Introduction: Terri's Soda Bottle Apple Picker
Using an empty 2 liter soda bottle & an old broom or mop handle, I now have an apple picker. My handle happened to be metal, so I had to drill holes into the plastic bottle and the broom handle. I cut my opening in the bottle first & made sure it was fairly smooth & then I attached it to the pole. I placed the bottle on the end of the pole & drilled one hole going through both the bottle and the pole. I screwed the bottle on to the pole, and then I drilled 2 other holes around the bottle and pole. Fastened the bottle firmly to the pole with screws.
(This is my first instructable, so I hope the directions are clear enough, along with the photos.)
Note:I have added duct tape around the bottom & side edges of the opening to help see where the opening is as it is being used to reach apples up high.
Update: use a lighter to melt (just enough to round off the edges, so it does not damage the apples.
8 Comments
7 years ago on Introduction
You should see the complicated mess I had rolling around in my head trying to solve my plum problem. Thank you for saving me a load of time. Low cost and simple, what an amazing concept!
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I am so glad it has helped. :)
8 years ago on Introduction
Works well for avocados thank you!
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I am so glad it has helped.
11 years ago on Introduction
I love it! its perfect! I work at an apple orchard and i have been looking for ways to reuse plastic bottles. Thanks so much for sharing! i will be using your idea :)
11 years ago on Introduction
Very good idea, Terri! GENIAL! Free, fast, easy and recycling. Who want any more?
I need to do one of these to pick avocados.
11 years ago on Introduction
Pretty good idea. Do you put the apple in the opening and twist, or do you pull down? Maybe push up?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thank you, mrmath, any of those ways have been used, it just depends on the individual apple that you are trying to get. I generally try to twist gently & if that is not working I try to give it a gentle tug down. It really depends on the amount of room you have to maneuver.
I've been thinking about trying this for a couple of years & finally decided to give it a try. I did add some duct tape around the edges to help me see the opening better as I maneuver it around up in the tree branches. (I did not add tape to the top edges of the opening, because it helps in getting the apples off the branches better without the tape, I'm thinking).