DvO Engineering is a relatively young company with extensive experience in the tree nursery industry. The machine manufacturer, based in Maashees, focuses mainly on mechanical weed control for tree nurseries. Several smart hoeing machines have already been introduced to the market, with the latest highlight being a unique hoe-mower combination that can operate at high speeds.

source: Emiel te Walvaart

DvO Engineering may be new to the trade show, but the driving force behind the company, Daan van Os, brings years of experience in the tree nursery industry. Van Os: “About five years ago, I started building machines in my garage. Before that, I studied mechanical engineering and spent my youth working at L. Akkermans Boomkwekerijen in Maashees as a part-time job. So, I’ve literally been hoeing between the trees for over 20 years. Back then, Willem Akkermans intended to move away from chemical weed control and asked me to think of a mechanical solution. This quickly got us into the tree nursery machinery business, and we’ve been growing ever since. We now mainly produce hoeing machines for standard tree nurseries.”

Testing new concepts

Van Os still benefits daily from this background in the tree nursery business. Additionally, it’s convenient that Akkermans’ tree nursery is literally across the street. “We regularly test new concepts here. Thanks to the varied assortment, different soil types, and a critical driver who likes to think about solutions, this is the perfect testing ground.” DvO specialises in mechanical weed control for tree nurseries. The company now produces hoeing machines year-round. “This is our core activity. We hoe at speeds of up to 15 km per hour, both between the rows and between the trees in the row. We literally hoe right up to the tree. High capacity not only saves on labour costs but is also important in a wet year. The more you can hoe during that one short dry period, the better.” In addition, DvO also produces other products for (standard) tree nurseries. “From carts to, more recently, a staking machine for saplings in pots, and the TreeWheeler, an electrically powered cart to work under the plants. This makes the work less physically demanding and more enjoyable, which helps retain staff. Moreover, since this year, we’ve been representing the Turkish pruning platform manufacturer Thuban Pruning Platforms in the Netherlands."

New developments

Recently, DvO developed a hoeing machine with an integrated mower. This machine will get much attention during GrootGroenPlus. “The starting point for the development of this machine was to maintain the same speed and functionality. This concept works well, so we didn’t want to change it. To achieve the mowing speed, we partnered with Eco Clipper, a manufacturer of electric turf mowers. This enables mowing speeds of up to 24 km per hour. An additional advantage of an electrically powered mower is that the motor doesn’t have enough power to damage itself or the blade. If the mower encounters a branch, it cuts it short. If the branch is too thick, the motor stops and then restarts when the obstruction is cleared. These combined machines have been in use for some time at Boomkwekerij Marcel Heiming, Boomkwekerij Michels-Classens and Boomkwekerij Ebben.’

First use

Boomkwekerij Marcel Heiming has been a very satisfied user of DvO’s hoe-mower combination for two years. “Originally, I was only looking for a hoeing machine. After looking around, I came across DvO, which already had plans to develop a combined machine. That convinced me to go for the hoe-mower combination, especially since the supplier made the best impression with their design. So, I commissioned DvO to build one for my tree nursery.” The tree nursery in Beugen was the first to purchase DvO’s combined machine. “We chose the hoe-mower combination because we have a grass path between the trees and wanted to reduce the use of pesticides. We wanted both functionalities in one machine, so we only need to drive once for both hoeing and mowing,” explains owner Marcel Heiming. Heiming is full of praise for the collaboration with DvO. “If we had specific requests, they were fulfilled. When adjustments to the settings were needed initially, they were made immediately. There was a good exchange, as neither of us had practical experience with such a combined machine. But now, it works perfectly. You’re done in one go, the hoeing is well done, and the grass looks great. And besides that: it really saves a lot of time.”

Front-mounted mower

DvO’s mower is also available in a front-mounted, width-adjustable version. This version is distinguished by its compact dimensions. At Hoogeind Laanbomen in Berkel-Enschot they opted for this variant and are very satisfied with it. “It’s been operational with us for about a season and a half,” says owner Pieter Vugs. “Why did we buy this machine? We were looking for a compact mower that’s mounted close to the narrow-track tractor, so it would be easier to turn between the rows. Moreover, the electric mower doesn’t have V-belts, making the width adjustment easier. I find this handy because the grass paths aren’t the same width everywhere. Also, you can mow headlands faster since the mower can be easily set to a wider width. But the grass shouldn’t be too long when you mow.” Hoogeind usually combines mowing with hoeing. “We have a hoeing machine from DvO attached behind the tractor for weed control in the row. This implement is quite long, so I needed a mower that’s as short as possible and a bit angled at the front. This way, it’s easier to turn into the row, as the rear is already so long.” Another advantage of the combined use of the hoe and mower is that you can do two passes in one go. “This works much better with this front mower. Previously, we attached a longer mower, but it was much harder to manoeuvre. Or we would do separate passes for hoeing and mowing. Now, we can drive at about 10 km per hour, combining both hoeing and mowing.”