Page 16 - Best of 2016 English

Giants in narrow gauge
German winemaker Arno Schembs talks about a motor pool for his vineyard and about the grape harvester, which must be the most curious farm machine
Harvesting at night: The harvesting tunnel resembles a spider’s mouth with teeth chewing on the grapevines
In autumn, grape harvesters are a common sight on the country roads in Rheinhessen, German’s largest wine-growing region. e martial-looking high-clearance tractors are
higher than they are wide and o er proof that farm machines are making progress possible: When they take the grape vine between their
wheels and drive along the rows at 6 to 7 km/h, they can harvest 2.5 acres in 2 hours. Traditional gathering by hand, with scissors and bucket, would take 300 hours.
How can such a behemoth pick the fragile grapes from the vine? Arno Schembs (54) reacts to our question with amusement. e vintner
16 AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
Photo:s Mieke Farwig