ABOUT MUSFELD SOILWORKS
Shorty after owner Yves Musfeld arrived in South Africa, he realised the benefits and potential of offering technologically advanced agricultural service to the viticulture industry. Having completed a B.Sc. in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Geisenheim (Germany), he knew what technology was available and how it can address farmers’ needs. With a passion for big machinery and big engines, he started uprooting vineyards during the “quieter winemaking months” in 2016. Presently 100+ ha are worked on every year and more implements and tractors have since joined the portfolio of machines and services.
OUR SERVICES
Vine & Orchard Uprooting
Our uprooting implement works at a depth of 0.6 m and a width of 1.2 m. Two rollers offer good separation of root and soil, in addition to a level field after completion of the job. Depending on the length of the rows, we can uproot up to 1 ha per hour.
With 20-25 litre diesel per ha and our fixed ha rate, this method of uprooting will save you money compared to a TLB or excavator. In addition to the cost saving factor our uprooting method also gives a better result.
Plant Field Preparation
As a last step, prior to planting, we can prepare your planting field with our 3 m wide rotary tiller. It creates a fine soil structure for maximum vine soil-root contact, as well as a level field.
GPS Vine Planting
(by machine)
(by machine)
With a team of 3 people we can plant 5000-6000 vines per day (depending on the length of the rows). The planting machine is RTK GPS guided (the most accurate signal on the market) and makes a 30 cm side shift correction on both sides which ensures 100 % straight rows. The client only needs to supply one A and B point of any row and the rest of the measurement is done by GPS – therefore we are also your land surveyor (or plant surveyor). The planting wheel is turned by a wire, which is rolled off as the tractor drives forward.
By changing the sprockets we can realise a planting distance of between 0.65-1.5 m. The biggest advantage of mechanical planting is the elimination of human error, such as inconsistent planting by hand. Since the machine plants every vine exactly the same, a more uniform growth is achieved. (J.L. van Zyl and J.E. Hoffmann, 2019. Soil Preparation for sustainable wine and table grape vineyards, Winetech, South Africa.)
Orchard Cutting
Our excavator-mounted tree shear can cut hard wood (apple and citrus) up to 25 cm in diameter and soft wood up to 32 cm. By only using a 5 ton excavator for this duty, the diesel usage and transport cost remains low.
Wood Chipping
With our chipper we can chip trees up to 40 cm in diameter. Having its own crane guarantees the constant feeding of wood. The chipper is not made for branches shorter than 2 m and can not safely process any wires. It is ideal for pine trees (used as windbreaks), bluegum and orchards. The wood chips can be used as ground cover for your new or existing orchards and vineyards to suppress weeds and evaporation.
It is a one man operation, with only one engine running, which makes it very economical.
Orchard Mulching and Land Clearing
With the Forestry Mulcher, whole standing orchards, trees, stumps and shrubs up to 40 cm in diameter can be cut and directly mulched where it grew. The mulched biomass goes back into the soil where it originally came from. This implement only works on the surface and does not process roots underground. Roots can be processed after they have been taken out by our uprooting implement or by excavator. This implement is also perfectly suited for land clearing.
CONTACT US
Get in touch with us directly
Email: info@musfeld-soilworks.co.za
Phone: 076 07 333 90
Address: 17 Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road
7133 Sir Lowry’s Pass
Phone: 076 07 333 90
Address: 17 Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road
7133 Sir Lowry’s Pass
