Coconut trees are a featured landscape element in many tropical regions. They tower over smaller buildings, but wherever they are, they provide that tropical feeling to any landscape. What most people don't see though, is how they are cared for. In most instances, a crane-truck is called in, with the usual bucket an boom setup used in working on overhead utilities. In many instances, these trucks do more damage than maintenance, as for taller trees, larger trucks have to be called in. These large trucks have to drive onto landscaped grass, sometimes leaving large indentations that need to be filled in and grassed over. With this undesired result, A new invention came to mind. It's a robot that climbs a coconut tree, secures itself to the top, and when it feels secure enough, it pulls the operator up using a rope pulley system. The robot looks like a very thick blanket, albeit thick and hard, that wraps around the trunk of the tree. It has treaded tracks on the underside, and with the help of internal pneumatics, grabs onto the tree, allowing for a quick but harmless (to the tree) ascent. The operator, still on the ground, hooks himself up to a harness, which is attached to the device by a rope on a pulley. Once the operator is pulled up to the top, he works on the tree. He cuts leaves that otherwise would clutter the tree, eliminating living conditions for pests such as centipedes, rats and mice. He also cuts off bunches of coconuts which are a hazard to anyone walking under the trees. Once he is done with the tree, he is lowered back down by rope to the ground. Only when he is safely disconnected from the robot, the robot unsecures itself, and makes a quick descent from the tree. The operator then guides it to the next tree that needs trimming.
-- twitch, Sep 20 2010

Tree climbing robot http://singularityh...-a-real-tree-video/
This one could do the job [ixnaum, Sep 21 2010]

Um...can I get back to you on this, [twitch]?
-- Boomershine, Sep 21 2010


I like the idea - and it's bakeable. See link. The title is good too. Matches up exactly with intended functionality.
-- ixnaum, Sep 21 2010


Title aside, it's fair enough.

However, I've seen people climb trees easily and swiftly using a rope loop, and either their bare feet or spikey shoes. Coconut trees shoud be a complete doddle to climb in this way. So just eliminate whatever law it is that forbids coconut-tree-trimmers to climb trees.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Sep 21 2010


Tree climbing is hazardous and requires training. This would reduce these factors, which means saving money.
-- twitch, Sep 22 2010


//Tree climbing is hazardous and requires training.//

Exactly. And what is wrong with an occupation that requires training? Just pay the guy. If he uses one of these robotic tree climbers, you're paying for the machine instead of for a skill. [-]
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Sep 22 2010


Isn't this more of a 'Cuckoo Climber'?
-- Boomershine, Sep 22 2010


I envision this scheme as the opening of the movie. It all seems well and good. Until you feel that blanket, thick and hard, wrapping around your legs and the automated coconut cutter getting up to speed...
-- bungston, Sep 22 2010


[twitch], rats, mice and centipedes are not pests, insofar as recognised coconut pests are concerned. There are, however, a large number of insects that are regarded as pests that affect coconut crops and production.

Of particular concern is a mite that sucks the sap out of immature fruit, stopping its development. Spraying trees to control the Coconut Mite is not terribly effective as the mites reside under the perianth (the little cap on top of the fruit) out of harm's way.

However, rats and mice are persistent little critters, so it's conceivable they might hitch a lift up the trees on one of your robot thingies.
-- infidel, Sep 22 2010


[infidel], these are NOT production trees, they are LANDSCAPE, ornamental trees, used around all types of buildings both commercial and residential. They nest and breed up there, so this is a solution for a complete eradication.

If this was a coconut farm, I wouldn't suggest cutting all the coconuts down, but they remain hazards to all passerbys.
-- twitch, Sep 22 2010


Bollocks. You might get hit with one if you sleep every night under a coconut palm but I doubt it.

Rats and mice don't climb coconut palms unless there is a frond bridging to somewhere they can easily reach. Climbing up the trunk of most palms is beyond them. It is not beyond the skills of men, however. Even Keith Richards managed it while sozzled.
-- infidel, Sep 22 2010



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