous, while working, without stopping. Also, self–
propelled harvesters, are equipped with position sensors that
automatically align the harvesting head in the row, while an active
Figure2 – Towed harvester– PELLENC (https://pellenc.com/)
Many winemakers prefer grapes, especially white varieties such as system optimises the efficiency of shaking, without damaging the
Sauvignon blanc, to be harvested by hand. Much progress has been trellising and plants. The movement of the harvesting head is
made, however, in handling berries with a softer touch. An example proportional to the working speed.
of this is the used of extended beaters by means of which berries

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 A CTA TECHNICA CORVINIENSIS – Bulletin of Engineering
Tome XII [2019] | Fascicule 3 [July – September]

(Figure 5) has an anti–jam feature with five long fingers, while the
adjustable sorting rollers can adapt to all grape varieties.
The screen rollers (1) allow the sorted berries to pass through and
remove petioles and green waste. The solid notched roller feeders
(2) separate small waste and route petioles to the screen rollers
(Figure 6).
Another optional sorter can be added to the mechanized harvester,
that allows optimal sorting of berries, whole bunches and leaves at
the conveyor output. The grid belt of the sorter catches the harvest
at the output of the Flexible Sorter Conveyor. Juice and berries pass
directly into the bins.

Figure 4 – Console and sensors systems (https://pellenc.com/)

Figure 7 – Sorting and cleaning system (https://pellenc.com/)

RESULTS
Most of the harvesters, have a great efficiency, with 99.82% of
cleanliness rate in the bin, and 82% of good berries, 100% of leaves
are removed as well as 95% of whole stalks, the sorting table
consists of a series of feeder rollers that distribute the berries on the
sorting table, and aligns waste to evacuate it, thanks to the selective
process. Only grape clusters and leaves pass under the lower
Figure 5 – Linear berry separator– Destemmer (https://pellenc.com/) suction fans, less than 30 % of the harvest. (https://pellenc.com/)

Figure 6 – Screen rollers (https://pellenc.com/)

Harvesters are equipped with selective destemming systems, with
high–frequency linear berry separator, that gently removes the
berries and the stems remain intact. The linear berry separator Figure 8 – Vineyard after harvesting (https://pellenc.com/)

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A CTA TECHNICA CORVINIENSIS – Bulletin of Engineering
Tome XII [2019] | Fascicule 3 [July – September]

CONCLUSIONS [6] https://www.mondomacchina.it/en/vineyard–mechanization–

With all the features available in the latest generations of many–new–features–for–farmers–c844;
mechanical harvesters, the whole system of harvesting and vinery [7] https://pellenc.com/;
crush pad, is basically operating on wheels. Most of the machines [8] https://www.winesandvines.com/features/article/183875/Mech
are equipped with on–board destemming and sorting. Some anical–Grape–Harvesters.
machines, are now standardized with destemmers and sorting
systems, while others offer optional add–on equipment Harvesters
can be towed by a tractor, or self–propelled. With an efficiency of
99.82%, the ability to pick any date for the harvesting process, but
also with the advantage of working during night, the cost of the
harvesters is worthy. Time saving, less human power, good
efficiency represent the key factor in implementing mechanized
equipment and good practices in vineyards, especially for mass
production and large surfaces of vineyards.
Acknowledgement
This work was funded by the Romanian Ministry of Research and
Innovation, “SECTORIAL Program”, (Contract no.3PS/02.11.2017
“Research to support the development of the capacity to assess and
mitigate the impact of climate change and other stress factors on the
state of forest ecosystems and wine–growing”).
Note:
This paper is based on the paper presented at ISB-INMA TEH' 2018
International Symposium (Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering),
organized by Politehnica University of Bucharest – Faculty of
Biotechnical Systems Engineering (ISB), National Institute of Research-
Development for Machines and Installations Designed to Agriculture
and Food Industry (INMA) Bucharest, The European Society of
Agricultural Engineers (EurAgEng), Society of Agricultural Mechanical
Engineers from Romania (SIMAR), National Research & Development
Institute For Food Bioresources (IBA), University of Agronomic Sciences
and Veterinary Medicine Of Bucharest (UASVMB), Research-
Development Institute for Plant Protection (ICDPP), Hydraulics and
Pneumatics Research Institute (INOE 2000 IHP), National Institute for
Research and Development in Environmental Protection (INCDPM), in
Bucharest, ROMANIA, between 01–03 November, 2018.
References
[1] Hays P. (2008), Status and Future of Vineyards Mechanization in
Australia and New Zealand, Justin R. Morris Vineyard
Mechanization Symposium ~Proceedings~, Midwest Grape and
Wine Conference, pp 31–33 Osage Beach, Missouri/USA;
[2] Intrieri C. (2008), Research and Innovation for Vineyard
Mechanization in Italy, Justin R. Morris Vineyard Mechanization
Symposium ~Proceedings~, Midwest Grape and Wine
Conference, pp 33–52, Osage Beach, Missouri/USA;
[3] Kaye O. (2008), Advancements in Vineyard Assessment and
Harvest Technology, Justin R. Morris Vineyard Mechanization
Symposium ~Proceedings~, Midwest Grape and Wine
Conference, pp 65–73, Osage Beach, Missouri/USA;
[4] Morris J.R., (2008), Commercialization of the Morris–Oldridge
Vineyards Mechanization Systems, Justin R. Morris Vineyard
Mechanization Symposium ~Proceedings~, Midwest Grape and
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[5] https://www.wineland.co.za/mechanical–harvesting–of– copyright © University POLITEHNICA Timisoara,
Faculty of Engineering Hunedoara,
grapes/;
5, Revolutiei, 331128, Hunedoara, ROMANIA
http://acta.fih.upt.ro

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