Tree Shakers For Sale

All About Shakers

Shakers, also referred to as “tree shakers” and “mechanical tree shakers,” are used to harvest such specialty crops as walnuts, almonds, cherries, pecans, olives, pistachios, plums, and other fruits and nuts. Usually controlled by a single operator, shakers are available in side, front, rear, monopod, trailed, portable, and self-propelled styles. The machines use a hydraulically controlled mechanical shaker head with adjustable clamp usually equipped with rubber pads that squeeze a tree’s trunk or limbs. Using various patterns and frequencies of vibrations, the machine shakes the crop from the tree.

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While some models use sweepers and brushes to collect the crop when it falls, other models are equipped with a “reversed umbrella” or “catch-all” system, or pair with other receiver equipment to collect the crop. With the ability to harvest hundreds of trees per day (depending on the model), mechanically harvesting specialty crops greatly reduces the time and labor cost growers would otherwise invest in each harvest, providing significant productivity and efficiency gains.

Features & Options

Whether using a catch-all, front-mounted, or other shaker variety, today’s mechanical models include such features as Tier 4 Final diesel engines, hydrostatic drives, rubber track systems for greater flotation, LED light systems for night harvesting, joystick control, in-cab touch screen monitors for monitoring and machine control, back-up cameras, pressurized cabs, roll-over protection, air conditioning and heating, tilt steering, suspension seating, hydraulic sweeper lifts, and stainless-steel water tanks.

Some models may include support for such automated and programmable shaker settings as self-steering and adjustable grip force. Other features may include remote machine monitoring, tree counters, and adjustable vibration frequencies. In addition to offering improved shaking patterns that generate higher crop-removal percentages, manufacturers are also designing more robust models with greater automation and ergonomic design.

Harvesting Approaches

Whether harvesting pecans, walnuts, cherries, olives, or apples for cider production, there’s a shaker for the job, but many models can handle multiple crop types. Front-mounted models attach to a tractor’s front and can potentially handle dozens of trees an hour while still protecting the crop and tree trunk from damage.

Side shaker models can move directly down rows to provide an efficient approach that doesn’t require backing up to the tree. Further, some shakers feature an extendable and rotating mono boom that provides greater maneuverability and lets the operator reach higher and difficult-to-reach limbs. “Catch-all” shakers, meanwhile, are designed so that the crop doesn’t touch the ground. Essentially, these models shake, collect, and transfer the crop to containers or bins, in some cases by way of integrated conveyors.

Find The Right Shaker

Shaker manufacturers include Arcusin, COE, Jagoda, Orchard-Rite, Savage Equipment, Weldcraft Industries, and others. You’ll find a variety of new and used shakers for sale on SpecialtyCropEQ.com. Use the search feature to find shakers that best fit your needs.