Tag Archives: picking reel

1329-1338 M. Arak, O. Liivapuu, V.V. Maksarov and J. Olt
A justification of the choice of parameters for the picking reel tooth on a lowbush blueberry harvester
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A justification of the choice of parameters for the picking reel tooth on a lowbush blueberry harvester

M. Arak¹*, O. Liivapuu¹, V.V. Maksarov² and J. Olt¹

¹Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology, 56 Kreutzwaldi Str., EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
²2Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 21 Line, 2, RU199106 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
*Correspondence: margus.arak@emu.ee

Abstract:

The functional working tool on the blueberry harvester is its rotating picking reel. Its working element is the picking rake which is attached to the picking reel. A total of four rakes are attached to the picking reel. A picking rake includes an axis which is attached in an articulated manner between the reel’s end discs, and pin-shaped teeth which are rigidly attached to it. The picking rake’s tooth must be made of a fully flexible material to prevent damage to the blueberry plant. The aim of this research was to determine the flexure of test specimens (plastic rods) which have been constructed from a fully flexible material of different conditions, along with the suitability for use of such flexible material as the teeth on the picking rake. As a result of this study, it became clear that, based on the results from flexure, durability, and residual deformation tests, it is more expedient to choose Ertacetal C (POM-C) as the material for the picking reel’s tooth, with a diameter of 4.3 mm.

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