Gasoil consumption in vineyard management: evaluation of technology’s and setting’s efficiency

Abstract

In this study it was measured the gasoil consumption induced by the use of different machines designed to do the same job in the vineyard, but using different technologies. The aim was to identify the most economical way of accomplishing a mechanical task, but also to quantify the fuel savings we can expect with appropriate settings on the tractor and on the machine. IFV has been measuring fuel consumption since 2009 with 2 tractors and 8 categories of vine equipment. A flowmeter was mounted on the tractor, in order to obtain a figure by second, expressed in liters per hour. The analysis of the mean value curve of this instant flow allows us to determine how long the measure should last to obtain a reliable result. The results have shown the impact of some exterior parameters like air temperature, the use of air conditioning systems or the slope. It was also shown that for all trailed equipment, exception made of soil tillage, the most important parameter to save fuel is speed. The faster you go, the less time you spend, and even if the instant consumption is higher, the consumption per hectare is lower. Things are different with soil tillage tools: the depth is the main factor in fuel need. For canopy management equipment, there can be a great influence of the technology. This is true with leaf removal machines for example. This study gives concrete information about the fuel demand of the main viticultural equipments and shows how to limit it using the settings. However, we should keep in mind that the best way to save fuel is to avoid useless practices. Whatever the machine, the agronomic reasoning is powerful !