When the time comes to pick fruits from tall trees, the most beautiful and ripe ones are so high that even with the help of a stepladder it is impossible to reach them. Of course, you can use a long stick to knock down the fruits. Some summer residents shake the trees, but the apples are damaged and lose their attractiveness. appearance. An alternative solution is to use an apple picker. If you don’t have it at hand, and you don’t want to spend money on purchasing it, then you can make such a tool yourself in a short time. As a result, it will be possible to obtain a fruit picker that will not differ in efficiency of use from that produced in a factory.
Selection of design features before production begins
If we consider fruit pickers, they can be divided into several groups. The first of them are tools that are equipped with cutters at the end of the rod. With this add-on, it is possible to cut off the stem and the apple will fall into a container located in close proximity to the cutter. This apple picking device has a movable knife, which is driven by a special rod. To Work with similar device quite tedious, since the cutter is located on the rod, or rather, on its long arm. This creates additional weight, which is quite significant. A device for picking apples may also belong to the second group, the tools of which resemble mechanical arm equipped with fingers. The latter are made of wire. After the apple or pear is grabbed with the help of special fingers, the latter are clamped by means of traction, and the fruit ends up in the container. This action made using traditional twine. This is what allows the fetus to be torn off. The disadvantage of this tool is that the branch itself may break off along with the pear or apple.
The third group of fruit pickers
If you are making a device for picking apples, then you can take as a basis the third group, which is the most common in terms of design features. Such structures are made of elastic, lightweight plastic or fabric. And the shape of the product is a bowl equipped with petals. A special container must be attached to a wooden pole. The apples are removed by simply turning the pole around an axis that is oriented lengthwise. In this case, the leg is trimmed using the petals of the tool.
Preparing to make a fruit picker
A device for picking apples from a tree should be made only after you have chosen one of the proposed ideas. The third variety will form the basis for a simplified design of a tool for picking fruits. First you need to prepare plastic bottle. If you have to collect fruits that are quite impressive in size, then a container volume of up to 2 liters is suitable, while for medium-sized apples or pears a bottle with a volume limited to 1.5 liters is suitable. Every summer resident probably has such bottles in stock.
Process technology
If you are making a device for picking apples with your own hands, then you need to cut off the bottom of the bottle, and then make a corner cutout. It will be convenient to use both a knife and scissors. The above cut along the bottle can also be made on the opposite side.
After the bowl has been prepared, it needs to be attached to a pole, the last of which can be a long, light strip. Fixation can be done using wire or self-adhesive adhesive tape. After this, we can assume that the fruit picker is ready for use. To use it, the tool must be brought from below the pear or apple, and then rotated around its axis. This will allow you to cut off the fetal leg using the cutout located on the tool. The apple will end up in a bottle that can simultaneously serve as a collection container and a cutter. A similar device for collecting apples from a plastic bottle can be used without lowering the container for some time. Several fruits can fit into one bottle.
Making a fruit picker from a bottle and fishing line
Before you make a device for picking apples, you need to decide design features future instrument. The basis can be the same plastic bottle, a mop handle, which is sometimes replaced with a PVC pipe or fishing line. The length of the latter can vary from 2.5 to 3 meters. You will need scissors and an awl.
Manufacturing process
First you will need to make the so-called enough, which is made from a plastic bottle. The bottom of the container must be cut so that it looks like a crown. Two holes are made in each petal; for this you can use an awl or a hole punch. At the next stage, the product should be given tenacity. For this, a fishing line is used, which is pulled through the neck into the container so that its upper end is threaded into each hole in a circle. You need to bring the line back through the neck. This will result in a bottle that has no bottom. There will be two long ends coming out of the neck.
The next step is to fix the holder, which should be a full PVC pipe. The double fishing line from the bottle needs to be threaded through the hole in the holder, leading out reverse side. If the mop handle has a removable handle, then this is a good decision. The ends of the fishing line must be secured to this part of the holder. Two holes are made in the handle into which the fishing line is threaded, the ends are fixed on the other side by stretching. The handle is then put back on the handle. If you are making devices for picking pears and apples, then it is important to assemble the entire structure so that the plastic bottle is tightly attached to the holder. The cut edges of the bottle are bent. In this case, you need to make grasping movements. This is the principle of collecting fruits using this tool. If the mop does not have a removable part, then you need to remove its end, and you should retreat 10 cm. You need to make two holes on the sides where the ends of the fishing line are threaded. Afterwards they need to be fixed together and then tied.
For a PVC pipe, you can use several bottle caps as a handle. If you use ten caps, making a hole in the central part of each with an awl, then the free ends of the fishing line can be threaded through the caps, securing them to the last one. To make the lids stable, you need to glue them together or make a knot, placing it with inside first cover. This will allow you to get a fairly comfortable removable handle made of caps. In this case, it is necessary to use the same technology as in the case of a mop handle.
Conclusion
If you decide to make a device for picking apples from the ground, then you can use one of the technologies described above. However, the bottle may have to be placed not along the holder stick, but at some angle. This will allow you to collect up to four apples in one container, depending on the size, and then pour them into a bucket. One of the listed devices is quite easy to make yourself. To do this, you don’t even have to visit the store to purchase materials.
On the eve of the autumn harvest, in addition to ideas for processing apples, an important task arises - how to harvest the fruits efficiently. Someone, out of habit, picks up fallen apples and, gently shaking the tree, continues simple manipulations. Such actions are relevant for owners of a couple of small apple trees. A much more serious approach is required to collect large quantity harvest. To do this, it will be useful to know what an apple picker is, types and tips for choosing a device.
Don’t think that an apple picking device is for lazy people. At a minimum, the use of fruit pickers saves a lot of time for summer residents, while maintaining the quality of apples at the highest level.
You can make a device for picking apple fruits yourself from scrap materials, or you can purchase a ready-made design in a specialized store. Before making any decision, it is worth considering all the pros and cons of the most popular types of fruit pickers.
Purchased apple picking equipment
The advantage of purchasing a fruit picker in a store is its availability and the ability to choose the most convenient model and material.
Plastic "tulip"
The device is a tall glass with slots, made of thick plastic. Externally, the nozzle resembles an open bud of a real tulip.
Principle of operation:
- the fruit is placed in the “tulip” so that the stalk falls between the “petals” of the nozzle;
- rotate the handle of the fruit picker around its axis;
- the picked fruit is placed in a basket.
The design is simple and convenient. Difficulties arise only with unripe apples or too strong fruit cuttings.
Collet puller
Fruit picker with telescopic handle is one of the most popular models. The design has the ability to adjust the length of the pole if necessary. The tip of the device itself can be made of metal, plastic, and even have a knife for cutting cuttings. The puller works by analogy with a “tulip”. The fruits are captured by the nozzle and picked by turning the pole of the device. Some models are additionally equipped with a special bag, which makes it possible to collect several apples at once without interrupting the process.
Wire fruit collector
The design is made of wire strings assembled in the form of a bowl. After the wire is wrapped around the fruit, the apple is torn off by turning the device around its axis. Next, the fruit reaches the basket safely.
Fruit picker with gripper
The operating principle is similar to previous models. The device differs only in its improved bowl. The device resembles a metal grip made of three “fingers”. This design is capable of grabbing not only large fruits, but also smaller fruits.
There are also types of pullers available with additional fishing line for gripping the apple handle. The stores provide options for mechanisms with a fixed length of the device pole, as well as models with telescopic handles.
We do it ourselves
A review of the most common variants of fruit collectors allows you to understand the principle of operation of the mechanism. So, having determined the best type of puller design for yourself, you can begin manufacturing home device for collecting fruits.
Collection from a plastic bottle “tulip”
Necessary materials:
- Plastic bottle 1.5-2 liters;
- The fishing line is about three meters long;
- Leg for a collection bowl (pole, pipe, etc.).
First you need to prepare the puller bowl itself. To do this, use scissors to cut the plastic bottle from the bottom side, creating a bowl of the required height. We make slits around the perimeter of the container so that the structure looks like a tulip bud.
We make small holes in each “petal” using an awl. It is advisable to make them closer to the top of the bowl. Next, we pass the fishing line through the holes made, and draw its ends through the neck of the bottle.
We do it in a pole through hole in the place where the bowl will be attached. We attach the bowl with the grabber to the base of the handle of our device. If it is not possible to make a hole, then it is better to glue the bowl to the pole with glue.
We thread the ends of the fishing line through the holes on the holder. We securely fasten the short end of the fishing line, and leave the long end at such a length that it is convenient for it to compress and unclench the “petals.”
Collection from a bottle "bowl"
This is the most simple model in production. To create a bowl, you need to cut the bottom of a 1.5 liter plastic bottle. We make shallow slits around the perimeter of the “bowl” with scissors and decorate the edge with sharp teeth. We make a through hole in the neck of the bottle.
We make a through hole at the end of the “holder” of the puller. We put the neck of the bottle on the pole. Through the prepared holes, we attach the bowl to the holder using a nail or self-tapping screw.
Closed bottle remover
Near the bottom of the plastic bottle, cut out a round side hole. Cut cloves from the bottom side. Some gardeners recommend making a heart-shaped hole for convenience. Next, the bowl is put on the end of the pole and secured. This design allows you to remove more than two fruits at a time.
Using a tin can
This device is the strongest for removing fruits compared to plastic bottles.
Choose a large tin can, the diameter of which will easily fit large apple. In one of the sides from the top we cut a shallow line with a knife. Using pliers, we push the wedge-shaped slots apart. On the opposite side we make a couple of holes through which we attach the can to the pole with wire.
From a plastic pipe
To make the device, you need to take a thin plastic pipe of wide diameter, which will allow you to pass a large apple. At the top of the pipe we make a hole in the shape of the letter J. The tail of the letter should be directed upward. We attach a blade to the lower tail of the letter.
The hole is made in case the fruit stalk is too hard.
We cut the lower end of the pipe in the form of cloves. We heat the teeth and bend them, forming the bottom of the puller. We attach the structure to the pole using wire or self-tapping screws.
A fishing net will also serve as an excellent fruit picker. However, to remove apples with a hard handle, you will need to additionally equip the device with a blade or hook. For greater convenience, the net can be slightly bent at the base.
Experienced summer residents recommend using it to collect fruits. homemade pullers, since purchased models are short-lived. In addition, designs homemade are more durable and comfortable, as they are created taking into account personal needs.
The most popular fruit picker is a device made from a plastic bottle. There is also a recommendation for this case. Since the apple harvest is very unstable, the device sometimes has to be stored indoors. It is much more convenient to do this disassembled.
To create a separate structure for the fruit collector, it is recommended to screw the neck of the bottle to a cork secured to a pole using self-tapping screws or adhesive tape. However, you will have to “twist” the apples from the branch only in a clockwise direction, otherwise the bowl will simply fall off.
The tin can remover can also be improved. To do this, we cut out the bottom of the jar, and instead of it we fasten a small linen bag. This way you can pick several apples at once. What is advantageous about closed structures is that they are also suitable for collecting pears and plums.
To learn how to make an apple picker with your own hands, see the following video.
When it’s time to pick apples, the ripest and most beautiful ones, as a rule, hang so high that you can’t even reach them from a stepladder. Of course, you can knock them down with a long stick or shake a branch, but when apples fall, they will lose not only their attractive appearance. A special fruit picker is needed. What if it’s not at hand? No problem, just five minutes of time spent and you will have a fruit picker no worse than the branded one.
The whole variety of fruit pickers can be divided into three groups. The first group is fruit pickers with cutters at the end of the rod, with the help of which the stem of the apple is cut off and it falls into a container located next to the cutter. The movable knife of the cutter is driven by a special rod. Working with such a device is quite tedious, since the cutter is located on the long arm of the rod, and this is an additional weight and quite a significant one.
The second group is fruit pickers, whose design resembles a mechanical hand with wire fingers. After grasping the fruit, the wire fingers compress it using a traction (usually a string), which allows the apple to be torn off. True, in this case, along with the apple, the branch on which the apple grew may break off.
Fruit pickers included in the third group are the simplest in their design. They are made of fabric or light elastic plastic and are shaped like a bowl with petals, which is attached to a wooden pole. Apples are removed by simply turning the pole around its longitudinal axis, cutting the stem of the fruit using the petals of the fruit picker.
The latter idea is incorporated into the simplified design of the fruit picker. Take a plastic bottle. For large apples - 2 liters, for medium ones - 1.5 liters. It is quite clear that there will always be such bottles at the dacha. Cut off the bottom and make a corner cut.
Using scissors or a knife, cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle. We select the volume of the bottle depending on the size of the apples being removed.
We make a corner cutout on the edge of the bottle. The same cutout can be made on this edge on the opposite side.
We attach this bottle to a pole, for example, a light long slate. You can attach the fruit picker to the rail using self-adhesive tape or wire.
We attach the bottle to a light long rail with adhesive tape (scotch tape).
In just a few minutes the fruit picker is ready. We bring it from below to the apple to be removed and, turning it around its axis, cut off the stem of the fruit with the cutout of the fruit picker. The apple falls into the bottle, which acts as both a cutter and a fruit receptacle.
An apple picked by a fruit picker.
As a result, apples taken from the highest branches will be safe and sound. Such apples can lie dormant.
If your apple harvest is “at the top” in every sense, it can’t help but rejoice! But getting ripe, juicy fruits from this height is not an easy task. An ordinary garden stepladder can also help in this matter, but modern gardeners are accustomed to saving time and effort. Therefore, today we will learn together how to make a device for removing apples from a tree, which will help you quickly and without loss collect the entire harvest from any apple tree.
If you have only one or two trees with apples on your plot, then there is no point in making a “major” fruit picker; it is enough to make a simple device from a plastic bottle. Well, if you have a whole apple plantation at your dacha, then it’s best for you to buy a ready-made fruit picker
In the markets gardening tools we have seen more than once ready-made devices for collecting fruits. Based on their principle, we will create a fruit picker with our own hands. Our future fruit collector must meet the following requirements: reach high and hold the fruit firmly, and be convenient to use. Let's look at the options that experienced and resourceful gardeners offer us.
As a rule, fruit pickers are made of plastic, but there are metal options. For example, the fruit picker, which is shown in the photo, costs around 700 rubles in stores, it is quite expensive, but the purchase will justify itself and will serve you for many years
But such a device for removing apples from a tree will cost, on average, 1,200 rubles. Its advantage is that it is made of plastic and does not require special care, just store it in some shed and it will serve you for decades
Option number 1: the tenacious hand of the farmer
The device will consist of a grip and a holder. You will need:
- old plastic bottle;
- long fishing line (2.5-3 meters), awl, scissors;
- handle from an old plastic mop (can be replaced with a PVC pipe).
The manufacturing process of this fruit collector in the program “Crazy Hands”:
So let's begin our easy work.
Step 1. We had enough crafts (a two-liter plastic bottle). We cut the bottom of the bottle crown-shaped to form “petals”. We make 2 holes in each of the petals. To do this, you can use a small hole punch or a regular awl.
Now let's give the bowl some grip. Take the fishing line and pull it through the neck into the bottle so that the latter is just below the middle of the fishing line. We pass the upper end of the fishing line one by one into each hole in a circle and bring it back through the neck of the bottle. Thus, we got a plastic bottle without a bottom with two long ends of fishing line coming out through the neck.
Step 2. We fix the holder. We use a hollow PVC pipe or a handle from an old plastic mop as a holder. A double line made from a plastic bottle is threaded through the hole in the holder and comes out the other side. If your mop handle has a removable handle, you're in luck! The ends of the fishing line should be secured to this part of the holder. Make 2 holes in the handle and thread the fishing line through, securing the ends tightly together. Place the handle back onto the mop handle.
We have a plastic bottle fastened with fishing line to a holder with a removable handle. Now try to remove the cap again, slightly pulling the line towards you. The cut edges of the bottle are compressed, making grasping movements. Now not a single apple will escape you!
A diagram of another device for collecting fruits from trees: it will take a lot of time to create, so we do not recommend that you undertake its creation. They just showed what else homemade devices can be made
If the mop does not have a removable part, you can simply cut off its end by 15-10 cm. Make 2 holes on its sides, where the ends of the fishing line will be drawn. Then secure them by tying them together.
Let us repeat once again: if you have a lot fruit trees, then it’s better to spend some money and buy a ready-made fruit picker that will serve you for more than one season
For PVC pipes You can use several caps from plastic bottles as a handle. For example, take 10 lids and make a hole in the center of each with an awl. Thread the free ends of the fishing line into the caps one by one and secure them to the last one. For stability, glue the caps together or make a knot from fishing line on the inside of the first cap. It turns out comfortable removable handle from caps. Use the same method as a mop handle.
Video version of making a fruit picker with your own hands
And another option for creating a capital fruit picker
Option number 2: the simplest device for picking apples
1. Fruit collector with bowl
Step 1. And again we cannot do without such a necessary household item as a plastic bottle. Cut it in half, separating the bottom part from the neck. We won't need the bottom anymore. We cut out deep teeth on the cut edge, and drill 2 opposite holes in the neck.
Step 2. We prepare a wooden pole, one end of which we adapt to the hole of the bottle. A handle from an old garden tool will do. Now we put the bottle neck on the pole and secure it with two self-tapping screws.
Use this device to collect apples like this: bring the device to the branch with the apple; Place the apple inside the bottle and rotate the device for removing apples from the tree clockwise. The teeth cut off the fruit and it ends up inside the bottle. You can pick 2-3 apples at a time.
2. Closed fruit collector
You don’t have to cut off the bottom of the bottle, just cut it out round hole on the side. From the bottom side of the hole, make several cloves. Then put the bottle on the pole in the already known way and start collecting apples. The fruits are placed inside the bottle and picked in one motion. A closed fruit picker picks apples more easily, but can pick no more than two fruits at a time.
Using such a device you won’t be able to collect many apples at one time, but the advantage of this device is the speed of its production: if you have all the materials at hand, you will need a maximum of five minutes, or even less
The design of the device is simple: we cut a heart-shaped hole on the side of a plastic bottle, use a screw or electrical tape to attach the bottle to the holder and we can start picking apples or other fruits
Now you don’t need to master the science of climbing trees and endless maneuvers with garden stepladders, and you no longer have to wonder how to remove apples from a tall tree. The juiciest apples will be picked without difficulty thanks to your skillful hands and desire. A bowl of such homemade fruit collectors will last you a couple of years. Once worn out, it can be easily replaced using a new plastic bottle. Well, all you can do is wish that the fruits of your skill will definitely help you get all the fruits from your apple trees!
