Types of tools for picking apples from a tree and how to make them yourself

An apple picker allows you to quickly and easily harvest your entire crop. The fruit will remain undamaged and will have a long shelf life. There are several different types of apple pickers, all of which are easy to make yourself using simple and readily available materials. In addition to the apple picker, you'll also need other tools to help you get started.

When you need to quickly and easily pick apples, a fruit picker will help.

This device allows you to pick the fruit at the tree's crown without damaging the fruit itself or the apple tree branches.

The device is sold in specialty stores, but it's easy to make yourself, for example, from a plastic bottle and a wooden stick. Both large and small fruits will be picked from the tree. Don't shake the tree. If the fruit falls to the ground, it will dent and significantly reduce its shelf life.

What else will you need?

If the apples are growing too high on the tree, a ladder or stepladder may be necessary. Standing on a ladder, you can reach the top of the tree with a fruit picker.

Types of devices

Various manufacturers offer ready-made fruit picking systems. The advantage of purchasing in-store is the ability to choose the most suitable model and material.

Plastic tulip fruit picker

The device consists of a large glass with rounded plastic teeth along the edges. The glass's shape resembles an open tulip bud. The container is attached to a long stick. Instructions for use:

• the apple is grasped with the attachment so that its stalk is located between the cloves;
• then you need to rotate the handle of the device around its axis;
• The plucked crop is moved into a basket.

The disadvantage of this device is that it will be difficult to pick an unripe apple or a fruit with a strong stalk.

Wire construction

The structure's mesh is made of thick wire. On one side of the bowl, protruding wire strings with inward-curved edges are used to grasp the apples. The device is easy to use:

• the stalk of the fruit is wrapped with wire;
• turn the net in a circle;
• The apple rolls into a bowl, from where it is carried to a basket.

Collet puller

The collet fruit picker is a popular model. It features a telescopic handle that allows you to adjust the length. A metal or plastic device is attached to the end of the pole. The operating principle is as follows:

• the attachment captures the fruit;
• turn the handle of the device;
• The picked apple is placed in a box or basket.

Some models have a special bag built in that allows you to pick several fruits at once.

Fruit picker with a gripper

This apple picker features a modern, convenient metal bowl. Fruits are grasped with a finger-shaped attachment. The handle can be fixed or telescopic. This fruit picker can handle fruits of any size, even those with strong stems.

How to make a device yourself

Once you have determined the right model for picking apples, you can begin making it yourself.

From a tin can

For work, choose a large tin can that can easily fit a large apple:

• From the bottom of one side of the jar, starting from the top, cut a shallow line.
• The edges of the cut are bent back using pliers.
• Holes are made on the opposite side of the container.
• A wire is passed through the holes, which is used to attach the container to the stick.

We use a plastic bottle

You will need the following tools:

• 2 liter plastic bottle;
• fishing line - 3 meters;
• awl and scissors;
• pole or pipe.

The workflow is as follows:

• cut the bottle with scissors from the neck side to a suitable height;
• make cuts along the edges, similar to flower petals;
• on each petal, holes are made closer to the edge;
• a fishing line is passed through the holes made, the ends of which are brought out through the neck;
• a hole is made at the end of the pole;
• attach a bowl with petals to a pole;
• the ends of the fishing line are passed through the hole in the stick;
• The short ends of the line are securely fixed, and the long ends are used to operate the bowl petals.

Closed bottle puller

It is easy to make a similar model of fruit picker:

• take a plastic bottle and make a side slit at its base;
• teeth are cut out at the bottom of the hole;
• then the bottle is attached to a stick.

With this tool you can harvest several fruits at once.

Constructions made of plastic pipes

You'll need a thin plastic tube. It should be wide enough in diameter to accommodate a large apple:

• A J-shaped notch is made at the top of the pipe and a blade is attached to the base.
• The bottom of the pipe is cut at an angle.
• Make triangular cuts in the form of two teeth.
• Then the resulting cloves should be heated and bent inward to form the bottom of the fruit collector.
• The structure is attached to the pole using bolts or wire.

How to pick fruits that are lying on the ground

With the help of special devices you can quickly and easily collect apples that have fallen to the ground.

Any structure designed for harvesting fruit from a tree can be used to collect fallen fruit. In this case, the container should be positioned at an angle.

The roll is a unique device. It has several advantages:

• It is used to collect apples with a diameter of 5 to 12 cm;
• there is a saving of time and effort;
• copes well with the task both on flat and uneven surfaces;
• the fruits are not damaged.

The operating principle of the device is simple:

• Using smooth movements, roll over the area where the fruit is concentrated;
• the fruits penetrate into the device through metal or plastic rods, but do not fall out;
• Unloading of fruits is carried out using a special attachment that is attached to the container.

Once you understand and study the operating principles of any type of fruit picker, it's easy to build one yourself. This device will make gardening easier and faster, and the quality of the fruit will remain high.