Citrus Picker
10/5/05
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Market
-In
2003, 15 million tons of citrus were
produced in Florida, California, Texas, and
Arizona
-U.S.
citrus growers sold $1.5 billion worth of
fruit in 2003
Hand-picking costs $1.50 to harvest a 90pound field box of citrus. 300 to 400 field
boxes of fruit per orchard acre.
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Hand Picking
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Market Opportunity
Product Description:
Citrus Picker connected to
field cart, closed loop arm
that allows for articulate
motion in 4 axes
Intended Customers:
Citrus farmers that currently
use unassisted manual labor
to harvest
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Technical Analysis
Customer Needs
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Design Attributes
Engineering
Specs
Efficient citrus fruit
picking
Quickly move from tree
to tree
Wheeled field cart
supports arm and
transports 90 lb field box
Ease and safer for
workers
Long reach without
heavy load
Extendable arm that is
supported between
picking end and operator
Maneuverable picking
arm and vehicle
4 Axes of motion
Rotating, swiveling joint
which allows pole to
slide and twist
Does not damage the
tree
Clipping instead of
pulling
Electric clipping
mechanism
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Our Prototype
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4-Axes Pivot Mount
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Maneuverability Test
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Acknowledgments
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http://members.aol.com/citrusweb/oj_story.html
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
Dr. Donald Peterson, Agriculture Research Service,
Kearneysville, W. Virginia
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