Fifty-year History of Harvesting Pickling Cucumbers Mechanically

Abstract

For 50 years, engineers, producers, processors, and manufacturers have been working on new and improved ways for mechanization of the harvest of pickling cucumbers, Cucumis sativus L. In 1957, processors investigated multiple-pick concepts. Multiple-pick harvesters were commercially manufactured in the early 1960s (Chisholm–Ryder). In the late 1950s, Stout and Ries evaluated the known multiple-pick harvesting concepts. In the early 1960s, once-over harvesting concepts were considered and evaluated by Ries and Stout. By significantly increasing the plant population and other horticultural practice and variety improvements, once-over harvest became the main thrust of mechanization from 1965 on. By 1970, at least major five commercial manufacturers sold harvesters (Blackwelder, FMC Corp., Hart Carter [later sold out to Cuke, Inc.], Porter-Way, and Wilde). In 1996 there are four commercial manufacturers (Cuke, FMC Corp., Jerry's Welding, and Pik Rite). Limited multiple-pick research and manufacturers persisted (Aero-Glide, Mac-Weld, and Powell). By 1975 over 85% of Michigan's pickling cucumbers were mechanically harvested, leading all other states. Today, about 60% of Michigan's production is harvested with machines. The information presented will be informative and an historical aid for engineers, manufacturers, horticulturists, processors, and historians, etc. to ensure that the worldwide research is known by scientists endeavoring to accomplish harvest mechanization.