Pickman Picca: First Fully Electric Cherry Picker in the Southern Hemisphere

At Forest Lodge, we have always been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our goal has been to transition away from fossil fuels, proving that an entire commercial orchard can be run on 100% electric power. Every machine we introduce to our fleet is carefully chosen to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate emissions. This season, we took another big step forward by adding the Pickman Picca, a fully electric elevated work platform (EWP), to our orchard management system.

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WATCH HERE: https://youtube.com/shorts/4Ba_cI_8Ids?feature=shared

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Brought to New Zealand through our partnership with Pickman (pickman.co.nz), the Pickman Picca is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Elevated work platforms like this are widely used across New Zealand orchards, but until now, they have all been diesel-powered. This means high fuel costs, excessive emissions, and significant noise pollution. The Pickman Picca changes that, providing a cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient alternative.

Why an Electric Cherry Picker?

For decades, orchardists have relied on diesel-powered boom lifts and manual ladders to manage tree maintenance tasks like pruning, canopy control, and frost protection. While diesel lifts offer power and reach, they come with a long list of drawbacks:

• High operating costs – Diesel fuel is expensive, and maintenance costs on these machines can be significant.
• Emissions and noise pollution – Diesel engines produce harmful emissions, contributing to environmental damage and poor air quality.
• Labour inefficiencies – Many traditional machines require a ground operator, adding extra labour costs and slowing down work.

The Pickman Picca eliminates all of these issues, offering a fully electric alternative that is not only better for the environment, but HUGELY improves our operational efficiency. Since introducing the Pickman Picca, we have been able to complete roughly four months’ worth of tree maintenance in just a few weeks. This level of efficiency was unachievable with manual ladders or diesel-powered equipment.

Key Benefits of the Pickman Picca

Fully Electric & Emission-Free: The Pickman Picca runs entirely on battery power, eliminating diesel costs and emissions. It operates quietly, reducing noise pollution in the orchard and allowing for comfortable working conditions.

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Significantly Increased Efficiency: In previous seasons, pruning and maintenance required our workers to climb up and down ladders. With the Pickman Picca, workers can control the machine from the platform, adjusting their height and movement without stopping work. This has allowed us to triple our pruning speed and cut down on unnecessary labour costs.

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‍Lower Operating Costs: Charging a battery is far cheaper than refueling a diesel machine, making the Pickman Picca a cost-effective long-term investment. With no fuel expenses and reduced maintenance requirements, the savings add up very quickly.

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Improved Safety and Ease of Use: Climbing up and down ladders all day is physically exhausting and carries the risk of falls and injuries. The Pickman Picca removes that risk entirely, allowing workers to perform their tasks at height with ease and stability.

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Better Orchard Health and Productivity: With the increased speed and efficiency of tree maintenance, we can prune more effectively, meaning more sunlight and airflow is able to reach the trees. This contributes to stronger, healthier trees and ensures we grow the highest quality of electric cherries.

A First for the Southern Hemisphere

One of the most exciting aspects of this addition to our orchard is that the Pickman Picca is the first fully electric EWP of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to our collaboration with Pickman, we have been given the opportunity to trial this technology in a commercial orchard, proving that electric alternatives are not only possible but superior to their diesel counterparts.

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Looking Ahead: What's Next?

We are excited to see how this machine continues to impact our operations and hope to see more New Zealand farms make the switch to electric technology. We hope it won’t be long before electric work platforms like the Pickman Picca become the new industry standard. The benefits are clear: lower costs, better efficiency, reduced emissions, and a more sustainable future for farming.

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