Machinery Articles

Fendt will officially launch its battery-powered e107 v Vario tractor at the German Agritechnica show this November. Fruit & Vine machinery editor David Williams enjoyed an early test drive.

Fieldwork Robotics, the company behind the world’s first raspberry picking robot, has secured £1.5 million in funding from investment firm Elbow Beach Capital (EBC) last month to enhance its technology and expand its reach.

UTVs are a popular solution for fruit growers to get around, but until recently there have been very few alternatives to traditional diesel-powered machines. Electric Wheels says it is bridging that gap with a range of all-terrain, performance driven 4×4 all-electric UTVs available to hire and buy.

With commercial vineyards increasingly turning to automation solutions to cut labour costs, the innovative Vitipulse Combi offers growers increased flexibility and efficiency when it comes to canopy management by combining two defoliation technologies.

Kubota has introduced new M5-002N-series narrow tractors with updated features which are certain to increase appeal for specialist fruit growing and vineyard applications. F&V machinery editor, David Williams, enjoyed an exclusive test-drive of the first of the new models to come to the UK.

RootWave has launched its first tractor-powered electrical weeding machine for orchards, vineyards and fruit. The machine kills weeds using electricity to give better weed control at a lower cost than chemical herbicides whilst protecting health and helping nature restore its soils, water and biodiversity.

Much time and effort is spent by fruit producers and winemakers getting the growing, harvesting and pressing of grapes correct, along with the fermentation, processing and final filtration of the wine. Bottling however, requires just as much thought and consideration.

The Antonio Carraro TN5800 supplied by Kirkland is the third in The Summer Berry Company’s modified tractor fleet, used to spray strawberries on its 400-acre fruit farm near Colworth in West Sussex.

A new solution to deep level ground compaction in orchards and vineyards is available from a Suffolk-based machinery manufacturer. David Williams visited the team to find out more.

Fox Robotics, the makers of Hugo RT, an autonomous robot that supports fruit pickers by transporting produce and empty trays on farms, are welcoming investments from visionary farmers and individual investors to help fund the rollout of their new technology within the next six months.

Munckhof Fruit Tech Innovators has expanded its dealer network in the UK with a new dealer in the Southeast of the United Kingdom. From now on, Munckhof’ orchard sprayers, harvesters and box fillers can also be purchased through Seymour Engineers in Cranbrook (Kent).

Having previously worked in tractor and farm machinery sales, Ash Baldry will be bringing a wealth of experience to his appointment as sales representative at fruit and vine machinery specialists NP Seymour.