Do-it-yourself blueberry harvester: varieties, step-by-step instructions for collecting

People who grow blueberries have to harvest ripe berries in the middle of summer. Many do it themselves, but some prefer to use special combines. You can make such a blueberry harvester with your own hands.

What is a blueberry harvester?

Before you make a blueberry harvester, you need to figure out what it is. The berry picker is a device that makes harvesting ripe berries much easier. With the help of such a combine, the harvesting procedure lasts not several hours, but a matter of minutes.

The main element of this tool are elongated teeth, which are shaped like combs. The distance between the teeth is 5-8 millimeters, and the length of each of them reaches 25 centimeters. Such dimensions allow the comb to safely pass the leaves and stems of blueberry bushes.

The next important detail of the product is a bucket equipped with a small handle. When harvesting ripe berries, the comb is positioned so that the teeth are directed upwards. Then the structure is carefully pulled along each row. All berries will automatically be plucked by the prongs and placed in the bucket.

Classification of berry harvesters

There are different types of blueberry harvesting equipment. Before using them, you should familiarize yourself with their main features.

According to the level of mechanization, combines are divided into:

• Manual berry picker, which does not involve mechanical processes. Such a device is made on the basis of ancient prototypes of combines that were used many years ago. Outwardly, a manual fruit picker resembles an ordinary rake, to which a small box or fabric bag is tied. Modern models of such devices have a well-fixed handle, on which a leaf palisade is attached.
• Mechanical harvester. This is the most common berry picker used by many gardeners. These models are equipped with small motors responsible for the functioning of the ladle, which shakes off the ripe blueberries. They also include a small glass for storing blueberries.
• Automatic remedy. The most expensive models that are easiest to use. Outwardly, such devices resemble combines that collect grain from the fields. The only major difference is that blueberry harvesters do not have digging elements and bevel blocks.

Similar designs

Various tools can be used as analogues of devices for picking ripe berries. At the same time, they can look different and have both simple and complex designs. The simplest options for harvesters include an ordinary scoop, on the front edge of which small cloves are installed. This scoop is popular with gardeners because of its ease of use.

There are also some homemade models that perfectly balance functionality, cheapness and simplicity. Most often, such devices for harvesting ripe blueberries and blueberries are made from improvised materials. However, such tools have certain disadvantages. Fragility is considered the main disadvantage, as most homemade harvesters break down quickly.

Required tools and materials

Before you can create a good and reliable container for picking blueberries, you need to figure out what materials and tools will be useful for the job.

From materials and tools you will need the following:

• Steel sheets. To make a strong body of a structure or create a container for collected berries, steel sheets are used. For this, it is recommended to use new and undamaged metal sheets.
• Iron wire. Rakes, which are responsible for picking berries, must be made of wire. At the same time, it is better to make them from durable pins that will not bend when in contact with the ground surface. The length of the pins should be at least 10-15 centimeters.
• Plywood or plastic. In order not to damage the berries during the harvesting process, the body is sheathed with plastic or wood. Some gardeners sheathe a device for picking blueberries with scraps from plastic bottles or cans.
• Fasteners. Screws, nails or bolts are used to fasten parts of the harvester.
• Drill. This tool is required for making mounting holes.
• Hammer. It may be necessary if the harvester box will be sheathed with plywood.

Making such a device with your own hands

The blueberry harvester is made in several stages:

• Create a schematic drawing. First, a diagram is created with the exact dimensions of all structural elements.
• Creation of the corpus. In the process of manufacturing the case, you will have to cut the metal sheet.
• Making a comb. To make a scallop for picking berries yourself, you will have to cut pre-prepared metal rods. They should not be long, but short twigs of berries will not break well.
• Attaching the scraper to the body. The created comb must be fixed on the front side of the combine body. This is done with strong fixing screws.
• Creating a pen. To equip the blueberry picker with a handle, you can use a steel tube or a metal plate. The material is bent to form a doorknob and bolted to the top of the structure.

Is mechanized berry picking bad for shrubs?

Many people are wondering if a blueberry grabber can harm ripe berries. Some people think that a combine harvester with a comb is not capable of damaging shrubs, but this is not the case. Even high-quality models of harvesters can damage branches and crops.

Products with large sizes do the most harm. They cut off not only ripe berries, but also leaves and young fragile branches, which, together with the harvest, fall into the scoop for the harvested fruits.That is why gardeners recommend using compact models of harvesters with small shovels or buckets for harvesting berries.

Most often, the berries are damaged if the combine is used carelessly. All damaged fruits are poured into a glass and covered with sugar until they start to deteriorate.

Conclusion

Many gardeners want to make harvesting a ripe fruit easier. Often, special harvesters are used for this, with which you can harvest blueberries in 5-10 minutes. Before using such devices, you need to familiarize yourself with their varieties and figure out how to make a berry picker yourself.

Recommended