Robot with Plastic Cable Carriers & Bearings for Grape Harvesting
CH Engineering develops a compact, high-tech grape harvesting vehicle with igus plastic cable carriers and bearings for use on wine vineyards
13 January 2025 – Vintners are turning to automation to overcome labor shortages in delivering wines to consumers. Engineering firm CH Engineering has introduced an innovative solution: a compact harvest vehicle designed specifically for steep vineyards with gradients up to 75% and narrow rows previously thought impossible to automate. This breakthrough vehicle incorporates high-performance cable carriers from igus, ensuring reliability under extreme conditions and reducing maintenance needs for vineyard operators.
Compact Design for Challenging Terrains
At the heart of this solution is the UT110evo crawler vehicle, a lightweight, compact machine measuring 1.32 meters wide, 3.2 meters long, and weighing just 2.7 tons. Its dimensions make it easy to transport on a tractor-trailer, even to vineyards with restricted access. Once on-site, a foldable side ramp enables the crawler to enter the vineyard rows, with a winch tethered to the trailer, providing 1.5 tons of pulling force. This feature allows the vehicle to climb steep slopes with ease. The crawler also has an adjustable seat that tilts to align with the horizon, reducing physical strain on the driver.
Durable Components Minimize Maintenance
The vehicle’s design reflects a meticulous focus on durability and low maintenance. Engineers chose igus e-chain® cable carriers made of high-performance plastics to guide hydraulic and electrical lines to the harvesting head. These e-chains energy chain systems prevent tangling and damage to cables, even in tight vineyard rows.
“Our e-chain systems are corrosion-free, UV- and chemical-resistant, and retain their mechanical properties for years without maintenance,” says Dan Thompson, e-chain senior product manager at igus. “They are key to increasing the machine’s lifespan.”
Additionally, the engineers replaced traditional metal bearings. Metal ball bearings were previously heavily corroded by grape must, requiring replacement after just one season despite daily lubrication. Now, plastic plain bearings from igus are used, offering corrosion resistance and robustness. And thanks to the low-friction dry operation of the igus bearings, there is no need for additional lubrication.
Precision Harvesting with the CH 500 Attachment
The CH 500 steep-slope harvester attachment, which can be installed on the crawler’s front platform in just 30 minutes using six bolts, is another highlight of this system. The attachment features two movable arms equipped with shaker rods. These rods vibrate grapevines at speeds of up to 620 oscillations per minute, efficiently dislodging grapes. A collection system beneath the harvester captures and transfers the grapes into a container.
The machine’s efficiency is unmatched: it can move downhill at speeds of up to 4.5 km/h, significantly faster than manual pickers, and returns uphill at 9 km/h with winch assistance. After each row, the container is emptied, and the vehicle is repositioned until the harvest is complete.
Transforming Vineyard Operations
CH Engineering’s harvest vehicle represents a transformative leap for vintners operating on challenging terrains. By combining advanced engineering with igus motion plastics, the vehicle not only improves efficiency but also ensures long-term cost savings and reliability. With this innovative solution, vintners can continue to meet consumer demand for quality wines while adapting to modern labor challenges.
