Crush Prep 2007

2007 grape crush is coming up and it seems that each year we're devising something or other to hopefully make the work easier.

(at left, Marty works on making safe rough edges).

Last year we were solving the issue of primary and secondary fermenters (see here), and having a lot of fun with it too! This year the process of getting hand sorted and cleaned grapes into the crusher is up for experimentation.

So it starts out with plans about a platform onto which the bins containing grapes are placed and then tipped into the crusher, but ends up with a chute system into which grapes are placed and delivered directly to the grape crusher without lifting heavy grape bins.

To compensate for the lack of an aggressive angle, especially on the chute that will run along the sorting table, Marty will make two long chute hoes to assist the grapes on their way downwards.

(at left, end view of lower chute atop grape crusher's hopper).

PLAN B - always has to be a Plan B, is if this doesn't work or it's just too much bother, we will take the crusher outside and revert to the old method of lifting grape bins to the grape crusher's hopper and tipping them in.

(at left, side view of lower chute atop grape crusher)

(below, from left to right, Paolo and Marty grin for the camera, and salute you with old-man Moretti beer).