Mechanical Harvesting of Tatura Trellis Fruit Trees1

Abstract

Abstract A low cost single sided harvester with a multi-level catching device was designed to harvest fruit from Tatura Trellis trees planted at 6 × 1 m. Limb Shakers were used to remove cling peaches (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) and the machine-harvested fruit showed fewer injuries than fruit picked by contract labor. Although the machine harvested peaches had a greater proportion of cut fruit, the percentage of bruised fruit was significantly lower. Bruising was shown to be a function of flesh firmness for both harvesting methods. ‘Williams’ Bon Chretien’ (‘Bartlett’) pears (Pyrus communis L.) were harvested with a trunk shaker from single trellis type limbs in a standard orchard which had been modified for mechanical harvesting. Comparisons between the trellis harvester, a 2-unit Catchall harvester and fruit picked by contract labor showed that the proportion of bruised fruit was lowest for the trellis harvester. Relationships were established between the location of pears within the canopy of trellis type limbs and damage to fruit. Trunk shaking caused displacement of fruit and branches resulting in damage to fruit. Results show that trellis pear trees may be suitable for mechanical harvesting if fruit is used for processing.