Manufacturing Vineyard Machinery for Small Business Grape Growers

Antonio Odair Santos, Claudio Alves Moreira

In the viticulture of Latin America, the shortage of manpower and the current competition with new markets, require the automation of the processes for vine handling for the sustainability of the activity. Therefore, it is necessary to seek capability towards a correct mechanization based on local conditions of plant, soil and social profile of grape growers. With this need in mind, a study was conducted in Jundiaí (Sao Paulo), Brasil, between 2010 and 2013. It aimed to develop a grape pruner for application in a small to mid-range vineyard. Results suggested a low cost and low weight prototype of lateral coupling pruner, adequate to be attached to a low power tractor.