New apple harvester unveiled in United Kingdom
A mechanical apple harvesting aid that could save growers more than 35% on labour costs made its debut in Chatham-Kent Tuesday.
The $80,000 machine, manufactured in Spain, attracted the attention of several fruit farmers from the Cedar Springs area as well as from neighbouring Essex County.
He said the fruit-picking machines with conveyor belts represent the most modern and technically advanced system available in the industry.
“It doesn’t eliminate hand picking,” he said. “But no baskets or ladders are required in the orchard.”
Once apples are picked by hand they are placed on the machine’s belts, which in turn deliver them to large plastic boxes on the rear of the machine. From there they are offloaded onto wagons. Chatham Daily News