Evaluation of the efficiency of different harvesting methods of olives

This paper reports the results of experimental tests carried out in Sicily about the harvesting of olives. Three varieties were selected (Biancolilla, Cerasuola and Nocellara del Belice); the tests were performed in three different periods with three different harvesting systems: manual, manual with pneumatic combs and mechanical harvesting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the work capacity and productivity of the three harvesting systems and the period maximising the mechanical harvesting efficiency. The damages caused to the trees after mechanical harvesting with a variable frequency shaker were also evaluated. Naturally fallen olives, Jean’s maturity index, detachment force, harvesting efficiency, mean mass of olives and specific oil production of the mechanical harvesting were determined in the three periods. The results show that the best work capacity and work productivity were obtained during the mechanical harvesting of the variety Nocellara del Belice. Jaen’s maturity index values corresponding to the highest mechanical harvesting efficiency were 1,96 for Nocellara del Belice, 2,38 for Cerasuola and 2,94 for Biancolilla. It was found that the damages on the trees bark after the use of the shaker can be reduced greasing the sheath of the harvesting head every thirty trees.