apple harvester

[woodcarver]

In two or three years, my 4.6 acre apple orchard will hopefully produce enough fruit for a substantial harvest. I'm looking into mechanical harvesting options, which seem to be extremely limited in the U.S. Right now I'm looking at two devices. The first is made in the UK by Tuthill Temperly. It's their M2000 self propelled harvester. 

Aside from the cost of the unit, I'm nervous about its effectiveness and about keeping it running when there is an ocean between myself and the manufacturer/dealer.

I'm also considering the olinet by Crendon. It's built to help harvest olives, but I think it may work for cider fruit. I've seen a tractor mounted machine of a similar design being used to harvest cider fruit in Normandy. This Olinet is attractive to me because it's cheaper up front and it's much simpler to maintain than the Tuthill Temperly machine. An obvious downside is that you're harvesting fruit that hasn't yet fallen so it may not be completely ripe.

I'd love to hear thoughts on these two options or on harvesting cider fruit generally.

[Handmade Cider]

The harvester has a Honda engine with a Tequmesh gearbox and generic controls, all of which should be available as they are used on ride on mowers etc.The rest of the machine is built out of general steel stock and could be re fabricated should you need. All drive belts fitted are generic size v belt. The hedgehog belt is the bit you dont want to replace as it is expensive, but in reality they will wear out before breaking. My harvester was built in the 80's and it is still running on most original parts although the gearbox has more play than... and the belt hedgehog belt has nearly stretched to the point of replacement. As long as you give it a service and think preventative maintenance rather than disaster management, you will be fine.

Denis 

Denis France   www.handmadecider.co.uk   07590 264804  Company. No. 07241330

White Label – Champion Farmhouse Cider, Bath & West Show 2015.

Spring Surprise - Cider of the Festival Chippenham Camra Beer Festival 2015 & 2014

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[woodcarver]

Hi Denis,

Sounds like you are a fan of the TT unit then. Could you tell me neatly mowed does the grass need to be for the harvester to function efficiently?

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