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Distributing Pallet Boxes in the Orchard 



Empty pallet boxes can be distributed in the orchard from tractor-drawn 

 stoneboats, orchard trailers, and tractor-mounted forklift attachments „ One 

 man can drag boxes from the low surface of the stoneboat (figs. 1 and 2). A 

 2-man crew speeds up the operation and may be desirable, particularly if an 

 orchard trailer is used. Pallet boxes must be carefully positioned by the 

 trees so that they can be readily picked up with a tractor forklift. This is 

 particularly true if the boxes have only two-way entry pallets and the trees 

 are closely spaced. A stoneboat with 6 or 8 pallet boxes loaded one high can 

 be maneuvered in the orchard with a minimum amount of injury to the trees and 

 unpicked fruit. 



Empty pallet boxes can be distributed in the orchard with the tractor 

 forklift that is used to haul out filled boxes (fig. 3). The operator takes 

 along two empty boxes into the orchard when he goes to pick up filled boxes. 

 This may be a more efficient operation in some cases, as the tractor carries a 

 load both ways. It has worked out satisfactorily for some producers. There 

 is apt to be damage to unpicked fruit when boxes are moved two high into un- 

 picked trees. Extra tractor travel is sometimes necessary with this method as 

 empty boxes have to be located ahead of where the filled boxes are picked up. 



When empty pallet boxes are hauled two high, some means is necessary to 

 hold the top box in place. A hydraulically-controlled hold-down of the type 

 used for steadying standard boxes on pallets, such as shown in figure 4, can 

 be used. It is, however, a considerable added expense and tends to catch 

 limbs when moving around the orchard. Simple flange-like brackets, one on 

 either side of the bins and fastened to the vertical back frame of the tractor 

 forklift, are much simpler and cheaper. They do not require operating time 

 nor catch limbs (fig. 3). 



Filling Pallet Boxes 



Pallet boxes are filled much the same as standard boxes. Pickers usually 

 empty their picking bags into the pallet boxes from different sides. They dump 

 into the low side or spot to prevent unnecessary rolling of the apples <, Care- 

 less emptying of picking bags without lowering them to the bottom of the pallet 

 box, results in excessive bruising. Piece-work rates by the pallet box were 

 found desirable in order to have a check on individual pickers. 



Usually pickers liked pallet boxes better than standard boxes after they 

 became used to them. Setting up of field boxes and much leveling off of filled 

 boxes is eliminated with pallet boxes and harvesting goes somewhat faster. 

 Emptying into pallet boxes is easier. Pickers can lean against the edge of 

 the pallet box and avoid much of the back strain that results when they empty 

 into standard field boxes. 



