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Mechanical harvesting of industrial apples is becoming more common in modern orchards. Labor costs are rising. It is also harder to find seasonal workers. Because of this, growers look for efficient solutions.

One of them is the FELIX Z apple harvester. This machine allows growers to harvest entire rows of trees quickly. The fruit goes directly into large bins.

But how does it work in real orchards? Does mechanical harvesting affect tree health and future yields?

Experience from an Experimental Orchard

We asked Sebastian Balant, orchard specialist from the Agricultural Advisory Center in Końskowola (LODR). The orchard has used the FELIX Z apple harvester for two seasons during industrial apple harvest.

Fast Harvest and Clean Fruit

According to the orchard manager, the biggest advantage is harvesting speed. Fruit goes directly into bins. This means apples stay clean and undamaged.

“The apples are clean and not damaged. Sometimes apples in supermarkets look worse than those harvested mechanically.”

Apple harvester FELIX Z during the season 2025 in LODR Końskowola

Does Mechanical Harvesting Affect Yield?

Many growers worry that mechanical harvesting may damage trees or reduce yield in the following years.

So far, observations from the orchard do not confirm this concern.

“This is our second year using the full-row harvester. So far we have not seen any drop in yield.”

Lower yields sometimes occurred, but this was related to weather conditions. For example spring frost. Trees are inspected after harvest. No damage affecting future yields has been observed.

The conclusion is clear: mechanical harvesting does not reduce future production.

Apple harvesting in an orchard adapted for mechanical harvesting at LODR Końskowola

How the FELIX Z Apple Harvesting Started

Interestingly, the machine was not purchased for apples at first. The orchard planned to use it mainly for cherry harvesting.

Harvesting apples with the machine started as a test.

“We tried it once in the apple orchard to see if it works. And it worked. It’s a great solution.”

Today, mechanical harvesting of industrial apples is an important part of orchard technology.

Why FELIX Z Is Better Than Ground Harvest Systems

Many orchards still shake apples onto the ground and collect them with sweeping machines.

This system has several disadvantages. Fruit is often dirty or damaged.

“The apples are ugly. Many rotten fruits are collected as well.”

With the FELIX Z system fruit goes directly into bins. Apples stay clean and keep their quality longer.

Apples intended for industry – premium quality (free from contamination, rot and soil), harvested with a FELIX Z combine in the LODR Końskowola orchard

An Investment That Pays Off

Buying a harvester is a large investment. However, many orchards recover the cost quickly.

Main benefits:

• lower labor costs

• faster harvest

• better fruit quality

• higher efficiency

See Apple Harvesting in Practice

The experimental orchard invites growers to see the harvest in person during the season.

“We invite growers to visit us during the harvest season.”

Videos from mechanical harvesting are also published every year.

Summary

Experience from the orchard shows that the FELIX Z apple harvester allows:

• fast harvesting

• clean fruit

• high efficiency

At the same time, mechanical harvesting does not negatively affect future apple yields.

Find the answers for the most popular question about apple mechanical harvest and FELIX Z harvester.

If you have more question about apple harvester FELIX Z contact us.