Evaluation of a Laboratory-based Prototype of a Comb-type Picking Mechanism for Chili Pepper Harvester

PurposeChili is a spice cum vegetable crop popular for the production of dry chili powder, canned or frozen chili sauces, pickles, etc. However, its conventional manual harvesting practice is time-consuming method and the unavailability of labor during the picking season causes a delay in the harvesting period which directly impart poor-quality product.MethodsIn this study, a comb-type picking mechanism was developed for multiple-pass harvesting and the optimal working conditions were evaluated considering picking mechanism rotational speed and plant conveying speed. The comb-type picking mechanism was designed by considering the physical and mechanical properties of chili cultivar and the laboratory setup consists of a plant conveying system, picking mechanism, real-time operating system (RTOS), and power transmission system.ResultsPicking efficiency increased significantly under higher picking unit rotational speeds and lower plant conveying speed. On the other side, chili pepper damage decreased significantly under lower picking unit rotational speeds and higher plant conveying speed. The plant conveying speed was 1.47 km/h and rotational speed of picking unit was 177.55 rpm considered for optimum performance output with a maximum picking efficiency of 78.17 % and minimum chili pepper damage of 2.62 %.ConclusionsIt has been observed that the comb-type picking mechanism was efficient in picking of chili pepper from chili plant with a maximum picking efficiency at optimal settings. Further retrofitting of such picking unit to a self-propelled agriculture machine to harvest chili pepper in actual field conditions and a replacement to conventional harvesting process.