GRADING 285 



Mechanical Sorters 



The Schellenberger machine and how it works. What the fruit- 

 grower requires in the way of a mechanical sorter is one that will 

 meet every condition presented by the shape of the fruit and by 

 the size and shape of the packages, which range from the barrel 

 to the paper carton. A machine that will meet these conditions 

 must not only do accurate cheek-to-cheek measuring but must be 

 capable of quick and fine adjustment, so that the sizing is done 

 when the apples reach the packing table. When the box is full 

 it must represent a perfect pack having the proper bulge, regardless 

 of the experience or lack of experience on the packer's part. 



Transferring apples to the hopper. This work is accomplished 

 by first placing a piece of burlap about 20 inches wide and 3 feet 

 long over the top of the orchard box. This burlap is held in posi- 

 tion while the box is placed upside down upon the hopper bottom. 

 The box is then slowly lifted from the apples, allowing them to 

 settle gently upon the hopper bottom just back of the color and 

 blemish sorters. The burlap is then drawn out from under the 

 apples, leaving them on the hopper bottom in a single layer. 



Color and blemish sorting. This feature of the work has been 

 given most careful study, in order to eliminate any chance of 

 bruising and still permit accurate and rapid work. The machine 

 is so designed that the feeding and the feed-regulating are done 

 automatically, thus leaving the sorters with only the sorting to 

 attend to. 



The sorting is accomplished in this way : The degree of color- 

 ing and the blemishes on the upturned sides of, say, five apples 

 are noted ; then, with fingers extended, the sorter rolls them half 

 over, thus bringing to view the sides not already inspected. A 

 glance is sufficient, and they are pushed to the near end of the 

 feedway, one section taking the first grade, another section the 

 second grade, and the machine doing the rest. Culls are picked 

 up by the sorters and dropped into the cull box. After a few 

 hours' practice at color and blemish sorting with the machine, a 

 beginner will do more and better work than an expert sorter without 

 the aid of the machine. Since the sorter does not handle the 

 marketable apples, there is no chance to drop the fruit or to cause 



