Apple Harvesting with A Double Impact Trunk Shaker
ABSTRACT A spring activated trunk impact shaker, operated in either double impact or recoil-impact mode, was used to harvest semi-vigorous open-center apple trees. Both shaking modes caused less apple detachment damage than inertial trunk shaking. No significant dif-ferences in fruit damage occurred between the two im-pact shaking modes. Both impact shaking systems re-quire low energy inputs and should improve the quality of mechanically harvested apples.