A machine to improve the safety during the chestnut mechanicalharvest in steep zone

It has been set up a machine with small dimensions such to be tele- driven in the steep zones. With the aid of specific software, it has been possible to perform a simulation of the various runs planning soil slope higher than 35%, spaces wide maximum 80 cm and backs high 30 cm. Subsequently it has been realized the machine prototype. With the aid of the software Solidworks has been designed the 3D model to verify the compatibility of the considered dimensions of the same with the hypothesized spaces. The vehicle is composed of a tracked wagon surmounted by the aspirator and by the whole equipment of harvest. This machine is completely driven by wire. The operator has only to start the machine and to drive it from remote, avoiding so that the operator has to climb for steep slant exposing himself to danger conditions. The harvest tests have been performed in only one passage, and they have been aimed to evaluate the functional and operational characteristics, related to the surface of an hectare. The tests of the machine prototype have been conducted with a speed of 1,8 km/h, with a soil moisture of 12%. Under these conditions, in the first tests, the working operational capacity of the considered machine has been satisfyin