Abstract: In a method for harvesting fruits, berries and the like by means of shaker members and in particular for gathering grapes in whole bunches, the shaker members are subjected to a succession of motion stages comprising a high-speed stage, a practically zero speed stage at least at one end of travel of the shaker members and an intermediate stage having a high speed gradient. The speed in the high-speed stage is at least 2 m/s, the time-duration of the practically zero speed stage is at least 30 ms and the speed gradient in the intermediate stage is at least 200 m/s.sup.2.