Trimming...

This unusual contraption on the front of Sergi's tractor is used to cut the excess shoots that would otherwise obstruct work in the vineyards. It is particularly useful in vineyards that are not trellised (these vines grow as small bushes in what is known as the "goblet" form), as it cuts branches that would otherwise be snapped off by the passing tractor, damaging the vine. After the recent rains, the vineyards also need ploughing now, and although doing both jobs at once slows Sergi down, it is quicker than doing both jobs separately.

Before...and after

As can be seen below, the cutter cuts off any shoots which would be trampled (and torn off) by the tractor wheels, leaving just enough space for the tractor to move between the rows. No grapes are removed during this process, as they grow at the beginning of the shoots, nearer the trunk of the vine. Removing this extra foliage has the added advantage of opening up the grapes somewhat, so that any treatments reach the grapes rather than sticking to the foliage, and increasing their exposure to the sun, contributing to a healthy ripening process.