How agricultural engineers develop mechanical harvesters: The university perspective

Abstract

Developing mechanical harvesting is the most effective, and most difficult, factor in improving horticultural crop profitability. It requires simultaneous incremental changes by multiple entities; engineers, horticulturists, food scientists, economists, local extension personnel, the commercial harvester industry, growers, and displaced laborers and their management. There is a narrow annual testing window. The initial research by engineers and horticulturists focuses on developing effective removal technologies and can be applied or basic. When funding is local, the research is generally applied and is usually an adaptation of existing technology. With national funding, the research is basic or investigates novel technologies. Both are conducted first on model systems or individual plants. Properly executed, both types can be published, but publication is difficult if engineering parameters are changed during the trials. Evaluation of developed removal technologies requires cross-disciplinary teams to evaluate the effects on the final marketable product quality and long-term plant health. Publications can be produced on testing technology or effects on marketable product quality or plant health. An industry education program with field days, industry publications and websites, and annual presentations should frequently report progress. Finally, a prototype should be demonstrated to show the economic feasibility of a mobile platform with catching technology. The research team then expands to include the harvester industry and grower cooperators. Orchard adaptations to increase harvester efficiency are incorporated at this point. Usually by this time all research is applied and the funding local. If results demonstrate economic feasibility, the technology should now segue to the commercial harvester industry as university laboratories mostly lack the capacity to generate truly commercial harvesters. Publications could be delayed to avoid premature disclosure to make patents achievable and to facilitate cooperation between university researchers and commercial fabricators.