For gardeners who have many fruit trees planted in their garden, a device for collecting ripe apples will be useful. With the help of a fruit picker you will be able to reach the very top branches. Properly harvested fruits last longer and do not rot. In addition, it saves time and effort. You can make the design yourself from scrap materials or buy it in a store.
Benefits of use
Harvesting with a fruit collector is easy and simple. The device has a large list of positive aspects:
- time is saved;
- The fruit remover allows you to pick all the apples without damage;
- there is no need to drag a ladder or stepladder;
- Thanks to the long pole, you will be able to pick apples even from a tall tree.
A durable structure is easy to make yourself. There are also many models to choose from on store shelves.
Varieties of designs from the store
Harvesting tools are sold in specialized stores. There is a wide selection of fruit trap models made from various materials.
All fruit collectors can be divided into three groups:
- A design equipped with cutters that cut off the stalk. After cutting, the apple falls into a container attached to the cutter.
- The product resembles a mechanical hand with wire fingers. After the mechanism is activated, the hand contracts and the apple falls into the bowl.
- The design is simple, consisting of a fabric mesh and a plastic base in the form of petals. Apples are picked by turning the cuttings.
The gardener independently decides which fruit collector is easier to use.
Wire fruit collector
The lower part of the wire mesh is made in the form of a bowl. The upper part has curved ends, between which the apple stalk is placed. The puller turns and the apple falls into the bowl.
Plastic "tulip"
The device resembles a net. On the long stick there is a mesh bag with a plastic rim. Along the edges of the rim there are slits that look like the bud of an open tulip. The fruit stalk is placed between the two slits of the tulip, then the handle is twisted around the axis. The stalk breaks off and the apple falls into the bag.
Collet puller
A popular model is the collet fruit collector, whose handle can be adjusted in length. The tip with which the fruits will be picked is made of metal or plastic. The fruit is grabbed with the nozzle and the handle is turned. Some models are equipped with a stalk for cutting the stalk and a bag for storing picked fruits.
Fruit picker with gripper
A model with a grip is convenient. On a long pole, adjustable in length, there is a bowl made of metal or plastic. The bowl can be used to capture and pick fruits of any size.
Is it possible to do it yourself?
You can make a design for picking fruits from the tops of trees yourself, once you understand the principle of operation of the mechanism. To make the device, you will need a long stick, wire and other available tools.
From a plastic pipe
A plastic pipe with thin walls is useful for the product:
- One end of the pipe is cut off at an angle.
- The sharp part of the resulting angle is cut in the form of two cloves.
- The cloves are heated over the fire and bent inward to form hooks.
- A bag is tied to the pipe into which the picked apples will fall.
This device is easy to use. You can collect several apples in one bag.
Collection from a plastic bottle
For the fruit picker, you will need a 2-liter plastic bottle, a long fishing line and a handle (any stick, pole, pipe will do):
- To make a bowl, cut off the bottom. Cuts are made along the entire length of the cut, resembling the shape of a tulip.
- Holes are made in each resulting petal through which a fishing line is passed. The ends of the fishing line are passed through the opening of the neck.
- The resulting bowl is attached to a stick.The short ends of the fishing line are secured around the pole, and the long ends are left for convenient squeezing and unclenching of the petals during harvesting.
You can make a fruit collector from a plastic bottle in another way. The bottom of the bottle is cut off, then two symmetrical cuts are made on opposite sides. The neck is attached to the pole. During harvesting, the stalk must fall into the groove, after which the pole is turned until the stalk comes off the tree.
Closed bottle remover
To make the device, prepare a 2-liter plastic bottle:
- Closer to the bottom of the container, a round slot is cut on one side.
- At the bottom of the resulting hole, teeth are cut out.
- The neck of the bottle is attached to a pole.
The fruit picker can pick up to 4-5 fruits at the same time.
Using a tin can
A deep and wide tin can will be useful for this work:
- Using a knife, make a shallow depression on one upper side of the can.
- Then use pliers to bend the edges. The slot should be wedge-shaped.
- On the other side of the cans, holes are made through which the wire is passed and the bowl is attached to the pole.
Making the device is not difficult, the main thing is to choose the right shaped jar.
Devices for collecting fruits from the ground
Experienced gardeners know how to quickly collect fallen apples. Any of the DIY structures can be used to collect already fallen apples. Only the container will have to be placed not along the stick, but at an angle. This will allow you to collect up to 4-5 fruits, after which they are calmly poured into a basket or bucket.
A unique device for collecting fruits is a roll. The device will help speed up the process of picking ripe apples. A smooth movement should be carried out over the area where the fruits accumulate.The fruits fall inside the roll between the rods and do not fall back.
