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Harvesting Equipment

Tapping machines: handheld · tree-mounted · ground-mobile

Jinkun tapping machines come in three categories by working form: handheld (electric tapping knife), tree-mounted (one machine per tree) and ground-mobile (autonomous tapping robot and balance robot). Multiple models cover different budgets and scenarios, and all plug into the smart-plantation management system of the managed agri-service.

5-10 s
Tapping per treeHandheld · electric tapping knife
47 s
Fully automatic tappingTree-mounted intelligent tapping machine
90%+
Measured yield vs manualGround-mobile · autonomous robot
275 TOPS
Onboard AI computeGround-mobile · Robo-Ox balance robot
What are rubber tapping machines

A rubber tapping machine is a machine or robot that replaces or assists human tappers on rubber trees. Jinkun groups them into three categories by working form — handheld (electric tapping knife), tree-mounted (one machine per tree) and ground-mobile (autonomous tapping robot and balance robot) — in ascending order of automation, all managed through the smart-plantation system.

Three Categories

Three working forms — one fits your plantation

HANDHELD

Electric Tapping Knife

Handheld and semi-automatic — your current tappers use it right away; 5-10 s per tree, 40% more efficient.

Details ↓
TREE-MOUNTED

Tree-Mounted Intelligent Tapping Machine

One machine “embraces” each trunk and taps fully automatically; low unit cost, blankets whole estates; Standard / Enhanced models.

Details ↓
GROUND-MOBILE

Autonomous Robot · Robo-Ox

Moves autonomously through the plantation: the tapping robot serves many trees at night; the Robo-Ox handles post-harvest work and transport.

Details ↓
Intelligent harvesting equipment in the plantation
Intelligent harvesting equipment in the plantation
Cut face made with the electric tapping knife — clean, even lines and smooth latex flow
Cut face made with the electric tapping knife — clean, even lines and smooth latex flow

Electric Tapping KnifeHandheld · 3 years in the field

Handheld electric tapping

A handheld electric tapping tool that fixes the five problems of traditional knives — slow and tiring work, poor cut entry, blade deformation, curved cut faces and tree damage. A depth limiter and double-sided blade strictly control blade entry, protecting the tree and extending its tapping years.

Tapping time per tree5-10 s
Efficiency gain+40%
Battery per charge9+ hours
Market validation3 years
Product photo · tree-mounted intelligent tapping machine (one per tree)
Product photo · tree-mounted intelligent tapping machine (one per tree)

Tree-Mounted Intelligent Tapping MachineStandard / Enhanced · customizable

One machine per tree

A fully automatic tapping machine mounted on each tree: a bionic tapping algorithm identifies the bark layer through force sensing, ultrasonic ranging and mechanical limits — first-class tapper standard. A single precision motor drives the whole motion path, so there are fewer failure points. A mobile app starts whole clusters remotely; it is also the workhorse of the managed agri-service.

Working time per treeapprox. 47 s
Cut-depth control1.3 mm ± 0.2 mm
Bark consumption / cut angle1.2-1.8 mm / 22°-35°
Throughput70-90 trees/hour
Design life≥ 8 years
Net weight2.3 kg
Comms / call-through4G + radio / >99%
Blade life before sharpening< 500 cuts
Charges per year≤ 2
Machines per gateway≤ 500

Enhanced model: an adaptive version for different tree ages, diameters and terrain — parameters and structure customized per region, balancing yield with tree protection.

Product photo · autonomous tapping robot working between rows
Product photo · autonomous tapping robot working between rows

Autonomous Tapping RobotGround-mobile · one machine, many trees

Autonomous navigation · night work

An intelligent machine that navigates the plantation autonomously and performs tapping: robotics, automation control and AI combine for precise positioning, autonomous path planning and automatic tapping — eliminating heavy labor and dangerous night work. One machine serves many trees for fast payback and low maintenance, and can extend to latex collection, spraying and more.

Working modeUnattended night work
Measured yield90%+ of manual
CoverageOne machine, many trees
Bark / depthAdjustable & controlled
RelocationCompact · works across zones
System accessSmart-plantation dispatch
Product photo · balance robot (Robo-Ox)
Product photo · balance robot (Robo-Ox)

Balance Robot · Robo-OxGround-mobile · customizable

Wheel-leg platform for complex terrain

The ground-mobile carrier for post-harvest work and transport, designed for complex plantation terrain: latex collection, inspection and autonomous in-estate transport, with quick-swap end tools for more uses — customized per region and tree variety.

AI compute275 TOPS
Environment scan360° / 50 m / ±2 cm
DriveFour independent legs + wheels, 10 km/h
Obstacle / slope30 cm / 30°
Payload / weight150 kg / <200 kg
BatteryDual 100 Ah · 8 h+
Arm6 DOF · ±1 mm
PositioningSLAM / 5G / WiFi6

All three categories plug into the smart-plantation management system (part of the managed agri-service) — see Agri-Service · Smart Plantation.

Manual vs Machine

Manual tapping vs the Jinkun tree-mounted machine

ComparisonManual tappingJinkun tree-mounted machine
Time per treeapprox. 60 s47 s
Managed per worker60-80 trees100-200 machines
Labor cost share60%+below 20%
Dry rubber output100% (baseline)approx. 90%
Working hoursPre-dawn manual work, high riskAutomatic night work, unattended
Digital management—Fully online and traceable

Dry rubber output is honestly stated at about 90% of manual: the machine's value is steady attendance, independence from hiring and tree-safe sustainability — the overall labor-to-output ratio beats the traditional model.

Which One

Which category fits my plantation?

How to choose — step 1: match your situation

  • Tappers still available, want quick gains: handheld electric tapping knife — lowest cost, works day one
  • Mature standardized estate, done with hiring: tree-mounted machines at scale
  • Good roads, fewer devices preferred: ground-mobile autonomous robot, one machine for many trees
  • Slopes and heavy transport: add the ground-mobile Robo-Ox for post-harvest work
  • Don't want to buy or operate anything: choose managed agri-service — zero hardware cost

Indicative pricing

Intelligent tapping machine: RMB 500 / unit
Per-unit retail · FOB · gateway priced separately

Note: pricing is indicative only; volume orders and custom models are quoted per solution. The managed agri-service model requires zero equipment investment.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Tree-mounted or ground-mobile — which should I choose?

Tree-mounted machines (one per tree) have a low unit cost and can blanket a whole estate — best for mature, standardized plantations. The ground-mobile autonomous robot serves many trees per machine — best where roads are good and you want fewer devices. Both plug into the smart-plantation system and can be mixed.

How many machines can one worker manage?

One worker manages 100-200 tree-mounted machines (a manual tapper handles only 60-80 trees). A mobile app starts whole clusters remotely — a large estate begins tapping within minutes.

Does it work without network coverage?

Yes. Dual 4G + radio communication with a >99% call-through rate; one gateway serves up to 500 machines, so it does not depend on cellular signal at every tree.

How often do batteries and blades need attention?

The tree-mounted machine needs at most 2 charges per year with ≥85 no-load runs of reserve; blades run under 500 cuts before sharpening. The electric knife runs 9+ hours per charge.

Can it tap old or irregular trees?

Choose the Enhanced model: adapted for different tree ages, diameters and terrain, with parameters and structure customized per region — balancing yield with tree protection.

Page updated: 2026-09-02