Innovations in Apple Handling Methods and Equipment (Classic Reprint)

Discover how new tools and methods reshaped apple handling from orchard to packing line. This practical study reports on field testing of innovative equipment and updated practices in Washington state’s apple system. It explains how researchers compared costs, time, and labor to show what works in real plants, not just on paper. The book presents the results of eight innovations and what they meant for efficiency and running costs.

The report explains each innovation in clear terms, including how it was tested, what happened in the plant, and what the findings suggest for future operations. You’ll see how different machines and layouts changed the flow of apples from receiving to storage and on to the packing line, with a focus on labor time, equipment use, and total costs. The material includes practical lessons for managers and engineers evaluating new equipment in fruit handling.

• How gravity-type conveyors affected unloading time and costs at the orchard and warehouse


• How forklift-train and tractor-trailer setups altered movement from storage to the packing line


• How clamp-type trucks and broad-blade forklifts performed with and without pallets


• Where pallet use raised or lowered overall handling costs, and where distance mattered

Ideal for readers involved in agricultural operations, warehouse design, or plant-based logistics, this edition offers concrete findings to guide decisions on equipment and workflow. It’s a solid reference for anyone evaluating innovations in fruit handling and storage.