As usual, the stand was divided into three areas: cutting equipment for vineyards – topping and pre-pruning machines –, fertilizer distributor area, and spraying equipment area – turbine equipment for vineyards, olive groves, and almond orchards, as well as defoliation equipment.

Distributor with Side Locator and Sonar
Present with the usual range of fertilizer distributors, the main novelty was the bilateral locator. This attachment can be adapted to any KCRD double-disc spreader and allows localized fertilizer application solely on the planting line. The application width is controlled via two manually adjustable vanes. The version shown at the fair was the standard one, but this distributor can also be equipped with a tree detection system using sonar, enabling localized fertilization at the base of the trees.

Vision Topping Machine
The main innovation in cutting equipment was the Vision topping machine. The unit at the fair was equipped with a knife cutting system but can also be fitted with saws. The main difference compared to the classic model is the chassis construction, which is lower, allowing greater operator visibility. Otherwise, the machine has exactly the same functions and works the same way. Another advantage of this machine is its versatility, since, due to adjustment possibilities the other model lacks, it allows working with a wider range of vineyard sizes. Another new feature in the cutting equipment area was the hydraulic power pack, a product now included in the range, which works as a complement for any cutting equipment.

“Mittos 6 Faces, Mittos Douro, and Mountain Vineyard Robot”
Three products covered in the May/June edition of the magazine, now available live and in color. The pneumatic 6 Faces Mittos sprayer, the Mittos Douro, and the mountain vineyard robot developed in partnership with INESCTEC, which is already operating in Douro region vineyards. Starting with the robot, it can perform low-volume treatments (± 100 liters/hectare). It is capable of receiving a prescription map and adjusting the application according to this prescription, robot speed, and the actual canopy volume at the spraying location. It is noteworthy that this robot can estimate the safest trajectory considering terrain slope and the robot’s center of mass, and can localize itself autonomously even in the absence of GNSS (GPS) signals. Regarding the Mittos Douro, it was designed to address the specific characteristics of the Douro region, namely the existence of two-tier terraces (traditional) and more recently single terraces, which cause great difficulties for phytosanitary treatments on the outer faces of the vegetative wall. The mixed pneumatic sprayer, available in 300 and 400-liter capacities, is equipped with an application boom with hydraulic lift and opening/closing that allows treatment of the outer terrace faces. This model can be supplied with a computer.