The harvesting process of the olive tree is mainly performed by manual means,because traditional olive orchards(the main planting typology)are formed of irregular,large-canopy trees that are very difficult to harvest ...The harvesting process of the olive tree is mainly performed by manual means,because traditional olive orchards(the main planting typology)are formed of irregular,large-canopy trees that are very difficult to harvest mechanically.For that reason,the cost of harvesting is very high,and it threatens the future of these plantations whose conversion to other more modern layouts is not always possible due to several limitations.The introduction of a harvester may represent the technological change that is the key factor for improved competitiveness.The main purpose of this work was to develop a harvester based on canopy shaker technology for work on irregular,large trees in a circular path.The design of the harvester was based on a determination of tree geometry,together with tree training.Field tests were used to determine machine-tree interaction,and to evaluate the removal,catch frame and driven systems.The proposed innovation allowed the fully mechanical harvest of previously planted trees with a removal efficiency of over 84%,achieving an effective field capacity of 0.21 hm^(2)/h.Although the results so far have been promising,further improvements are advisable in machine and tree adaptation.展开更多
Citrus is mainly oriented to fresh consumption,and harvesting is usually performed manually.However,the high cost of harvesting and the low availability of labour can compromise the profitability of the crop when it i...Citrus is mainly oriented to fresh consumption,and harvesting is usually performed manually.However,the high cost of harvesting and the low availability of labour can compromise the profitability of the crop when it is destined to juice industry.The development of citrus mechanical harvesting for industrial processing is conditioned to reach a high fruit removal efficiency,with a reduced damage to both fruit and trees.The current machines available are very large,requiring extensive plantations with long rows of trees to be efficient.In this study,two lateral canopy shakers equipped with a catch frame were evaluated to harvest independently both sides of the hedge on intensive citrus plantations with the main objective of determining their performance and feasibility.The lateral canopy shakers tested were three tractor-drawn machines,one commercial machine and two prototypes.The tested machines reached a mean value of 78%of fruit removal.Besides,the prototypes,equipped with a catch frame,were able to recover a mean value of 70%of yield.Although the results were promising,for achieving an efficient result,the application of this harvesting technology still requires a process of improvement,and the adaptation of both the machine and the plantation.The machines should reduce the amount of post-harvest ground fruit(5.9%-10.4%).Tree damages generated by the contact of the catch frame with the trunk and the metal rods with main branches were the most relevant.Therefore,it is still necessary to increase the ground speed of the machinery and improving the design of the rods,regulating the rod penetrating deep in the canopy to improve the fruit recovery and limit the damage caused to the trees.展开更多
基金The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness(PCP Mecaolivar),and the Spanish Olive Oil Interprofessional Organisation.
文摘The harvesting process of the olive tree is mainly performed by manual means,because traditional olive orchards(the main planting typology)are formed of irregular,large-canopy trees that are very difficult to harvest mechanically.For that reason,the cost of harvesting is very high,and it threatens the future of these plantations whose conversion to other more modern layouts is not always possible due to several limitations.The introduction of a harvester may represent the technological change that is the key factor for improved competitiveness.The main purpose of this work was to develop a harvester based on canopy shaker technology for work on irregular,large trees in a circular path.The design of the harvester was based on a determination of tree geometry,together with tree training.Field tests were used to determine machine-tree interaction,and to evaluate the removal,catch frame and driven systems.The proposed innovation allowed the fully mechanical harvest of previously planted trees with a removal efficiency of over 84%,achieving an effective field capacity of 0.21 hm^(2)/h.Although the results so far have been promising,further improvements are advisable in machine and tree adaptation.
基金This work has been supported by research project RTA2014-00025-C05-03 from the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology(INIA,Spain)financed by FEDER funds.Authors wish to acknowledge the support of Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness(Pre-commercial public procurement Mecaolivar),Cítricos del Andévalo S.L.for the support and funding received for the adaptation of the prototypes and Moresil S.L.and Maqtec Inc.for the developed prototypes.
文摘Citrus is mainly oriented to fresh consumption,and harvesting is usually performed manually.However,the high cost of harvesting and the low availability of labour can compromise the profitability of the crop when it is destined to juice industry.The development of citrus mechanical harvesting for industrial processing is conditioned to reach a high fruit removal efficiency,with a reduced damage to both fruit and trees.The current machines available are very large,requiring extensive plantations with long rows of trees to be efficient.In this study,two lateral canopy shakers equipped with a catch frame were evaluated to harvest independently both sides of the hedge on intensive citrus plantations with the main objective of determining their performance and feasibility.The lateral canopy shakers tested were three tractor-drawn machines,one commercial machine and two prototypes.The tested machines reached a mean value of 78%of fruit removal.Besides,the prototypes,equipped with a catch frame,were able to recover a mean value of 70%of yield.Although the results were promising,for achieving an efficient result,the application of this harvesting technology still requires a process of improvement,and the adaptation of both the machine and the plantation.The machines should reduce the amount of post-harvest ground fruit(5.9%-10.4%).Tree damages generated by the contact of the catch frame with the trunk and the metal rods with main branches were the most relevant.Therefore,it is still necessary to increase the ground speed of the machinery and improving the design of the rods,regulating the rod penetrating deep in the canopy to improve the fruit recovery and limit the damage caused to the trees.
