Review of picking platforms

March 2021 | Future Orchards® | Video review of picking platforms

This video provides a practical look at picking platforms and the way they can change orchard harvest work. The focus is on how platforms reduce ladder climbing and repeated movement while allowing teams to work together through a block.

Platform performance depends heavily on orchard suitability. Narrow, uniform canopies with well-distributed fruit allow every picking position to remain productive, while large or irregular trees can limit the gains. The resource also highlights the importance of matching machine type to orchard terrain and work requirements.

For growers considering a platform, the video is useful as an introduction to the operational questions that should be tested before investment: canopy access, labour savings, machine utilisation, supervision, maintenance and how many orchard tasks the platform can support across the year.