TOP and foodlife unveil new machine to pick grapes

Netherlands-based food technology company TOP, along with a technology supplier foodlife, has unveiled a new grape picking machine, named the Pluckr, at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin.

With this patented technology, fruit processors can now pick grapes from the stem on a large scale without damaging the product, while ensuring longer shelf life and quality.

The Pluckr, which is operated by a maximum of two operators, shakes the grapes off rapidly and easily, without damaging; this makes it economically feasible to sell loosely packed grapes.

In the machine, a bunch of grapes is attached to a clamp and a vibration technique is used to shake and loose the grapes.

Depending on the size and type, the machine can process 300 to 600kg of grapes per hour — this results in a high cost reduction and a quality gains, as one person, by hand, can do 15 to 20kg per hour.

The first machine is delivered to a fruit processor in the Benelux.

Both companies will now continue the development of the Pluckr for other fruits, including berries.

Fruit processors can easily combine the Pluckr with PerfoTec’s Respiration Control System to better maintain the quality and achieve new geographic markets.

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Image: New grape picking machine, the Pluckr. Photo: courtesy of thefoodagency.nl.