An electro-mechanical limb shaker for fruit thinning

Rosa, U. A.; Cheetancheri, Kabileshkumar G.; Gliever, C.; Lee, S. H.; Thompson, J. E.; Slaughter, David C.

doi:10.1016/j.compag.2007.11.008

Cited by 25 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Results show that the vibration transmitted from the machine to the tree was effective for fruit removal despite using lower rod density. Nevertheless, rod-branch interaction is a complex phenomenon because it depends on several factors such as geometry, quantity, location and resistance of branches (Rosa et al, 2008), where fruit undergo a process of twisting and bending and are subject to tensile and shear stress. Energy transmission efficiency and its distribution pattern are strongly influenced by branch size, age and chain morphology (Du et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vibration parameters assessment to develop a continuous lateral canopy shaker for mechanical harvesting of traditional olive trees

Sola-Guirado¹,

Jiménez-Jiménez²,

Blanco-Roldán³

et al. 2016

Span. j. agric. res.

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certain operations, particularly fruit harvesting. Nevertheless, traditional plantations are widespread globally and play an important social and environmental role, which makes it difficult or unfeasible to substantially change these plantations or even eliminate them entirely. Particularly notable in this respect is olive cultivation in the Mediterranean basin, where 97% of world production is concentrated. More specifically, in Spain, which is home to more than 50% of world olive oil production (AICA, 2014), there are 2,420,000 ha of olive crop, and traditional plantations RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS AbstractThe fruit harvesting is a key factor involving both product quality and profitability. Particularly, mechanical harvesting of traditional oil olive orchards is hint by tree training system for manual harvesting, tree size and several and slanted trunks which makes difficult trunk shaker work. Therefore, canopy shaker technology could be a feasible alternative to develop an integral harvester able to work on irregular canopies. The aim of this research was to determine vibration parameters applied to the olive tree for efficient mechanical harvesting by canopy shaker measuring fruit removal efficiency and debris. In this work, a continuous lateral canopy shaker harvester has been developed and tested on large olive trees in order to analyse the operating harvester parameters and tree properties to improve mutual adaptation. Vibration amplitude and frequency, rod density and ground speed were assessed. Vibration amplitude and frequency beside ground speed were decisive factors on fruit removal efficiency. Increasing rod density has not influenced on removal efficiency although it increased significantly debris. Promising results has been reached with 77.3% of removal efficiency, applying a 28 s shaking duration, 0.17 m amplitude vibration and 12 rod drum. This result was obtained reporting 0.26 s of accumulative shaking time over 200 m/s 2 resultant acceleration. The canopy shaker mechanism enabled more than 65% of detached fruits to fall vertically, facilitating catch fruit. In order to improve removal efficiency it is advisable to adapt trees, set high amplitude in the shaker mechanism, and enhance the contact time between rods and tree.Additional key words: Olea europaea L.; fruit detachment; integral harvester; frequency; amplitude; removal efficiency.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vibration parameters assessment to develop a continuous lateral canopy shaker for mechanical harvesting of traditional olive trees

Sola-Guirado¹,

Jiménez-Jiménez²,

Blanco-Roldán³

et al. 2016

Span. j. agric. res.

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“…Selective mechanical harvesting can improve the value or quality of the harvested process according to the vibration parameters used, such as frequency, amplitude or time of vibration (Aristizabal et al 2003;So 2003;Rosa et al 2008). Despite the differentiated response of the branches or fruits to the vibration, each specific crop can exhibit a different susceptibility to selective harvesting by vibration according to the maturity, mass or location of the fruits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency response of Pinus Pinea L. for selective cone harvesting by vibration

García

Blanco-Roldán

Gil-Ribes

2011

Trees

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The stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is exploited for wood production and its edible kernels. Cones take 3 years to mature, while other newer cones are growing on the tree. Currently, mechanical cone harvesting by tree vibration drives the profitability and development of this crop in forest ecosystems. However, the adaptation of vibration parameters is necessary to avoid damage to the tree and for the implementation of good harvesting practices. Direct measurements of acceleration transmissibility along fruitbearing branches under controlled laboratory conditions showed that vibrations in the frequency range of 18.0 ± 5.3 Hz were capable of producing resonance phenomena in mature cones. Morphological changes produced in the mature cones, especially in the stalk and total weight, amplified the acceleration transmissibility, providing more favourable conditions for fruit detachment. Field tests with stone pines and a trunk shaker confirmed the potential of selective mechanical harvesting, which is conditional on the vibration parameters applied. The frequency range of the resonance of the mature cone proved to be suitable for vibration of the tree at its trunk. The quality and efficiency of the mechanical harvesting were determined to be inversely related parameters during harvesting by vibration. Trunk vibration at a frequency of 18 Hz and approximate acceleration of 65 m/s 2 achieved a high harvest quality, with limited detachment of shoots and unripe cones, and a harvesting efficiency near 85%.

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“…Mechanical thinning has been tested in peaches using inertial trunk shakers and electromagnetic shakers ( [5], [6]). Besides, in stone fruits and pome fruits, flower and fruit thinning has been studied using drum shakers ( [7], [8], [9]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical mandarin thinning related to fruitlet developing stage

Romano¹,

Torregrosa²,

Balasch³

et al. 2019

Congreso Ibérico De Agroingeniería

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Mandarin thinning is done by hand, increasing labor cost and raising total crop production costs. Mechanical thinning has been tested in peaches and other fruits. To achieve the maximum efficiency thinning requires to be applied at a specific stage of vegetative development. In this research study the mechanical thinning of mandarin branches during the different fruit developing stages has been assessed using a vibratory laboratory device (amplitudes 0.015 m and 0.030 mm and frequencies 34.8 Hz and 37.8 Hz). Branches with flower buds, flowers, small green fruits and medium green fruits were tested during 12 weeks and two different seasons. It was possible to detach mechanically flower buds, flowers and green fruits using different combinations of amplitudes and frequencies. Removal percentage decreased when increasing retention traction force, according to a logarithmic regression model. During fruit setting (weeks 5, 6 and 7) removal percentage was higher, when the retention force is very low. The first weeks just after the natural thinning could be consider the adequate time for a mechanical thinning operation.

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An electro-mechanical limb shaker for fruit thinning

Cited by 25 publications

References 24 publications

Vibration parameters assessment to develop a continuous lateral canopy shaker for mechanical harvesting of traditional olive trees

Vibration parameters assessment to develop a continuous lateral canopy shaker for mechanical harvesting of traditional olive trees

Frequency response of Pinus Pinea L. for selective cone harvesting by vibration

Mechanical mandarin thinning related to fruitlet developing stage

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