Vibration transmitted to operator’s hands by a new type of rotary pick-up for the harvest of table olives

Abstract Fruit removal is the main aim of vibratory fruit-harvesting machines used on fruit-bearing trees. The harvesting methods vary and depend on different factors such as fruit species, characteristics, tree size and the grower’s economic situation. New types of rotary table olive hand harvesters have been studied. This work has two aims. The first objective is to determine and evaluate vibration transmitted to operator’s hand. The second one is to evaluate the combination, in terms of the best performance, of the machines used for mechanized harvesting of table olives. Several factors have been examinated: undulating teeth variation thickness, different rotational speed and different coating material used to reduce the impact damage on olives.