Mastering Fuel Consumption in Viticulture
As part of the Sustainable Development approach of the Burgundy Wines sector, a study was conducted from 2013 to 2015 to better understand fuel consumption in viticultural operations. This knowledge is an essential prerequisite for implementing efficient strategies. Data were collected from two sources: surveys and recordings from consumption loggers.
- Vines in Burgundy : 11% of agricultural energy consumption for 1.2% of the Agricultural Useful Area, i.e. 17,529 Tons of Oil Equivalent
- Average fuel consumption : 265 l / ha
- Fuel cost: €3,000 / year for 20 ha. It is directly linked to the evolution of oil prices: 55% increase in oil price in 2013, i.e. + €1,500 / year.
What consumes the most fuel?
It is road travel: 70 l / 100 km.
An important aspect not to forget!
CAUSES:
- Fragmentation of plots
- Work organization, of operations
- Autonomy of equipment (sprayers…)
SOLUTION:
Work on organizing operations to rationalize travel.
For example: limit distances traveled between plots.
Per hectare?
- LEAF REMOVAL : 37 l / ha
- SOIL WORK : 23 l / ha
CAUSES:
- Reduced forward speeds but essential for intervention quality
- Limited working widths (technical or economic reasons)
SOLUTION:
Better utilize the available traction power (127 hp/m for leaf removal and 130 hp/m for soil work) to achieve more profitable engine load rates (= actual consumption / theoretical consumption at maximum power) (generally low, 29% for leaf removal and 28% for soil work).
For example: combine tools (hedging + mowing or hedging + inter-row cultivation).
Per campaign?
- SPRAYING : 83 l / ha
- SOIL WORK : 57 l / ha
CAUSES:
- Energy-intensive nature of soil work
- High number of passes (10 on average) and long spraying period
SOLUTION:
Choose the appropriate equipment.
For example:
- Prefer a boom sprayer over pneumatic spraying: less consumption and very good technical performance.
- Do not forget that soil maintenance powered tools consume more.
In brief
To better control fuel consumption, prioritize action on the 4 areas:
- Travel
- Leaf removal
- Soil work
- Spraying
Perspectives and ongoing work
Hedging, mechanical weeding, leaf removal are operations whose fuel consumption is now well identified. Work continues for other viticultural operations, notably harvesting and the use of augers, which will complete the panel.
Based on the acquired references, some avenues for controlling fuel consumption are emerging.
It is therefore advised to:
- adapt the choice of straddle tractor to the operation performed,
- consider the consumption caused by a tool when purchasing it (powered tools consume more),
- try to combine passes (example: hedging + mowing) and organize operations differently (limit distances traveled between plots),
- increase speed and working width if possible, but never at the expense of work quality.
Sources
- This page was created from the PDF document "Controlling Fuel Consumption: What You Need to Know" published by the BIVB
- Project “Development of references on fuel consumption in viticulture” involving the Departmental Chambers of Agriculture, the Burgundy CUMA Federation, the Vinipôle Sud Bourgogne and the BIVB.
Appendices
- Redirect Modèle:Pages liées
