A fruit picker of adjustable height was developed to overcome human drudgery by traditional fruit picking practice. Although the device is simple in design, yet very effective. The device consisted of clutch lever, a clutch wire, an extension mechanism, a cutting mechanism and head with a flexible basket for fruit collection. It can pick fruits up to a height of 5–6 meter and weighs only 1480 gm including handle. The test results of the device showed that fruit picking capacity of 55–65 and 45–55 kg/h were attained in case of apple and pear, respectively. Negligible damage was observed with the developed picker. The total cost of the device was Rs 750 which is affordable and within financial capacity of even a marginal orchardist of the region.
Fruit picker, fruits, harvesting, picking capacity
