Articles
DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A SHAKER-SYSTEM FOR THE SELECTIVE HARVEST OF DATE FRUIT
Article number
736_17
Pages
199 – 203
Language
English
Abstract
A shaker-system for the selective removal of mature dates from the bunch has been designed and manufactured.
This tractor-mounted system is powered by the tractors power take off shaft.
The shaker produces a vertical stroke of 50mm.
It has been successfully subjected to field tests, in which several date bunches were shaken at frequencies of 300, 450 and 600 cycle/min.
The experimental results indicated that a shaking frequency of 450 cycle/min. provided the best results in terms of selective mature date fruit drop and the time required for this to occur (3.5-5 sec.). A lower frequency prolonged the time for fruit removal, while a higher frequency resulted in the removal of immature dates as well.
The use of this shaker-system significantly reduced both the time required for date removal from the bunch and fruit damage, in comparison with the conventional hand removal of dates from the bunch.
This tractor-mounted system is powered by the tractors power take off shaft.
The shaker produces a vertical stroke of 50mm.
It has been successfully subjected to field tests, in which several date bunches were shaken at frequencies of 300, 450 and 600 cycle/min.
The experimental results indicated that a shaking frequency of 450 cycle/min. provided the best results in terms of selective mature date fruit drop and the time required for this to occur (3.5-5 sec.). A lower frequency prolonged the time for fruit removal, while a higher frequency resulted in the removal of immature dates as well.
The use of this shaker-system significantly reduced both the time required for date removal from the bunch and fruit damage, in comparison with the conventional hand removal of dates from the bunch.
Publication
Authors
A.A. Ibrahim, H.R. Ibrahim, N. Abdul-Rasool
Keywords
Online Articles (57)