MACHINERY 



MACHINERY 



1951 



Much the same principles of blade-construction apply 

 here as in the hand-shears, the thing to be considered 

 being, first, ability readily to grasp the branches even 

 though closely crowded, and secondly, power to make 

 the cut. The draw-cut type is undoubtedly the most 

 powerful and fairly well designed for grasping the 

 limb. These shears are heavily built and the weight is 

 sometimes objectionable. The double-cut type has 

 blades so curved that it requires a wide opening of the 

 handles to accommodate even a small limb. Of the 

 other types, the tapering blade and Cartright patterns 

 are the best, as they combine power and ease of opera- 

 tion through a high degree of efficiency. 



Pole-pruners are designed for light pruning on such 

 limbs as might be difficult to reach by hand-pruners 

 and are specially adapted for rather small trees, such 

 as peach, pear, cherry, plum and young apple trees. 

 There are three types, the pole-hook, pole-saw and 

 pole-shear. Many of these are used in combination 

 on the same tool. The blade in the pole-shear is often 

 too light and is easily sprung out of shape in orchard 

 work. The more elaborate shears and combination 

 tools are usually somewhat cumbersome and unhandy 

 in the orchard. The chisel-points used on some tools 

 are of little if any value. For working in shrubs and 

 brambles, it is difficult to find a more satisfactory tool 

 than the bramble-hook. 



2279. Types of step-ladders. 



It seems to be a prevailing opinion regarding pru- 

 ning-saws that the "Duplex" or double-edged saw should 

 not be allowed in the commercial orchard. Even the 

 most careful pruners will frequently gash the wrong 

 limb with the back of the saw. The saw that comes 

 nearest to filling all qualifications for pruning must be 

 rather wide near the handle to give rigidity, and taper 

 to a narrow point to allow close work between branches. 

 The teeth should be of only moderate size but should 

 have a wide set. Some prefer the swivel-saws but it 

 requires practice to make a straight cut with them. 

 The tapering swivel is of little use as the back makes 

 it difficult to cut through a large limb. The California 

 draw-cut type has many advocates and will cut rap- 

 idly, but it is adapted for small trees rather than gen- 

 eral orchard use. 



Harvesting implements. 



Harvesting implements naturally group themselves 

 under two classes, those used in picking and those 

 used in packing. 



First among the picking implements comes the ladder. 

 One of the early types of ladders consisted of a pole 

 about 4 inches in diameter split at the base and spread 

 apart, and provided with short cross-arms or pins at 

 12- or 14-inch intervals from the bottom to the top. 

 This ladder, which is still used in some regions, is not 

 well adapted for orchard service by reason of the side 

 arms catching in the branches and interfering with 

 ease in handling. Of the ordinary ladders, the type 

 which is drawn together to a point at the top is far 

 superior to all the others. The pointed apex is easy to 

 insert into a tree and will rest securely and safely in 



2280. Four-legged ladders, for use 

 on level land. 



the crotch of a small limb, when a wide ladder would 

 press inward and split off the limb. The base of the 

 ladder should be well sprung to give stability when 

 resting against a tree. The maximum limit of length 

 which is practicable to secure in ladders of this type is 

 26 or 28 feet and even these lengths are cumbersome 

 and difficult to 

 handle. A modi- 

 fication of the ordi- 

 nary painters' ex- 

 tension ladder with 

 a pointed apex is 

 probably the most 

 convenient to use 

 in picking the tops 

 of trees 30 feet or 

 more in height. One 

 should pick such a 

 tree once for the 

 experience and then 

 make a vigorous 

 application of the 

 pruning-saw some feet below the top. 



For the picking of fruits from small trees, some type 

 of step-ladder is used. The best kind for the com- 

 mercial orchard is the tripod type in which the brace 

 or support consists of a single leg. This will rest firmly 

 upon uneven ground where it would be next to impos- 

 sible to place a four-legged ladder securely. There are 

 several forms of these ladders; those shown in Fig. 2279 

 are probably the most serviceable kinds. These ladders 

 may be used as long as 10 or 12 feet, but 8 feet makes a 

 more comfortable and practical length, particularly if 

 the ground is slightly uneven. Some ladders are pro- 

 vided with an adjustable iron base for side-hill use or 

 for service upon very uneven ground, which work fairly 

 well but are rather heavy to carry, and the iron base 

 sinks into the soil too much. Some peach-growers use 

 a modification of the step-ladder in the form of a low 

 platform on light legs. The four-legged ladders are 

 shown in Fig. 2280; and forms of tree-ladders and 

 extension-ladders in Fig. 2281. 



The ladders described above are the ones mostly used 

 by the experienced orchardist. For the orchard of the 

 amateur and home grower, many elaborate or modified 

 forms are offered, but while these are interesting they 

 give way to simple pattern when the grower learns how. 



Another device that often appeals to the novice is 

 the mechanical picker. Here many designs and styles 

 may be offered, 

 most of them con- 

 sisting of a long 

 pole with a cup at 

 the end. The pole 

 offers little oppor- 

 tunity for elabora- 

 tion but in the form 

 of cup, method of 

 attachment, form of 

 hook for dislodging 

 fruit and other 

 details, inventive 

 genius has enjoyed 

 an unrestricted 

 field. Ingenious 

 though these de- 

 vices may be, their 

 field of usefulness is 

 extremely limited. 



For picking ap- 

 ples, pears and 

 peaches, the round, 

 smooth-s t av e , 

 swing -handle, half- 

 bushel basket is 2 281. Tree-ladders. At the left are 

 probably the most two forms of extension-ladders 



