Making Use of Your Break from the Cold and Rain.
By Rory Pinnegar, Assistant Vineyard Manager
Make the most of the winter weather to get ahead of your operational needs
At this time of year, it’s hard to be motivated to get outside in the cold and rain.
We tend to want to recoup and recover from the rigours of harvest.
However, it will save you a lot of time and effort come spring if you begin to get ahead of your workshop and operating equipment over the colder months.
Using your downtime from the vineyard to make a list of repairs, and service and restore the condition of your tractors, mowers and other vital tools or machinery will give you every advantage over the growing season.
Here are the four key questions I ask vineyard teams every winter to support them in advance of the next season…
1. Is your workshop ready?
Before you start bringing heavy-duty equipment and machinery into the workshop, assess if you have all the supplies you need and workshop systems working effectively.
Here’s some of the elements you may want to do first before you start on other tasks:
- Conduct a stock count and inventory of common parts and fastners
- Test fire extinguishers and first aid kits
- Replace faded safety decals
- Service your air compressor
- Update maintenance logs and service records
- Replenish spill kits
2. Does your tractor need some love and attention?
We rely on tractors throughout the year, and the worst thing is to have your tractor go down and be out of action during the growing season.
Taking the time over winter to upgrade necessary parts and give each tractor a full service will give you the best chances of having a reliable vehicle for the rest of the year.
Doing it now will also mean you have the time to access parts without the stress of lead times for delivery.
The checklist I work to includes:
- Contacting my local tractor dealer for an annual service
- Check and replace fuel filters and drain water traps
- Inspect and replace worn belts and hoses
- Grease all points and check universal joints
- Inspect tyres for wear and correct pressures
- Test battery and clean terminals
- Check lighting and electrical systems
- Inspect PTO shafts and guards
- Steam clean and rust-proof exposed metals if needed
3. When did you last fully flush and maintain your spray systems?
No matter the regime and philosophy for how your manage your vineyard, spray systems are very important.
Preparing your sprayers in the right way will give you added efficiency managing your vineyard in spring and summer.
Simple tasks to complete in the workshop include:
- Flush the system thoroughly, removing all water and residue
- Inspect and replace nozzles, filters and diaphragms if needed
- Pressure test the pump and check seals
- Winterise your spray kit by adding anti-freeze
- Check hose clamps and replace brittle hoses
- Check control valves and electronic regulators
- Calibrate spray output
- Change sight tube
4. Do your mowers require maintenance?
At Vinescapes we advocate for the minimal use of rotary or mulcher mowers in vineyards to generate optimum soil health, yet they do provide an essential function for mulching down cover crops and grasses so it’s important the blades are sharp and each mower in good operating condition.
It makes sense to give them attention over the cooler months when the need for mowing is much reduced.
Here’s what I do to get each mower in top shape ahead of the warmer months:
- Inspecting blades and string heads to replace if worn
- Check spindle bearings for movement
- Test spring tension and wear points
- Grease all points and check universal joints
- Inspect hydraulic hoses and quick couplers
- Adjust skids and depth settings
- Check roller depth wheel bearings
If you have any questions about your maintenance schedule and routines to make your equipment and machinery operate at their best all year round, do get in touch with us here at Vinescapes.
Our team of seasoned viticulturists and technicians have the experience to guide you through the preparations necessary to give you more time at the most vital moments of the grapegrowing management cycle.