Feb 22, 2011Picking Assistant Eases Labor with Innovative Vegetable Automation Systems
For strawberry growers in southeastern Pennsylvania, harvest season brings both opportunity and strain. The picking window lasts just four to six weeks, from mid-May through late June, and the constant bending over for berries can quickly wear down the strongest workers. To solve this labor challenge, growers turned to a local manufacturer specializing in vegetable automation systems.
PBZ’s Solution for Harvest Labor
PBZ LLC, the manufacturing arms of Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc. in Lancaster County, developed the Picking Assistant, a machine designed to reduce the physical strain of harvesting and improve productivity.
“The more comfortable you can make operators, the longer they can stick at the task without needing a break,” said Keith Zimmerman, president of PBZ. “We paid close attention to operator comfort.”
The Picking Assistant allows workers to lie facedown on adjustable pads, with their forehead, stomach, and legs supported. Both hands remain free for picking, and a vinyl canopy shields them from sun and rain. Operators use a foot pedal for acceleration and can manually adjust steering while slowly moving down rows.
Features of Vegetable Automation Systems
The machine is powered by a 12-volt DC battery and two high-torque planetary gear motors, providing up to 16 hours of picking time on a single charge. Both height and width are adjustable to fit different row configurations.
Designed with efficiency in mind, the unit can carry up to six flats of strawberries. A tray in front holds one flat for active picking, while the rear tray holds five more, eliminating the need to place full flats on the ground for later collection.
Though created for strawberries, the Picking Assistant also works for other crops such as beans and asparagus. Beyond harvesting, it can be adapted for planting, weeding, and general row maintenance.
From Prototype to Market
PBZ spent about three years developing the Picking Assistant, testing prototypes on local forms and refining the design before bringing it to market.
Since its launch last spring, about 75 units have been sold, primarily in Pennsylvania, with growing interest in other states and Canada.
The machine retails for about $3,100.
Grower Experience in the Field
John Shenk of Shenk Berry Farm near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, purchased a Picking Assistant to improve harvest efficiency and extend picking into rainy days. Shenk had early access to a prototype in 2009, which gave him confidence in its performance.
Shenk hires mostly high school and college students to pick strawberries, and he let his nephew test the machine extensively.
“He’d lie in the machine, put on his headphones, turn on his iPod and go into a ‘picking zone’ for hours,” Shenk said. The design didn’t interfere with headphone wires, a small but important feature for younger workers.
At age 55, Shenk occasionally prefers to pick by hand to stretch his muscles, but he values the comfort and efficiency the machine provides. He also plans to use it for weeding, though he doesn’t anticipate needing more than one model for his roadside stand operation.
As a machinery designer himself, Shenk appreciates the electric power source. “You don’t have to deal with the noise of a gas engine,” he said.
Looking Ahead with Vegetable Automation Systems
Zimmerman sees potential for broader adoption as growers look for cost-effective ways to ease labor challenges. By combining operator comfort with efficiency, the Picking Assistant demonstrates how vegetable automation systems can support growers in harvesting, maintenance, and beyond.
– Matt Milkovich
