Summary: The objectives of this project were: 1. Determine the economic benefits of employing mechanical assisted harvest machines that reduce pruning, thinning, pheromone placement, and harvest labor in apple orchards. 2. Determine the economic benefits of employing platforms that reduce pruning, thinning, and pheromone placement in apple orchards. 3. Measure efficiencies of mechanical assisted harvest machine and platforms vs. orchard ladders and express those findings in labor per hour, bins, boxes, and pounds of fruit sold.
