Original scientific paper

Impact of self-propelled and towed fruit harvester performance on apple harvest

Stjepan Sito ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za mehanizaciju poljoprivrede
Mihovil Jelčić ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za mehanizaciju poljoprivrede
Vesna Očić ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za mehanizaciju poljoprivrede
Branko Šket ; Šolski center Šentjur
Hrvoje Hrvojčec ; Coner d.o.o
Vladimir Džaja ; PIK Vinkovci
Ante Marić

Abstract

The paper compares the performance data of “Pluk-O-Trak” self-propelled fruit harvesting machine and towed harvesting platform in apple harvest. Field studies and experiments on Cripps Pink, Fuji Kiku 8 and Granny Smith apple cultivars were carried out in Komin (Neretva Valley) orchards, totalling 7.3 ha. The tree density in orchards was 2.7 m x 0.6 m, i.e. 6,170 seedlings per hectare. In terms of measured performance and the quality of harvested apple fruit, the results of our research were impressive. Despite current apple growing technology being well known, the profit lies in reducing costs by using a towed fruit harvesting platforms. The purchase price of a fairly simple towed platform is significantly lower than self-propelled harvesting machine, without significant difference in their performance and the quality of harvested apples. The cost of harvest using a self propelled harvesting machine thus amounted to 0.80 – 0.90 EUR/kg, while the cost of harvest using a towed harvesting platform amounted to only 0.10 – 0.14 EUR/kg of harvested apples. In addition to labour costs (pickers), the calculation of harvesting costs also included the depreciation of self propelled harvesting machine and towed harvesting platform. Mechanical pruning and towed harvesting platforms may reduce the cost of apple production from 1.35 to 1.50 EUR/kg.

Keywords

apple; harvest; self-propelled harvester; towed platform; harvesting performance

Hrčak ID:

168273

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/168273

Publication date:

2.11.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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