Pecan tree shaker

[tpulley]

I have about 8-10 pecan trees I want to shake the nuts off the tree. I am thinking of something like an impact hammer that would hit a solid plate that had a rubber outside next to the tree.

I have only seen some vague pictures of tree shakers out there. Any ideas on if this is a good approach?

 

[Bird]

I have about 8-10 pecan trees I want to shake the nuts off the tree. I am thinking of something like an impact hammer that would hit a solid plate that had a rubber outside next to the tree.

I have only seen some vague pictures of tree shakers out there. Any ideas on if this is a good approach?

I had a dozen pecan trees, nearest neighbor had a lot more, and I got acquainted with the owner of a commercial orchard who had made his own tree shaker on an International pickup frame and engine. Of course I also repaired mechanics' air tools, and the only impact hammers I've any experience with are not even close to being big enough, so they will not work.

But if you try it, be sure to let us know how it went.

 

[MikeD74T]

A spinning eccentric would be easier than impact & probably less likely to damage the trees?? MikeD74T

 

[GE222]

I was wondering how a pneumatic shaker from a dump truck box might work.

 

[tpulley]

Pneumatic shaker? Never knew they had one. Cool. I will poke around and see what makes them tick.

THe cam action I had thought about, but was wondering if it would have enough umph to shake the trees. Most of the trees are about 20 inches in diameter. Several are 10 inches too. Those I can just about shake by hand but yet cannot.

 

[Mathias NY]

If you only have a dozen trees or so, consider a hand held model like the Stihl SP200. They are a little pricy $1600 and could be out of production, but are probably ideal for a small operation. I have come across a couple of other brands, but finding information on this specialized tool is a little difficult.

Good luck.

 

[tpulley]

Never knew the handhelds existed. I can see this working for the smaller trees and the higher limbs of the 20 inch trees.

 

[forgeblast]

What about getting one of the "vintage" belly exercisers, the one with the belt. It might shake the trees. You may beable to fab a plate to hold it on the tractor.
No Sugar Just Spice: I Do Solemly Swear...
look at the third picture down.

 

[Bird]

If you only have a dozen trees or so, consider a hand held model like the Stihl SP200. They are a little pricy $1600 and could be out of production, but are probably ideal for a small operation. I have come across a couple of other brands, but finding information on this specialized tool is a little difficult.

Good luck.

I saw one of those at my Stihl dealer this past Spring and had to ask what it was, since I didn't recognize it.:laughing: As you said, pretty pricy though. My dealer told me they're used so much on olive trees that they even call them "olive harvesters".

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I can't offer much in the way of help, but your thread reminds me of something my dad used to tell me. He graduated high school in northern California and claims there were a lot of almond orchards around. He told us kids that the Californians called them a'monds (no "L") because they knew how they were harvested. A big machine would grab hold of the tree and shake the "L" out of them.

Maybe you can find some old a'mond harvesters and see how they worked.

There's no L in Pecan. Maybe you can shake the P out of them.

 

[tpulley]

Farmer, that cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh.

I bought a skid steer quick attachement plate a few mins ago on ebay ($75 + $48 for shipping). I am not sure what direction I am going in but I think I will by mid spring have a clear direction. I am weighing out my options now but there is still time to get your ideas in... :thumbsup:

 

[Bird]

I wonder how many of you are young enough to remember how it was done 50 to 100 years ago. My grandfather had pecan trees, and my parents "harvested" pecans to sell even when I was a baby, as well as later years. I can remember my Dad climbing the trees with a long cane fishing pole to thresh the pecans from the tree, then we just got down on our hands and knees and picked them up. But the commercial operations now are interesting; a big tree shaker, then what looks like a street sweeper to pick them up and dump then into big wagons. The wagons are then dumped onto conveyor belts where the limbs, twigs, leaves, and other debris is separated, the bad pecans are routed out one direction, the good ones go a little farther and are automatically sorted by size before going into burlap bags. It's an interesting operation to watch.

 

[jonyyuma]

I saw one in ARK. it was on back-hoe and had a saddle for the tree. They were using an hydraulic vibrator , similar to on the hoppers at gravel pits?It really brought them down into the large tarps spread around the trees. I know they make a 110 volt model, but then you need an inverter or an aux. gen-set?

 

[lostcause]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rylB_V6GndY]Jesse James Monster Garage Nut Shaker Truck - Custom Ford F150 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Depmandog]

Here is a link to a site that has just about any piece of equipment needed for nut harvesting, processing, etc.

http://www.nutbiz.com/harvest/equipment.htm

There are several Pecan growers in and around Brunswick MO. Billed as the pecan capital of Missouri, and home to the worlds largest pecan. I personally wouldn't drive too far out of the way to see this, but if you find yourselves, oh I don't know, maybe a few miles away, then I suggest you stop and take a picture.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2138

That being said, there is a place just west of Brunswick - Miller Pecans. The farmer has a pecan store setup in his processing building at his farm. Store is always open. It's on the honor system. You make your selection, and drop the money in a slot in the box. We have been there several times and didn't see a soul. One time Mr Miller was there, and we had a great conversation on nut harvesting. I asked him about his honor system. He said that he has only lost a few dollars in product in twenty something years. I was impressed. Says loads about the rural lifestyle.

Good luck with your trees.

Dean