Apple Tree Shakers - feedback

[Bryan Hart]

Hi All,

I'm looking forward to harvest time and gathering all those apples in preparation for cider making. My trees seem to have survived the hot summer, in particular those searingly hot winds, and the fruit looks small but plentiful, I wont harvest until October so maybe they'll plump up with some rain.

I planted 200 cider trees 6 years ago and they are starting to provide good yields for their size and I'm thinking of how harvest time is changing as yields start to increase in the coming years. I have been restoring a Tuthill apple harvester over the last year to collect apples once they are on the ground but I am also wondering what the feedback is on apple tree shakers? These trees are still a bit young to be shaken but I thought I could start using one of my other 10 mature trees to get the hang of it.

I would like one that sits on the back of my tractor but are there any lessons learned, good makes, second hand suppliers, techniques, problems etc. from you seasoned apple pickers? I've seen a shaker on ebay for about £300 but do they do the job?

I dont think I'm in the market for those huge machines with wheels, belts, hydraulics etc. that look so easy on You Tube.

Thanks

Bryan, The Chiltern Cider Company