Evaluation of harvest losses within a full mechanised grape harvest

Abstract

A contribution deals with an evaluation of harvest losses within a full mechanised berries harvest using two self-propelled harvesters GREGOIRE G 152 and NEW HOLLAND VL 6060 differing in kinds of harvesting and catching mechanisms. Observation was done in vineyards of ZVOS Hustopeče joint–stock company at harvest of Müller Thurgau and Lemberger varieties in a period 2009–2010. Results gained under operating conditions showed that both self-propelled harvesters reached a comparable quality of a harvested product. There were observed losses by a slump in a case of using GREGOIRE G 152 harvester 0.8–1.45%. By using NEW HOLLAND VL 6060 the losses were 0.86–1.52% and data were gained with a respect to vine condition, the variety and the vintage. Next to losses by the slump also losses as non-harvested product were observed. Using GREGOIRE G 152 were reached 1.08–2.56% of non-harvested product losses and in a case of NEW HOLLAND VL 6060 similarly 1.17–2.22%. However a value of the non-harvested product losses cannot be perceived absolutely because in a practice the non-harvested grapes are consequently picked up manually. Total losses perceived as a sum of losses by the slump and non-harvested losses values were at GREGOIRE G 152 harvester 2–4% and at NEW HOLLAND VL 6060 harvester 2–3.7% of total hectare yield.