What are olive harvesting nets used for?
The purpose of olive-harvesting sheets is to simplify and make the olive-harvesting process more efficient while protecting the fruit from contamination with the soil. These tools are used in both professional and amateur agriculture, responding to different needs depending on the type of cultivation.
The nets are placed under the olive trees before harvesting to harvest the falling olives, avoiding contact with the ground that could damage the fruit or compromise its quality. In professional and industrial settings, olive harvesting networks allow you to optimize working time, reducing the workforce required and increasing productivity. Hobbyist farmers also benefit from the use of these nets, as they simplify the harvesting of olives in small olive groves, reducing physical effort and preserving the integrity of the harvest.
Among the activities facilitated by the use of nets are:
- Manual Collection: The nets facilitate manual harvesting as the olives fall directly onto them ready for harvesting.
- Mechanical pick-up: In mechanical harvesting, the nets collect the olives that fall during the action of the shakers, minimising losses.
- Protection of fruits: The nets protect the olives from direct contact with the ground by preventing contamination and crop damage.
What do olive harvesting nets look like?
The olive harvesting nets are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the harvest and ensure a long service life. These products are made with specific materials that give strength and functionality even in the most demanding situations.
The nets consist mainly of anti-thorn and anti-tear sheets These materials are selected to withstand mechanical forces and stresses during harvesting, ensuring that nets do not tear or wear easily when in contact with branches and uneven ground. The anti-thorn sheet, in particular, is designed to resist thorns on branches, preventing them from causing damage to the net.
A fundamental aspect of olive-harvesting nets is their construction with twisted wires and connecting knots. This type of construction offers excellent resistance: If any wires are torn off, the network will not completely unravel, maintaining its functionality. Unlike other nets on the market, which may fray quickly in the event of breakage, these nets ensure that the damage remains limited, prolonging the life of the product.
The size and shape of the networks vary according to needs. Roll nets cover large areas in a single run, ideal for olive groves with trees in a row. Square and rectangular nets, on the other hand, are more suitable for irregularly arranged or smaller olive groves, allowing for greater versatility of use.
How do I use the sheets to harvest olives?
The correct use of the olive canvas is essential to maximize the efficiency of the work and ensure the protection of the fruits.
- Ground preparation: Before starting harvesting, you must prepare the ground under the trees by removing any obstacles such as stones or branches that could damage the nets.
- Positioning the nets: The nets are strategically placed around and under the olive tree, depending on their shape and size.
- Collection and lifting of the nets: During harvesting, which can be done manually or with the help of shakers, the olives fall onto the nets, avoiding contact with the ground. Once harvesting is complete on a tree, the nets are carefully lifted by collecting the olives in the centre and then pouring them into the collection containers.
The process is repeated for each tree or group of trees, moving the nets and repositioning them as the harvest proceeds. This method allows the olives to be harvested quickly and efficiently, maintaining the quality of the fruit and reducing the risk of damage.
Advantages of olive-harvesting nets
Olive harvesting nets offer numerous advantages over other harvesting methods for both professionals and hobbyists. Compared to manual harvesting without the use of nets or more rudimentary methods, these nets provide a significant improvement in efficiency, fruit protection and a reduction in working time.
- Protection of olives from contact with the ground: The nets prevent the olives from becoming dirty or damaged, while preserving the quality of the harvest. This is particularly important for producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil, where the purity and integrity of the fruit are crucial.
- Reduce collection time: The nets make it possible to harvest large quantities of olives in a short time. By covering a large area with a single sheet, operators can harvest olives quickly without having to search for them one by one on the ground.
- Ease of use:: The nets are easy to position and move, even in large olive groves. The roll, square and rectangular models offer different solutions to suit the specific needs of the soil and olive tree arrangement.
- Strength and durability: Thanks to the anti-thorn and anti-tear materials, the nets are highly resistant to difficult harvest conditions. Even in the event of tearing, their construction prevents them from fraying, ensuring a long service life and reducing replacement costs.
- Versatility of use: The nets can be used in a variety of contexts, from large-scale professional farming to harvesting in small domestic olive groves. The choice of different shapes and sizes means you can adapt to your needs.
Types of nets for olive harvesting
The olive-harvesting sheets are distinguished in different types, each of which meets specific harvesting needs. Choosing the most suitable network depends on the terrain configuration, olive tree layout and working preferences. The main types of nets available on the market include:
- Net rolls: Mainly used for olive groves with trees arranged in regular rows, they cover large areas in a single lay.
- Square nets with centre split: Ideal for isolated or non-row olive trees, thanks to the central split that allows the net to be placed around the trunk.
- Rectangular nets sold in pairs: They provide an intermediate solution between rolls and square networks, allowing versatile use in different contexts.
Net rolls
Nets rolls are one of the most convenient solutions for harvesting olives in olive groves with trees arranged in precise rows. These nets, available in varying lengths, unroll easily along rows covering a large area in a single operation. Because of their linear design, the net rolls reduce the time required for laying and retrieving the net after harvesting. They are particularly suitable for large olive groves where long distances must be covered quickly.
The strength of the material, combined with the ease of use, makes the net rolls an excellent choice for those who want to maximize harvest efficiency without compromising fruit protection.
Square nets with centre split
Square sheets with central split are the ideal choice for those with olive trees that are not arranged in regular rows. These nets, available in various sizes such as 8x8, 10x10 and 12x12, are designed to wrap around the olive tree trunk thanks to the central split that facilitates positioning. This design allows for even coverage under the tree canopy, ensuring that all olives fall onto the net and not onto the ground.
Square nets with central split are particularly popular in contexts where trees are spaced or irregularly arranged, providing an effective solution for harvesting olives with minimal effort.
Rectangular nets sold as a pair
The rectangular nets sold in pairs are a versatile option, suitable for both regular and uneven olive groves. These networks, available in sizes such as 4x8, 5x10 and 6x12, can be used in a single or dual configuration as required. Their rectangular shape allows for easy adaptation to different terrain configurations, and the ability to use two separate nets provides greater flexibility when harvesting.
This type of net is particularly useful in situations where smaller or irregular spaces need to be covered, offering a practical and modular solution for olive harvesting.
Guide to buying the olives collection nets
Buying the right olive net is crucial to optimizing your work and achieving a quality harvest. Before choosing, it is important to consider some key factors that may influence the choice of the net that best suits your needs.
- Soil size and olive tree arrangement: If the olive trees are laid out in regular rows over large extensions, network rolls are ideal as they cover large areas in a single operation. For unevenly arranged olive groves, square nets with centre split or rectangular nets sold in pairs offer more flexibility.
- Collection Type: The network selection may also vary depending on the collection method used. For mechanical harvesting, it is preferable to use robust and resistant nets that can withstand the stresses of the shakers. For manual harvesting, you can opt for lighter and easier to handle nets.
- Materials and strength: It is important to assess the quality of the materials with which the network is made. Anti-thorn and anti-tear nets are essential to avoid damage caused by branches and uneven ground. The presence of joining nodes in the net threads ensures that the structure remains intact even in the event of small tears.
- Ease of use and maintenance: Easy-to-lay and easy-to-collect nets can make a big difference in time and effort. In addition, networks that do not fray easily reduce the need for frequent replacements and lower long-term costs.
Types of customers and their needs
- Professional farmers: For large olive groves, the choice of large-surface, rugged network rolls is recommended. These customers need robust networks that can quickly cover large areas and reduce work time.
- Small producers: For those who own small olive groves, square nets with central split are a good choice. These nets allow you to cover spaces around trees accurately and without waste.
- Hobbyists and enthusiasts: Enthusiasts who harvest olives for their own use can opt for rectangular nets sold in pairs. These networks offer a flexible and modular solution that is easy to use, even in uneven terrain.
- Shaker users: Those who use shakers for harvesting must choose particularly strong nets that can withstand the mechanical action and protect the crop best.
The best brands of olive harvesting nets available on AgriEuro
Choosing a reliable brand is crucial to ensure high quality, strong and durable olive harvesting nets. On AgriEuro there are networks produced by the best brands in the sector, each of which offers specific solutions to meet the different needs of olive growers.
- GeoTech olive harvesting nets: Geotech is a well-known brand for producing olive harvesting nets with excellent strength and durability. Geotech networks are designed to perform in demanding working conditions through the use of innovative materials and advanced construction techniques.
Why buy olive harvest nets on AgriEuro?
Buying nets for harvesting olives on AgriEuro offers numerous advantages that make the buying experience safe, convenient and satisfying. AgriEuro stands out for its attentive customer service and a wide range of high-quality products designed to meet the needs of both professionals and hobbyists.
- Fast, free shipping: AgriEuro manages the shipment from its logistics centres, ensuring fast deliveries and without additional costs; This allows customers to quickly receive the nets and start harvesting the olives immediately, without delay.
- Spare parts always available: Another great advantage of buying on AgriEuro is the possibility to order spare parts, always available. Customers can easily find and order spare parts when needed to extend the life of their networks without having to buy new products.
- Attentive and personalized after-sales support: AgriEuro offers an after-sales service that follows the customer even after purchase. Our team of experts is always on hand to resolve any problems, advise you on how to make the most of your products and ensure maximum satisfaction.
Buying on AgriEuro means choosing quality, reliability and excellent customer service, ensuring a worry-free and peaceful shopping experience.
If you are ready to improve your olive harvest, check out the best offers for olive harvesting nets on AgriEuro now!
FAQ on Olive Harvesting nets
1. What do you use to harvest olives? What is needed for the olive harvest?
To harvest olives, it is important to use specific tools that facilitate the dropping of olives from the trees and facilitate the harvesting of olives. The main tools include:
- Olive harvesters: These are mechanical or electric implements equipped with telescopic rods and vibrating combs that shake the branches of the olive tree, causing the olives to fall to the ground. They are very effective and reduce the time required for harvesting.
- Shakers: They are more powerful machines, often used professionally, that apply directly to the tree trunk to shake it and drop the olives. The shakers are particularly useful for large trees.
- Nets for olive harvesting: Once the olives have fallen, nets placed under the trees allow the fruits to be picked easily, preventing them from touching the ground and damaging them.
- Boxes for olives or other containers: After harvesting, the olives must be transported in suitable containers to prevent crushing and preserve the quality of the fruit.
2. How to harvest olives without too much effort? How to pick olives quickly?
Harvesting olives can be a demanding task, but with the use of the right tools it is possible to significantly reduce fatigue and time spent. Here's how:
- Electric or pneumatic harvesters: These mechanical tools greatly reduce the physical effort required. The harvester vibrates autonomously, causing the olives to fall without the operator having to shake the branches manually.
- Log shakers: Ideal for those who want to reduce their effort even further. The shaker is applied to the log and once activated shakes the entire shaft, causing the olives to fall without the need for manual intervention.
- Correctly positioned olive nets: To avoid wasting time manually picking the olives from the ground, the nets should be arranged in such a way that they cover the entire area under the tree. This allows the fallen olives to be picked up quickly.
3. How to place nets to harvest olives?
Proper placement of the olive-collection sheets is essential to ensure that all fallen fruits are easily recoverable, minimizing losses. Here is a step-by-step guide for optimal positioning:
- Choose the right net: First, be sure to use specific olive harvesting nets that are durable and designed to last. Nets can be of various sizes and materials, such as polyethylene, which is strong and lightweight.
- Ground preparation: Before you roll out the net, remove any obstructions under the tree such as dry branches, stones or leaves that could damage the olives when they fall. Clean soil prevents olives from becoming damaged or mixed with debris.
- Laying out the net: Start laying the net close to the tree trunk and make sure that it covers the entire area under the canopy. The net must extend beyond the projection of the tree crown to catch any olives that might fall off to the side. Nets may overlap slightly if you are collecting under multiple trees, to avoid gaps.
- Lifting the edges: Once the net is rolled out, it slightly lifts the outer edges inwards, creating a "tank" that makes it easier to pick up the olives in one central point. This makes it easier to harvest the olives once the harvest is complete.
- Securing the net: In wind or sloping terrain, it is essential to secure the net to the ground. Use stakes or weights (such as sandbags) on the edges of the net to prevent the net from moving during harvesting. This ensures that all dropped olives remain within the net.
- Checking and adjusting: During harvesting, it is important to periodically check that the net has not shifted or been damaged.
4. When is the right time to harvest olives?
The right time to harvest the olives depends on several factors, including the type of oil you want to produce and the weather conditions. Here are some criteria for determining the ideal time:
- Ripening of olives: The olives are ready for harvesting when they reach an optimal degree of ripeness, ranging from green-yellow to black depending on the variety. To obtain a more fruity oil, slightly immature (green) olives can be harvested, while for a sweeter oil it is expected that they are more mature (black).
- Climatic conditions: It is important to harvest the olives before heavy rains or frost start, which can damage the fruits and affect their quality. Usually, the ideal period is between October and December, depending on the geographical area.
- Oil analysis: In some cases, an oil ripening test can be performed directly on a sample of olives to determine the best time for harvesting based on the level of acidity and polyphenols.
5. How do you know if it's time to pick the olives?
Understanding when it is time to harvest olives requires careful observation of some key indicators:
- Colour of the olives: The olives change colour as they ripen, going from green to yellow to black. When most olives have reached the desired colour for the type of oil you want to produce, it's time to start harvesting.
- Pulp consistency: The pulp of the olives must be soft but still strong. If squeezed, it should release greenish oil. If the pulp is too hard or too soft, it may not be the right time.
- Natural fall: Another indicator is the natural fall of olives. If you notice a lot of olives on the ground, it means they are ripe and ready for harvesting.
- Oil test: As mentioned earlier, a small oil extraction test can provide valuable insight into the level of ripeness and the quality of oil you will get, helping you decide whether to proceed with the harvest.