PREPARING MACHINERY FOR VINTAGE
Preparations for Vintage 2007, particularly overhauling harvesting head modules or towed harvesters, should soon be underway. Timely and thorough maintenance prior to commencement of the vintage, should ensure minimal downtime during the harvest
The topics listed below provide a brief guide to items which should be closely considered during the overhaul process. For specific information, it will be necessary to consult your relevant equipment dealer.
Harvesting head
Preparation of the head should begin by running all operating parts if possible, to inspect for incorrect or defective components. Any doubtful or worn parts should be replaced. It is much more cost effective to replace or repair any component at this time, rather than face a breakdown in the “heat” of harvest.
Once any problem areas have been identified and dealt with, all belts, covers and guards should be removed to enable close inspection. A thorough clean is also a wise move before commencing any further maintenance. Experience has shown that the final clean of machinery at the end of Vintage is often very basic, normally carried out by tired workers glad to see the last grape picked!
Further maintenance falls into the following categories.
Conveyor belts (or buckets)
Begin with a thorough inspection of conveyor belts, as these can be sent off for repair whilst any other maintenance takes place.
Belts should be examined for burning on the back surface caused by slipping drive rollers;
all cleats should be inspected for tearing (most can be re-welded satisfactorily); and side ribbing, if fitted, should be checked. Joiner cleats can also be a source of problems, and these must also be checked for wear or other damage. The wire used to join cleat halves should be replaced each season.
As a final point regarding belts, all running surfaces and housings in which the belts turn should be examined for wear. Instances have occurred where incorrectly folded cleat joiner wires have worn through the sides of stainless steel conveyor housings.
Bucket conveyor systems require their own specialised maintenance, but the inspection procedure should follow a similar pattern.
Following re-installation of belts, they should be correctly aligned and tensioned.
Conveyor bearings and rod post bearings.
As these components operate in wet, acidic and abrasive conditions, it is unusual to find bearings which have survived a complete vintage without some internal damage.
Again, the cost of replacing all of the bearings within a harvesting head is normally minimal when compared with the lost time and frustration of a bearing failure during the harvest.
Hydraulic systems.
Hydraulic oil should be changed at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals, along with any filters fitted. Failure to maintain clean oil will lead to the premature wear of many expensive hydraulic valves and other components.
Particular attention should be given to hydraulic hoses. These are often overlooked, and damage such as rubbing, bubbles, swollen crimp ends or loose fittings, can result in oil contamination. Hose clamps and cable ties, which are used to prevent hoses from moving, should be checked and replaced if loose or broken.
Chassis/frame members including drawbars.
These items should all be closely inspected for cracking or distortion, as the stresses imposed on framework, particularly on steep slopes, can be quite severe.
Self propelled or towing tractor.
These units should be fully maintained to the manufacturer’s recommendations, with particular attention to the hydraulic system notes above.
Items such as tyres, engine oil and filters, engine coolant, radiator cleanliness, fuel filters and chassis lubrication, all require close inspection.
Detailed maintenance requirements should be available from your relevant machinery dealer.
NEW MACHINERY AVAILABLE
Recent additions to the Pellenc range of equipment include the following tools;
Double 3 point linkage arms for Pellenc over row tractor unit.
One of the most versatile tools developed by Pellenc, the Double 3 point arms (or Colleoptere in French) has proven to be a very successful invention indeed. Capable of carrying 2 tools with a weight of up to 800 kg each, the unit has so far been trialled with a number of different pieces of vineyard equipment.
These include;
In Australia at present, the majority of users have purchased the Double 3 point linkage arms to carry twin mowers. With ground speeds of up to 8 kph, the unit is very cost effective when compared to tractor drawn single mowers. The range of tools which can be operated with this unit is being increased regularly, as vineyard staff experiment with different items on their properties.
The Double 3 point arms feature automatic ground tracking and row centring sensors, ensuring ease of operation for the driver regardless of the tool being used.
Leaf remover
The leaf remover is now available in 2 versions, over row for the Pellenc tractor and rear 3 point linkage mounted for normal farm tractors.
The latter version has just arrived for the 2007 season, and will meet the needs of vineyards which do not yet have a Pellenc over row tractor.
Trials conducted in the past 2 years have shown that the Pellenc leaf remover can effectively clear leaf from the fruit zone without creating the crushed leaf and juice of other systems. The cut leaves and petioles simply flutter to the ground behind the tool. Leaves can be removed from 1 or both sides of the vine in each pass, with the amount of leaf removal being regulated from a control box in the cabin. Automatic sensors to position the tool on the vine row, make the Leaf remover a very easy tool to use.
Spray units
The new range of Pellenc spray units (named Eole in French), feature a number of improvements on earlier sprays. The rear boom assembly has been simplified, resulting in a considerable saving in weight and a far less complex mechanism. The number of parts required has also been reduced.
Probably the most significant change has been the development of 1 click fold/unfold. The operator simply adjusts the spray to the required row width, and once this value is stored the spray unit will automatically fold out to this selected configuration in 2 stages at the click of a button. The same process is repeated for folding, simply reversing the 2 stages.
A non contact(ultrasonic) automatic ground tracking system is also a feature of the Eole spray, replacing the feelers used on previous Pellenc multi row sprays.
The most popular version to date worldwide is the 3 row unit.
Pellenc Australia in conjunction with Croplands, have this year incorporated a number of improvements to Pellenc/Croplands SARDI 3 row spray units. These improvements were the result of consultation with current owners, in an effort to provide a spray which meets the needs of as many customers as possible. The units are now available with outer row skip function, hydraulic row width adjustment, fan speed sensing and the new Croplands 4000 series controller.
This year will also see trials of the larger 1400 litre ‘Plastige’ brand tanks fitted to one of these sprays. The increased capacity should satisfy the needs of some customers using corresponding nurse tankers.
Heavy duty cutter bars
During pruning season 2005, Pellenc trialled a small number of pre production heavy duty cutter bars. The bars performed extremely well, and are eagerly awaited by quite a few customers. The new bar will fill a need where a stronger cutter is required than the currently available Green trimmer bar (used for light summer trimming).
Over row tractors (MAV)
The 4000 series Pellenc over row tractor is now established in a number of areas throughout Australia.
The most significant change for the 4000 series range is the move to John Deere engines as a power source. The result of the change (from Perkins engines throughout the 3000 series) is an increase in horsepower from 125 HP (4 cylinder) to 147HP, and 150 HP (6 cylinder) to 167 HP. Other benefits of the change include improved fuel economy through electronic engine management, reduced emissions, and less noise. Engine cooling has been improved to give lower coolant temperatures in higher ambient temperatures. The John Deere dealer network is also much more widespread than was the case for Perkins engines and parts.
Fitting of a new, improved air conditioning system has resulted in an increase in cooling capacity of around 50%. Combined with heavily tinted cabin glass, the result is a better working environment for the driver in the heat of the Australian summer.
Changes have also been made to the cabin interior. These include a new, adjustable steering column, new instrument panel and much improved interior roof lining with provision for UHF and Radio/CD player mounting.
Increased glass area for better tunnel viewing, and new paint schemes further identify the 4000 range.
Fuel saving tips
Real savings in fuel costs can be achieved by intelligent use of the tractor and the tool fitted to it. This means determining the optimum engine speed to carry out a particular task with a specific tool. For instance, light summer trimming on relatively level ground can be carried out at much lower engine RPM than say harvesting which requires near full engine speed.
For any tool fitted to a Pellenc over row tractor, the primary consideration will be the quality of the task being undertaken. Next consideration should be the maximum speed at which the desired task can be carried out. Once those criteria have been met, it should be possible to begin reducing engine speed until a lowering of quality in the completed task occurs. This then becomes the point below which no further reductions can be made.
Remember also that unnecessary use of items such as air conditioning, and particularly anti-skid systems, can significantly increase fuel consumption. Regular maintenance or replacement of air cleaner elements is essential to reduce fuel use.
A well trained, conscientious operator can make significant fuel savings with any machine.
Industry training on harvesters / machinery
Pellenc Australia has a strong commitment towards operator and maintenance training and we have therefore developed a range of training tools in conjunction with our Occupational Health and Safety Consultant. Training is delivered at our premises here in Adelaide and in regional locations in accordance with demand.
Course content includes classroom type presentations delivered in a consistent manner by the use of prepared printed workbooks and CD’s.
Our presenters are also able to carry out written (or oral in the case of literacy problems) assessments to a consistent set of criteria of all vineyard staff, and detail to supervisors and managers any problems found during the assessment which may require further action.
These sessions are supplemented by as much practical, or in field training as required, until our assessors are satisfied that every person involved with the tool is satisfactorily trained.
This investment in training is repaid by having good operators, making the best and safest use of their machinery.
Training materials and aids are normally left with managers or supervisors on completion of these courses, to enable follow up or refresher courses to be carried out on site. New employees can also be trained by the local management as and when required.
Frank O’Riley (Dip. Eng)
Manager, Technical Services, R&D
Pellenc Australia P/L