DEVELOPMENT AND ERGONOMICAL EVALUATION OF

Harvesting is one of the most important activities in fruit production, handling, and preservation cycle. Fruits are generally damaged due to the lack of a suitable harvesting device. A study was conducted to survey the existing traditional harvesting methods utilized for Kinnow fruits in the Hisar region and to identify associated physical and physiological problems that occurred in Kinnow fruit harvesting. Based on the identified problems and to reduce the physical working stress of farmworkers in harvesting operation an Ergo-Friendly harvesting system was developed, which comprised of aluminum telescopic pipe, clutch operated cutting mechanism, micro-camera, display, battery, fruit collection net, and ergonomically designed belt.