Assessing operative parameters of four different machines for weed management in vineyard

The inter-row grass cover in vineyards plays a fundamental role in soil conservation, especially in vineyards established on sloping terrain. Slopes promote soil erosion during rainfall events, which damages the cultivated area. Grass cover can mitigate this effect, as the runoff water is slowed down by the vegetation forming the turf. Additionally, the roots of these plants contribute to increased soil porosity, enhancing water retention. It is therefore essential to maintain the grass cover in good vegetative health so that it can effectively fulfil its function. Conventionally, shredders coupled with tractors are used for this purpose. However, these machines often perform too aggressively, damaging the turf and sometimes creating patches of bare soil. In this context, four machines for managing the inter-row grass cover were tested to evaluate their operational parameters and their work quality. The tests were divided into three trials carried out in three different vineyards: the first one at Podere Tomasino, Pieve di Santo Stefano, Lucca (Italy), where the autonomous mower Kress KR174E was compared with the remote-wheeled mower Spider ILD02 over the course of one month; the second one at Azienda Agricola Casalvento, Cerreto Guidi (Italy), where the remote-tracked tool carrier Energreen RoboEvo 40 equipped with the Head 130 shredder was tested for one day; the third one at Località Matraia, Capannori (Italy), where the remote-tracked mower Blue Bird FM 24-70 was tested for one day. The autonomous mower scored the lowest energy consumption, 1.454 kWh/ha, but also scored the lowest Real Work Capacity, 0.013 ha/h. The other machines, with endothermic engines, scored higher Real Work Capacity but also higher consumptions: the remote tracked mower scored 113.226 kWh/ha and 0.128 ha/h, the remote-wheeled mower scored 58.846 kWh/ha and 0.398 ha/h (the highest work capacity), the remote tool carrier scored 122.043 kWh/ha (the highest consumption) and 0.193 ha/h. This study assessed the operative parameters and consumptions of four different machines utilized in vineyard for managing the grass cover of the inter-row space.