With the arrival of warm weather, the integrity of the vine rows is at risk due to the last winter rains and the fluctuating temperatures.
It is important to protect the crops with pesticides distributed along the rows, after defoliating them where necessary. For this reason Rinieri has designed Ghibli leaf strippers
Spring is a delicate season in viticulture. Rainfall increases in both frequency and intensity, while temperatures, although mild on average, show nighttime and early morning values that significantly extend leaf wetness duration. This leads to two phenomena that require careful control.
The first favors downy mildew and other vine diseases, both fungal and insect-related. The second pushes plants to produce abundant leaf mass, especially in the upper part, with so-called “lateral shoots.” These are completely unproductive, as they are too far from the grape clusters to contribute to their nourishment, yet they create dense volumes that make it harder for plant protection products to penetrate.
Moreover, they promote moisture stagnation, benefiting not only downy mildew but also other pathogens such as botrytis, which in turn paves the way for sour rot—a complex of yeasts and acetic bacteria that give grapes odors and flavors incompatible with winemaking.
Finally, moths and leafrollers also benefit from the shading and higher humidity created by excessive foliage. As a result, the penetration of their larvae into the berries not only causes direct damage but also worsens the effects of downy mildew and botrytis.
To control excessive vegetation, equipment capable of working quickly and precisely is required, removing surplus canopy portions. This is the role fulfilled by the “Ghibli” series pneumatic impulse leaf removers by Rinieri, specifically designed for vineyards. The rotating frame supports a sturdy central column structure mounted at the front of the tractor, which can be hydraulically oriented laterally up to 180 degrees.
The heads can feature two or four rotors, with adjustable speed, whose action is powered by a rear-mounted compressor capable of delivering up to 600 cubic meters of air per hour at an operating pressure of 0.5 bar.
Single or double models
The “Ghibli” vineyard range includes single or double models, capable of working on two rows simultaneously. The Rinieri lineup also includes a model suitable for pergola-trained vineyards. In addition to the high operational flexibility offered by the hydraulic rotating system, these leaf removers feature a 70-centimeter vertical lift, useful for adapting to different row heights, as well as column tilt of 20 degrees in both directions. Both functions are hydraulically operated, as is the 28-centimeter lateral shift, with an additional 10 centimeters available manually.
The operational efficiency of these machines also helps reduce the power required from the tractor, with single units needing 35–55 horsepower and double units 60–80 horsepower. Hydraulic oil demand is also limited, ranging between 20 and 30 liters per minute. Thanks to these design features, the various “Ghibli” models by Rinieri can meet the needs of vineyards with widely differing characteristics.
Title: Ghibli leaf strippers by Rinieri: fast, rapid, and precise
Translation with ChatGPT
