Harvest apples comfortably with an apple picker. Collecting the delicious and healthy fruit piece by piece with your hands becomes quite tedious in the long run. It often causes back pain due to the constant bending over. If you want to collect apples regularly, you should invest in a solid fruit collector to make work easier and to prevent pain. In our guide you can find out what is essentially important when making a purchase and which versions are recommended.
Picking up apples in the meadow is also possible without back pain
Our recommendations
our recommendation
HorTera apple collector - collector on wheels with plastic-free collection basket including accessories
89.95 EUR To the product| Type | roll collector |
|---|---|
| material | metal/steel |
| basket volume | approx. 3 l |
| fruit diameter | 2-10cm |
| handle | Yes |
Amazon reviewers have raved about the premium quality of the HorTera apple picker. "It reliably does what it is supposed to do." That is the basic tenor. Buyers of the model praise the fact that it easily handles small to large apples, even in tall grass. Functionally, the roll collector seems to be convincing all around. In addition, acting with the apple collector should be a lot of fun - for adults and children alike. Other advantages: The device does not require any plastic, comes with a five-part handle and is completely repairable (all parts can be supplied and replaced).
our recommendation
Feucht fruit technology Apple collector with telescopic rod - the Roll-Blitz, the smallest fruit collector in the world Directly from the manufacturer for apples and pears
98.20 EUR To the product| Type | roll collector |
|---|---|
| material | metal/steel |
| basket volume | approx. 3 l |
| fruit diameter | 3.5-10cm |
| handle | Yes |
The same applies to the "Rollblitz" from the Feucht Obsttechnik brand, which specializes in gardening aids for fruit harvesting, as for the winner in our comparative test. It makes collecting apples wonderfully easy and fun. This clear opinion runs through almost all reviews on Amazon. In addition, the simple assembly is emphasized, which should even work intuitively without instructions. Also practical: the scope of delivery of the apple picker also includes an adjustable telescopic handle. The fact that the Rollblitz “only” takes second place is due to the higher price (compared to the similarly high-quality HorTera model).
our recommendation
Gardena combisystem roller collector: the fruit collector for collecting without bending down, for fruit approx. 4 to 9 cm, easy to empty, compatible with Gardena combisystem handles (3108-20)
EUR 38.80 To the product| Type | roll collector |
|---|---|
| material | plastic |
| basket volume | approx. 2 l |
| fruit diameter | 4-9cm |
| handle | no |
Gardena's bestseller earned third place in our apple collector comparison, even though it is made of plastic. The experiences of most Amazon reviewers speak in favor of the design - especially if you already have the matching combi handle from Gardena. Then the roller collector acts as an inexpensive and yet very solid and durable solution. The collection basket is not as big as the other recommended apple collectors. The same applies to the fruit diameter range.
Purchase Criteria
Type
roll collector: Most apple pickers are roller pickers. By rolling the generally spherical collection basket over the ground with the help of a stick, you collect the fruit lying on the grass. The basket has elastic struts that expand as soon as they come into contact with an "obstacle" (i.e. the fruit in question). When the fruit is absorbed, they contract again.
stab collector: Spike pickers are the less common genus of commercially available apple pickers. They have a head with several small spikes. You use the latter to pick up the apples and then drop them into a bucket provided. Stick collectors are considerably cheaper than roll collectors, but also less convenient to use.
our recommendation
Güde 30402 Fallen fruit collector FOS 170 (1,200 mm length, clean, simple and quick collection of fallen fruit)
EUR 29.90 To the productImportant: A stick collector will injure the picked up apples, so you should process the latter immediately after harvesting so that the fruit does not spoil. In principle, a stick collector is only suitable for a few types of fruit - you cannot collect hard-shelled fruits with such a device.
material
metal/steel: Apple collectors made of metal or steel are usually sturdier and more stable. Be sure to purchase a finish that is not prone to rusting.
plastic: Plastic apple collectors usually cost less. However, they are not as durable as metal and steel models and often wear out faster, which means more waste and necessitates regular replacements. Plastic apple collectors are therefore the more environmentally harmful solution in every respect. The only advantage: plastic models are easier to clean.
our recommendation
UPP roll collector | Collect fallen fruit, walnuts, cherries and apples without effort | Also ideal as a gripper for golf balls, tennis balls [large]
To the productSize of the collection basket (roller collector)
The more fruit you want to collect at once and the larger the fruit is, the larger the collection basket should be. In most versions, the filling volume is two to three liters. That's enough to pick up about 10 to 20 normal-sized apples in one go.
Fruit diameter/mesh size (roller collector)
The mesh size refers to the distance between the elastic struts of the collection basket. Think in advance which fruits you want to collect with the apple picker. only apples? Then the roller collector should be able to hold fruit with a diameter of eight to ten centimetres. For smaller fruit, such as acorns or walnuts, you need a device with a fairly small mesh size of three to four centimeters.
our recommendation
HorTera walnut collector - collector on wheels with plastic-free collection basket including accessories
EUR 79.95 To the productQuality of the rolling function (roll collector)
The rolling should be smooth so you don't have to strain when pushing the machine across your lawn.
processing of the connectors
Pay attention to high-quality processed plug connections, so that the apple picker keeps what it promises - in the truest sense. The best way to do this is to read test reports and customer reviews on Amazon and Co. This will give you a practical idea of this elementary feature. As is well known, the manufacturers of the fruit collectors also praise their products when there is little or no reason to do so.
stem length
If possible, opt for an apple picker with an adjustable telescopic handle so that you can adjust the pole to your height. If it's too short, back pain is inevitable and you don't really get any benefit from the fruit collector. If you want to buy a fixed stem model, make sure that the length suits your needs.
tips
Ideally, the handle can be easily replaced should it ever break. Check this criterion before you buy an apple picker. We also advise you to always check carefully whether the product in question is a combination set with basket and handle or whether you have to order the latter separately. This can affect the price comparison.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is an apple picker?
The apple picker, also known as the fruit picker, is a mechanical garden tool that you can use to efficiently harvest apples and other fallen fruit. In this case, efficient means: comparatively quickly and without too much physical effort. The device usually consists of three parts:
- a stalk,
- a collection basket and
- a bracket for emptying the collected fruit if the basket has no opening.
Note: This setup is related to the more popular rolling collector. Spiked collectors feature a spiked head, not a collection basket.
What are the benefits of being an apple picker?
An apple collector makes the apple or fruit harvest easier. It is often suitable for all types of fallen fruit and nuts - i.e. versatile. With a fruit collector, the fruity harvest is faster and more convenient. You don't have to bend down and you can simply push the heavy weight of the whole fruit away thanks to the collecting device's rolling function. Even in hard-to-reach areas, you won't miss any fruit thanks to the apple picker.
Without all these advantages - that is, collecting the apples by hand - experience has shown that even the most passionate hobby gardener will eventually give up. Then some fruits remain. Unfortunately, the rotting fallen fruit damages the trees as it attracts pests that lay their eggs on them. For example, the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) has the potential to severely reduce the yield of the next harvest.
In short, an apple picker saves you an enormous amount of time and energy as well as a lush harvest - in the current season and also in the following year.
What brands offer good apple pickers?
Various well-known companies produce functionally convincing apple collectors. Here are some trusted brands at a glance:
- Gardena
- HorTera
- Feucht fruit technology
- goodness
How much does an apple picker cost?
Full-fledged apple collectors including the stem are available from around 30 to 40 euros. You pay upwards of 50 euros for high-quality models from well-known brands. In general, roll collectors cost more than stick collectors.
equipment
stalk
Many apple collectors do not include the stem, so you have to order it separately.
our recommendation
GARDENA combisystem telescopic handle 90 - 145 cm: extension handle for combisystem devices, infinitely adjustable, wobble-free connection (3719-20)
19.29 EUR To the productbucket
Irrespective of whether you opt for a wheeled or stick collector, it makes sense to order several buckets in which you can collect the collected fruit in bundles.
our recommendation