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Mechanized Coconut Harvester
Mechanized Coconut Harvester
First and foremost, praises and thanks to God, the Almighty, for His showers of
blessings throughout my work to complete the research successfully.
I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my research adviser, Engr.
Benjamin, Professor, MCA, ME, CB, Mechanical Engineering Department, Technological
Institute of the Philippines-Manila for giving me the opportunity to do research and
providing invaluable guidance throughout this research. His dynamism, vision, sincerity
and motivation have deeply inspired me. He taught me the methodology to carry out the
research and to present the research works as clearly as possible. It was a great privilege
and honor to work and study under his guidance. I am extremely grateful for what he had
offered me. I would also like to thank him for her friendship, empathy, and great sense of
humor. I am extending my heartfelt thanks for the acceptance and patience i had with him
on research study preparation.
I am extremely grateful to my parents for their love, prayers, caring and sacrifices
for educating and preparing me for my future.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKOWLEDGMENT…………………………………………………………………………….i
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………….….ii-iii
LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………………..iv
Research Paradigm…………………………………………………………………….…10
Assumptions……………………………………………………………………………….11
Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………….11-12
Operational Definition……………………………………………………………………..12
CHAPTER 3 Methodology……………………………………………………………………13
Research Design…………………………………………………………………………..13
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CHAPTER 4 Results and Discussion……………………………………………………15-25
CHAPTER 5……………………………………………………………………………………26
Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………26
APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………………….27
iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Research Paradigm……………………………………………………………………………10
iv
Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
CHAPTER 1
Falling fruit from trees such as coconut, breadfruit and jackfruit trees can pose a
jeopardy to people in the vicinity of the tree. People have been hurt and in some cases
killed by falling coconuts. Property such as cars may also be blemish by falling fruit.
Circumspection which have been inked to attenuate the perils associated with such trees
includes simple warning signs alerting people to the dangers, removing fruit when green
before it ripens and falls and even removing the annoying trees. Fruit removal is a
manually intensive and costly scheme. Further, green fruit may still become dislodged
under conditions such as high wind or be alleviate or dislodged by animals feeding on the
Other types of trees drop fruit, nuts, seeds and the like, which although may not pose
a safety threat, the falling of such bodies may be undesirable. For example, the dropping
of fruit, seeds or the like onto areas such as lawns, golf greens, swimming pools and the
like is unacceptable for many reasons. Presently, when trees are fruiting and dropping
fruit, the dropped fruit must be manually cleaned and cleared from the expanse. Such
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Harvesting of fruit from trees may also be an energy intensive operation. Harvesting
of coconuts for example is still carried out by conventional methods. The simplest method
is to wait for the coconuts to drop on the ground and manually pick them up. A detriment
of collecting coconuts from the ground is that it is manually exhaustive. Further, while on
the ground coconuts are susceptible to damage by animals and rodents in particular.
Alternatively, and/or in addition to, trained climbers climb the trees to pick the coconuts.
In some Asian countries specially trained monkeys are used for this purpose. Seed
collection is another area where collectors wait for seeds to fall onto the ground and/or
climb trees to collect the seeds. Again this is a manually intensive process. Further,
Various types of fruit collecting or harvesting devices have been contemplated over
the years. Some of these devices include a fruit catching apron or the like which extends
radially from the trunk of the tree. In many cases, these earlier devices include quite
intricate attachment and support means in the form of rigid support arms. Some earlier
devices represent inverted umbrellas. Some of these devices include perplexed means
for guiding the fruit from a catching are to a collection area. These earlier devices
generally include numerous parts, are lavish to manufacture and complicated and time
consuming to install. Further, in view of the intricate nature of the devices and moving
parts therein, routine maintenance is required. Further such devices are subject to
damage by the weight of the falling fruit themselves and under adverse weather
conditions.
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Further, it is believed that many of these earlier devices were developed based on the
assumption that trees grow vertically and trunks have a circular cross-section.
It is therefore a goal of the invention to yield a device for collecting vegetation falling
from a tree, which may at least partially overthrow the above disadvantages or provide
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
Coconut is one of the most valuable gifts of nature to mankind. Every part of a
coconut tree has its own use or applications. It is generally called “Tree of Heaven”,
Coconut servers as a veritable source of food and drinks to millions of people in the
tropics. The coconut crop is gaining significance as a fiber crop, beverage and a medical
crop. Coconut is a crop with unique features. Owing to its versatile uses, the demand for
coconut and its products has been on the increase. Due to multifarious uses, the future
of the crop is very bright irrespective of the locations where it is grown in the world.
Falling coconuts can cause injury to the head, back, and shoulders. Since mature
coconut palms may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and an unhusked coconut may
weigh 1 to 4 kg, blows to the head of a force exceeding 1 metric ton are possible. It is true
that a person can be injured, and in some cases killed, by a coconut because the trees
are tall, and the velocity of the coconut accelerates as it falls. This could essentially be
the equivalent of dropping a coconut, in many cases, off a ten-story building. Passers-by
could have concussions, and it would be theoretically possible for a direct hit to cause
death. This would be especially the case if a small child or infant were hit. Most people
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
This study aims to determine the reasons why should a Mechanized Coconut
c. Manually Intensive Procedure if fall onto areas such as lawns, golfs, swimming
To the people within the vicinity of the killer tree, Mechanized Coconut Harvester
serves as a safety harvesting device to prevent jeopardy from the falling coconuts.
device wherein the fruit collection can be lowered when the basket limits its capacity.
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
This research work study compile with the researchers started last November 23 up
to March 22, 2018. This study is primarily focus not only to safety of the people as well
as properties but also to have a useful harvesting device which can harvest the fruit-
bearing tree with ease. This study covers harvesting of fruit issues and how it can be
shunned.
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
CHAPTER 2
Conceptual Framework
This chapter presents the literature, studies conducted, and the readings significantly
related to this present study. Hence, they serve and provide essential background to this
study.
a.) According to history coconut palm derived from African country and suitable
planted at warm climate. Country which produces oil palm mostly was in world north.
Malaysia is either country that largest production oil palm in the world. Malaysia has
competitive advantage in palm oil industry because has owned experience more than
century and lead market from productivity aspect and R&D. Every seed coconut palm is
very important to national income. Oil palm can be processed and make various
commercial material needed by market. There is high demand from local factories which
made commercial material such as soap, wax, cooking oil, margarine, biscuit, and others.
Palm oil originated from oil palm fruit. Oil palm fruit contain husk, shell and kernel. Palm
oil is located in husk area and kernel. Palm oil which originated from husk called as palm
oil and oil which originated from kernel called kernel oil. Hereby many new machines were
created to facilitate works whether in aspect unload or knitting. Most machine or tools
were created to discharge and cut bunch and oil palm fronds but no machine to facilitate
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process collection loose fruit. Every bunch of cutting will cause at least 5% oil palm fruit
fall separated on the land. Loose fruit means lost income. If this fruit uncollected,
entrepreneur oil palm planter would loss big profit besides pay cost of area maintenance.
To collect the loose oil palm fruit cause big problem to this crop entrepreneur. Previously,
method used to collect the loose fruit with conventional or traditional 6 methods. This
meant collects using hand and employees have to sit squatting, bow or bend their body
to collect fruit on the land and need to move from one tree to another tree. This method
causes backbone will feel pain. Oil palm owner will not let seed oil palm this without picked
up because loose oil palm fruit also important role to increase the total collection and an
individual’s income.
b.) Based on the comparison, the conventional method or technique by using hand,
nail rake or scoop is not suitable to uses in the collection loose fruit problem. This is
because this technique always causes big problem to the oil palm planter because the
workers always sick waist and need to sit when want to collect fruit. This technique cause
trouble to worker and need more times to collect the loose fruit at the land. Workers need
to collect loose fruit one by one and need to move from one tree to another tree. The
method or technique to collect loose fruit using disc collector is suitable to uses in the
collection loose fruit problem. This is because this technique makes easy to workers to
collect loose fruit. Disc collector has nail as a sticker to stick the fruit and has a mechanism
removed tool to remove fruit at once. Workers an able to see fruit those stick at nail
because disc is made by acrylic or clear plastics. The loose fruit can collect and remove
at once and no need to sit or band body. This product is portable and anywhere. These
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products also easy to bring on bicycle, motorcycle or any vehicles because the parts can
be dissembled and separated between holder and fruit collector. However, this technique
has a several disadvantages but the workers can cover this problem to make sure that
the time not waste and workers not sick waist. The problems appear from this technique
usually such as rubbish presence and high injury fruit. The rubbish presence problem can
easy to solve with separated the rubbish from the nail. The injury fruit problems are difficult
has advantages and disadvantages, benefits and weakness own. Anywhere, costumers
cannot run or avoid from advantages and disadvantages or benefits and weakness for
some products.
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
Research Paradigm
Knowledge Planning of
the Research
Requirement Preparation
of the
-Mechanical materials and
equipment to
Engineering be used
Designing of
Principles
the Prototype
-Machine
Shop Prototype
Findings and
Practices Conclusions
Recommendat
-Engineering ions
Standards
Hard Ware
-Solid Works
Assumptions
-CAD
People
Definition Ware
of Term
-ME Students
Operational Definition
-ME
Practitioners
Research Paradigm 10
Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
Assumptions
It is believed that many of these earlier devices were developed based on the
assumption that trees grow vertically and trunks have a circular cross-section.
Definition of Terms
surface.
Intensive is concentrated on a single area or subject or into a short time, very thorough
or vigorous.
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Lavish is a sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.
Trunk is the main woody stem of a tree as distinct from its branches and roots.
Operational Terms
Collar serves as a barrier to animals climbing he tree trunk to eat the fruit.
Fold Lines allow the device to be folded and stored in a flat manner.
Net Portion is a part of the net which guides the falling coconut to the basket.
Upper Perimeter defines the outer limit of the catching are to remain substantially
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The research design used by the researcher in this study is a descriptive research.
This particular design of research is concerned with the harvesting device which would
be a safety device in protecting people and properties within the vicinity of the killer tree.
Moreover, it is concerned not only with the people and properties within the vicinity but
also with how to collect the fruits without intensive process through the use of Mechanized
Coconut Harvester. This study provides useful information to the problems related to fruit
collection.
Research Locale
south, Danao City in the east and by the Tañon Strait in the west.
Sources of Data
The researcher’s sources of data are collected with the help of articles from
literature reviews from published journals, published research papers, newspapers,
magazines, etc. The articles from the include sources proves its relation to the research
work.
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M
CHAPTER 4
The invention relates to a safety and harvesting device. More particularly the
invention relates to a safety and/or harvesting device for use with fruit bearing trees.
Net Portion
Fingers
Aperture
Solid Collar
Mechanized
Collecting Zone
Coconut Harvester
FIG. 1 shows a preferred device of the invention. The device is in the form of a net
mixtures and blends thereof. The plastics material is sufficiently flexible such that the
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device may be manually formed to shape when being mounted to a tree, as will be
described further below. However, the device is also sufficiently rigid that when mounted
The device has a catching means in the form of a net portion. The device has an
aperture and a collar portion surrounding the aperture. The net and collar form a
continuous curved wall extending about the aperture. In use, a tree trunk passes through
aperture. The outer circumference of this aperture is lined with tree contacting fingers.
These fingers are at least partially flexible and can be pushed upwards or downwards by
contact with a tree trunk. It can be seen therefore that the aperture can be placed around
trees having different diameters, the difference in diameter being accommodated by the
movement of the fingers. The fingers also enable the device to be mounted to tree trunks,
which are not strictly circular in cross-section. About the aperture is a solid collar. In use,
this collar can act as a barrier to animals climbing the tree trunk to eat the fruit. For
example, it is known that rodents are able to climb coconut trees to access coconuts.
The upper perimeter of the net portion is provided with a ring of thicker plastic, which
serves to reinforce the perimeter. A second reinforcing ring is spaced from the outer ring.
In use, the reinforcing rings assist in the device retaining the shape as illustrated.
The area within the perimeter defines a catching zone. Any fruit falling within this
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FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show plan, end and side views respectively of device. It can be seen
in FIG. 2 that the catching zone is circular in plain view and is substantially in the shape
of a scalene cone. The aperture is centrally located within the circle when viewed in plan.
The catching zone netting may vary depending on the selection of fruit bearing trees.
The device has a collecting zone, which when the device is mounted to a tree, the
collecting zone is located lowermost. This may be more clearly seen by reference to FIGS.
3 and 4. It can be seen that fruit falling within the catching zone is guided by the curvature
of the net towards the collecting zone. The collecting zone has an aperture through which
collected fruit may pass. The collecting zone may be provided with a closure for the
aperture such that if desired fallen fruit may collect in the collecting zone and be removed
as desired by an operator.
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Eyelet
Joining Flaps
Facing Tabs
Line
FIG. 5 shows the device before being mounted to a tree. The device can essentially be
laid out flat. In order to assist in transport and storage the device is provided with fold
lines to allow the device to be folded and stored in a flat manner. In the unfolded and flat
position, the device has an oval shape with a wedge removed therefrom. Joining
flaps extend along each side of the wedge. During mounting to a tree, the device is placed
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about a tree trunk, flaps are brought together and joined. As the flaps are brought together
the device takes a shape similar to that of a scalene cone as can been seen from FIG. 1.
The device also includes inwardly facing tabs, which are also joined. of a scalene cone
as can been seen from FIG. 1. The device also includes inwardly facing tabs, which are
also joined.
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Collar
Supporting Members
Trunk
FIG. 6 shows schematically the device of FIG. 1 mounted to a tree trunk. The
device includes a collar mounted to the tree trunk above the net portion. Four flexible
support members, (the fourth not being visible) extend from the collar and attach to the
perimeter of the net portion. Support members are typically manufactured from nylon
webbing. The perimeter is provided with reinforced eyelets, which may be seen in detail
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in FIG. 5. The support members are of adjustable length, which allows the angle of the
device to be varied with respect to the tree trunk. Such variation may be desired when
the device is to be mounted to a tree trunk, which is not vertical. The variation allows the
upper perimeter of the device which defines the outer limit of the catching area to remain
substantially parallel to the ground regardless of the angle of the tree trunk.
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23
Mechanized
Coconut Harvester
Basket
Collecting
Zones
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FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate further preferred device of the present invention. This device is
similar to that of FIG. 1 and the same reference numerals will be used to describe the
same or similar features. Device includes a collecting basket located below collecting
zone. In use the basket collects the fallen fruit. The basket is formed separately from the
catching portion of the net and can be removed to allow emptying of fruit therefrom. This
device is mounted to a tree in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 6. The basket is
attached directly to the collar from which the device is suspended. In this way, the weight
of fruit in the basket is borne by the collar and does not deform the net.
In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the basket is attached to the collar by
a pulley system, which can be operated by a user on the ground. An operator can activate
the pulley so as to lower the basket to remove fruit therefrom and return the basket to its
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Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M
CHAPTER 5
The researcher concludes that with the use of Mechanized Coconut Harvester, the
threat pose of the killer tree within its vicinity not only to people but also to the properties
such as cars is negligible. Falling fruit normally picked up by using hand and put together
into bucket, sack or gunny. Manually Collection of fruit can be an intensive process and
can cause big problem to this crop entrepreneur. Also, it can lead to ergonomic injuries
resulting to back problems. Tree Climbing could lead to the injuries when the occurrence
of the accidents.
Recommendations
The researcher recommends the usage of the device since it is not only for harvesting
agent but also act as a safety device protecting anyone within the vicinity of the Coconut
Tree.
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