Device for picking apples: design and manufacture. Homemade fruit collector

When they say that the harvest is excellent, at first everyone thinks that this means the level and quality of the fruit. But if the direct meaning of this expression. On many tall apple trees, the fruits are set at the very top, and there, at the top, they are the most ruddy and appetizing. You can only help remove it with the help of a special device. There is a commercial device for picking apples, but you can easily make it yourself.

Device for picking apples.

Rohatina

The easiest way to support a heavy branch is with a long stick with a forked end.
Such a spear can be found in the forest by choosing a suitable shoot with a large angle of divergence of the “horns”, into which a fruit branch will fit well. The “horns” must be cleared of bark and wrapped in cloth or pieces of hose put on to prevent abrasions. The lower end should be pointed to make it easier to stick into the ground. Formation of trees and shrubs

The disadvantages of slingshots include:

• the ability to maintain only one branch;
• low stability, probability of collapse under gusts of wind;
• an unaesthetic appearance that spoils the picture of the garden.

You don’t have to look for such support in the forest. It can be built from boards or welded from metal pipes. To give greater stability, the spear is reinforced with additional spacers. They are driven in at an angle and attached to the base.

Bilbok game with fruits

In the old days, it was a very fashionable game when a wooden cup or glass made of the same material, or a small wicker basket was attached to the top of a stick with a handle. A ball was tied to this device, which was called a bilboke, with a long cord, which had to be thrown higher and caught in the hole. We suggest doing something similar to pick apples from a great height, when the distance between the apple trees does not allow maneuvering with a stepladder.

The simplest option is a plastic bottle. We cut off its bottom and, turning it over, place the neck on the upper end of a long pole, specially planed to the required diameter, so that both parts are tightly connected.

Stick with plastic bottle for picking fruits

Tree collection devices

Apple picking net

Overripe fruits will never reach the ground and will not spoil if you use a plastic mesh with a fine mesh.

The operating principle of the device is as follows:

• A piece of mesh is secured around the tree using wire or twine.
• Along the perimeter of the edge, stakes are placed, to which the mesh is attached at an angle.
• Falling apples will roll from the center to the edge.

Telescopic stick

The handle (stick) itself has a retractable design that can extend up to 3 meters, allowing you to harvest from tall trees. Fruit picker attachments can be different:

• Mesh and pruning shears. Using pruning shears, the fruit is cut and placed into the attached net. The apple rolls down the net right into your hands.
• Collet devices. Metal petals grab the fruit, and you tear it off using circular movements of the device.
• Wire attachments. They are a device made of thick wire strings. The device is put on the apple, the wire wraps tightly around it and, with a familiar twist, breaks off the fruit. It remains inside the wire frame while you carry it to the container.
• A nozzle equipped with a lever or fishing line. The principle of operation is the same as that of the previous tool, but you do not need to scroll the device, just pull the lever or fishing line, and it will grab the fruit, you will only have to pull it towards you, tearing off the apple.

Stick with plastic bottle

The fruit collector consists of a plastic bottle with a side hole closer to the bottom and an attached aluminum or PVC stick. Operating principle:

• You need to catch the apple in the hole of the bottle and pull it towards you. In ripe apples, the fruit is easily detached from the stalk and falls into the bottle.
• Then release the bottle and continue harvesting.

You can pick 2-4 apples at a time, depending on their size.

Net

The device resembles a regular net in appearance. The only difference is that it is equipped with metal teeth around the perimeter. To capture the fruit, you need to place a net on a stick of the required length and grab the apple with the help of cloves, after which it will end up in a soft bag.

Tulip

People called the device “tulip” for its shape, because of the petals that resemble a flower. The device has a low price, which depends on the quality of the plastic and diameter. Operating principle:

• It is necessary to fix the plastic bowl on a wooden handle (the length of the handle can be selected depending on the height of the trees).
• The device is brought under the apple so that the stem falls into the slot between the petals and turns.
• The fruit comes off and remains in the bowl.

What is a fruit picker or fruit collector for fruits?

Those who are used to it call this device that way. Each summer resident calls it differently, some are fruit collectors, some are fruit pickers. These are synonyms that have the same goal and task. There is also a telescopic fruit collector for cherries. We’ll also figure out what telescopic means.

The fruit collector or fruit picker is:

• a device used for harvesting crops in the garden. When the trees are tall enough and there is a lot of fruit, the harvest must be harvested as soon as possible. So that they do not get caught and damaged. After all, in this form they will quickly deteriorate;
• The fruit collector will help you collect them without damage and quickly enough. It all depends on the volume of the harvest. We didn’t have time to collect it in time, the birds were already right there. They pecked everything, and not only did they eat it, but they spoiled it;
• if there is a need to protect fruits from birds, then you can use an inexpensive but effective method. Garden protection nets are not an expensive and not difficult to use means of protection.

If a fruit collector for harvesting in an orchard is said to be telescopic, this means that it has a rod. Which is one with him. Such a rod can change its length.

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What types of fruit pickers are there?

In garden stores you can find different types of designs, each of which has a number of advantages. Before purchasing, you should familiarize yourself with their features so that the operating process is as comfortable as possible.

The attachment on the long handle is a tall glass with slits. The product is made of dense plastic. Externally, the bowl resembles an opening tulip bud, hence the name. The design is simple and convenient to operate. When picking apples, nuances arise only with unripe fruits and strong stalks that are difficult to separate from the branch.

These devices are among the most popular. The majority of models are available with a telescopic handle. This allows you to collect apples from high branches. The tip of the structure is made of metal or plastic. Some pullers are equipped with a cutting element for cutting off the stalk. The principle of operation is similar to the “tulip” design. If there is a bag, fruit collection is carried out without interruption from the main process.

The rod of this design is made of metal, polymer or wood. A nozzle made of wire in the form of a small basket is used as a bowl. In the process of turning the handle, the stalk clings to the wire, after which it is separated from the branch.

Reference! To prevent damage to fruit from contact with metal, the wire is often insulated under a polymer coating.

The operating principle of this type is practically no different from other pullers. A special feature of the gripper model is the improved bowl. It is a three-finger mechanism that secures the fruit by tightening the rope. This option is universal; it can be used to remove not only apples, but also small fruits.

Among the models of this type, there are designs with a fishing line that captures the stalk, ensuring separation of the stalk. Handles are used simple and telescopic from different materials.

Models with a telescopic handle are popular among gardeners due to the ability to remove fruit from different heights of the tree. The rod is made of metal, polymer and wood. Equipping the model with a bag makes the design irreplaceable and easy to use. Such devices are used for apples, grapes, pears, plums and other single-fruit fruits.

How to choose

Considering the parameters of the apple and the strength of the stalk, it is recommended to choose a “tulip” type design to remove it. This option is not suitable for capturing smaller fruits. Devices with a cutting element and a telescopic handle, as well as a fruit picker with a grip, are also suitable. A great addition is a bag into which the harvest immediately falls.

Important! Do not use large hooks to pick apples. When shaking the fruit on the ground, the pulp becomes deformed and the skin is damaged, causing the fruit to lose its presentation and be poorly preserved.

When choosing a puller, it is important to consider the height of the trees. If the apple tree is large, you can’t do without a sliding handle

What is the price

The cost of the puller depends on the material from which the product is made and design features. A wire-based device will cost about 380 rubles; in the range from 80 to 230 rubles, you can choose a “tulip” type model. You will have to pay more for a fruit picker with a bag and a telescopic handle - 389-795 rubles.

In garden stores you can select a separate nozzle and rod. This will make it possible to get a universal tool.

Shutter Tool Options

Plastic scoops with a comfortable handle that allow you to carefully collect small berries without damaging the bush.

Cicle Beetle 4607156361335

Fruit picker for collecting wild berries using a special comb. The flap prevents the accumulated product from falling out.

Advantages:

rounded teeth for gentle picking.

Reviews:

Park

A device for collecting various berries from bushes: lingonberries, cranberries, blueberries. The product is made of plastic and equipped with a damper. Holes in the bottom allow you to get rid of small debris and leaves.

Advantages:

• strong plastic;
• ergonomic shape.

Reviews:

Comparative characteristics of models

When choosing a fruit picker for the garden, you should take into account the type of fruits and berries that you plan to collect. For tall trees, you should choose models with telescopic rods of optimal length. It is better to give preference to products with a safer and more gentle plastic design to avoid damage to the branches.

How to collect fruits that lie on the ground

With the help of special devices you can quickly and easily collect apples that have fallen to the ground.

Any structure that was made to harvest a tree can be used to collect fallen fruit. In this case, the container must be installed at an angle.

A unique device is the roll. It has a number of advantages:

• it is used to collect apples with a diameter of 5 to 12 cm;
• energy and time are saved;
• copes well with the task on both flat and bumpy surfaces;
• the fruits are not damaged.

Types of devices for removing fruits

The largest and juiciest fruits grow on the tops of trees, closer to the sun.

It often happens that it is impossible to remove fruits without special devices that make labor easier and reduce harvesting time.

For this purpose, a whole arsenal of various techniques and tools has been created, ranging from simple ones (ladders, baskets, hooks) to special industrial equipment (platforms).

The easiest way to remove fruit is to shake the trees and then collect the fallen fruit.

This method can be used to collect cherries, nuts, etc.

To do this, spread a tarpaulin on the ground under the tree branches.

When shaking a tree, protective headgear is used - motorcycle or construction helmets.

The obvious advantages - speed and simplicity - are also the biggest disadvantage of this method, since fruits and tree branches can be damaged when shaken.

The device for shaking branches consists of long rods, at the end of which two hooks are attached.

They allow you to tilt individual branches and remove high-hanging fruits.

Hooks are used for all types of fruit trees.

For hard-to-reach fruits, ladders and telescopic pruners are also used.

A pruner is a knife with a long handle.

The advantage of this method is that it does not damage the branches.

However, fruits that fall to the ground may be deformed.

The most common device for removing fruits is a fruit picker, also known as a fruit picker.

An important part of this tool is the long handle (rod), which allows you to harvest even from the very top of the trees.

The rod can be made of wood or plastic.

The telescopic rod, that is, a handle with adjustable length, is especially convenient.

When picked by a fruit collector, the fruit, after being separated from the branch, falls into the basket.

The puller is used for removing all types of fruits, both single fruits and bunches of grapes, etc.

For harvesting on an industrial scale, special equipment and machines are used.

Some of them allow you to pick fruit from trees, while others collect fruit that is already on the ground.

Industrial rope shakers shake trees using ropes.

Shakers can be attached to the rear of the tractor.

Hydraulic tree shakers have a gripping arm that holds the tree trunk or thick branches.

Opinions about such shakers differ.

Some engineers believe that vibration stimulates root growth.

On the other hand, there are concerns that shaking damages the tree and shortens its life.

Mobile lift platforms are also used to move people harvesting crops.

Such platforms work even on small slopes.

How to choose

Choosing a fruit picker is quite a serious task, especially when it comes to harvesting a large number of apples

To avoid mistakes, you should pay attention to several factors

First of all, you need to focus on the type of fruit. If the apples are large, it is convenient to collect them using a “tulip”. For smaller crops, a collet design is suitable. It is also worth considering the expected height at which the work will take place. There are universal options with which you can not only remove fruits from a tree, but also pick up fallen ones

If the device has a telescopic handle, it can be used to harvest apple trees of different heights. It is also important to take into account that during long-term work in the garden it will be difficult to use a regular wooden cutting, since it is quite heavy. We must not forget about the possibilities of the budget. Different models vary in cost The simplest fruit pickers can have a low price

Different models vary in cost The simplest fruit pickers can have a low price

Different models vary in cost The simplest fruit pickers can have a low price

However, more expensive options can significantly simplify the work; moreover, they are very reliable and will be used for a long time. The physical condition of the person who will work with the device also plays a role. Teenagers or older adults will find it more comfortable to use lighter models with an aluminum handle. They do not put as much strain on the hands as do-it-yourself devices with wooden handles.

How to pick an apple from the top branch

Any of the above devices is suitable only if the apples easily break off and even fall on their own when the tree is slightly shaken. But what to do if the cutting is firmly attached to the trunk? The “nail puller” can accidentally damage the flesh, and the “bielboke” itself can break or become deformed with a strong tug. This is where tin cans will help you out.

The first option is the simplest. We simply screw a large, deep tin can onto a stick with wire, making small holes in the wall. Next, we cut a wedge-shaped slit in the edge for the handle and slightly move it outward from top to bottom, creating something like a spout on a coffee pot. The sharp edge of the tin will easily cut the apple from the branch.

Device for collecting fruits

The second option is from a large diameter plastic pipe, like those used for drains or sewers. We cut a piece about 40 centimeters long on one side into petals, which we bend inward, thus creating a closed end (even with slots). We make a slot in the upper part, which should bend to the side, and then slightly upward, that is, in the shape of a fish hook. To finish it off, use two screws to fasten a blade from a pencil sharpener or just a sharpened strip of metal. Now it is enough to catch an apple stalk in this slot, bring it to the blade, and the fruit will fall into the tube.

The third device is the most difficult to implement, but will last the longest. So, you will need a piece of metal pipe, a washer or a circle of large diameter (about 3-4 centimeters) and a dozen metal rods with a centimeter section and up to half a meter in length. We weld a washer or a metal circle to the end of the pipe (a stick will be inserted into it on the other). Next, with equal steps, we weld the rods at a slight angle so that they diverge from the center upward.

From the outside you will get the classic shape of a janitor's broom. The welding must be done very securely so that the rods can be bent slightly if necessary. Now we simply hook the apple so that it is inside the structure, turn the device, and the fruit will come off. For any device, it is better to take not a long wooden pole, but a telescopic rod or a rod assembled from several separate sections in order to adjust the length as needed.

Apple picking rules

The autumn harvest of apples is usually used for consumption in the cold season, so they must be shelf-stable

It is very important to determine the timing of collection: unripe specimens do not have time to accumulate the required amount of microelements, and overripe specimens are unsuitable for long-term storage and immediately begin to deteriorate

• First, all previously fallen fruits are collected from the ground around the apple tree. This rids the area of ​​diseased, wormy and low-quality fruits, which act as sources of infection.
• You need to pick the crop from the lower branches, gradually moving to those located above.
• For longer storage, apples are removed along with the stem.
• Summer varieties of fruits that will be used to make jam, preserves and juices should be picked in a state of technical maturity, slightly unripe. Winter varieties are harvested as late as possible, but before the first frost.
• Immediately after picking, the gardener must carry out primary sorting of the fruits, rejecting all deformed and wormy specimens into a separate bucket.
• Store autumn fruits at a stable, cool temperature in ventilated containers.

Ready-made fruit collectors - pros and cons

Stores sell special nozzles for collecting fruits, made in the shape of a crown with teeth facing upward, to which a bag is attached at the bottom. They are quite reliable, but short-lived, since thin galvanized metal is usually used. In addition, the teeth can easily damage the fruit, so a large number of protruding parts on the fruit collector is undesirable. However, such devices are used in a small country house where there are no large harvests and you can work slowly.

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Crown attachment for fruit harvesting

If you don't feel like messing around, a net can be made to quickly collect apples from a regular (old) fishing net. At the point farthest from the handle, you need to make a bend so that you get the shape of a beak; it will replace the wedge-shaped slot in this device. Now all you have to do is catch the apple and pull it so that it lands right in the net. You can repeat until the grid is full.

How to use fruit picker correctly

The rules for using garden tools depend on the type of structure.

Basic algorithm of actions

To remove an apple from a branch, follow these steps:

1. adjust the handle so that the fruit becomes accessible;
2. insert the fruit into the bowl of the tool;
3. insert the stalk into the holes between the wires or petals;
4. rotate the rod several times around the axis;
5. Place the picked fruit in the basket.

What to do in severe cases

Pullers with a telescopic handle will help you remove the crop from the upper branches. If this is not enough to pick the ripe fruit, you can use a stepladder. Having overcome the height, you may find that the stalk firmly holds the fruit and does not allow separation from the branch. You can cope with the task using a homemade nozzle, which is made from a tin can. A sufficiently capacious container without a lid is fixed on a long handle. An incision of 4-5 cm is made from one edge, opening the edges to make it easier to push the stalk onto the incisor. A sharp cut quickly cuts through the cutting.

Features of the device

First of all, fruit collectors are in demand among gardeners growing fruit trees.

Such devices allow you to harvest from hard-to-reach places at heights, and carefully remove damaged, overripe or even rotten fruits.

Bush garden and forest berries are collected with a scoop with a handle and a slide, which turns a routine process into a pleasant and easy job.

The main principle of operation of fruit pickers is to recreate the actions performed by human hands to remove fruits from a branch. Most of these devices are equipped with various design options that capture the fruit and cut or tear off the stalk.

Some devices need to be constantly emptied of the collected product, while others have a special bag or basket in which up to several kilograms of the collected product accumulate.

The telescopic handle makes the collection process more comfortable and faster.

Many companies produce rods of universal diameter, suitable for many types of garden tools.

Splinter protection rings

The main task of the gardener at the end of summer is to help the growing apple trees maintain a bountiful harvest of apples on their branches.

For under its yoke and with strong gusts of wind, not only heavy branches break off from apple trees, but even the trunks of apple trees split.

Protective rings made of a strong iron hoop tightened with a bolt can help protect an apple tree from splintering branches.

They are pulled in the spring until the buds bloom exactly in the middle of the crown.

In order not to harm the bark of the branches in the areas of contact with the hoop, it is necessary to cover the iron with an elastomer: an ordinary tensile rope, or, in extreme cases, rags.

The ring itself can be secured with small caliber steel hooks. To make this whole installation look neater, it would be nice to paint it with oil paint.

TIP: It is very rational to tie the twigs and branches of an apple tree using thick wire and screws with rings attached to them. These self-tapping screws are screwed into the trunk and into the apple tree branches from the outside, keeping a centimeter to the cap. Then the steel wire is threaded through the rings and the branching of the apple tree is fixed.

What is a fruit picker for apples and its principle of operation?

The device for harvesting in an orchard is designed in such a way that the fruit, after being torn from the branch, falls into a special container. And he stayed there until he was put in a box or basket. Thus, a device for harvesting crops in the garden can be of several types.

1. Collet:

• wire,
• with a bag,
• with grip.

2. Plastic, in the form of a glass:

• the walls of which are cut into strips with edges rounded at the top. Such fruit harvesting devices are also called Tulip Fruit Pickers. Since its appearance resembles this flower;
• we pry the apple so that its stem falls between the petals. Next, rotate the tulip in any convenient direction;

the stalk is torn off the branch, the apple remains in the tulip. And then it goes to the trash can.

collet wire

Wire ones are:

• a device resembling an unopened flower. At the ends of the petals of such a flower there are curved edges of the wire;
• in order to stretch a strong thread into these holes. It is needed to hold the fruit when the stalk is torn from the branch;
• When the pear falls into such a socket, you need to pull the thread. The socket will close and the fruit will fall safely into the basket.

Collet with bag

Collet devices with a bag are:

a ring to which a small pouch is attached. At the other end of the ring are the same petal blades. Which serve as a kind of grip or a kind of knife. They also say fruit basket;

• The bag is designed for simultaneous removal of several fruits. If a gardener is physically able to hold not one pear, but five or more, then why not. Such fruit collectors greatly speed up the harvesting process;
• Some designs of this type feature a sharp metal blade attached to the ring. The mounting location is chosen in such a way that its sharp side is the second part of the blade;
• getting into a hole with a knife sharp on one side will cut the stalk faster. For grapes whose clusters are very firmly attached to the vine, this is a good suggestion.

Collet with gripper

Each telescopic fruit picker with a grip works on the principle of preventing the fruit from falling when it is torn from the tree branch. Its task is also to:

• the pear, plum or cherries did not fall out of the device on the way to the box. The largest and most delicious fruits ripen on the tops of trees, closer to the sun. And a grip is required to remove them. A fruit picker with a gripper is a fruit picker design that in some cases simply cannot be done without;
• The modern design of some devices allows the grip to be activated with one light press. They are light in weight and can be handled with just one hand. Even a schoolchild will be very happy to work in the garden with such a modern assistant. The bright and modern design of which will please any summer resident.

You can buy an apple picker with a telescopic handle in our online store at any time. Check out the assortment of this product category and place an order.

Types of supports for apple trees, made by yourself

To ensure the safety of the branches in August, it is necessary to begin installing various supports for apple trees. All kinds of planks, pipes, poles and even sticks are used. Preventative measures will help your fruit trees successfully survive the harvest year.

Support with a spear

The improved design is assembled from a plank and a wooden flyer. The first part is strengthened below, the second is placed on it. And an overloaded branch is placed on top. The flyer is screwed to the substrate, so that a larger area will not sink into the ground. It is recommended to wrap the upper part of the structure with rubber.

To ease the fate of the tree, it is recommended to shake off some of the apples.

Umbrella chat

The following can be used as protective gaskets:

• rubber bandage;
• bicycle cameras;
• pieces of hose;
• tires from a moped or scooter.

This design can remain in place even after the end of the harvest, since it is multifunctional.

Instead of two, you can use three or four poles. This design is more suitable for mature trees.

Telescopic support

After selecting the required height by moving a thinner pipe inside a wider one, bolts are inserted through the holes to fix the structure. Plastic fragments curved in the shape of the letter C, glued with a softening material, are fixed to the upper thin edge. The resulting structure is installed under the branches.

T-shaped design

The design is similar in design, reminiscent of quadrangular pyramids. To create it, you need to place two pairs of trapezoids opposite each other, the upper parts of which are fastened together. With the help of such pyramids you can unload apple trees at any height.

Option No. 5: plastic pipe fruit collector

Another device for difficult to pick fruits. You should try to find a thin plastic pipe of such a size that even a large apple can easily fit through it. And converting it into a fruit collector is simple:

1. Make a J-shaped hole in the wall of the top of the pipe.
2. Attach the blade to the lower tail of the “letter”, which should point upward. If the cutting is stubborn, you pass it into this trap and cut the branch by sharply lifting your device up.
3. Cut the bottom edge of the pipe into the shape of sharp triangular teeth.
4. Heat the pipe, after which the teeth can be easily bent to form the bottom of the fruit collector.
5. Drill holes in the thickness of the pipe through which you will attach it to the pole with wire.

Caring for Apple Choppers

Smooth pieces in a short time

During operation and storage of the crusher, several rules must be followed. This will keep the device in working condition for a long time, the quality of the processed raw materials will be consistently high.

1. The raw materials supplied to the unit container must be cleared of dry grass, branches or other solid third-party objects. It is advisable to remove the peel from the fruit; this will extend the life of the working parts, reducing the load on them.
2. If an electric mechanism is provided, then wash and clean the movable parts only after de-energizing the system by unplugging it from the outlet.
3. It is not recommended to turn on the device near children, animals or leave the device unattended.
4. If foreign objects get into the crusher and block it, they are removed only after the working process is stopped.
5. It is best to remove dirt using soft sponges and non-abrasive cleaning agents. This will protect the main parts of the structure from destruction.
6. To store equipment, it is necessary to allocate a dry, ventilated room, ensuring that the ventilation holes of the unit’s engine are protected from contact with moisture.

Using ready-made fruit pickers

Harvesting from low-growing and dwarf apple trees is not difficult. However, fruit trees can also be tall and impressive in size, and the highest quality fruits are located at their tops.

In order not to damage the branches and cause harm to the tree, gardeners invented special devices - fruit pickers, which greatly facilitate the picking process.

You can buy them ready-made at gardening stores or make them yourself. On an industrial scale, combines are used for this.

The fruit picker must meet the following requirements:

• hold fruit firmly;
• have sufficient height;
• When collecting, do not injure the fruits;
• be convenient to use.

Plastic tulip

The material from which the assembler is made is high-strength plastic. The design consists of 2 parts:

• glasses with rounded petals;
• long handle.

The procedure for picking apples with a “tulip” is as follows: the fruit falls into a glass, and its stalk is at this time placed between the petals of the container. To pick the fruit, just rotate the fruit picker in any direction.

Collet fruit pickers (wire)

The structure of the puller is made of wire, plastic pipe and fishing line. The first is attached to the end of the telescopic handle, its edges are bent into rings through which the fishing line is threaded, with its help the mechanism is activated.

The apple, after hitting the center of the fruit collector, is fixed by pulling the ends of the fishing line. To separate the fruit from the branch, the gardener must twist the device.

Fruit picker with gripper

This type of device is suitable for picking small fruit apples. They are grabbed by special parts made of plastic, which look like a three-fingered hand.

The telescopic handle is equipped with a lever; when you press it, the mechanism is activated, and the apple ends up in the cavity of the fruit collector. After this, all that remains is to pick the fruit from the branch.

Often, when using the grab method, the green mass of the tree is damaged.

Sac-shaped fruit collectors

This device is advantageous in that it can be used to remove several fruits in a row at once.

According to the description, a small bag is attached to a round shape with sharp tin petals that act as a knife.

After the cut, the fruit enters the fruit collector without being damaged. The handle-holder is also fixed to the glass, it should be comfortable and of sufficient length.

Preventing Splinters

Natural factors such as abundant fruiting, hurricane winds, and snowy winters do not have the best effect on the condition of trees. They often lead to the formation of branch splits. A few simple ways can help you avoid this fate.

Arc support

Never prop up just the edges of branches or their bases. When lifting, do not violate their initial position relative to the barrel.

Trellis and rim-ring

• breakage of branches;
• splits;
• crown thickening;
• low resistance to showers and snowfalls.

All these difficulties can be solved with the help of a trellis garter. The structure is made of thick wire, which is fixed on poles along the edges of the line. The branches of the apple tree are tied to the trellis with grips made of natural twine or plastic rings.

An excellent support for spreading and dwarf apple trees will be the rim-ring from a bicycle wheel, which is fixed on 4 pegs under the crown of the tree. And to prevent damage to the bark, a foam rubber seal is used, which is wrapped around the base.

High yields, strong winds, and wet snow during frost are often the main cause of breaking and splitting of apple tree branches. Properly placed tree supports can prevent the problem.

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Features and purpose

Today, fruit pickers can be found in a wide variety on store shelves, but previously gardeners could only make them themselves. Now buyers are offered models of different types, for example, with a damper or a universal telescopic handle. Such devices are especially relevant for owners of tall fruit trees, harvesting from which becomes a real problem. Using a fruit picker you can also remove spoiled apples from the tree.

Some models require constant removal of fruit during operation. However, at this time they are practically not in demand due to the inconvenience of operation, so most models have a large bag or other container for fruit. The telescopic handle is also in demand; moreover, it is often universal, which means it can be combined with various garden tools.

DIY apple crusher

What does it consist of?

An electric crusher will speed up and facilitate the process. To save money, you don’t have to buy a motor; a motor from an old washing machine will do. An approximate list of components: cutting disc (knife), electric motor with support, housing, cover, control unit.

Diagram of a finished apple crusher, front and side views. Photo from profermu.com

1 – housing, 2 – stiffener, 3 – working shaft, 4 – bearing axle boxes, 5 – belt pulley, 6 – belt, 7 – electric motor, 8 – frame, 9 – rollers, 10 – control unit, 11 – transportation handle , 12 – housing mounting bolts with stiffening angles

What is needed for making

Drawing of manufacturing a gear shaft on a milling machine.
Photo from profermu.com The crusher body can serve as a top-loading washing machine. When cutting into 4 parts, you get 2 side and 2 end parts. The blanks are placed in a box, the seams are welded. Before welding the sidewalls, the lower part of the metal is slightly bent to obtain a gap from the housing wall to the working shaft.

Standard circular saw bearings secure the shaft. The metal corner is used to make the support frame. A plank base is suitable for the base. The control unit is an on/off button. Tensioning the belt is simple - first fix it with a bolt, then move the body along the guides. Rollers and a handle are screwed to the metal frame for comfortable transportation and operation of the chopper.

Apple chopper neck diagram. Photo from profermu.com

A homemade housing from a washing machine is bolted to the top of the frame. The motor is installed on the side to avoid juice splashing.

When to Harvest

The time of apple harvest depends on many factors: the variety itself (summer, autumn and winter varieties are distinguished), the region of growth and the weather conditions of the current year. Picking too early will not allow you to obtain the necessary taste, and apples picked too late do not have good shelf life and quickly spoil.

Apricot tree fruit collection

If the fruit tree is more than 5 years old, then harvesting from it can be problematic. Not everyone knows how to pick apricots from a tall tree without damaging the fruit.

Picking apricots from a tall tree is problematic, but possible

Collection rules

1. Fruits must be collected only when they are ripe, because it is at the moment of ripening that the fruit contains the maximum amount of vitamins.
2. The first sign that apricots have reached maturity is their color.
3. The collection time also depends on the further use of the fruit. If they are to be consumed fresh, it is better to collect them in early August, but some varieties ripen faster. Most often, apricots are harvested to be stored fresh.
4. If you pick in wet and damp weather, the fruits will quickly rot. They quickly lose weight, and the quality of the product deteriorates significantly.
5. In the same way, you cannot harvest fruits in the heat, because then all the vitamins disappear.
6. Ideal time of day to collect: between 11 am and before lunch and after 5 pm.

Hand picking apricots

This process of picking apricots from the tree involves the gardener not using any tools. He climbs the tree and picks fruits from all the branches. They must be removed carefully, because ripe fruits, although hard, can be crushed and spoiled. You cannot put too much pressure on the branches, as they may break and will not bear fruit in the future.

It is safer to pick apricots on the stairs. This way you can reach the top branches and remove all the fruits. If the tree is taller than a ladder, you will not be able to get the topmost fruits, and they are the juiciest and ripen first, so hand picking is not always suitable.

Picking apricots by hand is not always a viable method, as the tree may be too tall

Technical assembly

Various tools are used for this type of assembly:

1. Capture. Each apricot is harvested separately, a labor-intensive process.
2. A net (or a homemade pole with a bag) and a stick. The last one needs to hit the branch, and catch the fruits with the bag. You can even reach the top of the tree. This method is only suitable if all the fruits are ripe and fall off easily due to a blow from a stick. The main thing is to catch all the apricots in the bag without letting them fall to the ground.

Natural way of collecting

The method is that you wait for the apricots to fall on their own, and you pick them from the ground.

There are several varieties of this method:

1. Wait until all the apricots begin to crumble on their own.
2. Shake the tree and the ripest fruits will fall to the ground. Not suitable for picking soft varieties, unlike hard ones: such apricots will not be beaten and will be stored for a long time.
3. Picking apricots after strong winds or hurricanes.

Types of devices for removing fruits

The largest and juiciest fruits grow on the tops of trees, closer to the sun.

It often happens that it is impossible to remove fruits without special devices that make labor easier and reduce harvesting time.

For this purpose, a whole arsenal of various techniques and tools has been created, ranging from simple ones (ladders, baskets, hooks) to special industrial equipment (platforms).

The easiest way to remove fruit is to shake the trees and then collect the fallen fruit.

This method can be used to collect cherries, nuts, etc.

To do this, spread a tarpaulin on the ground under the tree branches.

When shaking a tree, protective headgear is used - motorcycle or construction helmets.

The obvious advantages - speed and simplicity - are also the biggest disadvantage of this method, since fruits and tree branches can be damaged when shaken.

The device for shaking branches consists of long rods, at the end of which two hooks are attached.

They allow you to tilt individual branches and remove high-hanging fruits.

Hooks are used for all types of fruit trees.

For hard-to-reach fruits, ladders and telescopic pruners are also used.

A pruner is a knife with a long handle.

The advantage of this method is that it does not damage the branches.

However, fruits that fall to the ground may be deformed.

The most common device for removing fruits is a fruit picker, also known as a fruit picker.

An important part of this tool is the long handle (rod), which allows you to harvest even from the very top of the trees.

The rod can be made of wood or plastic.

The telescopic rod, that is, a handle with adjustable length, is especially convenient.

When picked by a fruit collector, the fruit, after being separated from the branch, falls into the basket.

The puller is used for removing all types of fruits, both single fruits and bunches of grapes, etc.

For harvesting on an industrial scale, special equipment and machines are used.

Some of them allow you to pick fruit from trees, while others collect fruit that is already on the ground.

Industrial rope shakers shake trees using ropes.

Shakers can be attached to the rear of the tractor.

Hydraulic tree shakers have a gripping arm that holds the tree trunk or thick branches.

Opinions about such shakers differ.

Some engineers believe that vibration stimulates root growth.

On the other hand, there are concerns that shaking damages the tree and shortens its life.

Mobile lift platforms are also used to move people harvesting crops.

Such platforms work even on small slopes.

How to make a fruit picker with your own hands

Understanding the principle of operation of the fruit picking mechanism, any summer resident can make a fruit picker. To do this you will need the simplest tools and available materials.

From a plastic bottle

For the simplest design you will need:

• 1.5 or 2 liter plastic bottle;
• a long stick, but you can use a pole, a pipe, a telescopic fishing rod that is out of order, the main thing is that the end of the rod fits into the neck of the bottle;
• strong fishing line for 3-4 m.

• scissors;
• awl (you can use a regular nail);
• self-tapping screw and screwdriver (you can get by with a screwdriver).

To make a fruit collector for apples, you need:

• cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle;
• make slits around the perimeter of the cut so that the bowl looks like a tulip;
• on each “petal”, closer to the top, use an awl to make holes;
• stretch a fishing line through them, and bring its ends together so that when pulled, the “tulip” closes;
• Attach the bowl to the base of the pole using a self-tapping screw (or simply glue it or tape it with electrical tape).

From a plastic pipe

You can make your own apple picking device

You can make a rather interesting model with your own hands from a plastic pipe. This device is usually used for collecting small fruits - cherries, plums. But if the pipe has a diameter into which the apple can freely pass, then harvesting becomes semi-mechanized. After all, the picked fruit calmly rolls down the pipe.

All you need in materials is a tall plastic pipe of wide diameter.

• a sharp knife or hacksaw (for a thin-walled pipe, you can take scissors);
• felt-tip pen;
• lighter, burner, or any other safe source of fire.

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions:

• one end of the pipe must be cut so as to form an acute angle, and the teeth must be marked to grasp the fruit;
• then heat it and bend the teeth inward so that they resemble hooks;
• After heating the second end of the pipe, they form a socket onto which it will be convenient to attach a collection for apples.

Homemade fruit collector with bowl

To make it you will need a plastic bottle, a long wooden stick (pole or handle from a garden shovel, fork, etc.), a sharp knife, scissors, self-tapping screws, a drill with drill bits and a screwdriver.

Build process:

1. An incision is made in the middle of the plastic bottle with a knife, the neck is cut off from the neck with scissors and removed to the side. The plastic part together with the neck is carefully straightened, 2 small holes with a diameter of 3 mm are drilled on the neck opposite each other, and deep serrated petals are cut out on the cut line;
2. The long stick is the future holder of the fruit picker. One end of it must be cleaned and sanded so that it fits freely inside the plastic neck. The stick is inserted into the neck of the bottle and secured with two self-tapping screws, which should be screwed into the holes made in the neck. The fruit collector is ready!

The device works as follows: the tool rises up to the branch with fruits so that an apple gets inside the bowl. The fruit picker is then rotated sideways clockwise until the teeth cut the fruit from the branch. As a rule, you can collect 2-3 apples in one go.

Facade mesh

If you don’t have time to collect fruits from a tree, you can pull the net and wait until they fall into it. The most important thing is that it is strong enough and large enough, otherwise it may tear under the weight of the fruit.

The most ordinary façade mesh can cope well with the task. Place it on stakes under the apple tree. At the same time, it should sag a little so that the fruit does not fall out of it.

When the fruits fall, all that remains is to remove the net. This way, you won’t have to waste time on harvesting, and the apples won’t break on the ground, which means they’ll last longer.

Tin can and pole

You can make a device for harvesting from an old tin can; it is better to use a liter one. In addition to the container, you will also need a pole for the handle.

So, if there is no top lid, then firmly attach a small bag to the hole, the cut fruit will fall into it. The bottom should be cut so that there are teeth along the entire perimeter. Attach the handle to the side of the jar using self-tapping screws or wrap it tightly with electrical tape.

And if the top lid on the container has been preserved, then the teeth should be cut on it. In this case, the bag will not be needed.

The principle of picking apples will be the same as in the previous method: bring the device to the stalk, start rotating clockwise, the teeth will cut the fruit from the branch, and it will end up in a tin can or bag.

Bottle and pole

The easiest way, for which all the necessary materials can always be found at hand. To make a fruit picker, you will need a plastic bottle and some kind of holder (a pole, stick, handle from an old mop or broken shovel will do).

Cut off the bottom of the bottle approximately in the middle; it will no longer be needed. Next, take a half with a neck and make teeth on the cut edge. Now all that remains is to secure the neck to the handle using electrical tape or self-tapping screws. The apple picking device is ready.

How it works: Place the stem between the teeth, start rotating clockwise, they will cut the apple, which will end up in the bottle.

Option number 1: the tenacious hand of the farmer

The device will consist of a grip and a holder. You will need:

• old plastic bottle;
• long fishing line (2.5-3 meters), awl, scissors;
• handle from an old plastic mop (can be replaced with a PVC pipe).

The manufacturing process of this fruit collector in the program “Crazy Hands”:

So let's begin our easy work.

Step 1.

We had enough crafts (a two-liter plastic bottle). We cut the bottom of the bottle crown-shaped to form “petals”. We make 2 holes in each of the petals. To do this, you can use a small hole punch or a regular awl.

Now let's give the bowl some grip. Take the fishing line and pull it through the neck into the bottle so that the latter is just below the middle of the fishing line. We pass the upper end of the fishing line one by one into each hole in a circle and bring it back through the neck of the bottle. Thus, we got a plastic bottle without a bottom with two long ends of fishing line coming out through the neck.

Step 2.

We fix the holder. We use a hollow PVC pipe or a handle from an old plastic mop as a holder. A double line made from a plastic bottle is threaded through the hole in the holder and comes out the other side. If your mop handle has a removable handle, you're in luck! The ends of the fishing line should be secured to this part of the holder. Make 2 holes in the handle and thread the fishing line through, securing the ends tightly together. Place the handle back onto the mop handle.

We have a plastic bottle fastened with fishing line to a holder with a removable handle. Now try to remove the cap again, slightly pulling the line towards you. The cut edges of the bottle are compressed, making grasping movements. Now not a single apple will escape you!

How to determine the ripeness of apples

There are several ways to determine the ripeness of apples:

• Pay attention to the carrion - if there are large specimens among the fallen fruits, the majority of the crop is ripe.
• Press the apple with your thumb and follow the dent. On unripe fruits, the dent disappears because the flesh is still quite dense. If the skin splits when pressed, the apple is overripe. On ripe apples, the dent does not level out.
• Cut one apple down to the core - ripe fruits have dark brown seeds over the entire surface.
• A more complex chemical method using iodine solution . If you drop an aqueous solution onto a cut apple, the cut of unripe fruits will turn blue due to the high starch content. A yellow cut indicates that the apples are overripe. Ideal condition - yellow core with blue border.

There are also special kits on sale for testing the ripeness of apples.