Models for economic evaluation of multi-purpose apple harvest platform and software development

Zhao Zhang, Zhaohua Zhang, Xinmiao Wang, Hu Liu, Yuanjie Wang, Weijie Wang

Abstract


An increasing number of U.S. apple growers are now interested in using harvest platforms to increase harvest productivity, expand labor pool, and alleviate tough working conditions. To maximize benefits, functions of thinning, pruning & training, and infield sorting have been or are to be incorporated into harvest platforms. Though growers are most concerned with economic benefits, few cost-benefit studies had been conducted on different platforms. In the meantime, economic analysis procedure is complex and each analysis is for one specific machine (not for general purposes). No software has been developed as a general and ready-to-use tool for growers and researchers for the platform economic analysis. In this study, platforms, both available on the marketplace and developed in lab as pilot trials, were reviewed. Costs and benefits models were then established, based on which multi-purpose apple harvest platform economic evaluation software (iMPAHP) was developed (capable of evaluating a wide variety of apple harvest platforms). A case study (machine cost of $100 000, accommodating 6 workers, processing apple incidence of 10% with 90% sort-out rate, and harvest, thinning, and pruning & training productivity increase by 40%, 50%, and 60%, respectively) based on iMPAHP demonstrated that infield sorting, harvest, thinning, and pruning and training accounted for 48.4%, 23.9%, 14.3%, and 13.4% of the total benefits, respectively. In the case that the platform was in all-four-purpose-application, the net present value (NPV) analysis of a 10-year investment showed a positive return of $60 547. However, without infield sorting function, the NPV resulted in a negative value, indicating a loss for the machine investment. Though incorporating the modular infield sorting system certainly increased the overall machine investment by $30 000, the benefits outweighed the costs.
Keywords: multi-purpose apple harvest platform, economic evaluation, infield sorting, pruning, thinning, training
DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191201.4360

Citation: Zhang Z, Zhang Z H, Wang X M, Liu H, Wang Y J, Wang W J. Models for economic evaluation of multi-purpose apple harvest platform and software development. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(1): 74–83.

Keywords


multi-purpose apple harvest platform, economic evaluation, infield sorting, pruning, thinning, training

Full Text:

PDF

References


Boyer J, Liu R H. Apple phytochemicals and their health benefits. Nutr. J. 2004; 3(5):1–15.

PBH. Produce for better health foundation. State of the plate, 2015 study on America’s consumption of fruit and vegetables. 2015. http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pdfs/about/res/pbh_res/State_of_the_Plate_2015_WEB_Bookmarked.pdf. Accessed on [2018-05-31]

LeFlufy M J. Harvest trials with a prototype apple harvester. J. Agric. Eng. Res., 1982; 27: 415–420.

Peterson D L, Bennedsen B S. Isolating damage from mechanical harvesting of apples. Appl. Eng. in Agric., 2005; 21(1): 31–34.

Luo R L, Lewis K M, Zhang Q, Wang S M. Assessment of bruise damage by vacuum apple harvester using an impact recording device. ASABE, Paper No: 121338094. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE, 2012.

Zhang Z, Heinemann P H, Liu J, Schupp J R, Baugher T A. Development of mechanical apple harvesting technology – A review. Trans. ASABE., 2016; 59(5): 1149–1156.

Freivalds A, Park S, Lee C, Earle-Richardson G, Mason C, May J J. Effect of belt/bucket interface in apple harvesting. Intl J. Ind. Ergonomics, 2006; 36(11): 1005–1010.

Fulmer S, Punnett L, Slingerland D T, Earle-Richardson G. Ergonomic exposures in apple harvesting: preliminary observations. American J. Ind. Med. Supplement, 2002; 2: 3–9.

Fathallah F A. Musculoskeletal disorders in labor-intensive agriculture. Appl. Ergonomics, 2010; 41: 738–743.

Domigan I R, Diener R G, Elliott K C, Blizzard S H, Nesselroad P E, Singha S, et al. A fresh fruit harvester for apples trained on horizontal trellises. J. Agric. Eng. Res., 1988; 41: 239–249.

Martin P L, Mines R. Immigration reform and California agriculture. Cal. Agr., 1983.Jan.-Feb:14–15.

Hansen M. Prepare now for labor shortages. Good Fruit Grower, 1999; 50(3): 41–42.

Warner G. Tighter borders may be keeping out workers. Good Fruit Grower, 2003; 54(11): 10–11.

Schupp J, Baugher T, Winzeler E, Schupp M, Messner W. Preliminary results with a vacuum assisted harvest system for apples. Fruit Notes, 2011; 6: 1–5

Tong J, Zhang Q, Karkee M, Jiang H, Zhou J. Understanding the dynamics of hand picking patterns of fresh market apples. ASABE Paper No.141898024. St. Joseph, Mich. 2014.

Peterson D L. Harvest mechanization progress and prospects for fresh market quality deciduous tree fruits. Hort. Tech., 2005; 15(1): 72–75.

DeKleine M E, Karkee M, Lewis K, Zhang Q. A fresh-market apple harvesting technique. ASABE Paper No. 131619241. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE, 2013.

Millier W F, Rehkugler G E, Pellerin R A, Throop J A, Bradley R B. Tree fruit harvester with insertable multilevel catching system. Trans. ASABE, 1973; 16(5): 844–850.

Berlage A G, Langmo R D. Harvesting apples with straddle-frame trunk shaker. Trans. ASAE, 1974; 17(2): 230–232, 234.

Peterson D L, Wolford S D. Fresh-market quality tree fruit harvester Part II: apples. Appl. Eng. in Agric. 2003; 19(5): 545–548.

Baeten J, Donne K, Boedrij S, Beckers W, Claesen E. Autonomous fruit picking machine: a robotic apple harvester. Springer Tracks in Advanced Robotics, 2008; 42: 531–539.

Bulanon D M, Kataoka T. Fruit detection system and an end effector for robotic harvesting of Fuji apples. Agric. Eng. Intl: CIGR Journal, 2010; 12(1): 203–210.

Zhao D A, Lv J D, Ji W, Zhang Y, Chen Y. Design and control of an apple harvesting robot. Biosystems Eng., 2011; 110(2): 112–122.

Robinson T, Hoying S, Sazo M M, DeMarree A, Dominguez L. A vision for apple orchard systems of the future. New York fruit Q., 2013; 21(3): 12–16.

Zhang Z, Heinemann P H., Liu J, Schupp J R, Baugher T. A. Design, fabrication, and testing of a low-cost apple harvest-assist device. ASABE Paper No. 141839738. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE, 2014.

Zhang Z, Heinemann P H. Economic analysis of a low-cost apple harvest-assist unit. HortTechnology, 2017; 27(2): 240–247

Jones R. The state of mechanical apple harvesting. http://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/the-state-of-mechanical-apple-harvesting/, 2015. Accessed on [2018-06-21]

Baugher T, Schupp J, Lesser K. Harsh R M, Lewis K, Seavert C, et al. Mobile platforms increase orchard management efficiency and profitability. Acta Hort., 2009; 824: 361–364.

Sparks B. The future is now for orchard technology. http://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/the-future-is-now-for-orchard-technology/2/, 2013. Accessed on [2018-04-22]

Zhang Z. Design, test, and improvement of a low-cost apple harvest-assist unit. PhD diss. State College, Pa.: Pennsylvania State University, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 2015.

Galinato S P, Gallardo R K, Miles C A. 2013 cost estimation of establishing a cider apple orchard in Western Washington. 2014. https://research.libraries.wsu.edu/xmlui/bitstream/hm2ndle/2376/5149/FS141E.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y. Accessed on [2018-04-22]

Mizushima A, Lu R. Cost benefits analysis of in-field presorting for the apple industry. Appl. Eng. in Agric., 2011; 27(1): 33–40.

Mizushima A, Lu R. A low-cost color vision system for automatic estimation of apple fruit orientation and maximum equatorial diameter. Appl. Eng. in Agric., 2013; 56(3): 813–827.

Lu R, Pothula A K, Vandyke M, Mizushima A, Zhang Z. System for sorting fruit. U.S. Patent 9,919,345. 2016.

Zhang Z, Pothual A, Lu R. Economic analysis of a self-propelled apple harvest and in-field sorting machine for the apple industry. ASABE annual meeting. Paper No. 2456644, 2016.

Peterson D, Wolford S D, Anger W C. Automated bin filling system. U.S. Patent No. 8,033,084 B1, 2011.

Julian J W, Seavert C F. AgProfit™: a net present value and cash flow based decision aid for agriculture producers. Agric. Finance Rev., 2011; 71(3): 366–378.

Zhang Z, Pothula A, Lu R. Economic evaluation of apple harvest and infield sorting technology. Trans. ASABE, 2017; 60(5): 1537–1550.

Zhang Z, Pothula A, Lu R. Development of a new bin filler for apple harvesting and infield sorting with a review of existing technologies. ASABE Paper No. 1700662. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE, 2017.

Zhang Z, Pothula A, Lu R. Development and preliminary evaluation of a new bin filler for apple harvesting and infield sorting machine. Trans. ASABE, 2017; 60(6): 1839–1849

Phil Brown Welding. DBR vaccum apple harvester. Retrieved from: http://www.philbrownwelding.com/index.php/new-products, 2016. Accessed on [2018-05-21]

Robinson T, Sazo M M. Recent advances of mechanization for the tall spindle orchard system in New York State – Part 2. NY Fruit Quarterly, 2013; 21(3): 3–7.

Munckhof. Pluk-O-Trak apple harvester. http://www.munckhof.org/ Pluk-O-Trak_Senior, 2016. Accessed on [2018-05-21]

Clark S. More apples, faster: harvester conceived by huron orchardists boosts productivity. 2015. http://www.fltimes.com/lifestyle/ more-apples-faster-harvester-conceived-by-huron-orchardists-boosts-productivity/article7e1d8be2 -6de2-11e5-96c9-1b016b66fbb3.html. Accessed on [2018-05-21]

Huronfruitsystems. Picking platform. 2015. http://www. huronfruitsystems.com/index_files/Page572.htm. Accessed on [2018-05-21]

Good fruit grower. Bandit Xpress harvest demonstration. 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXvWydK2z9g. Accessed on [2018-05-21]

Herrick C. How best to integrate man and machine. 2016. http://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/apples-pears/how-best-to-integrate-man-and-machine/. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

Wheat D. Harvest platform catches on. Apr. 23, 2014. http://www.capitalpress.com/Washington/20140423/hm2rvest-platform-catches-on. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

ASABE Standards. EP496.3: Agricultural machinery management. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE, 2011.

Gallardo K, Taylor M, Hinman H. Cost estimates of establishing and producing Gala apples in Washington. Washington State University, 2009.

Gallardo R K, Galinato S. 2012 cost estimates of establishing, producing, and packing red delicious apples in Washington. Washington State University, 2012.

Edwards W. Estimating farm machinery cost. Iowa State University, extension and outreach. 2015. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/ crops/html/a3-29.html. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

ASABE Standards. D497.7: Agricultural machinery management data. St. Joseph, MI.: ASABE, 2011.

Brownie Quad. Self-propelled work platform. 2016. http://www.philbrownwelding.com/images/myPDFDocs/brownie%20quad%2011-26-2013.pdf. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

U.S. Energy Information. Gasoline and diesel fuel update. 2017. https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

Lehnert R. New apple harvester shows promise. Good Fruit Grower. http://www.goodfruit.com/suck-em-up/. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

Wunderlich L, Klonsky K M, DeMoura R L. Sample cost to establish and produce apples (Fuji Variety). Cost and Return Study Report AP‐IR‐07. Davis, Calif.: Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of California. 2007. http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/files/60510.pdf. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

Schtzko R T, Granatstein D. A brief look at the Washington apple industry: past and present. Project Report SES 04‐05. Pullman, Wash.: School of Economic Sciences College of Human and natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University, 2005. http://www.agribusiness- mgmt.wsu.edu/agbusresearch/ docs/SES04-05_BRIEF_LOOK_WAFTA.pdf. Accessed on [2018-07-21]

Sazo M M, Marree A D, Robinson T. The platform factor - labor positioning machines producing good results for NY apple industry. New York Fruit Quarterly, 2010; 18(2): 5–10.

Lu R, Zhang Z, Pothula A K. Innovative technology for apple harvest and in-field sortig. Fruit Quarterly, 2017; 25(2): 11–14.

Zhang Z, Heinemann P H, Liu J, Schupp J R, Baugher T A. Design and field test of a low-cost apple harvest-assist unit. Trans. ASABE, 2016; 59(5): 1149–1156.

Kien Hwa. Sources of net present value gains in the acquisitions of corporate real estate. J. Corporate Real Estate, 2008; 10(2): 121–129.

Zhang Z, Heinemann P H, Liu J, Baugher T A., Schupp J R, Development of mechancial apple harvesting technology – A review. Trans. ASABE, 2016; 59(5): 1165–1180.

Zhang Z, Heinemann P H, Liu J, Schupp J R, Baugher T A. Brush mechanism for distributing apples in a low-cost apple harvest-assist unit. Appl. Eng. in Agric., 2017; 33(2): 195–201.

Zhang Z, Pothula A, Lu R. A review of bin filling technologies for apple harvest and postharvest handling. Appl. Eng. in Agric. 2018; 34(4): 687-703

Zhang Z, Pothula A, Lu R. Improvement and evaluation of an infield bin filler for apple bruising and distributions. ASABE Paper No. 1800921. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE, 2018.




Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering



2023-2026 Copyright IJABE Editing and Publishing Office