11 Harvesting tools: Descriptions, Uses, and Maintenance.

Meaning of Harvesting Tools

These are small hand tools used for removing crops from the soil or trees. Harvesting is the process of removing fully matured crops from the soil or trees. Crops such as yam, cassava, rice, beans, mangoes, cashews, cocoa, etc. need to be harvested when fully matured.

Harvesting is mostly done when vegetables, fruits, tubers, cereals, and other crops reach full maturity or when they are ripe. Root crops can only be identified at maturity when the leaves turn yellow. The process of harvesting fruit crops differs significantly from that of cereal crops and that of cereal crops is also different from that of the vegetable.

When crops are harvested at the right time the quality, taste, and quantity are preserved. These qualities, tastes, and quantities are also influenced by the types of farm tools adopted for harvesting crops. Harvesting crops with the wrong small farm tools can lead to the destruction or wounding of the crops.

Fruit crops are harvested with a fruit picker, rice, or forage are harvested with a sickle while palms are harvested with a go-to-hell or the long handle sickle.

Crops are very difficult to harvest, plantation crops such as apples, citrus, mangoes, and more cannot be harvested by farm implements or machines like forages, rice, and other tuber crops. So using the right harvesting tools is very crucial. More so, high-to-reach crops need the right tools to be harvested.    

Small farm tools such as the sickle, fruit picker, cutlass, tapping knife, apple rack, fold berry picker, harvesting bags, harvesting scoop, and fruit shears are very important harvesting tools for crops. These tools are paramount in the garden, orchard, and farm for efficient harvesting of crops, help preserve freshness, and prevent deterioration of crops.  

Harvesting Tools and Their Uses/ Functions

Using the right tools for harvesting agricultural produce helps increase the quality and quantity of crops. Some types of harvesting tools designed for harvesting crops are discussed below. 

Fruit Picker

The Fruit Picker is made of a small metal rod constructed to form a basket. The small rods are arranged vertically in the shape of a bell or form U-shaped. The vertical rods are held together by a circular rod. The upper part of the basket has tiny sharp rods that help to cut the fruit pedicel.

The vertical rods are arranged from the top to form a small round base where the handles are fixed. The hand of the fruit picker can be a wooden or metal handle depending on the farmer’s choice. Adjustable handles also exist. The handle is fixed to the basket with the aid of a clipper or binding wire. 

The fruit picker is designed to harvest fruit just like the human hand. to use the fruit picker, extend the tool to the fruit to be plucked, hook the tool on the fruit pedicel, and gently hit the fruit pedicel. The fruit will fall into the baskets instead of falling on the ground.

The tools remain the best agricultural tools for harvesting fruits. The fruit picker comes in various designs and shapes such as the basket fruit picker, bags fruit pickers, and telescopic fruit pickers. The handles can be adjustable or fixed at various tree heights.

The advantage of this type of tool is that it prevents fruit from falling to the ground, reduces fruit deterioration, and aids in clean harvesting.   

Functions / Uses of the Fruit Picker

The functions of the fruit picker include

1. It is an excellent tool for harvesting fruit crops such as mangoes, apples, cashews, etc. 
2. It is a perfect tool for harvesting hard-to-reach crops.

Maintenance of the Fruit Picker

The following maintenance measures should be observed while using the fruit Picker.

1. Wash and sun-dried after use
2. Ensure that the plucking basket or bag is tightly fixed to the handle while using.
3. keep the fruit picker bag type away from rodents.
4. The wooden handle should be kept in a termite-free area.
5. Paint metal parts regularly to avoid rusting or corrosion.

Berry Picker 

A berry picker is made of wood, plastic, or metal. The tool is made of three components, the plucking component, the carrying component, and the handle. The plucking components consist of a small metal rod arranged in the form of a comb or prong-like teeth.

The carrying components can be a bag or a small rectangular box designed to temporarily hold the fruit while plucking. The handle is a small curved metal rod attached to the berry picker for ease of plucking and carrying of the harvested fruits.

The tool comes in various designs and sizes depending on the choice of the manufacturers or the users. This hand tool functions in such a way that the comb or prong-like teeth are hooked to the berry pedicel (i.e. the attachment of the berry plant) and gently scooped the hooked berries by applying force to achieve harvesting or plucked

Many berries can be harvested quickly and conveniently with the berry picker just like the fruit picker. It is an instrument designed for harvesting berries and other seed crops. The tool is lightweight and easy to handle   

Uses of the Berry Picker

The uses of the berry picker are:

1. It is designed for harvesting berries of all types such as blueberries, blackberries, etc.
2. It can also be used to temporarily store harvested berries or fruit.

Maintenance of the Berry Picker

The following maintenance measures should be observed while using the berry Picker

1. Wash and sun-dried after use.
2. Always check the handle before using the tools.
3. Straighten the bent prong before and after usage.
4. Keep the wooden component of the berry picker away from termites.
5. Metal berry pickers should be stored in a place free from sun and rain.

Harvesting Scoop 

The harvesting scoop is made of stainless steel or bronze. The tools have a small hand shape similar to that of a shovel. The scooping tool is made of straight prongs like the garden fork but has all its side walls round.

The digging edge has a slightly blunt metal edge. The handle is attached to the metal part with the aid of a screw. The handle can be wooden or metal. The tool is used to remove soil from potatoes without necessarily using a hand.  

Uses of the Harvesting Scoop 

The harvesting tools are used for the following 

1. It is an excellent tool for harvesting potatoes, carrot cocoyam, etc. 
2. It can be used for transplanting seedlings. 
3. It is a perfect tool for harvesting crops sown on pots and other containers.

Maintenance of the Harvesting Scoop

The maintenance measures of the harvesting scoop are

1. Keep the wooden component of the harvesting scoop away from termites
2. Store in an area free from sun and rain.
3.  Wash and sun-dried after use.

Sickle

The sickle is made of a metal blade and wooden handle. The hooked-like shape farm tool is made of a sharp metal blade and a blunt edge. The tool is made of a wooden handle that is attached to a metal blade. Read more on sickle 

Uses of the Sickle.

The uses of the sickle are

1. It is used to harvest cereals such as wheat, rice, etc.
2. It is used to harvest forages or folders.

Maintenance of the Sickle

The maintenance measures of the sickle are

1. Sharpened metal blade regularly.
2. Keep the wooden handle in a termite-free area.
3. Store in an area free from sun and rain.
4.  Wash and sun-dried after usage
5. Rub metal blade with oil before storing

Cutlass

A cutlass is made of a cylindrical metal blade, the blade is made of two edges, the sharpened and the blunt edge. The cutlass is made of wooden, plastic, or ceramic handles.

The handle is fixed to a wide tang of the metal blade with the aid of three nuts and bolts. the handle is well-carved or design for easy handling. The metal blade is made of three lines that terminate at the middle. 

Uses of the Cutlass

The uses of the cutlass are 

1. The cutlass is used for harvesting all categories of crops.
2. It is used for harvesting forages and folders.
3. It is an excellent tool for harvesting oil palm.

Maintenance of the cutlass

The maintenance measures of the cutlass are:

1. sharpened the cutlass regularly before use.
2. Keep the handle away from rodents and termites.
3. Rub the metal blade with oil before storing.

Tapping knife 

The tapping knife is made of a curved metal blade with a v-shaped curved tip at the posterior end of the metal. The tool is about 10-15 cm, long and the handle of the tapping knife is made of wood or plastic.

The metal blade is fixed to the wooden or plastic handle with the aid of two to three nuts and bolts. The tapping edge is sharp and requires constant sharpening for effective usage.

Uses of the Tapping Knife

The uses of the tapping are 

1. It is used to wound rubber trees to harvest latex.
2. It is used to insert a small metal tool into the rubber panel to channel latex into the latex cuts.

Maintenance of the Tapping Knife

The maintenance measures of the tapping knife are

1. Sharpened the tapping edge regularly.
2. Do not wash the tapping knife.
3. Clean and disinfect after use.
4. Rub the metal blade with oil before storing.
5. Store the handle in a place free from rodents and termites.

Fruit Shears.

The fruit shear is a gardener tool made of stainless, or carbon of high quality. The tools are held together by a nut and bolts at the pivot.

The tool is made of a small flat sharp jaw which is used for cutting. The handle is made of a metal rod coated with a plastic handle. 

Uses of the Fruit Shears

1. It is used for harvesting fruit crops. 
2. It is an excellent tool for harvesting mushrooms.

Maintenance of the Fruit Shear

The maintenance measures of the fruit shear are

1. Ensure that pivot nuts are tightly fixed.
2. Sharpened the cutting edge with sharpened stone regularly before use.
3. Oil the fulcrum regularly.

Fruit Rack, 

The fruit rack is made of either wood or plastic, and it is designed in various sizes and shapes. The rack is similar to the basket ranger with multiple units, each of the units has a hollow drawer for storing fruits.

The rack is designed such that the air can flow within the rack and it should be constructed in a way that prevents rodents from gaining access to the units. A popular example of the fruit rack is the apple rack. 

Uses of the Fruit Rack

The fruit rack is used for the following.

1. It is used for storing fruits of various sizes and side
2. It is also used to store harvested vegetables. 

Maintenance of the Fruit Rack

The maintenance measures of the fruit rack are

1. keep the fruit rack away from rodents and termites.
2. store in an area free from rain and sun.

Containers, Baskets, and Bin

The baskets or containers are made of Plastic or locally crafted baskets. They come in various sizes and shapes to suit the needs of the users.

The basket or containers just like the fruit rack are designed to allow air flow in and out of the basket or container. These harvesting tools are also designed with tiny holes to prevent rodents and other large insects from gaining access. Moreso, they are also constructed with a handle for easy handling. 

Uses of Containers, Baskets, and Bin

The uses of these harvesting tools are  

1. They are used for storing fruit. 
2. They are also used for storing vegetables. 
3. They help to transport fruit from the point of harvest to the farmstead.

Maintenance of the Basket and Containers

The maintenance measures of these harvesting tools are

1. keep them away from rodents and termites.
2. Handle with care to avoid breaking.

Aprons 

An apron is a small cloth made of cotton or Polycotton designed to always hang on the neck and tied at the back during food preparations.

There are modern designs of aprons with various sizes and shapes for multiple uses. Some aprons come with removable, Adjustable straps and waist belts. The apron is designed in such a way that there are pouches on the front for carrying harvested produce. 

Uses of the Aprons

The apron is used for the following 

1. It is used to carry harvested fruits during harvesting.
2. It is an excellent tool to carry vegetable crops during harvesting.

Maintenance of the Apron

The maintenance measures of this Apron are

1. Tighten the strap or the rope firmly before use.
2. Wash and sun dry regularly.
3. keep them away from rodents.

Harvesting Bags.

These are High-quality bags made of various materials such as Cotton, leather polyester (resistant nylon), and Cordura. These bags are stylishly designed as an alternative to the fruit harvesting Apron.

The harvesting tools come with removable, adjustable straps and waist belts for ease of handling. The harvesting bags are similar to the back-carrying shuttle bag, but different from the back-carrying shuttle bag because the harvesting bag is a front-carrying bag. It has various belts and straps to provide a firm grip. 

Uses of the Harvesting Bags

The uses of the harvesting bags are:

1. It is used for gathering harvested fruit citrus, apples, coffee, and other tree fruit. 
2. It is an excellent tool for storing harvested fruit during harvesting 

Maintenance of the harvesting Bags

The maintenance measures of the harvesting Bag are

1. Tighten or adjust strap firmly before use
2. Wash and sun dry regularly
3. Keep them away from rodents

Various Types of Agricultural Harvesting Tool