Vineyard Ops, Inc. - Pre-Pruning

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Mechanized Pre-pruning

Pre-pruning equipment is now widely used in vineyards to streamline the pruning tasks. The brush removed by the mechanized pre-pruning allows for much more rapid hand pruning in the spring.

In 2004, Vineyard Ops. Inc. acquired a Braud SB65 tractor with a Pellenc TL00 pruning attachment to mechanically pre-prune grapevines. Pre-pruning is done in winter with our “over-the-row” tractor.

A series of blades run along the vines cutting approximately nine inches above the cordon, leaving canes of two feet or more. Collecting the wood and brush as it goes, the mechanical pre-pruner mulches the cane into small pieces. The four to five buds left behind will be pruned by hand later, but clearing the bulk of the vines mechanically saves the vineyard crew considerable time.