Gramegna Agricultural Spading Machines and Tillage Equipment
Engineering solutions for Italian Gramegna spading machines (vangatrici) and inter-row implements for commercial agriculture, tree nurseries, orchards, and vineyards.
VM Series Compact Spading Machines
Gramegna VM series compact spading machines are engineered for two-wheel walking tractors from 8 to 16 HP. Operating without inverting soil layers, they deliver deep decompaction down to 16 cm in greenhouses, nurseries, small vineyards, and confined garden plots.
- Designed for two-wheel walking tractors rated at 8 to 16 HP with direct PTO coupling
- Working cultivation depth down to 16 cm without creating a compressed hardpan layer
- Maneuverable design engineered specifically for greenhouses, tree nurseries, and garden beds
- Supply of replacement spades, connecting hinge pins, gearbox oil seals, and mounting hardware
Series 20 and 25 Vineyard Spading Machines
Gramegna Series 20 and 25 lightweight professional spading machines operate with compact orchard tractors from 15 to 40 HP. They perform gentle decompaction down to 20–25 cm in vineyards and orchards, preserving root health and improving natural water infiltration.
- Compatible with compact orchard and vineyard tractors rated from 15 to 40 HP
- Effective working depth of 20 to 25 cm with uniform organic matter incorporation
- Narrow frame profile with smooth side guards to avoid catching low-hanging foliage and vines
- Selection of connecting rod bushings, forged spade blades, drive chains, and bearing seals
Series 30L and 30B Medium Spading Machines
Gramegna Series 30L and 30B medium-duty spaders are built for tractors from 30 to 70 HP. The 30L model offers an optimized weight-to-depth ratio down to 30 cm, while the 30B variant features generous crank clearance engineered to eliminate clogging in wet, heavy clay soils.
- Cultivation depth down to 30 cm powered by mid-range tractors from 30 to 70 HP
- Special open-frame geometry on 30B preventing sticky clay buildup in wet soil conditions
- Balanced weight-to-rigidity ratio tailored for both open fields and commercial greenhouses
- Supply of crankshafts, connecting rod assemblies, PTO slip clutches, and roller bearings
Series 30X Heavy-Duty Professional Spaders
The reinforced Series 30X is engineered for heavy contractor use and demanding agricultural applications. Featuring oversized connecting rods and double tapered roller bearings on the crankshaft, it delivers durable performance under heavy mechanical soil resistance.
- Reinforced connecting rod and crank assemblies designed for continuous multi-shift operations
- Double tapered roller bearings equipped with multi-lip labyrinth grease sealing
- Working widths from 1.5 to 2.5 m matched to medium agricultural tractors of 50 to 90 HP
- Availability of hardened spade sets, reduction gears, oil seal rings, and linkage pins
Series 30S and 30P Vegetable Soil Spaders
Gramegna Series 30S and 30P machines are tailored for commercial vegetable farming and seedbed preparation. The 30S features a higher spade density per meter for superior soil crumbling, while the 30P provides reliable medium-depth tillage in open-field horticulture.
- Increased spade tool density on the 30S series delivering fine seedbed tilth without clods
- Promotes optimal moisture retention and root respiration for intensive vegetable production
- Optional rear three-point hitch for combined single-pass harrowing or mechanical seeding
- Supply of specialized spade blades, rear tines, mounting brackets, and pivot hardware
Series 36X, 40X, and 45 Heavy-Duty Spaders
Gramegna flagship heavy-duty Series 36X, 40X, and 45 spaders achieve deep soil cultivation down to 38–45 cm with tractors up to 180 HP. The proprietary high-clearance frame operates without jamming in extremely wet, heavy ground conditions.
- Deep cultivation depth reaching up to 45 cm without bringing infertile subsoil to the top
- Permanently eradicates hardpan plow layers, enabling natural rainwater absorption and drainage
- Rear PTO drive shaft option allowing simultaneous harrowing or seeding in a single tractor pass
- Supply of heavy forged crankshafts, bevel gear sets for main gearboxes, and reinforced rods
TM and CS Series Mulchers and Inter-Row Tillers
Gramegna TM series flail mulchers and CS cultivators are designed for vineyard and orchard canopy management. Hydraulic or mechanical lateral offset enables close cultivation around vine trunks and fruit tree bases without root or bark damage.
- Hydraulic or mechanical lateral side-shift for sensitive inter-row and under-tree tillage
- Effective shredding of vineyard prunings, orchard branches, and ground cover vegetation
- Protective rounded side hoods and sensor wands to prevent accidental trunk contact
- Availability of shredder hammers, rotor knives, power transmission V-belts, and roller bearings
Gramegna Spare Parts and Overhaul Kits
Selection of replacement ground-engaging tools, transmission gears, and hydraulic components for Gramegna machinery is performed via model code, serial number, and nameplate photos. We supply precision-fit spades, connecting rods, pins, seals, and bevel gears with clear quotation terms.
- Direct component selection based on machine model, serial identification, or nameplate photograph
- Wear-resistant forged spade blades and rotor tines built for abrasive, stony soil conditions
- Complete seal, bushing, and bearing overhaul kits for scheduled off-season gearbox maintenance
- Comprehensive quotation outlining calculated unit pricing, packaging, and logistics schedules
Operating Principles of Mechanical Spading
The mechanical spading machine (vangatrice), patented by the Gramegna brothers in 1960, reproduces the natural kinematics of manual shovel digging.
Unlike conventional mouldboard ploughs or high-speed rotary tillers, alternating articulated spade blades penetrate the soil profile sequentially, lifting clods upward and casting them rearward against an adjustable levelling apron.
This motion eliminates the compacted, impermeable hardpan layer typical of traditional tillage, preserving natural capillary pores, promoting vertical drainage, and stimulating deeper crop root architecture.
Engineering for High-Moisture Sticky Soils
Under heavy clay or wet loam conditions, conventional wheel traction equipment struggles with severe slippage and soil smearing.
Gramegna Series 30B, 30X, and 40X spading machines feature elevated crank clearance and an open-arch chassis geometry that prevents sticky soil accumulation around moving linkages.
Because the spade entry stroke imparts a forward mechanical thrust to the implement, tractor drawbar requirements are substantially lessened, allowing effective field preparation early in spring or late in wet autumn seasons.
Heavy-Duty Crankshaft and Linkage Kinematics
The powertrain of Gramegna agricultural implements incorporates a one-piece forged alloy steel crankshaft paired with heavy cast connecting rods.
To protect the mechanical transmission against sudden impacts from underground stones or solid roots, the drive system includes an automatic multi-plate friction torque limiter or shear bolt protection on the primary PTO shaft.
Crankpin journals are housed within double-row tapered roller bearings fitted with labyrinth grease seals to exclude abrasive silt and moisture.
Preventive Maintenance and Lubrication Protocols
Operational longevity of Gramegna tillage machinery relies on scheduled monitoring of the central bevel reduction gearbox and regular grease application across connecting rod pivot pins.
During demanding field seasons, gearbox lubricant levels and clarity should be inspected daily; any discoloration or particulate contamination requires immediate casing flushing and fresh lubricant refill.
Crankshaft bearing pre-load can be adjusted via precision shim packs to eliminate axial endplay and minimize gear mesh stress.
Canopy and Inter-Row Vineyard Management
In commercial vineyards and high-density orchards, weed suppression along trunk rows must be achieved without root damage or bark abrasion. Gramegna Series 20 and 25 spaders along with TM series flail mulchers feature hydraulic or mechanical side-shift mechanisms.
Smooth contoured side cowlings and sensitive tracer rods allow the machine to bypass vine posts and tree trunks smoothly, completing row decompaction and organic residue shredding in a single productive tractor pass.
Machine Identification and Spares Ordering
Accurate identification of replacement components and overhaul kits for Gramegna machinery is ensured through the stamped metal serial plate mounted to the implement chassis.
Key parameters include machine model designation (e.g., 30X.180 or VM.100), frame serial number, required PTO input speed (540 or 1000 RPM), and build year.
When requesting ground-engaging spades, attaching a photograph of the worn part with bolt-hole center distances enables swift verification against manufacturer drawings and commercial pricing.
Gramegna and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Gramegna and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.
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Documents and sources
- Gramegna S.r.l. — official website of agricultural spading machinery manufacturer (Broni, Italy)
- History of the first mechanical spading machine invented by Gramegna brothers in 1960
- Vangatrice technology — soil decompaction principles without hardpan formation
- Gramegna product catalogue — lineup of agricultural spading machines and inter-row equipment
- VM series spader for walking two-wheel tractors — technical specifications for nurseries and greenhouses
- Compact Series 20 and 25 spaders — technical specifications for orchards and vineyards
- Medium-duty Series 30L and 30B spading machines — open frame structure for sticky wet soils
- Professional Series 30X spaders — heavy-duty connecting rod assemblies for contract farming
- Specialized Series 30S spaders — high spade density for commercial vegetable bed preparation
- Heavy-duty Series 40X spading machines — deep subsoil decompaction down to 45 cm
- TM series orchard flail mulchers and tillers — offset canopy management attachments
