Design and Performance Evaluation of Transporter with Scissor Lift Mechanism for Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunch

Abstract Available oil palm fresh fruit bunch transporters, such as wheelbarrows, tracked machines, and tractors with trailers, present notable limitations in terms of load capacity, accessibility, and causing soil compaction. Additionally, most existing machines lack the capability for direct unloading into collection bins. This research aimed to design and develop a wheeled oil palm fresh fruit bunch transporter equipped with a scissor lift mechanism to facilitate direct unloading, thereby addressing the limitations. Based on the design analysis, the transporter could operate effectively on steep mineral terrains and low ground pressure peat soils, with a load capacity of up to 750 kg. Design evaluations confirmed that the scissor lift mechanism could raise maximum loads and unload them directly into collection truck bins. The average field working capacity of the transporter was found to be 15 t·day −1 . The development of this transporter represents a significant contribution in medium-sized fresh fruit bunch evacuation systems, combining operational efficiency with minimal soil compaction.