Feb 6, 2020
Munckhof Fruittech Innovators marks 50 years with anniversary Pluk-O-Trak

This year it is exactly 50 years ago that Munckhof Fruit Tech Innovators introduced its Pluk-O-Trak harvesting machine.

According to a news release, over a period of 50 years, 3,098 units have been sold worldwide. Dozens of significant technical improvements mean that 50 years on the Pluk-O-Trak can still compete with the most innovative fruit harvesting machines. To celebrate the special golden anniversary of its harvesting aid, Munckhof is launching a special anniversary edition this year.

Munckhof’s Pluk-O-Trak is a versatile harvesting solution that is used to pick a wide range of fruit, such as apples, pears, citrus fruits and cherries, rapidly, efficiently and ergonomically.

Pickers can work with the harvesting system at ground level or stand on the horizontally and vertically adjustable harvesting platforms to extend their reach to up to four meters above the ground. The pickers place the fruit on narrow moving conveyors which transport the fruit gently and automatically to the crates. With the Pluk-O-Trak fruit growers save 50% on picking labor and fruit damage is reduced by 50% (a reduction of 30%). The Pluk-O-Trak is also widely used for fast and efficient pruning, thinning and working on hail protection nets.

Over the past 50 years dozens of innovations have been added to the Pluk-O-Trak. A major improvement is the labour-saving sensor control which enables the Pluk-O-Trak to find its way independently through the orchard.

The Pluk-O-Trak has become increasingly lighter, more energy efficient and at the same time more robust due to, for example, the four-wheel drive. Together with the automatic levelling system, this development means that the Pluk-O-Trak can move automatically and easily over muddy, uneven or even hilly terrain.

Many of the innovations on the Pluk-O-Trak aim at increasing performance, labour efficiency and quality. The Pluk-O-Trak with 6 picking belts is fitted with LED lighting so that it can also be operated at night. A GPS tracking and counting app automatically counts the number of pieces of fruit picked. Over the period of fifty years the Pluk-O-Trak has become much more user-friendly – which means that migrant workers and temporary harvesting workers can start operating the Pluk-O-Trak quickly.

This year, specially for Pluk-O-Trak’s 50th anniversary, Munckhof is introducing an anniversary edition of its harvesting machine. The anniversary edition is equipped with the latest steering, “food grade” blue tyres and lots of additional extras. The system is now also fitted with a brand-new joystick, making operation very simple for even inexperienced workers. Twenty large automatic function keys with symbol indication perform each operation independently, such as the automatic leveling system and the improved automatic steering through the centre of the row.

For more information on the anniversary edition please visit www.munckhof.org.

Pluk-O-Trak harvesting machine. Photo: Munckhof




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