The Fontana RF3 is a single-row tractor-mounted harvester designed for harvesting green beans, beans and edamame (soybeans) intended for the fresh market. It is particularly suitable for vegetable growers cultivating approximately 1 to 10 hectares, greenhouse operations and crops grown in fields with limited manoeuvring space. Its longitudinal harvesting system, hydraulic side-shift adjustment and compact design provide an indicative harvesting capacity of 100 to 300 kg/h, depending on the crop, field conditions and machine settings.
Longitudinal Harvesting: The Heart of the RF3
The harvesting unit operates in the same direction as the crop row. The picking reel, equipped with flexible steel tines, detaches the pods and guides them along the machine towards the elevator conveyor belt, ensuring a continuous and orderly product flow. The high-capacity suction fan helps separate leaves and other lightweight plant material. This configuration keeps the RF3 compact while helping preserve product integrity during transfer to the collection area.
Hydraulic Row Alignment from the Tractor
The Category I and II three-point linkage connects the RF3 directly to the tractor. The hydraulic side-shift system allows the operator to align the harvesting unit with the crop row directly from the tractor seat. The harvesting height is adjusted using a dedicated adjustment wheel and a second adjustable rear wheel, allowing the machine to be adapted to actual crop and soil conditions before harvesting the entire field.
Where Can the RF3 Be Used?
The RF3 is designed for small and medium-sized vegetable farms, greenhouses and fields with limited manoeuvring space. The recommended cultivated area is approximately 1 to 10 hectares, with an indicative minimum row spacing of 50 cm. These figures are application guidelines rather than absolute operating limits.
Standard Equipment
The standard configuration includes the longitudinal harvesting unit, Category I and II three-point linkage, hydraulic side-shift system for row alignment, picking reel with flexible steel tines, high-capacity suction fan, harvesting height adjustment wheel, second adjustable rear wheel, elevator conveyor belt, PTO shaft with automatic torque limiter and centralised greasing system.
RF3 Technical Specifications
Model: RF3
Configuration: Tractor-mounted, single-row
Crops: Green beans, beans and edamame (soybeans) for the fresh market
Recommended cultivated area: Approximately 1-10 ha
Indicative harvesting capacity: 100-300 kg/h
Required tractor power: 40-50 HP
PTO speed: 540 rpm
Indicative minimum row spacing: 50 cm
Three-point linkage: Category I and II
Weight: 760 kg
Transport dimensions (length x width x height): 2.70 x 2.10 x 1.80 m
The compact transport configuration simplifies transfers between fields and reduces logistical requirements. Road transport depends on the overall tractor-machine configuration, applicable type approval and regulations in the country of operation.
What Tractor Is Required for the RF3?
The RF3 requires a 40-50 HP tractor, a 540 rpm PTO and one double-acting hydraulic control valve for the side-shift system.
Does the RF3 Require a Sorting Table?
The FONTANA RF3 delivers good harvesting performance thanks to its longitudinal harvesting system and suction fan, which helps remove leaves and other plant residues directly during harvesting.
Watch the FONTANA RF3 in action.
Unlike the FONTANA RF1, which features a dual suction system and an integrated sorting table, the RF3 is equipped with a single suction system. Therefore, depending on the cultivar, growing conditions and harvesting conditions, the harvested product may benefit from additional sorting to remove any remaining plant material or pods that do not meet commercial quality standards.
In such cases, the FONTANA BV65 sorting table is a valuable complementary solution, helping improve the commercial quality of the harvested product.
However, the BV65 is not essential for operating the RF3. Its usefulness depends on the specific working conditions and the level of product selection required.
Why Choose the Fontana RF3?
Fontana has been developing bean and green bean harvesting machines since 1986. Designed and manufactured in Italy, the RF3 combines a compact tractor-mounted configuration with longitudinal product flow and hydraulic row alignment. Fontana also provides technical consultancy, operator training, after-sales assistance and spare parts support. More than 60 Fontana harvesters have been sold in France over the past five years.
