Tools for Harvesting Apples & Pears
There are several different methods and tools used in the harvesting of apples and pears. The two fruits are similar enough that harvesting methods for one will also work for the other, including hand picking to massive harvester machines. Not all of these tools are suitable for every harvesting job, but every job has at least one corresponding tool. Does this Spark an idea?
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Harvester Machines
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These machines are designed for orchard owners who don't have the time to go through each tree and pick the fruit by hand. These machines come in two varieties: stand-alone vehicles and tractor-towed. They use tree sweeps, large attachments that comb through the trees as the harvester passes, culling the apples and pears from the trees and depositing them into the collection bin. Some harvesters also clean the fruit as it is harvested before placing it in the collection bin.
Fruit-Picker Pole
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This fruit-harvesting tool has been around since the days of the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson invented it. It consists of a basket affixed to a long pole with a hook on the end. The harvester uses the hook to pluck the fruit from the branch, and the basket catches it when it falls. These tools are useful in harvesting fruit from a tree's higher branches.
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Clippers
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Not to be confused with garden shears, fruit-harvesting clippers are specifically designed for cutting fruit stems from the branch without damaging the fruit. These clippers are typically one-handed affairs for use in small harvesting operations of only a few trees.
Baskets
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Baskets store the fruit after removal from the tree. Baskets, whether specially designed fruit baskets or average wicker baskets, are essential to harvesting, as they allow the harvester to transport larger quantities of fruit from the trees to their place of storage.
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References
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