Tree shaker

Types of tree shakers

The tree shaker is a special kind of harvesting machine commonly used in the nuts and fruit industry. It is designed to shake the fruits and flowers fixed on the branches so as to make them drop on the ground or into a collecting net. According to the shaking method, tree shakers can be divided into four main types: ground shakers, trunk shakers, limb shakers, and hot air shakers.

• Ground shakers

  Ground shakers are equipped with a shaker head placed underneath the tree, which is then connected to a hydraulic system or motor. Once activated, the head shakes the tree, causing the fruits to drop. Normally, ground shakers are used to harvest trees with high trunks and open canopies, for example, pecan trees. The open canopies of the trees allow the shaker to easily reach the trunk. The technique is non-damaging to the tree.

• Trunk shakers

  As their name indicates, trunk shakers target the trunk of the tree to harvest fruits. The shaker consists of a mobile unit equipped with a hydraulic arm or clamp that holds the trunk and then shakes it. This machine is mainly used for harvesting fruits like citrus, apples, coffee, and olives, etc. One of the main advantages of trunk shakers is that they are compatible with many types of tractors. Therefore, growers can attach them to the tractors they are using for other field activities to harvest fruits.

• Limb shakers

  Limb shakers are similar to trunk shakers, but they target the limbs or branches of the tree. They are equipped with clamps or padded cups that hold the limb and shake it. Limb shakers are usually used to harvest fruits from trees with significant branches, such as pears and stone fruits. Furthermore, limb shakers can reduce damage to the fruits as they are designed to have controlled shaking intensity. Another advantage of limb shakers is that they can cover large areas in a short time.

• Hot air shakers

  Hot air shakers are a little different. They use a gun to blow strong bursts of hot air in order to shake the fruits off the tree. This kind of tree shaker is mainly used to harvest blueberries. It's effective and cost-efficient. However, it has a shortcoming. Generally, it requires a backup generator to supply the electricity.

Specifications and maintenance of tree shakers

Specifications

• Capacity: The capacity of a tree shaker measures how much fruit it can shake off in one go.
• Size: The height and width of a tree shaker matter, too. It needs to fit around trees of different sizes well.
• Power: Tree shakers have engines just like cars. The power they produce is measured in horsepower. More horsepower means more shaking strength.
• Weight: Tree shakers have their weights counted in pounds kilograms. Heavier models shake better but lighter ones are easier to move around.
• Shake method: Different shakers use different ways to shake trees. Some have poles that hit the trunk, while others grip and shake the whole tree.
• Operating budget: This aspect includes the fuel usage and maintenance cost. It's important to think about fuel saving, too, so it doesn't spend more money driving around.

Maintenance tips

• Cleaning: Dirty fruit and tree parts can cause blockages, so this should be done right after use.
• Oil changes: Regularly replacing the engine oil keeps it running smoothly for many years.
• Tire checks: Checking pressures and treads prevent blowouts. Shaker tires are similar to those on pickup trucks.
• Battery maintenance: Cleaning battery terminals and checking charge ensures the shaker starts every time.
• Greasing: Lubricating moving parts with grease minimizes wear from friction. Apply grease to pivots, axles, etc. Remember, This is vital for shakers shaken by other machines instead of directly from the shaker itself.
• Engine inspection: Looking over the shaker's engine helps find problems quickly. Checking hoses, belts, and connections stops small issues from becoming major engine failures.

Usage scenarios for a tree shaker

The primary use of tree shakers is to harvest fruits economically and efficiently. However, this wood shaker has various applications in different industries. This makes the machine versatile.

• The main use of a tree shaker is to harvest various fruits like apples, oranges, pecans, walnuts, olives, and mangoes efficiently. By shaking the tree branches and trunks, matured fruits are dislodged quickly and harvested with minimum labor.
• In the forestry industry, tree shakers are used to harvest timber. Shaking the trees gently helps to cut branches without causing damage to the main tree trunk. This is applicable when the forest owner is harvesting only a few trees for timber, or he wants to thin out the forest.
• In the pulp and paper industry, tree shakers can be used to harvest trees such as pine and eucalyptus. These trees are commonly used for pulp production. By shaking the trees, the desired trees for pulp and paper are harvested quickly.
• Tree shakers can be used in ornamental tree and shrub nurseries. All the operators need to do is shake the branches gently. This will result in the desired flowers and foliage being pruned. This promotes better growth and also enhances plant quality.
• Tree shakers can be used in the habitat restoration and conservation efforts. They do this by re-distributing seeds. This is possible when the operators shake mature trees that have ripened fruits containing seeds.
• Tree shakers are commonly used in research and scientific studies related to tree growth, fruit development, and pest behavior. In such cases, the machine is used to replicate natural disturbances. This is done for observing the ecological responses or for evaluating the effects of different management practices.
• Tree shakers can be used to control pests and diseases that affect tree crops. For instance, shaking the trees can dislodge insects and pests that are infesting the tree or its foliage. This can help reduce their populations and decrease the risk of infestation.

How to choose a tree shaker

Purchasing a tree shaker for sale can be an enormous investment for any business. Therefore, it is crucial to consider several factors before getting the suitable tree shaker:

• Productivity and efficiency:

  How fast and effectively the tree shaker performs its job is important. Think about the speed and number of trees it can treat in a certain time. A machine that shakes more trees quickly can help work better and get more done in a day, which might be good for business.

• Flexibility and ease of use:

  The tree shaker should also be able to work with different kinds of trees and be simple to operate. As tree types and sizes can vary a lot, it's vital that the machine can easily adjust to shake various trees without causing any damage.

• Labor costs and automation:

  Tree shaking is often done by hand, so the cost of paying workers to help is an important thing to think about. Machines that shake trees automatically can lower labor costs by reducing the number of workers needed. Automating the process with machines might save money compared to having many people work on this part manually.

• Machine compatibility:

  Can the shaker work with other machines used in harvesting? It's also vital that the tree shaker can easily connect and work together with other equipment used in the harvesting process. When machines can be coupled and linked together without problems, it helps everything run smoothly and efficiently during the harvest.

• Replacement parts availability:

  It's also important to make sure that parts needed to repair the machine if something breaks are easy to find. Sometimes, specific machines require special components that are hard to get. But the supply of replacement parts should be sufficient to allow for quickly fixing any issues that arise with the tree shaking equipment.

Tree shaker FAQ

Q1: How is a tree shaker different from a standard fruit harvest shaker?

A1: Tree shakers are specifically designed to shake trees and shrubs to harvest fruit. They use a gentle shaking motion that effectively dislodges mature fruit without causing damage to the tree or the fruit. Shaking mechanisms are typically padded to prevent any impact-related injuries to both the tree and the produce. On the other hand, shakers for open fields are more aggressive and rigid since they deal with crops that have little or no protection over the branches and trunks.

Q2: Can all types of trees be shaken with a tree shaker?

A2: No, not all trees can be shaken. Only a few fruit-bearing trees with sufficient trunk diameter and mature fruit are suitable for this harvesting method. Some examples are the citrus family, walnuts, olives, and pecans. Trees with slender trunks or those that lack tree-like formations, like strawberries, shouldn't use tree shakers for harvests. Additionally, immature fruit may firmly adhere to the branches, making them unsuitable for shaking.

Q3: Do tree shakers damage trees or disturb wildlife?

A3: When used as instructed, tree shakers for harvesting have minimal impact on trees. Shaking is less harmful than manual harvesting, especially under the right conditions. However, as with any harvesting technique, some losses may occur. The same applies to wildlife. Operators should avoid shaking trees that house known bird nests during the breeding season to avoid harming birds.

Q4: How fast can a tree shaker harvest fruit compared to manual methods?

A4: Tree shakers are significantly faster than manual harvesting. Depending on the machine's model, engine power, type of tree, and fruit volume, it may shake between 1000 and 3000 trees per day. Manual shaking lacks the machine's efficiency and can only harvest about 100-500 trees per day in a small team.

Q5: What percentage of fruit does a tree shaker typically dislodge?

A5: This number will vary depending on the tree species, fruit maturity, trunk size, machine type, and operator experience. However, when operated under optimal conditions, tree shakers typically dislodge between 70% and 90% of mature fruit on the first shake. Up to 95% may be recovered with repeated shakin