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Figure 2-3. Continuous Canopy Shake and Catch (CCSC). One of the biggest advantages of the continuous canopy shaker is that the machine need not stop at each tree like the trunk shakers. So the rate of harvest is more compared to trunk shakers. More details about the productivity studies done using these harvesters can be found in FDOC Annual Report 2003-2004 (Roka, 2004). There are also pickup machines which are available commercially for the picking of citrus fruits that are left on the ground after harvesting. Current research in mechanical harvesting is on development of an abscission chemical for selective harvesting for late season Valencia and a variable rate shaker based on tree.

Figure 2 -3. Continuous Canopy Shake and Catch (CCSC). One of the biggest advantages of the continuous canopy shaker is that the machine need not stop at each tree like the trunk shakers. So the rate of harvest is more compared to trunk shakers. More details about the productivity studies done using these harvesters can be found in FDOC Annual Report 2003-2004 (Roka, 2004). There are also pickup machines which are available commercially for the picking of citrus fruits that are left on the ground after harvesting. Current research in mechanical harvesting is on development of an abscission chemical for selective harvesting for late season Valencia and a variable rate shaker based on tree.

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The literature review shows that four major techniques of mechanical harvesting (air shaking, trunk shaking, limb shaking and canopy shaking) are available and have been applied to pick the fruit from trees. Of those, trunk and canopy shaking system have been studied and commercialized more. A comprehensive review on all these systems is done by K.F. Sanders 2005, Orange Harvesting Systems Review.
The literature review shows that four major techniques of mechanical harvesting (air shaking, trunk shaking, limb shaking and canopy shaking) are available and have been applied to pick the fruit from trees. Of those, trunk and canopy shaking system have been studied and commercialized more. A comprehensive review on all these systems is done by K.F. Sanders 2005, Orange Harvesting Systems Review.
From top to bottom, left to right: Area Canopy Shaker for putting fruit on the ground, Canopy Pull and Catch Harvester, Trunk Shaker ( Monoboom style) for putting fruit on the ground, Trunk Shake and Catch Harvester, Continuous Canopy Shake and Catch Harvester, Continuous Canopy Shake and Catch Harvester, Continuous Canopy Shaker for putting fruit on the ground, Continuous Air Shaker for putting fruit on the ground, Direct Fruit Pickup Harvester, Dripline Fruit Rake, Dripline Fruit Pickup In mid-1950, Florida department of citrus, USDA and University of Florida started a mechanical harvested program. Their main objective was to improve labor productivity and reducing harvest workers. Mechanically harvesting has been evaluated and commercialized in the Florida citrus industry since 1958. (Florida Department of Citrus 2000). This research program continued for about 30 years until 1980 that devastating freezes occurred (Kathleen A. Miller 1991). In 1990's the program was revitalized by department of citrus under administration of Dr.Gale Brown. It was in this time that the trunk shake and catch and the continuous canopy shake and catch was commercialized for citrus production.
From top to bottom, left to right: Area Canopy Shaker for putting fruit on the ground, Canopy Pull and Catch Harvester, Trunk Shaker ( Monoboom style) for putting fruit on the ground, Trunk Shake and Catch Harvester, Continuous Canopy Shake and Catch Harvester, Continuous Canopy Shake and Catch Harvester, Continuous Canopy Shaker for putting fruit on the ground, Continuous Air Shaker for putting fruit on the ground, Direct Fruit Pickup Harvester, Dripline Fruit Rake, Dripline Fruit Pickup In mid-1950, Florida department of citrus, USDA and University of Florida started a mechanical harvested program. Their main objective was to improve labor productivity and reducing harvest workers. Mechanically harvesting has been evaluated and commercialized in the Florida citrus industry since 1958. (Florida Department of Citrus 2000). This research program continued for about 30 years until 1980 that devastating freezes occurred (Kathleen A. Miller 1991). In 1990's the program was revitalized by department of citrus under administration of Dr.Gale Brown. It was in this time that the trunk shake and catch and the continuous canopy shake and catch was commercialized for citrus production.
Left: Bark scuffing caused by trunk shaker, right: Limb breakage and bark scuffing caused by canopy shaker A typical concern about mechanical citrus harvesters is their effect on tree health. Mechanical citrus harvesters can remove leaves, branches together with the mature and immature oranges. Visual injuries caused by mechanical harvesting can include defoliation, twig loss, removal of flowers and young fruit, exposure of roots, and occasionally the removal of some bark (Li and Syvertsen, 2004). Buker et al. (2004) have studied the long-term effects of tree shakers on yield. They found that groves with healthy trees harvested commercially in Florida about 10 years with trunk shakers have not shown any negative effect on yield, however leaf loss and bark injuries to the citrus trees have been found. Major leaf loss up to 50% as a result of mechanical harvesting prior to a freeze may increase freeze damage, but has not resulted in yields reduction. According to this study, in Florida citrus groves where trunk shakers were continuously used to harvest for over 10 years and a small number of roots exposed under trees, yield was not affected. Barking on the trunk can be minimized by using linear direction trunk shakers with proper clamp pads and experienced operators. Canopy shakers can also lead to bark injuries on branches which is sever in the first year of mechanical harvesting. In the subsequence year, branch injury is no worse than ladder damage from hand picking operation. Some Statistics
Left: Bark scuffing caused by trunk shaker, right: Limb breakage and bark scuffing caused by canopy shaker A typical concern about mechanical citrus harvesters is their effect on tree health. Mechanical citrus harvesters can remove leaves, branches together with the mature and immature oranges. Visual injuries caused by mechanical harvesting can include defoliation, twig loss, removal of flowers and young fruit, exposure of roots, and occasionally the removal of some bark (Li and Syvertsen, 2004). Buker et al. (2004) have studied the long-term effects of tree shakers on yield. They found that groves with healthy trees harvested commercially in Florida about 10 years with trunk shakers have not shown any negative effect on yield, however leaf loss and bark injuries to the citrus trees have been found. Major leaf loss up to 50% as a result of mechanical harvesting prior to a freeze may increase freeze damage, but has not resulted in yields reduction. According to this study, in Florida citrus groves where trunk shakers were continuously used to harvest for over 10 years and a small number of roots exposed under trees, yield was not affected. Barking on the trunk can be minimized by using linear direction trunk shakers with proper clamp pads and experienced operators. Canopy shakers can also lead to bark injuries on branches which is sever in the first year of mechanical harvesting. In the subsequence year, branch injury is no worse than ladder damage from hand picking operation. Some Statistics
Figure 2: Hedging Machine (John Dick, 2007) Traditional hand pruning is time taking and labor intensive. With increased plant density and hedgerow plantings, machine pruning is now becoming more necessary to save time and money. Some of the available equipments are air or hydraulic secateurs on extension poles which can be used to large trees. The working condition and topography of citrus orchards make it very difficult to design and develop an automatic pruning machine which is safe and quality efficient. Therefore most of the current available pruning machineries are still have operator to control the situation and process. Figure 2 shows a hedging machine.
Figure 2: Hedging Machine (John Dick, 2007) Traditional hand pruning is time taking and labor intensive. With increased plant density and hedgerow plantings, machine pruning is now becoming more necessary to save time and money. Some of the available equipments are air or hydraulic secateurs on extension poles which can be used to large trees. The working condition and topography of citrus orchards make it very difficult to design and develop an automatic pruning machine which is safe and quality efficient. Therefore most of the current available pruning machineries are still have operator to control the situation and process. Figure 2 shows a hedging machine.
Figure 1: Hedging [John Dick, pruning citrus trees]
Figure 1: Hedging [John Dick, pruning citrus trees]
Figure 4. (a): Shredding machine NOBILI TRP-RT 145, (b): Test in stony olive grove with not windrowed pruning residuals characterized by high diameter (Recchia et al 2008) After each harvesting and pruning cycle, the residuals are usually left or burnt. It will however promote economical sustainability if these residuals can be processed Recently the Italian Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (DIAF) ha: svaluated the possibility of harvesting, shredding and packaging pruning residuals simultaneously (Recchia et al 2008). An innovative machine that harvests, shreds and packages into big bags all pruning residuals, on stony and hilly terrain have yeen experimented and developed by DIAF and Nobili S.p.A. (Molinella, Bologna taly) figure 4.a&b. This machine is partially carried, fitting onto the tractor’s bach axle using a three-point linkage; it has a pick-up device that lifts and carries pruning -esiduals.
Figure 4. (a): Shredding machine NOBILI TRP-RT 145, (b): Test in stony olive grove with not windrowed pruning residuals characterized by high diameter (Recchia et al 2008) After each harvesting and pruning cycle, the residuals are usually left or burnt. It will however promote economical sustainability if these residuals can be processed Recently the Italian Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (DIAF) ha: svaluated the possibility of harvesting, shredding and packaging pruning residuals simultaneously (Recchia et al 2008). An innovative machine that harvests, shreds and packages into big bags all pruning residuals, on stony and hilly terrain have yeen experimented and developed by DIAF and Nobili S.p.A. (Molinella, Bologna taly) figure 4.a&b. This machine is partially carried, fitting onto the tractor’s bach axle using a three-point linkage; it has a pick-up device that lifts and carries pruning -esiduals.
Figure 3: The schematic of (a) wireless transmitting system of automatic machine and (b) The internal logic schematic of CPLD for remote control transmitting system This machine is currently being investigated furthermore for potential industrial applications in China. Two major tasks have been covered in the development of the Electro-mechanical interface system; controlling the three directions of the machine, up, down and pause and controlling the three kinds of power supply for the machine, idle, climbing, and pruning. The schematic view of wireless transmission system of automatic pruning system is shown in figure 3. The whole remote control system based on CPLD is employed in the manufactured automatic pruning machine and a series of field tests have been conducted successfully.
Figure 3: The schematic of (a) wireless transmitting system of automatic machine and (b) The internal logic schematic of CPLD for remote control transmitting system This machine is currently being investigated furthermore for potential industrial applications in China. Two major tasks have been covered in the development of the Electro-mechanical interface system; controlling the three directions of the machine, up, down and pause and controlling the three kinds of power supply for the machine, idle, climbing, and pruning. The schematic view of wireless transmission system of automatic pruning system is shown in figure 3. The whole remote control system based on CPLD is employed in the manufactured automatic pruning machine and a series of field tests have been conducted successfully.
Chueca et al 2008 developed an automatic sprayer to be efficient and economically feasible for performing low-volume bait treatments against the Mediterranean fruit fly. Several considerations such as appropriate spray nozzle, automated system to detect the tree and adaptation with different tree configuration have been studied in their research. “Four nozzle types manufactured by Teejet (Spraying Systems Co., Wheaton, Illinois, USA),which produce extremely coarse droplets and low flow rates, were chosen according to the ASABE standards.” Figure 5 shows the location of collectors for measurement of stain size distribution of nozzles. The microcontroller-based electronic control system used in this study utilizes Sonar-BERO 3RG6176-6GHO00 ultrasonic distance sensor to receive the basic information about detecting the postion and shape of the canopy with respect to the machine and then process them via a PIC microcontroller model 16F877A which is famous for its large number of digital input/output ports and built in A/D with the possibility of using 3 timers (two of which are 16 bits) and 14 sources of interruption. Applied flow was controlled by a Lucifer 321K 15 03E servo-controlled solenoid valve (Parker Hannifin S.p.A., Gessate, Italy). The user interface used in this study was developed with A C compiler as well as the developed control algorithm. “The operator communicates with the control unit through navigation keys and one display. The control unit receives signals from the ultrasonic sensor and commands
Chueca et al 2008 developed an automatic sprayer to be efficient and economically feasible for performing low-volume bait treatments against the Mediterranean fruit fly. Several considerations such as appropriate spray nozzle, automated system to detect the tree and adaptation with different tree configuration have been studied in their research. “Four nozzle types manufactured by Teejet (Spraying Systems Co., Wheaton, Illinois, USA),which produce extremely coarse droplets and low flow rates, were chosen according to the ASABE standards.” Figure 5 shows the location of collectors for measurement of stain size distribution of nozzles. The microcontroller-based electronic control system used in this study utilizes Sonar-BERO 3RG6176-6GHO00 ultrasonic distance sensor to receive the basic information about detecting the postion and shape of the canopy with respect to the machine and then process them via a PIC microcontroller model 16F877A which is famous for its large number of digital input/output ports and built in A/D with the possibility of using 3 timers (two of which are 16 bits) and 14 sources of interruption. Applied flow was controlled by a Lucifer 321K 15 03E servo-controlled solenoid valve (Parker Hannifin S.p.A., Gessate, Italy). The user interface used in this study was developed with A C compiler as well as the developed control algorithm. “The operator communicates with the control unit through navigation keys and one display. The control unit receives signals from the ultrasonic sensor and commands
Figure 6: The hydraulic system mounted on the sprayer and Control unit with display and navigation keys for ultrasonic target detection system. (Chueca et al 2008.) Figure 6: The hydraulic system mounted on the sprayer and Control unit with display and navigation keys for ultrasonic target detection system. (Chueca et al 2008.) the solenoid valves to start and stop liquid flow to the nozzles. The final version of the control unit is shown in figure 6.”
Figure 6: The hydraulic system mounted on the sprayer and Control unit with display and navigation keys for ultrasonic target detection system. (Chueca et al 2008.) Figure 6: The hydraulic system mounted on the sprayer and Control unit with display and navigation keys for ultrasonic target detection system. (Chueca et al 2008.) the solenoid valves to start and stop liquid flow to the nozzles. The final version of the control unit is shown in figure 6.”
Figure 7: Picking spindle assembly: (a) bearing-tube assembly clamping-sheets;(b) main twin vee-belt drive pulley for spindle; (c) spindle shaft; (d) bearing-tube assembly; (e) inner disc clamping collar; (f) outer disc clamping collar; (g) collar clamping screw (K.F. Sanders 2005)
Figure 7: Picking spindle assembly: (a) bearing-tube assembly clamping-sheets;(b) main twin vee-belt drive pulley for spindle; (c) spindle shaft; (d) bearing-tube assembly; (e) inner disc clamping collar; (f) outer disc clamping collar; (g) collar clamping screw (K.F. Sanders 2005)
K.F. Sanders 2005, developed a size-selective picking head with the potential tc selectively mechanically pick the mature orange crop using fruit size as the selection criteria (selective picking head for citrus harvester). The conical-disc picking heac designed in this study has the additional capability of mechanically harvesting fruit selected by size within a small size range which is within the wider normal size range of the mature crop. “This conical-disc picking head uses a broadly similar but fundamentally different principle to remove and transport the fruit, compared to the principle used by the auger picking head developed by Lenker (1970) Consequently, the conical-disc head removes mature fruit within a narrow size range whereas the auger head removes all the mature fruit on the tree.” The head comprises 36 spindles, each of which is assembled as shown in the cross-sectior view of the spindle assembly in Figure 7,8,9.
K.F. Sanders 2005, developed a size-selective picking head with the potential tc selectively mechanically pick the mature orange crop using fruit size as the selection criteria (selective picking head for citrus harvester). The conical-disc picking heac designed in this study has the additional capability of mechanically harvesting fruit selected by size within a small size range which is within the wider normal size range of the mature crop. “This conical-disc picking head uses a broadly similar but fundamentally different principle to remove and transport the fruit, compared to the principle used by the auger picking head developed by Lenker (1970) Consequently, the conical-disc head removes mature fruit within a narrow size range whereas the auger head removes all the mature fruit on the tree.” The head comprises 36 spindles, each of which is assembled as shown in the cross-sectior view of the spindle assembly in Figure 7,8,9.
Figure 9: Side view of picking head assembly (all dimensions in mm) (K.F. Sanders 2005) is pushed into the canopy the fruit is pressed against the fruit gripping discs on the outer end of four spindles. A closer real view is shown in figure 10.
Figure 9: Side view of picking head assembly (all dimensions in mm) (K.F. Sanders 2005) is pushed into the canopy the fruit is pressed against the fruit gripping discs on the outer end of four spindles. A closer real view is shown in figure 10.
Figure 10: Photograph of a piece of fruit gripped between four picking spindles, (K.F. Sanders 2005)
Figure 10: Photograph of a piece of fruit gripped between four picking spindles, (K.F. Sanders 2005)
Figure 11: Close-up end view of four adjacent picking spindles: (K.F. Sanders 2005)
Figure 11: Close-up end view of four adjacent picking spindles: (K.F. Sanders 2005)
Figure 12: Bark scuffing caused by trunk shaker, Figure 13: Limb breakage and bark scuffing caused by canopy shaker
Figure 12: Bark scuffing caused by trunk shaker, Figure 13: Limb breakage and bark scuffing caused by canopy shaker
Figure 14: Mature fruit removal and b) defoliation of hand and trunk-shaker harvested ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ trees. Treatments: Hand: hand harvest; 10 S: 10 s trunk shaking; 20 S: 20 s trunk shaking. Vertical bars represent standard error. Trunk and canopy shake can remove sufficient fruit-let and reduce next year’s yield at least 25% in Valnecias trees after the average fruitlet size of the emerging group exceeds 1 inche diameter. Kuo-Tan Li et al (2005) studied the impacts of mechanical harvesting on the health status of citrus trees. They measured removal of mature fruit, leaves, and shoots, mid-day drought stress and leaf photosynthesis for mature ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ orange trees. In this study, the performance of a linear-type trunk share operating at 4 Hz with 70.8 kg weight, and a 13 cm trunk displacement for various shaking durations versus hand harvesting was compared. As the result of hand harvesting, 100% of the fruits were removed, while trunk shaker removed 90% mature fruit in 10 s in early harvest ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’, They found that longer shaking time increases the fruit removal slightly but no significant difference between 10 s or 20 s shake duration was observed figure 14.
Figure 14: Mature fruit removal and b) defoliation of hand and trunk-shaker harvested ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ trees. Treatments: Hand: hand harvest; 10 S: 10 s trunk shaking; 20 S: 20 s trunk shaking. Vertical bars represent standard error. Trunk and canopy shake can remove sufficient fruit-let and reduce next year’s yield at least 25% in Valnecias trees after the average fruitlet size of the emerging group exceeds 1 inche diameter. Kuo-Tan Li et al (2005) studied the impacts of mechanical harvesting on the health status of citrus trees. They measured removal of mature fruit, leaves, and shoots, mid-day drought stress and leaf photosynthesis for mature ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ orange trees. In this study, the performance of a linear-type trunk share operating at 4 Hz with 70.8 kg weight, and a 13 cm trunk displacement for various shaking durations versus hand harvesting was compared. As the result of hand harvesting, 100% of the fruits were removed, while trunk shaker removed 90% mature fruit in 10 s in early harvest ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’, They found that longer shaking time increases the fruit removal slightly but no significant difference between 10 s or 20 s shake duration was observed figure 14.
According to Grigelmo-Miguel & Martin-Belloso (1999), 85% of the oranges produced by the foremost producers are processed into juice. It is important to determine the parameters with major impacts related to ripeness during post- harvest in order to define the appropriate quality index for ripeness in different fruits. Jaren et al (2001) studied around non-destructive impact testing for sorting fruits to create an autonomous system to control the impact test which can calculate the impact parameters, an index and sort of fruits as well as creating a database to sort different fruit species and varieties. Although their experiments are performed on pears and apples, the same approach can be utilized in citrus industry. According to the impact test system demonstrated in figure, using two impact tests in each fruit at opposite points in different locations on the fruit surface, the measurements (acceleration of the rod during impact) were collected. Other measurement made were mass, radious of curvature and circumference for every piece of fruit in the sample. This procedure for sensing firmness as a system for postharvest ripeness sensing of fruit uses several parameters as the basis for establishing classification criteria by discriminating analysis procedures. Classification of fruits into firmness classes by using this impact response and discrimination analysis is shown to be fairly accurate and of potential to be implemented in an on-line fruit sorting system. Mechanical harvester of fruits can cause unite or sever damages on branches and fruits. In addition to that, as fruits fall down on the ground they might split, puncture or bruise. Other damage can be occurred while picking and loading fruits from ground and transporting by trucks. Physico-mechanical properties of citrus peel should be considered in mechanical harvesting design. Krishna et al (2006) determined post harvest physic-mechanical properties of orange peel and fruits with respect to the storage period in both ambient and refrigerated conditions. They found that initial moisture content of orange peel was 292% dry-basis (db). At the end of 10 days, this parameter was measured 252.8% and 281.3% under ambient and refrigerated conditions respectively. The peel moisture loss in ambient and refrigerated conditions after 10 days storage was observed as 13% and 3.7% respectively. The rate of peel moisture loss was 3.6 times higher in ambient condition than that in refrigerated condition. According to this study, peel rupture force, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreases with storage periods under both storage condition, the comparison of properties between refrigerated and ambient storage conditions revealed that rupture force, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were consistently higher in refrigerated conditions than that in ambient condition but the difference was statistically non-significant at 5% probability level.
According to Grigelmo-Miguel & Martin-Belloso (1999), 85% of the oranges produced by the foremost producers are processed into juice. It is important to determine the parameters with major impacts related to ripeness during post- harvest in order to define the appropriate quality index for ripeness in different fruits. Jaren et al (2001) studied around non-destructive impact testing for sorting fruits to create an autonomous system to control the impact test which can calculate the impact parameters, an index and sort of fruits as well as creating a database to sort different fruit species and varieties. Although their experiments are performed on pears and apples, the same approach can be utilized in citrus industry. According to the impact test system demonstrated in figure, using two impact tests in each fruit at opposite points in different locations on the fruit surface, the measurements (acceleration of the rod during impact) were collected. Other measurement made were mass, radious of curvature and circumference for every piece of fruit in the sample. This procedure for sensing firmness as a system for postharvest ripeness sensing of fruit uses several parameters as the basis for establishing classification criteria by discriminating analysis procedures. Classification of fruits into firmness classes by using this impact response and discrimination analysis is shown to be fairly accurate and of potential to be implemented in an on-line fruit sorting system. Mechanical harvester of fruits can cause unite or sever damages on branches and fruits. In addition to that, as fruits fall down on the ground they might split, puncture or bruise. Other damage can be occurred while picking and loading fruits from ground and transporting by trucks. Physico-mechanical properties of citrus peel should be considered in mechanical harvesting design. Krishna et al (2006) determined post harvest physic-mechanical properties of orange peel and fruits with respect to the storage period in both ambient and refrigerated conditions. They found that initial moisture content of orange peel was 292% dry-basis (db). At the end of 10 days, this parameter was measured 252.8% and 281.3% under ambient and refrigerated conditions respectively. The peel moisture loss in ambient and refrigerated conditions after 10 days storage was observed as 13% and 3.7% respectively. The rate of peel moisture loss was 3.6 times higher in ambient condition than that in refrigerated condition. According to this study, peel rupture force, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreases with storage periods under both storage condition, the comparison of properties between refrigerated and ambient storage conditions revealed that rupture force, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were consistently higher in refrigerated conditions than that in ambient condition but the difference was statistically non-significant at 5% probability level.
Figure 16: Color index of orange fruit during storage in ambient and refrigerated conditions. Krishna et al (2006) The third parameter that was experimented and measured by Krishna et al (2006) is the weight loss. Results of their studies shows increase in the weight loss with increase in storage period under both ambient and refrigerated conditions, however under ambient condition, the fruits lost the weight almost three times more than refrigerated condition figure 17. The correlation between weight loss and duration period can be expressed best by second order polynomial regression equations with very high correlation coefficient, 0.99.
Figure 16: Color index of orange fruit during storage in ambient and refrigerated conditions. Krishna et al (2006) The third parameter that was experimented and measured by Krishna et al (2006) is the weight loss. Results of their studies shows increase in the weight loss with increase in storage period under both ambient and refrigerated conditions, however under ambient condition, the fruits lost the weight almost three times more than refrigerated condition figure 17. The correlation between weight loss and duration period can be expressed best by second order polynomial regression equations with very high correlation coefficient, 0.99.
Figure 17: Weight loss of orange during storage under ambient and refrigerated conditions, Krishna et al (2006) Weight index in refrigerated condition:
Figure 17: Weight loss of orange during storage under ambient and refrigerated conditions, Krishna et al (2006) Weight index in refrigerated condition:
Figure 18: the phytotoxicity rating of lemon fruit (L. H. Aung et al 2004) The effects of Methyl iodide (MI) and forced aeration on the post-harvest quality of lemons was tested by L. H. Aung et al 2004. They evaluated lemons after the 1st and 3'4 week of storage at 5EC for rind pitting or staining which developed after MI fumigation. In this study, each fruit was visually rated using a scale of healthy, slight, moderate and severe (Figure 18). Their experimental design consisted of four treatments of three replication using a randomized complete block design with each treatment (or chamber) containing 55 fruits. According to this study, “MI fumigation at dosages of 24, 28, and 32 g/m3 caused moderate to severe rind injury (phytotoxicity) of lemon fruit obtained from the cold coastal and warm desert regions and lemons harvested in the later seasons sustained greater amount of fruit phytotoxicity. Thus, both early season coastal or desert fruit showed less phytotoxicity than mid- and late-season fruit. The early coastal lemons showed the least amount of fruit phytotoxicity due to MI fumigation at the dosages used. The MI injury to late season lemon fruit was maximal after 1-week storage at 5EC, whereas early season lemons showed moderate amount of phytotoxicity after storage of 1 week and followed by greater incremental injury after 3-week storage at 5EC. In contrast, forced aeration with 3.5 | of air per min at 21EC for 24 h immediately after MI fumigation significantly (>P = 0.01) reduced fruit phytotoxicity irregardless of both season and climatic region from which the lemons were obtained.”
Figure 18: the phytotoxicity rating of lemon fruit (L. H. Aung et al 2004) The effects of Methyl iodide (MI) and forced aeration on the post-harvest quality of lemons was tested by L. H. Aung et al 2004. They evaluated lemons after the 1st and 3'4 week of storage at 5EC for rind pitting or staining which developed after MI fumigation. In this study, each fruit was visually rated using a scale of healthy, slight, moderate and severe (Figure 18). Their experimental design consisted of four treatments of three replication using a randomized complete block design with each treatment (or chamber) containing 55 fruits. According to this study, “MI fumigation at dosages of 24, 28, and 32 g/m3 caused moderate to severe rind injury (phytotoxicity) of lemon fruit obtained from the cold coastal and warm desert regions and lemons harvested in the later seasons sustained greater amount of fruit phytotoxicity. Thus, both early season coastal or desert fruit showed less phytotoxicity than mid- and late-season fruit. The early coastal lemons showed the least amount of fruit phytotoxicity due to MI fumigation at the dosages used. The MI injury to late season lemon fruit was maximal after 1-week storage at 5EC, whereas early season lemons showed moderate amount of phytotoxicity after storage of 1 week and followed by greater incremental injury after 3-week storage at 5EC. In contrast, forced aeration with 3.5 | of air per min at 21EC for 24 h immediately after MI fumigation significantly (>P = 0.01) reduced fruit phytotoxicity irregardless of both season and climatic region from which the lemons were obtained.”
Figure 19: The comparison of 28 g/m3 methyl iodide fumigated fruit forced aerated for 2 hvs. 24 h; note the severe fruit injury of the 2-h aeration in contrast to the maintenance of fruit quality with the 24-h aeration treatment. (L. H. Aung et al 2004)
Figure 19: The comparison of 28 g/m3 methyl iodide fumigated fruit forced aerated for 2 hvs. 24 h; note the severe fruit injury of the 2-h aeration in contrast to the maintenance of fruit quality with the 24-h aeration treatment. (L. H. Aung et al 2004)
Table 1: Physical properties of the four orange varieties
Table 1: Physical properties of the four orange varieties
therefore a date processing/analysis function is needed to perform post acquisition and signal processing on sensory data. According to this architecture, data from machines and sensors can be uploaded to the responsible BES and users at the management center can view the processed information and perform control management strategies through the user interface. For the core elements of hardware/software of this system, the Gumstix microcomputer which is a fully functional miniature computer based on Marvell XScale processors running Embedded Linux is recommended. Due to the long distance covered by mass production farms, wireless equipment is a must, thus Wireless 802.11 Communication technology which is rugged to radio noise interfere is suggested. Although wireless 802.11 communications is standard for home or office use, with standard range of 100m, there are standard equipments to help extend the distance of access points up to 20 miles and still maintain a 2 Mbps bandwidth. Ch and CGI scripts are recommended for coding the web-based user interface.
therefore a date processing/analysis function is needed to perform post acquisition and signal processing on sensory data. According to this architecture, data from machines and sensors can be uploaded to the responsible BES and users at the management center can view the processed information and perform control management strategies through the user interface. For the core elements of hardware/software of this system, the Gumstix microcomputer which is a fully functional miniature computer based on Marvell XScale processors running Embedded Linux is recommended. Due to the long distance covered by mass production farms, wireless equipment is a must, thus Wireless 802.11 Communication technology which is rugged to radio noise interfere is suggested. Although wireless 802.11 communications is standard for home or office use, with standard range of 100m, there are standard equipments to help extend the distance of access points up to 20 miles and still maintain a 2 Mbps bandwidth. Ch and CGI scripts are recommended for coding the web-based user interface.
Figure 21: robotic harvesting and BES system
Figure 21: robotic harvesting and BES system
The 3CCD progressive scan digital color camera, halogen lamps, Laptop, data acquisition card, Polarizing filters
The 3CCD progressive scan digital color camera, halogen lamps, Laptop, data acquisition card, Polarizing filters
Camera and lamps, Camera and Housing, Canopy shake and catch harvester, Housing placed on the conveyor system
Camera and lamps, Camera and Housing, Canopy shake and catch harvester, Housing placed on the conveyor system
Figure 22: Regression analysis between fruit area and actual fruit weights.
Figure 22: Regression analysis between fruit area and actual fruit weights.
Original image, Bayesian classifier result, Morphological operation result, Watershed transform result. The researchers have run their hardware and software prototype both in a bench test and field test. 1- Color segmentation result - Test bench
Original image, Bayesian classifier result, Morphological operation result, Watershed transform result. The researchers have run their hardware and software prototype both in a bench test and field test. 1- Color segmentation result - Test bench
Regression analysis between human counting and algorithm counting. Original image, Result of Bayesian classifier. Result of morphological operatio, Result of the Watershed transform.
Regression analysis between human counting and algorithm counting. Original image, Result of Bayesian classifier. Result of morphological operatio, Result of the Watershed transform.
Schematic of the pick-up -up machine, The OXBO pic pick-up Machine, The modified OXBO pickup machine, Closer view of the picking assembly and trash throwing belt The picking machine used in this research is shown in figure.
Schematic of the pick-up -up machine, The OXBO pic pick-up Machine, The modified OXBO pickup machine, Closer view of the picking assembly and trash throwing belt The picking machine used in this research is shown in figure.
Table 2: Field evaluation test results of the pick-up machine from preliminary test. evident from the results, the machine has been more efficient while operating on the flat bed.
Table 2: Field evaluation test results of the pick-up machine from preliminary test. evident from the results, the machine has been more efficient while operating on the flat bed.
Table 3:Evaluation results from the test on Sliver Strand Grove In this research, the microbial load on the surface of the fruit has indicated that there were no significant differences between the three different groups. E.coli ana Salmonella has not been detected on the surface of the fruit from any of the three groups. Table.
Table 3:Evaluation results from the test on Sliver Strand Grove In this research, the microbial load on the surface of the fruit has indicated that there were no significant differences between the three different groups. E.coli ana Salmonella has not been detected on the surface of the fruit from any of the three groups. Table.
Figure 23: Schematic of orange shaker, Prototype orange harvesting system, Schematic of prototype harvester The objective of this research has been to develop an effective, continuous mechanical harvesting system for processed oranges, grown in high density groves, using a canopy shaker. This research has been conducted in two phases. The phase one objective has been to design and test a double spiked-drum canopy shaker that would effectively remove oranges. If successful, phase two would be to develop a prototype harvesting system that would remove, catch, and containerize oranges.
Figure 23: Schematic of orange shaker, Prototype orange harvesting system, Schematic of prototype harvester The objective of this research has been to develop an effective, continuous mechanical harvesting system for processed oranges, grown in high density groves, using a canopy shaker. This research has been conducted in two phases. The phase one objective has been to design and test a double spiked-drum canopy shaker that would effectively remove oranges. If successful, phase two would be to develop a prototype harvesting system that would remove, catch, and containerize oranges.
Of fruit on tree before harvest in the shaker rods penetration area, amount removed by shaking. had penetrated the canopy, but it was felt that the removal data accurately reflectec the potential of the shaking technique.
Of fruit on tree before harvest in the shaker rods penetration area, amount removed by shaking. had penetrated the canopy, but it was felt that the removal data accurately reflectec the potential of the shaking technique.
* § Of fruit on tree before harvest, amount removed by shaking. Of fruit removed by shaking, amount collected by the catching surfaces and deposited in bulk transport unit. Ratio of number of mature to number of immature oranges removed by shaking. Data not taken or not applicable. r. Increasing the diameter of the shaker drum proved difficult, since lengthening the nylon rods lowered their natural frequency. When the rods operated near their natural frequency they became unstable, produced wild fluctuations, and soon broke. Nylon rods 1.27 m (50 in.) long x 38 mm (1.5 in.) diameter could be shaken up to 5 Hz, but became unstable at higher frequencies. The longer composite shaker rod (1.72 m long) (68 in.) used to achieve the 3.66-m (12-ft) diameter drum was very stable up to 5.4 Hz. However, increasing the drum diameter to 3.66 m (12 ft) exceeded the design limits of the shaker support and drive members, resulting in frequent breakdowns. Even with the 3.66-m (12-ft) diameter drum, rod movement into and out of the canopy was satisfactory. Fruit removal continued to look promising (table 2). Due to variability between groves, no test conditions presented a perfect match between the machine setup and tree training.
* § Of fruit on tree before harvest, amount removed by shaking. Of fruit removed by shaking, amount collected by the catching surfaces and deposited in bulk transport unit. Ratio of number of mature to number of immature oranges removed by shaking. Data not taken or not applicable. r. Increasing the diameter of the shaker drum proved difficult, since lengthening the nylon rods lowered their natural frequency. When the rods operated near their natural frequency they became unstable, produced wild fluctuations, and soon broke. Nylon rods 1.27 m (50 in.) long x 38 mm (1.5 in.) diameter could be shaken up to 5 Hz, but became unstable at higher frequencies. The longer composite shaker rod (1.72 m long) (68 in.) used to achieve the 3.66-m (12-ft) diameter drum was very stable up to 5.4 Hz. However, increasing the drum diameter to 3.66 m (12 ft) exceeded the design limits of the shaker support and drive members, resulting in frequent breakdowns. Even with the 3.66-m (12-ft) diameter drum, rod movement into and out of the canopy was satisfactory. Fruit removal continued to look promising (table 2). Due to variability between groves, no test conditions presented a perfect match between the machine setup and tree training.
Figure 26: Mature fruit removal and b) defoliation of hand and trunk-shaker harvested ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ trees. Treatments: Hand: hand harvest; 10 S: 10 s trunk shaking; 20 S: 20 s trunk shaking. Vertical bars represent standard error. The performance of a linear-type trunk share operating at 4 Hz with 70.8 kg weight, and a 13 cm trunk displacement for various shaking durations versus hand harvesting has been compared. As the result of hand harvesting, 100% of the fruits were removed, while trunk shaker has removed 90% mature fruit in 10 s in early harvest ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’. Longer shaking time increased the fruit removal slightly but there was no significant difference between 10 s or 20 s shake duration (Fig. below).
Figure 26: Mature fruit removal and b) defoliation of hand and trunk-shaker harvested ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ trees. Treatments: Hand: hand harvest; 10 S: 10 s trunk shaking; 20 S: 20 s trunk shaking. Vertical bars represent standard error. The performance of a linear-type trunk share operating at 4 Hz with 70.8 kg weight, and a 13 cm trunk displacement for various shaking durations versus hand harvesting has been compared. As the result of hand harvesting, 100% of the fruits were removed, while trunk shaker has removed 90% mature fruit in 10 s in early harvest ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’. Longer shaking time increased the fruit removal slightly but there was no significant difference between 10 s or 20 s shake duration (Fig. below).
Figure 27: Effect of mechanical harvesting and irrigation on tree water status in ‘Hamlin citrus trees.
Figure 27: Effect of mechanical harvesting and irrigation on tree water status in ‘Hamlin citrus trees.
Flow of identical particles falling from a funnel (left side) showing clumps of particles, Simulated sorted clump lengths for distributed diameter particles (Gaussian, mean 5 mm, std 1 mm) and a flow density of 0.5. The straight lines indicate the Simulated Identical Particle Approximation (SIPA) method, Time-of-flight clump length measurement principle with timing diagram, Portion of the Large Sensor Array, containing eight sensor boards with 30 OptoSchmitts each, Dual receiver units mounted behind channeling tubes, excited by a single light source. The first method is actually based in the photo interruption concept which has been already used by reseachers to measure the mass flow of fertilizer particles. This method allows multiple particles to interrupt simultaneously (clumps separated by spacings) using a sophisticated algorithm which estimates the number of fruits from clump and spacing lengths. The sensor that is used in this method is much larger than the one for fertilizers particles. This method did not appear to be applicable in lab and field conditions to properly results in the estimated counted fruits.
Flow of identical particles falling from a funnel (left side) showing clumps of particles, Simulated sorted clump lengths for distributed diameter particles (Gaussian, mean 5 mm, std 1 mm) and a flow density of 0.5. The straight lines indicate the Simulated Identical Particle Approximation (SIPA) method, Time-of-flight clump length measurement principle with timing diagram, Portion of the Large Sensor Array, containing eight sensor boards with 30 OptoSchmitts each, Dual receiver units mounted behind channeling tubes, excited by a single light source. The first method is actually based in the photo interruption concept which has been already used by reseachers to measure the mass flow of fertilizer particles. This method allows multiple particles to interrupt simultaneously (clumps separated by spacings) using a sophisticated algorithm which estimates the number of fruits from clump and spacing lengths. The sensor that is used in this method is much larger than the one for fertilizers particles. This method did not appear to be applicable in lab and field conditions to properly results in the estimated counted fruits.
Singulation of citrus fruits using a gutter system. Each gutter contains a low placed laser beam, connected to a microcontroller, which counts fruits individually, Figure 28: Experimental arrangement with single gutter to test the reliability of the counting method. To enhance the second method, the researchers have used the idea that to detect vhether an individual fruit was present is to observe the total interruption times vhich are larger for a clump of two or more fruits. This method requires a thresholc o distinguish among individual and clumped fruits, which must be adaptive tc iccommodate for fruit diameter changes. In this method, a gutter has been used tc nake a distinction between rolling fruits.”The width of the gutters must be such that t is not possible for two fruits to pass the sensor simultaneously, an event that i: ready unlikely since the fruits are accelerating in the slanted gutters. Each gutte1 contains a low placed laser beam connected to its own microcontroller that counts he number of fruits passing per time frame and reports its counts through < sontroller Area Network bus.”
Singulation of citrus fruits using a gutter system. Each gutter contains a low placed laser beam, connected to a microcontroller, which counts fruits individually, Figure 28: Experimental arrangement with single gutter to test the reliability of the counting method. To enhance the second method, the researchers have used the idea that to detect vhether an individual fruit was present is to observe the total interruption times vhich are larger for a clump of two or more fruits. This method requires a thresholc o distinguish among individual and clumped fruits, which must be adaptive tc iccommodate for fruit diameter changes. In this method, a gutter has been used tc nake a distinction between rolling fruits.”The width of the gutters must be such that t is not possible for two fruits to pass the sensor simultaneously, an event that i: ready unlikely since the fruits are accelerating in the slanted gutters. Each gutte1 contains a low placed laser beam connected to its own microcontroller that counts he number of fruits passing per time frame and reports its counts through < sontroller Area Network bus.”
Visualization of multiple spherical objects of varying diameter rolling down a slanted plate, Side view of the objects showing a gap among each individual object, Slanted ramp used for counting experiments of clumped fruits.
Visualization of multiple spherical objects of varying diameter rolling down a slanted plate, Side view of the objects showing a gap among each individual object, Slanted ramp used for counting experiments of clumped fruits.
6- “It was found that in addition to natural variability of fruit removal force in the tree canopy, mechanical harvesting machine also are not applying uniform fruit removal force. (This information would allow modification and improvement of shaking mechanisms to reduce tree injuries which would help to maintain the health condition of citrus groves, decrease the chance of canker infection (by reducing the tree injury or plant material removal), and decrease machine)”
6- “It was found that in addition to natural variability of fruit removal force in the tree canopy, mechanical harvesting machine also are not applying uniform fruit removal force. (This information would allow modification and improvement of shaking mechanisms to reduce tree injuries which would help to maintain the health condition of citrus groves, decrease the chance of canker infection (by reducing the tree injury or plant material removal), and decrease machine)”
Table 6: Summary of puncture test results. Table 5: Dimensional data summary of fruit used in puncture tests
Table 6: Summary of puncture test results. Table 5: Dimensional data summary of fruit used in puncture tests
Punch sizes used in this research have been of size 0.323, 0.632, 0.964, 1.27, 1.90, and 2.540 cm. [Figure 38]. Burst tests have been performed with the whole fruit under flat plate compression [Figure 37]. Results of both tests are summarized in table 4, table 5, table 6 and table 7.
Punch sizes used in this research have been of size 0.323, 0.632, 0.964, 1.27, 1.90, and 2.540 cm. [Figure 38]. Burst tests have been performed with the whole fruit under flat plate compression [Figure 37]. Results of both tests are summarized in table 4, table 5, table 6 and table 7.
Table 8: Summary of burst test results. Table 7: Dimensional data summary of fruit used in burst tests.
Table 8: Summary of burst test results. Table 7: Dimensional data summary of fruit used in burst tests.
Figure 29: Illustration of characteristic diameters taken of fruit, Burst test conducted with fruit-holding die, Punch test conducted with the 1.27 cm diameter punch. Researchers have used the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze their data. Results have showed that the samples from the three different three different dates have not been statistically different at the 95% significance level, (p-value 0.148). Therefore, the decreasing puncture force trend that was observed by Coggins and Lewis (1965), Juste et al. (1988), and McDonald et al. (1987) has not been observed in this study.
Figure 29: Illustration of characteristic diameters taken of fruit, Burst test conducted with fruit-holding die, Punch test conducted with the 1.27 cm diameter punch. Researchers have used the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze their data. Results have showed that the samples from the three different three different dates have not been statistically different at the 95% significance level, (p-value 0.148). Therefore, the decreasing puncture force trend that was observed by Coggins and Lewis (1965), Juste et al. (1988), and McDonald et al. (1987) has not been observed in this study.
Figure 30: Representation of an image block. Traditionally, the visible spectrum has been used for fruit identification. The biggest issues with these camera systems have been occlusion and grouped fruit segmentation. An NIR InGaAs camera (FLIR Systems, Inc., Indigo Operations; Wilsonville, OR) was used for image acquisition. The spectral range of this NIR camera was from 900 to 1700 nm. The results from the in-field image acquisition process were a series of three-dimension matrix of values. Image processing was conducted using MatLab 7.0 software with the Image Processing toolbox.
Figure 30: Representation of an image block. Traditionally, the visible spectrum has been used for fruit identification. The biggest issues with these camera systems have been occlusion and grouped fruit segmentation. An NIR InGaAs camera (FLIR Systems, Inc., Indigo Operations; Wilsonville, OR) was used for image acquisition. The spectral range of this NIR camera was from 900 to 1700 nm. The results from the in-field image acquisition process were a series of three-dimension matrix of values. Image processing was conducted using MatLab 7.0 software with the Image Processing toolbox.
All data represent the mean of five determinations; ***4 letters indicate the statistical diflerence in rows; *** significant levels at 5% and 1° respectively, NS: not significant. “Nutritional properties of the fresh squeezed juice of the four orange varieties were given in Table 8. The values of all the chemical properties of orange juices, except pH, were statistically different with respect to the varieties.”
All data represent the mean of five determinations; ***4 letters indicate the statistical diflerence in rows; *** significant levels at 5% and 1° respectively, NS: not significant. “Nutritional properties of the fresh squeezed juice of the four orange varieties were given in Table 8. The values of all the chemical properties of orange juices, except pH, were statistically different with respect to the varieties.”
All data represent the mean of three replications with 15 determinations; ***#letters indicate the statistical difference in rows; *:** *** significant levels at 5%, 1%, 0.1% respectively; NS: not significant. Table 10: Physical properties of the four orange varieties
All data represent the mean of three replications with 15 determinations; ***#letters indicate the statistical difference in rows; *:** *** significant levels at 5%, 1%, 0.1% respectively; NS: not significant. Table 10: Physical properties of the four orange varieties
From left to right, top to bottom: Shaker working in swale, note stabilizing wheel; TSC receiver moving to a new tree; Position of shaker (right) and receiver (left) units; Receiver unit pulls cart, holding 70-90 boxes; Dumping fruit from goat; Goat dumping fruit into a trailer; Preharvest view of trees and fruit; Postharvest, note fruit on ground; Preharvest view of trees and fruit; Postharvest, note fruit on ground
From left to right, top to bottom: Shaker working in swale, note stabilizing wheel; TSC receiver moving to a new tree; Position of shaker (right) and receiver (left) units; Receiver unit pulls cart, holding 70-90 boxes; Dumping fruit from goat; Goat dumping fruit into a trailer; Preharvest view of trees and fruit; Postharvest, note fruit on ground; Preharvest view of trees and fruit; Postharvest, note fruit on ground
The mechanical picking systems that are currently used widely in Florida are the trunk shakers and continuous canopy shakers. Both these systems have the shake and catch mechanism. The graph in figure 1-1 shows the acreage in Florida where citrus was harvested by trunk shaker and canopy shaker. From the graph, it can be seen clearly that the trunk shaker is losing to canopy shaker in terms of acceptance by the citrus growers. In 2004, because of 3 hurricanes there was a decrease in the acreage harvested by the mechanical harvesters. In 2007, the total acreage of citrus groves harvested by mechanical means was 35633 acres, which is a little more than 5% of the total acreage of citrus in Florida. This illustrates the fact that though the use of mechanical harvesters is on the rise, the growers are reluctant to use them. Figure 1-1. Mechanical harvesting of Citrus in Florida (Data provided courtesy of Dr. Fritz Roka, SWFREC Univ. of Florida, Immokalee and Mr. Sandy Barros, Florida Department of Citrus.)
The mechanical picking systems that are currently used widely in Florida are the trunk shakers and continuous canopy shakers. Both these systems have the shake and catch mechanism. The graph in figure 1-1 shows the acreage in Florida where citrus was harvested by trunk shaker and canopy shaker. From the graph, it can be seen clearly that the trunk shaker is losing to canopy shaker in terms of acceptance by the citrus growers. In 2004, because of 3 hurricanes there was a decrease in the acreage harvested by the mechanical harvesters. In 2007, the total acreage of citrus groves harvested by mechanical means was 35633 acres, which is a little more than 5% of the total acreage of citrus in Florida. This illustrates the fact that though the use of mechanical harvesters is on the rise, the growers are reluctant to use them. Figure 1-1. Mechanical harvesting of Citrus in Florida (Data provided courtesy of Dr. Fritz Roka, SWFREC Univ. of Florida, Immokalee and Mr. Sandy Barros, Florida Department of Citrus.)
10. HANDLING OF CITRUS In the 1950s the second of the harvesting operations was mechanized reducing the labor required by at least two-thirds. Mechanization of citrus handling (Hedden and Churchill, 1984) was started with the use of two wheeled trailers. They were used for both fresh fruit and process fruit handling. For fresh fruit handling, the trailers were loaded with the fruits by using farm tractors and these trailers were hitched together, 5 or 6 at a time, to be taken to the packinghouses. For process fruit handling, a trailer or truck mounted basket elevator system was used with the two wheeled trailer system. The
10. HANDLING OF CITRUS In the 1950s the second of the harvesting operations was mechanized reducing the labor required by at least two-thirds. Mechanization of citrus handling (Hedden and Churchill, 1984) was started with the use of two wheeled trailers. They were used for both fresh fruit and process fruit handling. For fresh fruit handling, the trailers were loaded with the fruits by using farm tractors and these trailers were hitched together, 5 or 6 at a time, to be taken to the packinghouses. For process fruit handling, a trailer or truck mounted basket elevator system was used with the two wheeled trailer system. The
Figure 2-1. Forces on fruit when the tree is shaken. forces result in development of stresses at the point of contact, either at the stem-calyx o1 at the branch-stem junction which cause the removing of fruits from the tree. Along with the forces, the acceleration applied to the fruit is also significant as the changing acceleration causes a snapping effect resulting in the fruit’s detachment. Figure 2-1 illustrates some of the forces experienced by the fruits because of the shaking of trees. Citrus, prunes, apples, olives, almonds etc. are currently harvested using different type of shakers. Apart from the machines used for harvesting, there are mechanical aids available which make manual harvesting more efficient. These aids are used for vegetables (lettuce, cauliflower etc.) and also for fruits (melons, pineapples, oranges etc.). For the fresh fruit market, mechanical picking of fruits is not desirable as this affects the quality of the fruit. One-man self-propelled platforms and multi-level picking platforms are two of the mechanical aids used for the picking of fruits, while the rest of the harvesting process is mechanized.
Figure 2-1. Forces on fruit when the tree is shaken. forces result in development of stresses at the point of contact, either at the stem-calyx o1 at the branch-stem junction which cause the removing of fruits from the tree. Along with the forces, the acceleration applied to the fruit is also significant as the changing acceleration causes a snapping effect resulting in the fruit’s detachment. Figure 2-1 illustrates some of the forces experienced by the fruits because of the shaking of trees. Citrus, prunes, apples, olives, almonds etc. are currently harvested using different type of shakers. Apart from the machines used for harvesting, there are mechanical aids available which make manual harvesting more efficient. These aids are used for vegetables (lettuce, cauliflower etc.) and also for fruits (melons, pineapples, oranges etc.). For the fresh fruit market, mechanical picking of fruits is not desirable as this affects the quality of the fruit. One-man self-propelled platforms and multi-level picking platforms are two of the mechanical aids used for the picking of fruits, while the rest of the harvesting process is mechanized.
‘igure 2-2. Trunk Shake and Catch (TSC). (Source: http: //citrusmh.ifas.ufl.edu/index.asp?s=2&p=3. Last accessed July, 2009) The TSC system (figure 2-2) attaches to the trunk of a tree and shakes for 5 to 10 seconds. The fruits are collected in an attached receiver which when full is transferred to a goat truck. The fruit removal is 95% at a harvesting speed of 235 tree/hr with labor productivity of 90 box/hr (for each crew member).
‘igure 2-2. Trunk Shake and Catch (TSC). (Source: http: //citrusmh.ifas.ufl.edu/index.asp?s=2&p=3. Last accessed July, 2009) The TSC system (figure 2-2) attaches to the trunk of a tree and shakes for 5 to 10 seconds. The fruits are collected in an attached receiver which when full is transferred to a goat truck. The fruit removal is 95% at a harvesting speed of 235 tree/hr with labor productivity of 90 box/hr (for each crew member).
Figure 2-4. 4. Tractor Drawn Canopy Shake (TDCS).
Figure 2-4. 4. Tractor Drawn Canopy Shake (TDCS).
Related topics:
Mechanical EngineeringDesign and Development of Agricultural MachineryCitrus FruitsMechanical Harvesting
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