Olive harvesting can be carried out using various technologies, such as that of the pneumatic tools: harvesters and shakers powered by efficient PTO compressors or diesel or petrol engine-driven ones. When the level of mechanization of the interventions increases, there is an important reduction in costs and necessary resources for the task.
Furthermore, these strategies optimize the performances, minimizing the risk of causing damages to the trees or to the quality of the olives as for fruit integrity, oil yield, pulp compactness, etc. This is fundamental especially in a historical moment in which the harvesting results are also influenced by the important climatic changes due to overheating and tropicalization of the climate.
Last year the national production of olive oil had a 30%, decline due to the severe water stress for the long periods of drought and difficulties in emergency irrigation. The increases in energy costs and the difficulties of the olive farms certainly do not favor recovery and, today more than ever, it is necessary to identify harvesting methods maximizing profitability, speed and practicality of the interventions. The use of modern mechanized harvesting systems is one of the most effective solutions, but how can you choose the PTO compressor or the engine-driven one that best suits your specific needs?
Compressors used for olive harvesting: PTO or engine-driven models
The use of pneumatic olive harvesters ensures short harvest times and high production efficiency for olive growers. Such tools can be powered by engine-driven or PTO compressors.
Engine-driven compressors meet the needs of professional olive growers and are one of the most popular options in the Campagnola product range. To work, they do not need to be connected to a tractor and are equipped with powerful petrol (Honda or Campagnola), or diesel (Kohler). engines
PTO compressors, on the other hand, are connected to the tractor hydraulic lift and driven by its power take-off by means of a cardan shaft. Efficient head blocks, lubricating filters and advanced safety systems guarantee the performance of all Campagnola models.
Among the most recent innovations we also offer an interesting model of tractor-mounted engine-driven compressor. Its frame can be connected to the hydraulic lift of the tractor or to the trailer. All the pneumatic harvesters of the PROFESSIONAL Line can be connected to it. It can be easily transported wherever it is required and it does not depend on the tractor ignition.
Air compressor used for olive harvesting: how does it work?
Compressors draw in the air from the atmosphere and, by making it circulate through sophisticated systems, produce a sufficient pressure level to operate powerful pneumatic tools.
The most important parts of a PTO or of an engine-driven compressor are the following:
- the engine (only in the engine-driven models), which allows to operate the tools. There are two versions: petrol or diesel.
- the air tank
- the pressure gauges, which indicate the pressure in the tank and the outlet pressure
- the head block, which sucks and compresses the air, to channel it into the storage tank
- the fittings, which connect the tools through special hoses
Based on this information, it is easy to understand which the essential characteristics are to be analyzed for the choice of an efficient PTO or engine-driven compressor for the olive harvest.
How can you choose the right compressor?
Olive harvesting with a PTO or an engine-driven compressor is effective if the solution truly suited to the needs of the olive grower is identified. There are numerous parameters to consider, such as the extension of the olive grove, the type of cultivation, the conformation of the ground, as well as the weight and dimensions of the machine.
The power and volume of intake air are two other key elements to guide the choice, but also the type of engine, the capacity of the tank and the number of tools that can be connected.
Campagnola or Honda petrol engine or KOHLER diesel engine?
If the needs lead to the choice of an engine-driven compressor for the olive harvest, Campagnola offers the following options.: a Campagnola or Honda petrol engine or a Kohler diesel engine.
Undoubtedly, a petrol-engine-driven compressor has the characteristics of reliability and durability of performance, which are fundamental for intensive olive harvesting.
Campagnola equips its petrol-engine-driven compressors with an automatic engine speed regulation system, which cuts the rpm to a minimum, when the head block does not load the tank, or accelerates them, when air is requested.
Kohler diesel engines are appreciated by olive growers for their high level of technology, constantly in line with the needs of the sector. Kohler engines are compact, well-proportioned and well-performing and are characterized by a low consumption and low CO2 and particulate emissions into the atmosphere.
Even for diesel engines, Campagnola equips its machines with an automatic engine speed regulation system, which decelerates the rpm, when the head block does not load the tank, and accelerates them, when there is a request for air. This makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
Transportability and weight of an engine-driven compressor for the olive harvest
If you opt for an engine-driven compressor, it is essential to select a light and small machine, which can be easily transported on any type of ground and equipped with details that make it easy to be moved, such a removable handlebar or wheels for uneven areas. When the ground is not flat, it is important to purchase engine-driven compressors that favor moving uphill and limit the risks going downhill, through efficient damping and braking systems.
What weights can you expect from the Campagnola engine-driven compressor range? Our tractor-mounted engine-driven compressors vary from 112 to 126 kg. The others range from 35-55 kg of the most lightweight models, such as HOBBY AIR or MC 360, up to 186.6 kg of MC 1200. In the ECOPLUS models, instead, the weight varies from 89.65 kg to about 211 kg.
Campagnola with you for the olive harvest
Our entire proposal of engine-driven compressors, PTO compressors and tractor-mounted engine-driven compressors has been designed also to facilitate the harvesting operations of olive growers, who are committed every day to the search for quality. The challenges of the modern economic and environmental context are obstacles that can only be overcome by means of an adequate investment in modernization and efficiency of management systems.
Reliability, sturdiness and efficiency are the key attributes for PTO and engine-driven compressors, to maximize the harvesting performance by guaranteeing ever more sophisticated functions.
Do you need any professional advice on your next purchase? Please, contact us or the Campagnola dealer who is closest to you!
Power and quantity of tools that can be connected
When choosing a PTO or an engine-driven compressor for olive harvesting, it is also important to take into consideration the quantity of air sucked in per minute and also consider how many tools can be operated.
The constant listening to the requests of end users has allowed Campagnola to outline a range of PTO and engine-driven compressors, which can adapt to any context of use. The flow rate of the engine-driven compressors can vary from 222 l/min of HOBBY AIR to 1210 l/min of the MC 1200 KOHLER KD15-440 model. For ECOPLUS PTO compressors the values vary from 554 l/min to 1640 l/min, while tractor-mounted engine-driven compressors remain between 554 l/min (MP 548) and 582 l/min (MP 658).
The different air flow makes it possible to connect a variable quantity of olive harvesters to these power sources, passing from the single implement that can be connected to the HOBBY AIR to 3-4 olive harvesters that can be powered by MC 1200. The ECOPLUS models supply compressed air up to 8 olive harvesters at the same time, while the tractor-mounted engine-driven compressors can operate from 2 to 4 tools.