Project Overview
Verde Orchards S.L. operates over 200 hectares of citrus orchards in Valencia, Spain, with a significant portion located on slopes ranging from 30° to 45°. Maintaining these areas with manual labor was time-consuming, physically demanding, and increasingly difficult during peak summer seasons.
Following the introduction of the RCVIX RM-800 Remote Control Slope Mower, the client gradually transitioned from manual trimming to remote-controlled mowing for steep sections. After an initial adjustment period, the operation achieved more consistent maintenance cycles with improved safety and reduced labor dependency.
Challenge
Verde Orchards operates large-scale citrus plantations located in mountainous terrain across Valencia, where steep slopes (up to 45°) make routine vegetation control extremely difficult.
The client faced three critical operational problems:
Safety Risk: Traditional ride-on mowers cannot operate safely on steep slopes, while manual trimming exposes workers to falls, heat stress, and fatigue-related injuries during peak summer conditions.
High Labor Cost: Manual weed control required large seasonal labor teams, significantly increasing operational expenditure.
Low Efficiency: Slow and inconsistent mowing cycles led to overgrowth risks, affecting orchard accessibility and crop maintenance quality.
The client required a safe, mechanized, and scalable slope maintenance solution capable of operating continuously in high-risk terrain.
Solution
RCVIX deployed the RM-800 Remote Control Slope Mower for a structured field trial program.
Key implementation highlights:
Two RM-800 units deployed for initial validation phase
On-site operator training provided by RCVIX technical engineers
Remote control operation enabling safe distance working conditions
Single operator capable of managing multiple machines in rotation
Optimized maneuvering between narrow orchard rows
The system allowed operators to control mowing operations from safe, flat ground areas while maintaining full visibility and precision control over steep terrain work zones.
Result
After 8 weeks of continuous operation, the project delivered measurable improvements across safety, efficiency, and cost structure:
85% reduction in total mowing time compared to manual weed clearing
Zero safety incidents recorded after deployment (previously 3–4 minor injuries per season)
60% reduction in slope maintenance labor costs
3× increase in daily operational coverage per operator
Full terrain accessibility achieved across 30°–45° orchard slopes
Following the successful trial, the client expanded deployment with an additional 4 RM-800 units for full-scale orchard coverage.
Client Feedback
“The RM-800 has significantly improved how we manage steep orchard slopes. Tasks that previously required several days of manual labor can now be completed much faster and without exposing workers to unsafe terrain conditions. The improvement in both efficiency and operational safety was immediate after deployment.”
