Orchardists large and small are facing the same challenges worldwide: price pressure, competitive labour markets and increasing health and safety requirements that require constant innovation and adaption.
Increasing fruit production from the same area means more dollars coming back into our pocket and is one way we can help overcome the mounting challenges.
The humble picking bucket, though an essential item on the orchard, has largely been overlooked as a means of increasing profitability.
Increase profitability
The Harvestwear Yieldmax picking bucket has been developed with this purpose in mind: to increase fruit quality going into the bin, increase the picker’s productivity, decrease overall cost of ownership and minimise breakage downtime.
Harvestwear have focused on superior bucket design to increase fruit protection, comfort and durability, leading to an increased return on investment for the grower.
Increase fruit quality going into the bin
Protecting fruit from the time it is picked to when it is placed into the bin is important.
High fruit quality going into the bin means better quality fruit available for sale.
The Harvestwear Yieldmax bucket has a strong, durable polyethylene shell with foam casing and a strong, polyester fabric liner which provides exceptional fruit protection and makes the bucket robust and durable.
This rigid outer shell protects the fruit from being squashed or damaged when pushing against ladders or branches, and means the fruit doesn’t knock against the thighs when walking between trees or to the bin.
Increase the pickers’ productivity
Having comfortable pickers equates to more fruit picked.
With the back-conforming Support+ harness, support is provided across the whole back and shoulders spreading the weight of the bucket across a much larger area.
The kidney shaped bucket holds the fruit in closer to the wearer putting less strain on the pickers’ spine. Consequently, the picker is more comfortable and can work through the day with less pain and fatigue.
Decrease cost of ownership
The rigid, plastic shell and the quality materials used will give many years of use, in fact Harvestwear are still supplying parts to buckets that are over 20 years old.
Due to their well-proven durability the lifetime cost of ownership of Harvestwear buckets is much less than similar products with a lower initial purchase price.
Minimise breakage downtime
All wearable parts have been designed to be simply replaceable and they are readily available, so downtime is minimised.
Downtime costs money so being able to get going again quickly is important.
Models
Available in two sizes: the 28 litre capacity, YM2810S or the 36 litre capacity, YM3610S.
Harvestwear fruit picking equipment has been well-known in Australia for over 20 years and has served many orchardists well.
With a large product range, Harvestwear has a harvesting solution for all fruit types.
For more information or to find your nearest dealer contact
www.zenitec.co.nz
See this article in Tree Fruit Dec 2015
