Experimental model for optimizing mechanized mountain coffee harvesting

Abstract

Coffee holds significant economic and social importance for Brazil, being one of the main commodities in global agribusiness. Coffee growers, particularly those cultivating arabica coffee, face challenges due to labor shortages and high associated costs during manual harvesting. This study aimed to evaluate the operational performance and efficiency of a self-propelled coffee harvester prototype in terraced mountain areas. To assess harvesting losses, efficiency, and operational capacity, the experimental model traversed the designated area entirely. Fruit stripping was performed over the collection system at five different terrain incline angles (8°, 17°, 25°, 30°, and 38°). Harvesting loss was determined by the ratio of the mass of fruits retained by the collection system to the total mass of harvested fruits. For comparison, the efficiency and operational capacity of two workers performing manual fruit harvesting were also measured. Terrain slope did not significantly impact harvesting losses or operational capacity. The highest operational capacity was 0.11 ha h⁻¹, achieved at a 17° slope. The average operational efficiency was 66.2%.