Abstract: An improved direct-loading crop harvester for vine crops is disclosed as having a shaker head capable of being rotatively oscillated about its axis and having tines adapted to engage the vines of the crop to be harvested. A support conveyor is provided to support the vines while the tines of the shaker head shake the fruit therefrom. A collector conveyor is provided to collect the fruit as it falls from the vines and to transport the fruit for further processing.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for plants grown in rows, such as grapes, includes a vehicle having a support frame of an inverted U-shape and a shaker frame that also has an inverted U-shape and that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle support frame about a single axis that is parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Striker bars are rigidly attached in spaced, opposing and parallel relation at the lower end of the shaker frame and at a height above ground level to engage the trunk of the plants. A non-positive oscillatory drive mechanism is attached to the upper end of the shaker frame to rock the frame about the single pivot axis to cause the striker bars to alternately impact opposite sides of the trunks. The drive mechanism consists of two eccentric weights rotatably mounted to the shaker frame above and equidistantly spaced from the pivot axis so that the center of gravity of the shaker frame, weights and other elements attached to the shaker frame is approximately coincidental with the pivot axis.