The ultra-high-capacity grape Braud harvesters rank among the most efficient machines in the industry in terms of productivity and care of the harvest. They are also capable of carrying out all the operations needed, from the initial vineyard pre-pruning stages to the final harvest. The Braud brand is owned by New Holland
All large harvesting machines share a fundamental issue that limits their spread: the price, or in more professional terms, the investment required to acquire them. The costs are always significant, and therefore only through continuous use of each machine can the investment be amortized in a relatively short time.
Productivity and care of the harvest
Concrete examples are given by large open-field harvesters, such as combine harvesters and forage harvesters, which are designed to work efficiently on different crops, making them usable over the longest possible periods of the year. This is not the case for self-propelled grape harvesters, which are designed to manage a very specific crop: grapes. Grapes ripen at different times depending on climate, altitude, and latitude, but always within a limited time window of no more than three months per year. In warmer southern areas such as Sicily, harvesting can begin as early as August, while in cooler northern regions like Piedmont, it can extend into November.
Until recently, amortizing the cost of a grape harvester within a short timeframe meant following the harvests up and down Italy, being in the right place at the right time—something only contractors could afford, not individual wineries. It was precisely with these realities in mind that, starting in 1980, the Braud brand, owned by New Holland, decided to complement its traditional grape harvesters with multipurpose machines. These machines, besides harvesting grapes, can perform all the vineyard operations that arise throughout the annual growth cycle.
An example is the ultra-high-capacity Braud “9090X”, a self-propelled system with a frame designed to support a wide range of vineyard equipment, from pre-pruning to treatments to final harvesting. Each tool requires just ten minutes to attach, after which the machine automatically recognizes it, allowing the operator to configure work parameters quickly and intuitively through the “IntelliView IV” touchscreen monitor. The same interface also provides access to New Holland’s operational platforms for agricultural automation, reducing operator workload while ensuring the highest levels of comfort and safety.
Work quality—and therefore harvest quality—is ensured by the “Sdc” (Shaking Dynamic Control) system, which allows the 24 independent shakers to be precisely controlled to protect both plants and fruit. The “Acs” system further enhances performance by allowing preferred harvesting settings to be saved and recalled for each vineyard and product. The shakers are mounted on an exclusive extra-wide adjustable frame, adapting to vegetation and efficiently handling even larger canopies.
Once collected, the grapes are gently placed in 136 collection baskets, which carry them to the top of the harvesting head before transferring them into the machine’s two 2,000-liter bins.
The free-fall transfer is used to clean the grapes thoroughly through special aspirators, ensuring that only berries—or bunches, if the “Socma” de-stemming system is not installed—reach the bins. The de-stemmer, consisting of a sophisticated grid and finger system, removes over 99% of impurities such as stems, stalks, leaves, and other debris, which could otherwise cause grassy flavors during winemaking.
Additional features include a removal system for heavy foliage or broken shoots, and a remote-controlled washing system that cleans all harvesting components and bins in just 20 minutes, allowing nearly continuous operation across vineyards with different grape varieties.
Cabin: Five-Star Comfort
The Braud “9090X” cabins are made entirely with heat-insulated glass panels, ensuring full visibility on all sides. This is complemented by two high-resolution, adjustable cameras supplied as standard. The cabins are fully climate-controlled with automatic systems and can be certified to Class IV, providing maximum operator protection during pesticide treatments.
For operator comfort, the standard features include a ventilated, air-conditioned seat and a multifunction joystick controlling all main machine parameters—speed, direction, harvesting heads, implements, and manual leveling. The “Ims 2.0” (Intelligent Management System 2.0), integrated with the “IntelliView IV” touchscreen, manages both machine functions and Braud’s automation systems. These include:
- SmartSteer, an optical assisted steering system for guiding the machine in trellised vineyards.
- Rts (Row Tracking System), which maps vineyard rows via GPS, displaying completed, missed, and overlapping passes.
- IntelliField, which uses telematics to share GPS coverage maps across multiple machines.
An optional CustomSteer system simplifies headland turns, reducing turnaround time by up to 40%, while access to the “MyNew Holland” portal is standard, providing a wide range of precision farming services.
High-Level Performance Only
The Braud “9090X” is powered by FPT Industrial N67 engines, delivering 182 hp and compliant with Stage V emissions standards without EGR systems. Known for reliability and fuel efficiency, these engines drive an all-wheel transmission with the “Twin-Lock” anti-slip system, constantly adapting to working conditions.
The system maintains consistent harvesting parameters while continuously adjusting engine speed based on terrain and hydrostatic load. The “Ims 2.0” system automatically regulates ground clearance up to nearly three meters. Manages transversal leveling up to 30%, and keeps harvesting head height fixed at the operator’s preset value regardless of slope.
Specific sensors prevent the head from hitting the ground on rough terrain, while an automatic locking system—activated directly from the cabin—stabilizes the head during road travel at speeds up to 30 km/h.
Title: Braud harvesters: care and efficiency in grape harvest
Translation with ChatGPT
