Vine pruning means and method

Means for the pruning of canes from vines which are supported by trellis wires carried by posts, comprising:

• a frame assembly having a main frame, a swivel frame, and pivot means connecting the swivel frame to the main frame for swivel movement of the swivel frame with respect to the main frame in at least a vertical plane,
• securing means on the main frame for securing the frame assembly to a vehicle, and height adjustment means operatively located between the frame assembly and the vehicle for adjusting the height of the frame assembly with respect to the ground,
• at least three saws carried by the frame assembly:
• a first said saw being an upper saw carried on the main frame to lie in a generally horizontal plane arranged to cut vine canes extending upwardly from the trellis wire;
• a second said saw being an outer saw carried on the main frame to lie in a generally vertical plane arranged to cut vine canes extending outwardly from the trellis wire in a direction towards the vehicle;
• and
• a third said saw being an inner saw also in a generally vertical plane spaced from the first said vertical plane, arranged to cut vine canes extending inwardly from the trellis wire in a direction away from the vehicle, and
• power means coupled to each respective said saw for rotationally driving that said saw,
• the third of said saws being carried by the swivel frame so as to be capable of being raised or lowered with respect to said first and second saws.