Test and demonstration of adapted harvesting mechanization for small scale harvest on high-stem fruit trees in difficult terrain (Network: Switzerland | Hochstamm Suisse)
Test and demonstration of adapted harvesting mechanization for small scale harvest on high-stem fruit trees in difficult terrain (Network: Switzerland | Hochstamm Suisse)
Test and demonstration of adapted harvesting mechanization:
1. Bosco olivespeed - is a net-harvester, originally developed for olive harvest. Michael Fässler a MIXED-corefarmer proposed to import and test this harvester for the Swiss MIXED system due to the following reasons: Big increase in efficiency, replacement of hand-harvest; High fruit quality due to soft catch on the net; Manageable by few people (3-4); Can be used in steep terrain.
2. STIHL SP-452 - Motorized, portable shaker by STIHL was not known by the Swiss network and presented at a MIXED corefarmer-meeting. Several corefarmers showed interest in testing this machine. Allows shaking of single trees/branches by one person. Could supplement hand-harvesting and increase efficiency of smaller scale production.
Demonstration day at Ruedi Obrist’s farm on the 7. of August: The “bosco olivespeed” and the “STIHL SP 452” were showed and demonstrated on young high-stem plum trees. Interested Farmers were invited by the corefarmers directly and via Hochstamm Suisse. Even though the field season was full on, 15-20 interested farmers showed up. Several trees were harvested, questions asked and already further lending/exchange of the machines was organized by the farmers.
Conclusion: The new mechanization allows harvesting with small groups of 3-5 people (big mechanization needs 15-20 people and is only efficient for big plots); “Bosco olivespeed” with correct tires can be used in steep terrain where by now only harvest by hand was feasibl; Trees up to 10-15 years can be harvested, older trees are probably too big for the “bosco olivespeed”; STIHL SP 452 caused damage to the bark of young plum and cherry trees. Improvements are developed and tested.
Test and demonstration of adapted harvesting mechanization:
1. Bosco olivespeed - is a net-harvester, originally developed for olive harvest. Michael Fässler a MIXED-corefarmer proposed to import and test this harvester for the Swiss MIXED system due to the following reasons: Big increase in efficiency, replacement of hand-harvest; High fruit quality due to soft catch on the net; Manageable by few people (3-4); Can be used in steep terrain.
2. STIHL SP-452 - Motorized, portable shaker by STIHL was not known by the Swiss network and presented at a MIXED corefarmer-meeting. Several corefarmers showed interest in testing this machine. Allows shaking of single trees/branches by one person. Could supplement hand-harvesting and increase efficiency of smaller scale production.
Demonstration day at Ruedi Obrist’s farm on the 7. of August: The “bosco olivespeed” and the “STIHL SP 452” were showed and demonstrated on young high-stem plum trees. Interested Farmers were invited by the corefarmers directly and via Hochstamm Suisse. Even though the field season was full on, 15-20 interested farmers showed up. Several trees were harvested, questions asked and already further lending/exchange of the machines was organized by the farmers.
Conclusion: The new mechanization allows harvesting with small groups of 3-5 people (big mechanization needs 15-20 people and is only efficient for big plots); “Bosco olivespeed” with correct tires can be used in steep terrain where by now only harvest by hand was feasibl; Trees up to 10-15 years can be harvested, older trees are probably too big for the “bosco olivespeed”; STIHL SP 452 caused damage to the bark of young plum and cherry trees. Improvements are developed and tested.
MIXED - Multi-actor and transdisciplinary development of efficient and resilient MIXED farming and agroforestry systems
Ongoing | 2020-2025
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Denmark
Project Keywords
- Aquaculture
- Arable crops
- Organic farming
- Agro-ecology
- Crop rotation/crop diversification/dual-purpose or mixed cropping
- Biodiversity and nature
- Climate change (incl. GHG reduction, adaptation and mitigation, and other air related issues)
- Competitiveness/new business models
- Farm diversification
- Forestry
- Landscape/land management
- Soil