Platforms for increased labour efficiency

June 2016 | Prepared by Steve Spark, AgFirst NZ | Future Orchards® notes and presentation

Platforms can deliver significant labour gains, but Steve Spark emphasises that simply buying a machine does not guarantee efficiency. The notes cite potential productivity improvements across pruning, training, thinning and string tying, while also explaining why many growers under-use platforms after harvest.

Key limitations include unsuitable orchard architecture, steep terrain, maintenance requirements, capital cost and uneven work flow. The resource stresses that narrow planar canopies, good fruit distribution and easy access are essential. It also recommends preventative maintenance and having experienced operators available to minimise downtime when several staff depend on one machine.

Platforms can reduce the physical demands of orchard work, broaden the available labour pool, speed staff training and improve supervision. They can also support fruit quality by reducing ladder use and making quality control easier within small teams. The practical message is to evaluate platform efficiency as a system involving canopy, people, maintenance and machine utilisation.