Simultaneous Trunk and Canopy Shaking Improves Table Olive Harvester Efficiency versus Trunk Shaking Alone

Production of California table olives has declined significantly in recent years due to hand harvesting costs, often over 60% gross return. Mechanical could sharply decrease harvest increasing economic viability. harvester efficiency is a combination the percentage total fruit on tree removed by harvester, and time required do so. A comparison between an experimental canopy contact shaker commercial trunk demonstrated low efficiencies no significant differences two, averaging more than 8%. However, simultaneously combining both shaking methods increased removal economically feasible 75% produced better quality. Combining price per ton 63% versus 35% shaking. These results suggest mechanical olive that combines efficient either method alone, and, potential for harvesting.