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<pre>Michael

> (sorry to interrupt all the political debate with such a boring
> question!!)

Not at all.

We trialled a petrol driven Masterbloc 1000, a 12V electric rotary harvester and
a compressed air Clapper on one grove this year. 4 year old Barnea (15kg/tree)
and 4 year old Corregiola (about 10kg/tree). A catching frame 4m dia was used
to collect fruit. Without doubt the Masterbloc won hands down for several
reasons principal among them being
a.. ease of operation and not being hindered by an air hose or electric cord.
b.. removal of fruit - approx 90% in total of green and ripe fruit.
c.. collection of fruit. Not thrown about nearly as much as with the clapper.
d.. minimal damage to tree/branches/leaves. Rotary job tended to continually
get caught up in branches esp skirt ones.
And yes, we are agents for the Masterbloc in Vic but also for the rotary and
clapper. D/K who is the agent in WA but contact RYAN.BROS@... for info
- they are the importers.

Regards
Peter Caird
www.victorianolivegroves.com
AUSTRALIA

----- Original Message -----
From: "michael54au" <agonis@...>
To: <OliveOil@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 8:16 PM
Subject: [OliveOil] Harvesting equipment


> Hello all,
>
> Has anyone out there had hands on experience using both pneumatic
> harvesting rakes and electric rotary rakes under similar crop
> conditions?
>
> I recently had the opportunity to use pneumatic rakes on heavily
> laden five year old trees with pleasing results, however I have read
> litrature that rates the rotary rakes with a greater harvest rate per
> hour.
>
> Before I go out and spend our profits on this type of equipment it
> would be nice to hear from someone with real "in the grove"
> experience.
>
> (sorry to interrupt all the political debate with such a boring
> question!!)
>
> Regards to all
> Michael Pimm
> Margaret River
> West Aust
>
>
>
>
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