Vibration transmitted to operator’s hands by a new type of rotary pick-up for the harvest of table olives

Abstract
Fruit removal is the main aim of vibratory fruit-harvesting machines used on fruit-bearing
trees. The harvesting methods vary and depend on different factors such as fruit species,
characteristics, tree size and the grower’s economic situation. New types of rotary table olive
hand harvesters have been studied. This work has two aims. The first objective is to determine
and evaluate vibration transmitted to operator’s hand. The second one is to evaluate the
combination, in terms of the best performance, of the machines used for mechanized harvesting
of table olives. Several factors have been examinated: undulating teeth variation thickness,
different rotational speed and different coating material used to reduce the impact damage on
olives.