FRESH-MARKET QUALITY BLUEBERRY HARVESTER

An experimental mechanical harvester (V45) was developed that utilized an angled double-spiked-drum shaker a cane dividing and positioning s ystem, and cushioned catching surfaces to harvest fresh market quality blueberries. With the V45, ground losses were reduced by 44% when com pared with a commercial mechanical harvester Fruit packout was similar between the V45 and a commercial harvester but berry firmness and int ernal fruit quality from the V45 harvester were superior to that from the commercial harvester Fruit quality front the experimental harveste r was as good as quality from commercially hand harvested fruit.