Economic Studies :: System Performance Statistics

Description

Since the 1999/2000 harvest season, three mechanical systems have been utilized to commercially harvest – CCSC (continuous canopy shake & catch), TSC (trunk shake & catch), and CS-HP (canopy shake with hand pick-up).

Potential of each system to reduce harvest costs is dependent, in part, on their respective performance. Between 1999 and 2003, field observations were collected to evaluate and compare performance statistics of each system. As new equipment/systems are developed, similar data will be collected. Performance statistics include:

Fruit removal percentage - Percentage of fruit removed from the tree by the shaking action.

Fruit recovery percentage -Percentage of fruit harvested and delivered to the bulk trailer.

Harvest speed -Number of trees harvested per hour by the system.

Runtime - Percentage of time the system is “actively” harvesting (Non-active includes repair downtime, off-loading fruit to goat, row turning, lunch breaks, etc).

Labor productivity - Derived from recovery percentage, harvest speed, runtime, crop yield, and number of people operating the system.

Objective

1. Track performance statistics of current and new harvesting systems.

Key Findings (Update 12/07)

1. Trunk and canopy shakers remove upwards of 95% of oranges in “well-prepared” trees.
2. Trunk and canopy shakers with catch frames recover an average of 90% of the available fruit.
3. Labor productivity with shake and catch system is improved 10-fold over hand harvesting crews.

Activities planned for 2007-08

1. Compile statistics for Oxbo Pick-up machine.

Publications

Research:

2003-04 DOC report on machine performance
[View]

Roka, F.M. and R.E. Rouse. Tree Shaping and Grove Design to Enhance Performance of Citrus Mechanical Harvesting. 2003 Fla. State Hort. Soc. Paper.

PowerPoint:

PowerPoint Presentation for FDOC Commission Meeting, November 2003
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For more information

Contact:
Fritz Roka