Mechanical harvesters designed for olive orchards come in various forms, from trunk shakers that vibrate the tree, causing the fruit to drop, to over-the-row harvesters that straddle the trees and collect olives with rotating brushes or combs. These devices are employed to detach the fruit from the branches efficiently, often collecting it onto nets or conveyors for subsequent processing. A common example is a towed harvester that connects to a tractor and utilizes vibrating arms to remove olives from the tree.
Modern orchard management benefits significantly from mechanization. Automated harvesting offers substantial advantages, including reduced labor costs and increased harvest speed, particularly crucial during optimal ripening periods. Historically, olive harvesting relied heavily on manual labor, a time-consuming and expensive process. The development and adoption of mechanized solutions have revolutionized the industry, enabling higher yields and improved profitability. These advancements contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable olive oil production chain.
