Effect of picker roller diameter and bristle length in the experimental test rig and the development of mechanical type neem fruit (Azadirachta indica) picker collector

Manual collection of neem fruit is time-consuming, labor intensive and costly, with cost of collection exceeding the selling price. Hence, an investigation was carried out to test the efficiency of pertinent machine variables viz. three levels of picker roller diameter (152, 204, and 250 mm) and three levels of bristle length (30, 40, and 50 mm). A prototype neem fruit picker collector was developed based on the optimized parameters of major components, viz., picker assembly, collector assembly, fruit ejector, connector frame, traction wheels and handle. The developed prototype in actual field conditions can be collected.48 kg of neem fruit per hour with 75% picking efficiency and, 94% collection efficiency and 24.30% of missing index. Thus, it offers a more efficient alternative to manual collection.