07/11/2023

Shaker or harvester: what to choose?

Shaker or harvester?

We are in October, the olive harvest period in the Mediterranean area.
In the past, manual work allowed the harvest of up to 100kg of olives per day.
The evolution of harvesting techniques has led to the creation of specialized tools that facilitate and optimize work.
Two of these tools are the shaker and the barker. Although both are designed to simplify the process, they have significant differences in their features and functionality.

The shaker

The Cifarelli shaker is used by placing the machine on the shoulder using a shoulder strap.
The machine, equipped with a combustion engine, through its gearbox transmits the rotary movement of the crankshaft to the shaft. This can reach a length of more than 3 meters and at its end has a hook with an opening of 42mm.
The shaker attaches to the branches of the tree and, generating vibrations (about 2,000 per minute), makes the fruits fall to the ground.
While the car is hooked to the branch, its weight is supported by the tree.
Its efficiency allows to harvest from 2000 to 4000 kg of olives per day, managing to recover 93%-95% of the fruits. The percentage of harvesting may vary depending on the type of olives, the pruning carried out and the ripening point of the fruits. 
A distinctive aspect of the shaker is that, unlike other collection methods, it does not affect the younger twigs and gems (drupes) present. This avoids damaging them and affects the productivity of the plants for the following year.
For its greater effectiveness, the shaker is considered a machine for professional use.

The harvester

Another popular method for picking olives is the harvester.
This device is equipped with an electric motor powered by a battery. The electric engine transmits the movement with two arms mounted at the end of a rod, from 2m to about 2.5 m long, on which there are rods. 
The movement of the arms, parallel or opposed, combing the crown of the olive tree makes the fruits fall.
The machine is lighter than the shaker and during use the operator supports it with his arms.
With the harvester you can collect from 600 to 800kg of olives per day. Also in this case, the percentage of harvesting may vary depending on the type of olives, the pruning carried out and the ripening point of the fruits.

Which machine to choose?

The choice between a shaker and an harvester depends on the number of trees from which to collect: the shaker is preferable when you have a large number of olive trees for its greater effectiveness while the barker is the right choice up to 150 plants.
The two machines are complementary: if the shaker collects up to 95% of the fruits, the harvester completely cleans the plant.