New Apple Harvester Demonstrations to be held in Michigan
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EmailSeptember 18, 20 and 21 demonstrations will discuss vacuum-based machine that assists apple harvest.
The DBR Vacuum Apple Harvester will be demonstrated at various locations around Michigan next week. All demos will begin at 9 a.m. and are free and open to everyone, with no registration necessary. This cutting edge piece of equipment was developed by DBR Conveyor Concepts (owned by Mile Rasch, Phil Brown and Chuck Dietrich), and has the potential to bring about landmark change in apple harvest technology.
To read more about the apple harvester, see the Good Fruit Grower article Vacuum harvester passes bruising tests by Richard Lehnert.
Dates and locations (all begin at 9 a.m., rain or shine):
Tuesday, September 18 - Applewood Orchards,
Deerfield, Mich.
2998 Rodesiler Road, Deerfield, Mich. (view
map)
We will meet at the packing house and then head out to a Red Delicious block.
Thursday, September 20 - Dave Rennhack Orchards
2184 N. 72nd Ave, Hart, Mich. (view
map)
We will meet at the farm buildings and travel to the demo block from there. If
you need more direction to this site, you can contact Dave Renhack directly at
231-301-1850.
Friday, September 21 - Evan’s Brothers Farm
5273 Joyfield Road, Frankfort, Mich. (view
map)
We will meet at the entrance of the farm next to the pesticide containment
facility, then head straight south into a block of apples.
Michigan Apple Committee research funding was made available for the development of this technology. USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funding was awarded through the assistance of Michigan State University Extension educators Amy Irish-Brown and Phil Schwallier, who have worked closely with developers to collect data related to fruit quality in regards to the harvester.
