Inertia Shakers 



AERD and State research to increase the effectiveness of shakers has led to the 

 development of inertia shakers. These are designed in such a way that the shaking 

 mechanism itself absorbs the reaction force. This is due to the fact that the shaking 

 mechanism is free to rotate along its main line of motion relative to the claw end, 

 to the ratios between the masses of the shaker and the claw, and the way in which 

 the shaker is supported. The supporting attachment is approximately at the balance 

 point or center of gravity of the shaker and attaches to an extension of the shaker 

 claw. 



Catching Frames 



Catching frames for fruit are essentially inclined canvas screens fitted under 

 the tree. As the fruit shakes from the tree, it falls on the screen and rolls down 

 into a conveyor that carries it into a box. Some catching frames have manual 

 cranks to move the conveyor. The earliest conveyors were wooden troughs that 

 lifted out so the fruit could be poured into boxes. Most later models have a gaso- 

 line engine that moves the frame from tree to tree, runs the conveyor, and powers 

 the shaker. 



Figure 1 shows a boom shaker and catching frame being used to harvest 

 peaches. 



BN-20S72 



Figure 1. — Boom shaker and catching frame are being used to experimentally harvest 

 peaches. Note parallel layers of decelerator strips. These slow the descent of the falling peaches 

 and keep the peaches from bruising when they strike the catching frame. 



