Apple harvester machine Mk. 2 Centipede

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The pick-up system uses a combination of Tuthill Centipede technology to give an exceptionally fast and gentle pick-up that can handle the heaviest crops. Forward speeds of over 3 kph (2.0 mph) are possible and enable the harvester to cover over one and half acres per hour. The Centipede picks large or small fruit gently and without damage. Cleaning system: Most growers using Centipede harvesters are able to send their fruit straight to cider-makers without any post harvester cleaning. This is because the Centipede harvester has an efficient double cleaning system. It has two well proven Tuthill hedgehog cleaner belts which are combined with a powerful 710mm dia.fan. The hedgehog belts each have a rotary brush to keep them clean and operating efficiently. This system provides very high fruit throughput with unrivalled fruit quality combined. Elevator and conveyor systems: The elevator lifts the fruit from the picking head to the cleaning system from where a conveyor delivers the fruit into the trailer. The conveyor can fill a large trailer with 2.00 metre high sides. There is a fruit diverter at the end of the conveyor so that the fruit can be directed anywhere in the trailer. It is quite usual for trailers to carry more than four tonnes of fruit. Power system and control: The Centipede harvester is hydraulically powered from the tractor PTO. It has its own integral hydraulic tank, oil cooler, and hydraulic control valve. The controls are all electric and there is a compact switch console conveniently mounted in the tractor cab. Closed circuit TV: The harvester is fitted with two closed circuit TV cameras.