Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/754815
WINERY & VINEYARD EQUIPMENT 48 WINES&VINES December 2016 Power-assisted pruners are designed to make the tedious task of pruning easier, safer and also help ensure the last vine is cut as well as the first. The pruners reduce the action of making a cut to a simple pull of a trigger, relieving stress on the operator's hand and reducing the chances of a repetitive motion injury. By reducing fatigue, the manufactures also claim the pruners help ensure consistency throughout an entire pruning job, as less tired workers can focus on making the best cuts in the cleanest and most consistent manner possible. The pruning systems featured here are powered by a battery attached to a vest or harness worn by the operator, but a few companies also produce pneumatic pruners powered by a tractor- mounted PTO air compressor. Most pruners handle different cutting modes that vary in how much the cutting blade opens so the pruner can be adjusted for the thickness of the material being cut. Running different cut options can also save battery power and increase work time. The pruners have safety controls to reduce the risk of operator injury, and some systems support different implements for other types of work. Power-Assisted Pruners Intended to reduce fatigue, the pruners also encourage consistency in pruning By Andrew Adams Infaco INFACO Introduced this fall, the Electro- coup F3015 by Infaco features a smaller lithium-ion cobalt battery that weighs 1.79 pounds and pro- vides up to nine hours of working time and can be recharged in 90 minutes. The shears have a cut- ting capacity of 40 mm or 1.57 inches. Optional cutting heads can extend capacity to 65 mm. Other features include on/off and battery power indicator lights on the shears, a power switch and 10 different half-open positions to suit pruning needs. Infaco also offers a patented conductive safety glove connected to the pruner with a spiral cord. When the cutting blade contacts the conductive material, the cutting motion is stopped immediately. Batteries for the pruners can also be stored in a "hibernation" or sleep mode when the pruning season is over so battery life isn't compromised. Price: $2,197. infaco-usa.com PRODUCT FOCUS