Design and evaluation of an improved aluminium harvesting pole (Hi-Reach) for tall palm harvesting
ABDUL RAZAK Jelani , AHMAD HitamA new harvesting pole (Hi-Reach), specifically designed for tall palms trees (>,12 m high),was developed and tested. It comprised three sections, namely, the basal, middle and top sections, which were joined through a telescopic method to make up a total length of 15 m. The pole was oval with cross-sectional diameters of the major and minor axes of 44 mm x 41 mm, 40 mm x 35.5 mm and 35.5 mm x 29 mm for the basal, middle and top sections, respectively. With section lengths of 3 m and 6 m, it was possible to have three combinations for the total length of 15 m. The combinations of length are denoted as Pole X (3 m + 6 m + 6 m), Pole Y (6 m + 6 m + 3 m) and Pole Z
(6 m + 3 m + 6 m).
A physical test was carried out with the objective of investigating the effects of the design parameters (cross-sectional shape, dimension and combination of length) on the weight, deflection, distance of centre of gravity from the base (cofg) and lifting moment. The test carried out showed that Pole X exhibited the least weight and lifting moment, and the shortest distance of cofg, while Pole Y exhibited the opposite characteristics. The weight, lifting moment and distance of cofg of Pole X were 7 kg, 56.35 kg-m and 8.05 m, respectively. In comparison, the parameters for Pole Y were 7.5 kg, 61.43 kg-m and 8.19 m.
The poles were sent to over 20 commercial plantations in Peninsular Malaysia for field evaluation. The results of the trial showed that Pole X produced the highest harvesting productivity (146 FFB day-1), while Poles Y and Z only harvested 123 FFB day-1 and 102 FFB day-1, respectively. From these results, it clearly indicated that poles with the characteristics of lightweight, shorter distance of cofg from the base and lower lifting moment (in this case, Pole X) gave better productivity than poles with the opposite characteristics.
This study revealed that harvesting productivity was significantly influenced by the pole characteristics, viz. weight, deflection, distance of cofg and lifting moment. However, these characteristics are very much influenced by the pole design parameters such as its cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional dimensions and combination of lengths.
It was concluded that Pole X (3 m + 6 m + 6 m) was the best combination as proven through the physical test and field trials
Tags: OIL PALM-Harvesting, HARVESTING POLES, MPOB PUBLICATIONS, ALUMINIUM HARVESTING POLES
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