PVC Fruit Picker

by **Sonshine** Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:17 pm

Since we don't have a place for orchards and fruit groves, thought I'd place this here:

http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-FRUIT-PICKER/

This fruit picker was designed for oranges, but it works for other fruit also. The body of the picker holds several oranges before needing to be emptied. That speeds up the picking process when there are lots of fruit.

The main feature of interest is the "J" shaped channel at the end of the pipe. One makes a spear-like thrust with the picker to get the fruit inside the pipe. The stem of the fruit follows through the "J" channel. A twist and pull of the picker put the stem at the end of the "J" slot, where a sharp razor blade cuts it. The fruit falls into the head of the picker.

Alternative ways of mounting the pole will be described.

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step 1CLOSING THE BOTTOM
PVC is a thermoplastic. It softens with heat and rigidifies again when it cools. This property makes it a useful material for inventions. Cut the section of pipe you p…

step 2CUT THE "J" CHANNEL
Remember that you will be exerting some force when you pull at the fruit. If the blade is dull, you will be exerting more force. If the blade is missing you can still use…

step 3CUT THE BLADE MOUNTING SLITS
Two slits at the sides of the "J" channel hold the razor blade in position. Razor blade replacements slide in from the side and are held by the two slits. Drill four sm…

step 4MOUNT THE RAZOR BLADE
Mounting the razor blade is a little difficult. Be careful to avoid cuts. You have already gained some experience heating and shaping PVC when you folded the fingers th…

step 5ATTACH THE HANDLE
By now you know the basics of heating and forming PVC. The mounting bracket below is made from the same diameter pipe as the base. Heat the central area with the torch to…

step 6ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MOUNT THE POLE
These alternative ways to mount the pole are maybe not as elegant as the molded plastic bracket. They are, however, lighter, faster to make, and suitably strong. Flatten…

For picture tutorial go to the site.