A simple and time saving method for one person harvesting of small orchards.
The PickaPod can be free wheeled or hitched onto a quad bike and simply moved to
the tree trunk then opened to wrap completely round the trunk forming a 6 metre diameter
upside-down catching umbrella. The fruit is then dropped using a hand held mechanical
branch vibrator and is then directed to the net opening into an easily removed packing
bin beneath the umbrella.
The PickaPod saves on the back aching and labour intensive method of laying and lifting
collection ground sheets under the trees. Grower Don Boshier of Warkworth assisted in
the development of this product and has harvested his 1200 plus trees averaging about
8 minutes a tree when working on his own.
The unit is designed to cope with undulating ground. The umbrella having full manual level tilt
adjustment to assist the fruit to always flow towards the bin outlet. After each tree is
harvested the umbrella simply folds away parallel and compact to the unit's draw bar for ease
of maneuvering to the next tree.
The chassis has two lightweight main wheels and a front jockey wheel allowing the unit to be manually
maneuvered on flat ground.
The net is of heavy duty UV resistant Polyethylene shade type material supported by light
tubular steel spokes and held with an outside bungee cord. The bungee can be unclipped to
allow the operator to closer position themselves to the centre of the tree for ease of reach.
The upside down umbrella concept is commonly used around the world with large self propelled machines
incorporating a hydraulic tree holding vibrator. The PickaPod is a simpler lightweight version
designed for the growers to have the ability to independently harvest their fruit.
