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.