Modern Experiments in Harvesting

Mechanized olive harvesting offers a series of advantages over traditional, labor-intensive manual harvesting. At Pacific Sun, we have experimented with a few different methods of mechanized olive harvesting. Since we grow other crops in addition to olives, we have access to several types of harvesting machines, like the Kilby Shaker, which is designed for harvesting prunes. This Shaker is comprised of chassis housing a padded hydraulic, telescopic frame, a diesel engine, and a shaking clamp.

The Shaker pulls up to the left side of the tree, in this case an Ascolana that is similar in structure to a prune tree, clamps on to the tree, extends the telescopic frame, and begins to shake the tree vigorously. Olives that fall from the tree are directed to a conveyor belt on the Kilby receiver.

The Kilby Receiver

Certain trees have too wide a base to be harvested with the Kilby Shaker and Receiver combination. In these cases, the OMC Shockwave Shaker shown here is an ideal tool. The OMC Shaker was designed for harvesting nut trees, most commonly almond and walnut trees. It employs a shaking clamp attached to a maneuverable boom. This boom has a reach of almost twenty feet and can be used on very large trees.

When we harvest with this shaker, we have to use tarps to catch the olives instead of the Kilby receiver.

When harvesting with the OMC Shaker, the shaker attaches to the tree and holds its position until the ground crew has placed the tarps in the proper position. When the tarps are in place, the operator applies the shake to the tree. When he is done shaking, the ground crew gathers the tarps and deposits the olives into either a nearby bin or on the conveyor belt of the Kilby Receiver.