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Archive for December, 2011

December Equipment Highlight

29 Dec

The final Thursday of December 2011 and time to close out Equipment Highlight for the month. Today the focus is on sweet corn. Whether straight off the cob or from a can sweet corn is good.

 

SWEET CORN
infoA&K DEVELOPMENT HUSKER SYSTEMS
FOR SWEET CORN HUSKING

 

  • POWER HUSKER SERIES II
    Four Lane Husker Features:
    • Husking rolls powered through three enclosed gear drives by a
      5 hp 3 ph. electric motor
    • Oscillators powered by a 1 hp. 3 ph. electric motor
    • Eight husking rolls arranged into 4 husking lanes
    • 3 to 4 tons per hour capacity
    • Mild steel frame construction
    • Stainless steel product contact parts

    info

    (Top Of Page)
    Eight Lane Husker Features:
    • Husking rolls powered through four enclosed gear drives by a
      7½ hp. 3 ph. electric motor
    • Oscillators powered by a 1 hp. 3 ph. electric motor
    • 16 husking rolls arranged into 8 husking lanes
    • 8 to 10 tons per hour capacity
    • Mild steel frame construction
    • Stainless steel product contact parts

    info

    (Top Of Page)
    Twelve Lane Husker Features:
    • Husking rolls powerd through six enclosed gear drives by two
      7½ hp. 3 ph. electric motors
    • Oscillators powered by a 1 hp. 3 ph. electric motor
    • 24 husking rolls arranged into 12 husking lanes
    • 12 to 14 tons per hour capacity
    • Mild steel frame construction
    • Stainless steel product contact parts

    info

    (Top Of Page)
    Sixteen Lane Husker Features:
    • Husking rolls powered through eight enclosed gear drives by two
      7½ hp. 3 ph. electric motors
    • Oscillators powered by a 1 hp. 3 ph. electric motor
    • 32 husking rolls arranged into 16 husking lanes
    • 16 to 18 tons per hour capacity
    • Mild steel frame construction
    • Stainless steel product contact parts

    info

    (Top Of Page)
    Standard Husker Series II Husker Features:
    • Capped end bronze bushing on discharge end
    • Bronze bearing housing on infeed end
    • Bearing housing with replaceable stainless steel wear collar on discharge end
    • Non-metallic thrust washer on discharge end
    • Stainless steel rod covers
    • Stainless steel oscillator bearing support frame
    • Stainless steel oscillator drive plates with special locking device for drive bolts
    • Stainless steel gear guards, chain coupling guards and belt guards
    • Stainless steel ensilage chutes
    • Coupler chain – nickel plated with stainless steel connector link
    • Urethane spiral cutting rolls positioned on the infeed of the machine, for improved performance and durability
    • Safety switches on all husker access lids
    • Remote lubrication manifold for discharge end

    info

    (Top Of Page)
  • SHAKER FEEDER (4, 8, 12, 16 LANE)
    This unit is equipped with a 1½ hp. 3 ph. electric motor. This motor powers the shaker pan by means of a #10 heavy ajax drive. The pan is specially designed for even distribution of product into each of the twelve husking lanes. Shaker frame is mild steel construction, hot dipped galvanized. The shaker pan and feed chute are stainless steel construction.info

    oil
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  • METERING CONVEYOR (4, 8, 12, 16 LANE)
    This unit is equipped with a ½ hp. 110 volt, D.C. variable speed drive for adjusting the feed rate. The conveyor length is 3′-7″.The belt is constructed with a v-guide for positive tracking. The metering chute, conveyor sides and transfer chute to vibratory shaker are all stainless steel construction. Conveyor frame is mild steel construction, hot dipped galvanized. Pulleys are mild steel, hot dipped galvanized.info

    oil
    (Top Of Page)

 

Additional Machinery:

 

  • Husker Conversion Kits

  • 4-Lane Manual Fed

  • Extra Height Stands

  • Discharge Grading

  • Auto-Lube System

  • Distribution Conveyor

  • Air Shear System

  • Flat Bed Belt Conveyors

  • Elevator

  • Receiving Vibratory

  • Big Bins

  • Wilter Vibratory

  • Nubbin Eliminator – Short Piece Grader

  • Husker Nubbin Eliminator

  • Roll Washer

  • Silage Chopper

 

Kernel Cutting:

 

  • Manual Cob Saw

  • Power Orienters/Cutters – Automatic

  • Distribution Conveyor

  • Air Shear System

  • Troughing Conveyors

  • Decking & Stands

  • Knife Honer

  • Scalper

  • Surge Hopper

  • Kernel Size Grader

 

Fresh Market Husking:

 

  • Base Husker

  • Shaker Feeder

  • Manual Cob Saw

  • Flat Bed Belt Conveyor

  • Elevator

  • Extra Height Stands

    Hamachek corn huskers

    Contact us about this product

    Brand/Manufacturer – Hamachek

    Model 800 corn huskers with feeders, 14 units available

    Click on the numbered boxes below to see additional photos of the product.

    Hamachek corn huskers

    Save on labour while harvesting fresh market beans,
    peas, and corn by going mechanical this year.
     

    FOR THE SWEET CORN MARKET

    Picture

    Pixall CP100 Corn Puller
    A one-row sweet corn puller is a gentler way to harvest. This method produces results comparable to hand picking. 

    Picture

    Byron 103 one-row sweet corn picker
    Byron 103 one-row corn picker is another option for picking your fresh market sweet corn.  Supersweet varieties of corn work especially well with this picker.  It has a three point hitch mount.  

    Picture

    Pixall Pull-pix one-row sweet corn picker
     Pixall Pull-Pix one-row sweet corn picker.  Pixall and Byron merged with Oxbo Corporation in August 1998.  Same great quality products!

    FOR THE GREEN AND YELLOW BEAN
    PEA, BUTTERBEAN AND LIMA MARKET

    Picture

    Oxbo BH100 one row green bean picker
     OXBO  BH100. With this unit and a 40 hp tractor. This machine gently harvests all beans.


    EVEN FEEDER and VIBRATING TABLE

    A perfect addition to the BH100.The vibratory sorting table eliminates field debris such as rocks and leaves, as well as removing any pin or broken beans.

    The even feeder eliminates one worker from the bean packing line.  The feeder will run unattended for five minutes, filling a 5 bushell hopper.  One worker can fill the hopper and return to packing beans saving hundreds in labour.

    Check out the You Tube video below!


December Equipment Highlight

27 Dec

It is the Tuesday after Christmas in 2011 and time another edition of Equipment Highlight. A staple of holiday meals is usually the cranberry, either in a salad or sauce. So today  The AGTV Network takes a look at cranberries.

 

Cranbarrier – the industry’s first high tech device designed specifically for the wet harvest of cranberries.
This grower-designed harvest boom saves time and labor.
Boost your profits this harvest withCranbarrier!

 

 

  • Take advantage of color incentives
  • Cut labor costs by 60% or better
  • Speed harvest time
  • Lightweight, easy to use
  • Lower risk of injury and worker’s compensation claims
This is the harvest equipment all serious growers must have!

~ The Cranbarrier in Action ~
.1,600 Feet of Cranbarrier!The Cranbarrier is extremely light and compact.

There is 1,600 feet of Cranbarrier in this short-bed pick up truck!

It is manufactured in 50 and 100-foot sections.

Cranbarrier Home Page

Look at how lightweight and easy to handle the Cranbarrier is!

Cranbarrier Home Page

Cranbarrier is extremely lightweight!Setting the PumpSetting the pump to harvest the crop.

Cranbarrier Home Page

The ultimate harvest tool!
Cranbarrier
 in action!

Cranbarrier Home Page

The Ultimate Harvest Tool!Corralling the BerriesOne worker pulls the Cranbarrier to
corral the beaten cranberries.

Cranbarrier Home Page

Think of the color incentives…

Cranbarrier Home Page

Think of the color incentives...A retriever surveys the Cranbarrier.This grower did not buy enough
Cranbarrier
 to corral this entire bog.
His retriever surveys the Cranbarrier
.

Cranbarrier Home Page

Cranbarrier will always float at the
perfect depth to corral the berries.

Cranbarrier Home Page

Cranbarrier floats at the perfect depth.


 

 

   
Looking for a more mechanical equipment approach

Gebhardt Manufacturing LLC

Here is a small portion of the equipment manufactured at Gedhardt Manufacturing LLC.

 

 

Berry Sorting and Processing Equipment

Berry Sorting and Processing EquipmentAmong the most fragile of foods,
berries such as the cranberry, raspberry and
blueberry require careful handling to preserve
visual appeal and prevent membrane damage,
sugar loss, or drip loss. Start here for details on
Key equipment for successful berry
processors:

RESOURCES
Case Studies

Video

White Papers

 

These are examples of equipment used. Choices for your operation may be different.

 

 


Merry Christmas

25 Dec

The AGTV Network wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. As always a thank you to all who produce the food for the holiday dinners. For all those traveling drive or fly safe.


December Equipment Highlight

22 Dec

It is Thursday and time for another edition of December Equipment Highlight. With the Holiday season upon us some folks may open a bottle of wine or two. Regardless of red or white wine, those grapes need equipment.

 

Here are examples of self propelled and tow behind harvesters. Click on the links for the associated PDF.

G8_090908_4253.JPGG9-320 NZ-090327-133.JPGG7_0909084296.JPG
Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc. can find a mechanical harvesting solution for you no matter what size of vineyard you’re harvesting or what type of trellis is in use. In addition to a complete line up of state of the art new grape harvesters by Gregoire, Lakeview has access to a wide selection of used equipment from a variety of manufacturers.When you buy a grape harvester from Lakeview you can rest assured that we have an unmatched inventory of in stock parts to keep you running when harvest time comes. In addition, our service department is on call 24 hours a day to ensure your productivity stays on track no matter what service challenge you’re facing.

Downloads:
Self Propelled Harvesters – NEW SERIES:
Gregoire G7 & G8 Series Self Propelled Harvesters
PDF Download Click here for brochure (5MB)
Gregoire G9 – Wide Throat Self Propelled Harvester
PDF Download Click here for brochure (11MB)
Tow Behind Harvesters – NEW SERIES:
Gregoire G1 & G2 Tow Behind Harvesters
PDF Download Click here for brochure (3MB)
Tow Behind – Non Current Models:
G50
PDF Download Click here for brochure (936KB)
G55
PDF Download Click here for brochure (1.2MB)
G60
PDF Download Click here for brochure (692KB)
G65
PDF Download Click here for brochure (864KB)
Self Propelled Harvesters – Non Current Models:
G106
PDF Download Click here for brochure (1.9MB)
G114
PDF Download Click here for brochure (2.2MB)
G132 (Central Bin)
PDF Download Click here for brochure (1.9MB)
G132 (Side Bin)
PDF Download Click here for brochure (2.4MB)
G152 (Central Bin)
PDF Download Click here for brochure (2.5MB)
G152 (Side Bin)
PDF Download Click here for brochure (3.9MB)
G170 Contact Us for details!
G108 (Wide Trellis)
PDF Download Click here for brochure (1.9MB)
G140 (Wide Trellis)
PDF Download Click here for brochure (88KB)

Some specialized equipment for fruit of the vine.

 

SDC11196.JPGIMG_3288.jpgPRE PRUNER2.JPG
PRE-PRUNERS

The Gregoire Pre-Pruner is the simplest designed, most effective pre-pruner on the market. Ask for a demonstration and see how you can start saving 20-30% on pruning labour costs today!!

Pop Star Tool Carrier “The Carrier Tool For Every Job!!”

 

Downloads:
Pre Pruners:
Pop Star 1
PDF Download Click here for brochure (1.2MB)
PopStar2
PDF Download Click here for brochure (3.4MB)
PopStar3
PDF Download Click here for brochure (2.2MB)
Primex Pre-Pruners:
PrimexPrePruner
PDF Download Click here for brochure (465KB)
PN Debudders
PDF Download Click here for brochure (1.8MB)
PF Debudders
PDF Download Click here for brochure (754KB)

 

Cordon Bunch Removal Sprayer
Cordon Bunch Removal Sprayer With this spray unit, we are able to strategically target an area of the vine that would normally grow fruit and cannot be accessed by the harvester. This fruit would previously have been harvested by hand and placed on a wire within the range of the harvester head.With the cordon sprayer we can spray this area with calcium nitrate that will burn off the young bunches that are approx. 10-15cm long and we can successfully remove the fruit which not only saves labour costs but allows the vine to use the nutrients that would have been used on those bunches and place it within the required zone.There is also a suggestion that the fertiliser may also be absorbed by the vine cordon in the sprayed area, , therefore improving the condition of next years fruiting canes. This theory requires further investigation.

The Cordon sprayer also operates with a recirculation system similar to the wetting machine and is able to catch and recycle any overspray as it travels along, therefore reducing the risk of affecting the plant or the potential crop and also saving money by using less chemicals and water.

Contract Harvesting
Grape Harvesters We have two Korvan Harvesters that has been modified by Rodney specifically for the Shaw Swing Arm dried fruit trellis system. Features include a hydraulic over row catching system, which can be lifted for tight turning within headlands, problem areas within the vineyard and for a convenient travel position.Our harvesters have been specially fitted with an inbuilt MOG remover (riddle system) that provides cleaner fruit samples than the conventional harvesters.
Special jets have been installed within the belt system to reduce clogging that can lead to maintenance downtime, we are therefore able to clean the belts as we are harvesting.For dried fruit contract harvesting within Victoria and SA contact us now.
Recirculating Boom Sprayer
This addition to an existing spray unit was required by a customer to lessen the cost of very expensive chemicals used within the table grape industry.The theory has been reflected through a number of our projects and essentially seeks to capture overspray including the drips from beneath the canopy and recycles it back to the spray tank where it can then be re-used.With this unit we set out to make substantial material cost savings, and the unit is now operating on a fresh fruit property in the Northern Territory.

Some of the equipment used for grapes. As with all areas of agriculture there is always to more. The AGTV Network hopes you are enjoying our look at equipment used for produce.

 


December Equipment Highlight

20 Dec

Today is Tuesday December 19th and The AGTV Network continues to look at equipment used for produce. Today’s look is at strawberries.

 

 

An example of the traditional method

EasyPick Harvest Assistant

‘EasyPick-where laying down on the job is a good thing.’

The EasyPick Harvest Assistant was originally designed for use on our own farm,Naber’s Produce Farm located in east-central Nebraska where we grow 5 acres of strawberries. 

 Back in 1996 we were looking for a way to move more quickly through the field for strawberry blossom removal work and it was at that time strictly a time issue for us. It didn’t take long however, to realize the benefits we would see by using the same machine for harvesting strawberries.   

Most horticultural enterprises’ single, biggest line item expense is typically labor. Anything we can do to reduce labor costs by making our employees more efficient and productive can make a big difference in our bottom line at the end of the season.

In 1998 we created the first true ‘EasyPick’ type machine specifically designed to aid in strawberry harvesting operations. Our goal in creating the machine was to eliminate as much work done in the bent over or kneeling position as possible and to enable the picking trays/cartons to move through the field with the pickers, which in turn, would enable employees to work all day with the same energy and enthusiasm as when they start the day, thereby increasing daily output without increasing labor costs or the complaints of physical strain on the body. 

The endeavor was a success right from the beginning, however, we have made many improvements to the original design, based on our own experiences in the field, which have helped to  further increase productivity.

Here are some of the key features applicable to all models:

  • The EasyPick Harvest Assistant operates in all weather conditions allowing strawberry picking to continue uninterrupted, meanwhile protecting harvesters from the rain or the effects of the harsh sun.
  • Now you can make strawberry harvesting, or many other tasks, much easier by eliminating the back breaking strain put on you or your employee’s bodies, increasing productivity and reducing your liability for repetitive motion injury.
  • Since the containers move continuously through the field with the picking crew, you increase harvest productivity. One person can periodically unload product from the machine and transport to the cooler while your strawberry pickers keep harvesting nonstop.
  • Harvest the same volume of crop while saving up to 30% on labor costs.
  • The task of finding help becomes much easier since potential employees know they won’t be out in the hot sun or in the rain and they won’t be constantly bent over in the field. We’ve observed that using this machine actually helps slower employees work at a pace much closer to that set by top performing employees.
  • EasyPick is versatile, in addition to being a strawberry picker carrier, it can also be used when setting plants in the beds, weeding, blossom removal, asparagus harvesting, snap bean harvesting, cucumber harvesting,  virtually any place where you have row or bed planted crops that require you to bend or kneel to maintain or harvest.
  • EasyPick’s usefulness in plant setting is worth mentioning again. If you are planting plugs or dormant plants in a plasticulture setting, then this machine will make a difference for you. We’ve found it to be particularly useful for planting onions plants/slips on plastic. (4 lines of plants per bed spaced 6″ apart and 6″ in-row spacing.)
  • Field tested in all conditions,  and proven to perform to expectations. Our first machine went to work in 1996 with improvements being developed over 13 years of actual in field conditions.
  • Our machines are designed and built to last, which is one reason we now use planetary, or worm gear final drives, (instead of cheaper chain drives which require more maintenance and are prone to failure, especially when working in wet or muddy conditions).

Specifications

400 Model Series

EasyPick Economy Model

EasyPick Harvest Buddy

700 Model Series

900 Model Series

     Rt. Ft. view EasyPick strawberry harvester.

EasyPickä 4-row model

700 model folded for transport

700 Series

EasyPick Economy model right front view

Economy Model

harvest buddy right front view

Harvest Buddy

 

planetary final drive assembly

Final Drive Assembly

We use this heavy duty final drive assembly on all machines except the Harvest Buddy which uses heavy duty irrigation type worm gearboxes.

EasyPick machines are custom manufactured to any size you want from 2 station on up. General pricing information is available for most models, for specialized machines we can usually give you a quote within 2 weeks.  Give us a call to obtain pricing information and current order lead times.

Special notes:

The EasyPick Harvest Assistant is custom built to fit your needs. We build on order only, due to the fact that every grower has different requirements.

Orders still being accepted subject to current stock on hand.

Humble Beginnings in 1996.

original berry cart 1996

 

Please place your orders early as we normally only manufacture the EasyPick line from November thru April, so plan ahead!

EasyPick 400 Series Harvest Assistant

‘EasyPick-where laying down on the job is a good thing.’

The 400 Model series is designed for the grower with more than 1 acre of strawberries or other crops to harvest. If you typically have more than 2 people harvesting your crop on any given day, then the 400 series may be for you.

Specifications

  • 4 row, 2 wheel drive machines use a 10 hp engine. Larger machines, or those with the 4 wheel drive option use correspondingly larger engines.

  • Engine choices are: Briggs & Stratton Vanguard® or Honda® gasoline engines, or Kubota® diesel.

  • 12 volt electrical system for engine starting, steering controls, radio (not included).

  • Hydrostatic propulsion, infinitely variable from 0 to 100 feet per minute.

  • Fully automatic in-row steering, using guide shoe or guide fingers, is now an optional add-on, (formerly standard issue).

  • 9.5″x16″ tires.

  • Planetary drive hubs.

  • Independent, hydraulic floating front wheels are now optional.

  • Cushioned, independently adjustable harvesting stations.

  • Each harvesting station holds 5 standard 8 quart shipping containers and can be customized for other size containers.

  • Canopy is standard and is field removable.

  • Four wheel drive is an available option.

  • Adjustable row or bed spacing from 36″ on up.

  • Toolbars can be equipped with folding mechanisms to allow for narrower transport width.

  • Other customized configurations are possible, just ask.

 

8 row 400 model front view in field

4 row easypick front right

Click on the picture above to download a short 20 second clip of harvesting in action. Windows Media Player recommended.

Our thanks to the folks at Bi-Zi Farms of Washingtion for providing the video.

Give us a call for pricing, order lead times, or custom requirements at the phone numbers listed below.

 

 

EasyPick ‘Harvest Buddy’

‘EasyPick- where laying down on the job is a good thing.’

The ‘Harvest Buddy’ was a new introduction for the 2006 season.

The 2 station machine is a popular model for those growers with smaller acreages to harvest, however, the basic ‘Economy’ model with it’s single front wheel drive has some limitations when operating in muddy fields, particularly those with heavy, slower draining soils. We all know that strawberry harvesting, (and other crop harvesting as well), needs to continue virtually uninterrupted regardless of whether the field is muddy or dry. With the introduction of the ‘Harvest Buddy’ we can now offer the 2 station EasyPick machine in a 2 wheel drive model that will handle those wet fields much better and yet is affordable for the smaller farm.

As with all the EasyPick models, the ‘Harvest Buddy’ makes harvesting a much more pleasant task and if you are utilizing employees to harvest your crop, we’re going to save you some money. Specifically, when picking strawberries, we’ve seen labor savings of up to 30% on our own farm.

Not only will strawberry picking become easier and less expensive, but you will find ways for the EasyPick machines to help you with other tasks as well. EasyPick machines are commonly used for weeding, transplanting strawberry plants and onion slips, asparagus harvesting, cucumber harvesting, snap bean harvesting and the like.

 

harvest buddy right front viewharvest buddy rear view

side view harvest buddy easypick harvest assistant

Standard 2 row Model.

Specifications for the Harvest Buddy

  • 9 hp. recoil start engine. Briggs & Stratton Vanguard is our engine of choice, but customers can request Honda as well.

  • 2 wheel drive.

  • Heavy duty worm gear wheel drive, no chains to maintain or break.

  • Hydrostatic propulsion, single lever speed and direction control.

  • Manual hydraulic steering control.

  • 2 independently adjustable work stations for all row spacings. Up to 4 work stations  on row spacings 48″ or less. Can also be fitted with twin workstations to allow 4 people to harvest 2 crop beds that are spaced 60″ apart or wider.

  • Adjustable row spacing from 36 to 72 inches on center.

  • Low profile, fits in well ventilated high tunnels.

  • Each work station comes with a moveable picking tray that can be custom sized to fit your harvest containers.

  • Work stations also come with removable storage trays underneath the work bed for storing filled harvest containers.

  • Canopy is now standard equipment on all models.

  • Every EasyPick machine is customizable to fit any particular growers unique requirements.

  • Special option for growers with 48″ or narrower row spacing. The Harvest Buddy can be fitted with 4 workstations. (See  pictures to the right).

 

 

How about a less traditional method

 

Strawberry Picking Robot

strawberry picking robot Strawberry Picking Robot

Technology is constantly advancing.  In fact, one might consider the “boom” in technological advances to have continued unabated since the Industrial Revolution.  While most home gardeners still grow their strawberry plants they way they have for centuries, the commercial strawberry industry has corralled their own technological advances throughout the years.  The specialized equipment that is currently widespread automates many of the strawberry-specific cultivation tasks.  Technology allows for mounded rows with targeted irrigation and plastic mulch.  To see videos of said technology in action, view the post on growing strawberry plants commercially.

One of the latest advances in strawberry farming was developed with funds from the California Strawberry Commission: a strawberry picking robot.  While the strawberry picking robot is nowhere near ready to eliminate strawberry picking jobs, it may eventually increase productivity while decreasing labor costs by automating the most time-intensive aspect of strawberry farming: picking the strawberries.

 

The Idea for a Strawberry Picking Robot

The inspiration for the specific strawberry picking robot featured in this post (yes, there are others around that are less impressive and less advanced) was found in a seemingly unrelated contest.  The DARPA Grand Challenge (a competition for the development of driverless cars) prompted the formation of Robotic Harvesting, LLC by the California Strawberry Commission.  “After all,” thought the organizers, “if cars can navigate hundreds of miles of roads, why can’t a robot navigate a few inches to pick a strawberry?”

Once the idea found wings (and funding), the new company was helped by researchers linked to UCLA, Caltech, and Cornell.  With the help of some very intelligent people, the strawberry picking robot moved from imagination to prototype.

Strawberry Picking Robot: Technology

The technology used by the strawberry picking robot is impressive.  The automated process is made possible by using a stereo vision camera (basically allowing the robot to “see” in 3D like humans can) to discern where the strawberries are.  Then, specialized software quickly analyzes them to differentiate ripe from unripe berries.  Next, the robotic arm is extended to the analyzed strawberry where its three fingers clamp the strawberry, pluck it from the strawberry plant, and deposit it onto a conveyor belt

The combination of the stereo camera and the advanced software improves dramatically on agricultural robots of decades past.  Automated harvesting robots have been a sought-after prize since the 1980s.  Back then, however, the software and computational ability of the computers were much too slow to be viable.  Now things are different.  The speed at which processes can be computed makes a strawberry picking robot like this less fantasy and more reality.

In fact, in controlled environments, the strawberry picking robot can rapidly and accurately pick strawberries in as little as two seconds.

The technology of the strawberry picking robot has three main components.  First, the strawberry data collector collects information about the location of the strawberries by scanning both above and below the strawberry leaf canopy.  Second, the mobile platform moves at a programmable rate and serves as support for the picking arm and harvested strawberries/supplies.  And, thirdly, the stereo vision camera which provides the required “visual” data to the arm so it can pick the correct strawberries.

Challenges for the Strawberry Picking Robot

Strawberry picking robots are not ready for the mainstream just yet.  Indeed, despite the tremendous technological advances and uses found within the strawberry picking robot, there are still things that this strawberry robot still needs help accomplishing.  There are certain concerns that need to be addressed.

1.  Selectivity

The strawberry picking robot does a flawless job in the controlled environment of a laboratory.  The real world isn’t quite as clean.  Despite being able to look under leaves, anyone who has picked strawberries knows that some of them are hard to find.  They nestle behind and under leaves and stems.  The strawberry picking arm may have difficulty choosing strawberries that are hard to reach with its large mechanical arm.  Plus, there is still the possibility that rotten or diseased berry is accidentally placed with the rest of the berries (although the software is supposed to reduce or eliminate these errors).

2.  Force

Strawberries bruise easily.  If you have watched the videos above, you have seen the snap grabbing of the berries.  The force can be programmed into the motion.  However, some berries don’t release from the plant as easily as others.  The grip and firmness of the harvesting could damage the berry or plant if the strawberry picking robot holds on too firmly.  Or, the strawberry could slip from its grasp if the grip is not firm enough.

3.  Cost

Finally, there is a cost factor associated this this or any purchase of farm equipment.  New and advanced technology is rarely cheap.  But if you are interested in trialing the machine for your strawberry farm or would like more information, you can email Robotic Harvesting, LLC at info@roboticharvesting.com or call them at (805) 231-0541.  Additionally, their website ishere.

Future Strawberry Picking Robots

The future will likely bring more and more refined adaptations to this spectacular robot (and maybe even the development of other strawberry picking robots).  The likely next step for the Robotic Harvesting, LLC prototype is the inclusion of multiple picking arms.  Think of the improvement with, say, four rapidly picking arms mounted under the mobile platform.

The problems mentioned above are also likely to be solved through additional technological innovations or refinements.  Should strawberry picking robots strike fear into your heart for some reason, you will always be able to go strawberry picking at a pick your own strawberry farm near you.  But, the chances are good that a strawberry picking robot will perfectly pick the strawberries you buy at some point in the not-too-distant future.

 

Lots of technology to keep those delicate berries in prime condition.