Design of an innovative olive picking machine

Abstract

 This work describes the complete design of an olive picking machine especially conceived for secular olive plants with the purpose of increasing the mechanization level of the harvest operation and permitting the production of high quality oil; the design is made considering all the mechanical, agronomical and economical aspects involved in this issue.  Once defined the picking technique, the first step consists in the design of the shacking device used for the separation of the olives from the plant, the next step is the design of the support structure, including the arms and the frame; finally there is a description of the hydraulic plant that drives the moving parts of the machine; in order to increase the flexibility of the machine, it is adapted also for other works, like pruning, that can be performed outside the harvest season.  Starting from the principal characteristics of the cultivations the design of the machine and its implementation is realized considering all functional features, including verifications of resistance according to the current standards; finally the economic aspects are hinted to confirm the marketing appeal of the machine.

Keywords: Olive picker, mechanical harvest, olive oil, secular olive trees