Fruit harvester

Abstract

A fruit harvester comprises a harvester body structure (410, 420) extendable about a fruit tree (10). The harvester body structure (410, 420) includes a picking head frame (410) and a fruit collection receptacle (420). A plurality of inwardly directed fruit removal devices, which may be in the form of flexible rods, are spaced along the picking head frame (410) for removing fruit from the tree (10). The harvester body structure (410, 420) is also movable along an arcuate track (467) for ease in fruit collection.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for harvesting fruit, and in particular relates to a fruit harvester especially suitable for harvesting olives and nuts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various methods have been employed to harvest fruit, and in particular olives and macadamia nuts. Apart from the labour intensive method of hand picking, two main mechanical types of harvesters have been employed in the harvesting of olives. [0003] One form of mechanical harvester uses cylindrical shaped picking heads comprising a centre hub with rigid picking rods of less than 400 mm in length extending radially outwardly from the hub. The cylindrical head has a rotating and oscillating motion which, when pushed into the olive tree, agitates the branches with sufficient energy to cause olives to drop. This harvester can only harvest one side of a tree at a time, with the rigid rods extending outwardly from the centre hub agitating the branches to such a degree tha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0033] Typically, a cut out portion is formed at a junction formed between said two receptacle segments in said closed configuration for receiving the trunk.

[0034] Preferably, flexible flaps are mounted o

Problems solved by technology

This harvester can only harvest one side of a tree at a time, with the rigid rods extending outwardly from the centre hub agitating the branches to such a degree that massive leaf and branch damage is caused.

Impact of the hub on the branches of the tree causes further severe damage.

A large number of harvested olives are also lost, falling onto the ground rather than being drawn into the chute by the suction action.

This harsh vibrating action, however, damages the trunk and interferes with the tree root system, affecting future growth.

This results in the tree lacking stability without the foliage toward the bottom of the trunk and so the trees are generally required to be staked to provide stability, at least in their younger years.

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