Michael,
I would urge caution. There are several shakers around, some of which require very precise calibration, and extreme care in their use so as not to damage the trees. Not only that, but you need to talk to the operator to ensure the best result for yourself and the trees.
A local (and friend) has a shaker and does contract harvesting around the state (NSW Au) and he:
* will not start until after 10am as the bark is still too 'soft and sappy' until the dew has risen ... leads to bark damage and potential ringbarking.
* stops before the evening cooling starts, as that also leaves the bark soft and prone to damage.
* will not shake trees that he hasn't inspected well before, and accepted that the pruning has been doen early enough to allow the bark where the gripper will grab to harden in the sun for a while (it is no good pruning a week before the harvest and expecting the bark to be OK)
* is cinvinced that there is no damage to roots on "mature" trees. Will not touch trees under about 10 years of age, and even then, he insiists on an inspection, for his own peace of mind.
Who can blame him?
If the harvest goes well, and the majority of fruit is detached with minimal to zero damage to the tree, everyone is happy. If there is tree damage, it will be seen as being his fault! Unless he is meticulous, he will be blamed for everything bad that happens, and the grower will take the credit for everything that goes right! Law of human nautre, that!
