Pecan tree shaker

[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