Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review
Finding appropriate shaking parameters is crucial in designing effective mechanical harvesters. The maximum fruit removal can be achieved when the machine operator properly adjusts the amplitude and frequency for shaking each tree. This review covers the progress in research and development over the...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| author | Mohsen Farajijalal Ali Abedi Cristian Manzo Amir Kouravand Mohammadmehdi Maharlooei Arash Toudeshki Reza Ehsani |
| author_facet | Mohsen Farajijalal Ali Abedi Cristian Manzo Amir Kouravand Mohammadmehdi Maharlooei Arash Toudeshki Reza Ehsani |
| author_sort | Mohsen Farajijalal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Finding appropriate shaking parameters is crucial in designing effective mechanical harvesters. The maximum fruit removal can be achieved when the machine operator properly adjusts the amplitude and frequency for shaking each tree. This review covers the progress in research and development over the past decades on using mechanical harvesters for nut trees, such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and hickories, with a specific focus on the natural frequency of individual trees. Furthermore, the reported values of shaking frequency and amplitude from previous studies were discussed and compared, along with frequency calculation approaches based on various shaking mechanisms. Additionally, other parameters, such as clamping force, height, and shaking amplitude, were investigated to determine optimal values for minimizing tree damage. This review emphasizes that the tree’s diameter, height, and canopy morphology should be the primary factors considered when estimating the optimal shaking frequency for nut trees. It also highlights that, to date, the shaking amplitude, frequency, and duration set by field managers or machine operators tend to remain consistent for all trees, which can limit harvesting efficiency. The findings suggest that selecting these parameters uniformly across all trees may not result in efficient fruit removal for individual trees. However, with the assistance of modern computing technology and its adaptation for in-field applications, it is feasible to determine the optimal shaking frequency for each tree mathematically. This approach can maximize fruit removal rates while minimizing tree damage. Finally, the review suggests that improving existing harvesting machines by incorporating better vibratory patterns could offer benefits such as enhanced productivity, reduced labor costs, and decreased permanent tree damage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-47f26fcd8ba543b4a061e3e6e362d2e8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-47f26fcd8ba543b4a061e3e6e362d2e82025-08-20T02:28:14ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-04-0111439210.3390/horticulturae11040392Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A ReviewMohsen Farajijalal0Ali Abedi1Cristian Manzo2Amir Kouravand3Mohammadmehdi Maharlooei4Arash Toudeshki5Reza Ehsani6Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USAFinding appropriate shaking parameters is crucial in designing effective mechanical harvesters. The maximum fruit removal can be achieved when the machine operator properly adjusts the amplitude and frequency for shaking each tree. This review covers the progress in research and development over the past decades on using mechanical harvesters for nut trees, such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and hickories, with a specific focus on the natural frequency of individual trees. Furthermore, the reported values of shaking frequency and amplitude from previous studies were discussed and compared, along with frequency calculation approaches based on various shaking mechanisms. Additionally, other parameters, such as clamping force, height, and shaking amplitude, were investigated to determine optimal values for minimizing tree damage. This review emphasizes that the tree’s diameter, height, and canopy morphology should be the primary factors considered when estimating the optimal shaking frequency for nut trees. It also highlights that, to date, the shaking amplitude, frequency, and duration set by field managers or machine operators tend to remain consistent for all trees, which can limit harvesting efficiency. The findings suggest that selecting these parameters uniformly across all trees may not result in efficient fruit removal for individual trees. However, with the assistance of modern computing technology and its adaptation for in-field applications, it is feasible to determine the optimal shaking frequency for each tree mathematically. This approach can maximize fruit removal rates while minimizing tree damage. Finally, the review suggests that improving existing harvesting machines by incorporating better vibratory patterns could offer benefits such as enhanced productivity, reduced labor costs, and decreased permanent tree damage.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/4/392amplitudefrequencyharvest efficiencyshakervibration |
| spellingShingle | Mohsen Farajijalal Ali Abedi Cristian Manzo Amir Kouravand Mohammadmehdi Maharlooei Arash Toudeshki Reza Ehsani Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review Horticulturae amplitude frequency harvest efficiency shaker vibration |
| title | Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review |
| title_full | Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review |
| title_short | Assessing Crucial Shaking Parameters in the Mechanical Harvesting of Nut Trees: A Review |
| title_sort | assessing crucial shaking parameters in the mechanical harvesting of nut trees a review |
| topic | amplitude frequency harvest efficiency shaker vibration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/4/392 |
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