Statistical Optimization of Semi-Automated, Telescopic Black Pepper Harvesting Mechanism

Statistical Optimization of Semi-Automated, Telescopic Black Pepper Harvesting Mechanism | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Statistical Optimization of Semi-Automated, Telescopic Black Pepper Harvesting Mechanism Gurudatta Vivek Karve This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8454711/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract In this research, the goal is to create a manual device for plucking peppers that enhances harvesting efficiency while minimizing the physical effort required from farmers. The apparatus features a stationary hopper and a movable hopper, both fitted with a stainless-steel cutting blade. Extension springs facilitate the smooth opening and closing of the system during use. A telescopic PVC pole allows users to adjust its length, enabling them to reach tall pepper vines without the need to climb, thereby enhancing safety. A wire attached to a conical handle allows for easy operation of the movable hopper from the ground. Rubber corks and clamps are used to guide and secure the wire, ensuring it moves consistently and without obstruction. Field tests showed that the device cuts cleanly, minimizes berry loss, and handles pepper vines safely. Its lightweight design, affordability, and ease of use make it ideal for small to medium-sized farmers. Overall, this device provides an effective, practical, and user-friendly solution for harvesting peppers. Device for plucking peppers Spring-loaded cutting tool manual harvesting implement collection hopper cutting blade Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 26 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 24 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 01 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 26 Dec, 2025 First submitted to journal 26 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8454711","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":628761700,"identity":"fbaf3018-47f5-4c0f-8665-efd342800ce9","order_by":0,"name":"Gurudatta Vivek Karve","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA20lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACCTiLvQFIGFiQooXnAEiLBE6VWLRIJKDycQLJ9rPPJD78OpxvcPP51Q0/CiQY+Nu7E/BqkeZJN5Oc2XfYcsPtnLKbPUCHSZw5uwGvFjmGNGZj3p7DBga3c9Ju8AC1GEjkEtDC/4zZ+C9Iy80zaTf/EKNFWiKN8THDD6CWG+zHbhNli+SMZ4wPexvSDSTP5LDdljGQ4CHoF4nzaQwHfvyxNuA7fvzZzTd/bOT423vxawEDxjYQyWMAJgkrB4M/IIL9AZGqR8EoGAWjYKQBANuNSAkXaNCKAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9890-277X","institution":"Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gurudatta","middleName":"Vivek","lastName":"Karve","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-12-26 11:01:45","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8454711/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8454711/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":108477147,"identity":"c5c3a0a1-7e24-4c1d-b025-7801c29887dd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-05 07:09:50","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":688372,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TelescopicBlackPepperHarvestingMechanism.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8454711/v1_covered_a64f957a-1477-4575-a60f-4907f53d0766.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Statistical Optimization of Semi-Automated, Telescopic Black Pepper Harvesting Mechanism","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-of-system-assurance-engineering-and-management","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ijsa","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management](http://link.springer.com/journal/13198)","snPcode":"13198","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ijsa/default2.aspx","title":"International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Device for plucking peppers, Spring-loaded cutting tool, manual harvesting implement, collection hopper, cutting blade","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8454711/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8454711/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"In this research, the goal is to create a manual device for plucking peppers that enhances harvesting efficiency while minimizing the physical effort required from farmers. 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