August 2013 Issue

The Wafler-Cornell apple harvester

It’s fast, working without bin fillers or frequent stops to change bins.

This earlier prototype was photographed in August 2010, during an International Fruit Tree Association tour to Wafler Nursery. The new machine has a more finished look. Patent issues have limited picture availability. Richard Lehnert The owner of Wafler Nursery in Wolcott, New York, is working with Cornell University to perfect an apple harvesting system that will help pickers be more efficient. Paul Wafler, a nurseryman who also designs and invents orchard machines, is working with the university on an idea to keep workers picking with both hands, with virtually no downtime. They don’t need to set ladders or climb them […]

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August 1, 2013

Apples, New Developments, Technology and equipment, Richard Lehnert

Richard Lehnert

After growing up on a Michigan dairy farm, Richard Lehnert began writing about farming in 1962, while still a junior studying journalism at Michigan State University. He worked at newspapers for a year before joining the staff of Michigan Farmer, where he spent 26 years, the last 15 as chief editor. He was a member of the staff of Good Fruit Grower from 2010 until 2015. Read his stories: Story Index

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