Under-row weed control in viticulture can be achieved using a mechanical between vine tool. It enables weeds to be controlled without the need for herbicides. This accessory forms part of the technical maintenance itinerary for the vine stock and in the context of controlled weed control. Many winegrowers are now equipped with this essential tool.
Find out more about how a mechanical between vine tool works below.
There are two main types of between vines blade. Hydraulic (such as hydrolames) and mechanic. It’s this second category that we’ll be concentrating on today. Actisol‘s range includes this accessory, which is as easy to use as it is formidable to fight weeds.
To understand how a between vines blade spring works, you need to know its components. This equipment is fitted with a torsion spring, a support and a hardened V-shaped blade. The latter comprises a scalping blade, a rudder and a counter-blade. The scalping blade can be fitted with a small mouldboard to prevent ridging of the row.
The Actisol between vines blade spring is simply fitted to the square bar. Two sizes are available: for 22 or 25 mm squares. The bracket slides onto the back of the bar. Simply tighten the screw to secure it in place. The tooth on which it is mounted will be fitted with a cracking shoe instead of a blade.
It’s very easy to operate. Once the material is in the ground, the teeth opens up the soil and the mechanical between vine tool placed just behind it performs a surface scalping operation (3 to 5 cm). The spring system allows the blade to retract when it comes into contact with the vine cep. Only the end of the scalping blade comes into contact with the stock to avoid, firstly, a shearing effect on the wood and, secondly, premature wear of the spring due to too great an angle of oscillation.
The accessory then returns to its original position once it has passed the obstacle, thanks to the tension in the spring, the counter-blade and the rudder. Weed control is then as effective as possible, because it’s as close as possible to the vine cep.
There are two sizes: 45 and 60 (in addition to the two fixing sizes mentioned above). The aim is to adapt to the working widths required.
The positive points of this weed control accessory are in line with agronomic rules. As well as being adaptable to all power tractors and can be used at high speeds, in a single pass it oxygenates and loosens the first horizon, thereby contributing to the life of the soil (mineralisation of organic matter and uptake of elements by the vine). The between vines blade spring also helps to lower production costs by reducing the need to buy herbicides. It is therefore an economical alternative for mechanical weed control.
Resistant and requiring no tedious adjustment, this accessory should nevertheless be used on vines that are already well rooted, or with stakes if the vines are young.
The between vines blade spring requires very little maintenance. Simply clean after use and check the spring and support.
If required, each component can be ordered from the Actisol shop. Spring, blade, support, axis… the whole team is at your disposal for repairs or technical advice.
ACTISOL TIP: The spring tension can be changed: the tool is supplied with a tension setting on the second notch. This is recommended for standard use. The following notches can be used to compensate for the loss of elasticity of the spring when it has already worked hard.
The mechanical between vine tool is an alternative to chemical weed control that reduces input costs and takes a step towards sustainable agriculture. With its mechanism for retracting the blade when it comes into contact with the stock, it combats the development of weeds. Requiring very little maintenance, it has become an essential ally for winegrowers looking for a virtuous and economical solution.
We recommend that you get in touch with our teams before making any purchase. The type of soil, the width of your rows and the location of your plants are all factors to be taken into account for optimum efficiency of the tool.
By offering solutions that are ever closer to your needs, Actisol is THE partner for your soil capital.
You can also find out how to care for a vine in detail in our blog article on the subject.
