TY  - GEN
AU  - Kemp, D.C.
AU  - Matthews, M.D.P.
ED  - Seminar on the Mechanization of Farms in Hot Countries
TI  - Mechanization of banana growing: field conveyor and other equipment for banana production
PY  - 0000///251975///
KW  - BANANAS
KW  - AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT
KW  - AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
KW  - AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION
KW  - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
N2  -   The development of a field conveyor system for banana is described and the results of laboratory test on components are given. The conveyor is an adaptation of a well-known transport principal - that of carrying loads on rolling hooks which travel along a stationary tensioned wire - to suit the particular requirements of banana production and the terrain in the Windward Islands. The system is operated by pedestrians pulling trains carrying 10-20 stems of bananas. Equipment has been devised to permit operation on slopes up to 1 in 2.5 and with the conveyor wire unsupported over obstacles up to 120m wide. An economic appraisal has shown that the reduction in labour costs and improvement in fruit quality likely to occur when the conveyor is introduced to an area of pure stand banana, are such that it would show a worthwhile return in crops average of higher yield. A  machine for applying wettable fungicide powder to cut hands of banana fruit is described. Mention is made of other small tools (nematicide applicators and pruners)
ER  -