Blueline - Model BH-100 - Berry Harvester
From Berry Harvesting Equipment
The new Blueline BH 2015 “Columbia” is the first major re-design of a berry harvester in 20 years.
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Products Details
Blueline Mfg designed this berry harvesting machine from the ground up based on grower input and identified weaknesses of other competitive berry harvesters on the market. Our goal from the onset of this project was to reduce the loss of fruit through the collection system. In many cases, according to growers, this loss was up to 20% of the total crop. With a creative way of moving the crop using high volume, low pressure air, we have reduced the loss to the ground by as much as 50%. This system also incorporates a newly designed collection ear which is much lighter, but very strong, with a wider edge to reduce friction against the plants. Our new collection system uses a rubber “spring block” rather than conventional springs. This system is much simpler to maintain and longer lasting.
Also, Blueline was determined to improve the operator platform and controls. Using a proven system called CANBUS, we were able to reduce the wiring and hydraulic hose circuits by about 25%. You will notice a very clean and uncluttered operator area and controls. Using a touch screen control system we can now adjust all major control functions from a simple control pad. This system also gives speed indications of each function.
Another complaint voiced by many owners was the platform and lifting mechanism. We increased this areas size and did away with the cylinder and cable lifting system and replaced it with an all-hydraulic system. This is much cleaner and more trouble free. We also made an effort to make sure the load was centered over the rear axle. This, of course, increases stability and traction.
The drive system is “all wheel drive” meaning oil is reduced to any wheel that has lost traction forcing oil to the other wheels that have traction. Blueline also included a “cruise control” system. This system maintains a pre-set speed regardless of uphill, downhill, or load.
Blueline looked at the harvesting head as well. Our design incorporates an offset design that increase productivity and helps improve the fruit drop problem.
Litau vs Blueline Study Comparison
A large scale Blueberry producer located in Eastern Washington State conducted an indendent direct comparison of the fruit drop between the Litau and Blueline berry harvesting machines. This test was conducted August 12th on Aurau Fruit variety. Temperature was approximately 90 degrees. The machines were operated on side by side rows.
Tarps were laid out covering both sides of the rows attached between the plants with spring clamps. All of the fruit was contained in the tarps over a 40ft length. This fruit was then weighed individually on the left and right sides of the rows. Once the tarps were removed the fruit that had dropped in the center of the plants that was not captured by the tarps was collected and weighed.
The total boxes of harvested fruit was counted over the entire length of the harvested rows, about 1/8 mile, and a box average was determined on each machine by weighing three boxes on each machine. This gave the harvester production average.
The results are as follows-
Littau
- Fruit collected in the tarps- RH side 20.81 lb- LH side 6.25 lbs
- Fruit picked up in center of plants – 16.38 lbs
- Total fruit drop Littau 43.44 lbs over 40ft length
- Fruit harvested, 79 boxes @ 31 lbs each, by Littau over 1/8mile row was 2449 lbs
Blueline
- Fruit collected in tarps – RH side 8.5 lbs – LH side 12.5 lbs
- Fruit picked up in center of the plants 9.39 lbs
- Total fruit drop Blueline 30.39 lbs over 40ft length
- Fruit harvested, 110 boxes @ 27.6 lbs each, by Blueline over 1/8mile row was 3036 lbs
Conclusion- Blueline dropped 31% less fruit than Littau, or about 1415 lbs less over an acre than the Littau. Keep in mind this is one pass. The advantage is increased as you make more harvest passes.
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