ONE TOUGH NUT

• Orchard-Rite currently manufactures two types of tree shakers for walnuts, pecans, almonds, macadamias and pine nuts: the Monoboom and the Bullet. The industry-standard, Monoboom shaker, is the mainstay model in the lineup and performs scaffold shaking, a process that entails grabbing and shaking a tree’s branches.
• The Monoboom's large size and long boom must be maneuvered carefully in order to travel from tree to tree. In contrast, the best-selling Bullet tree shaker is a newer, more compact model that can be driven down rows of closely-planted trees with ease, in less time and with less ground compaction.
• Orchard-Rite and Caterpillar have a close alliance - Orchard-Rite's entire tree shaker product line is equipped with Cat engines. The Bullet and Monoboom models are powered with the Cat C4.4 engine; while the new two-piece shaker, scheduled for production in 2021, will be powered with a Cat C3.6 engine.
• When Orchard-Rite began working with Caterpillar, they needed to adapt to changing emissions regulations, and Caterpillar had the broad emissions expertise and experience that Orchard-Rite required. The Cat dealer has helped Orchard-Rite navigate several complex emission changes over the years, while also facilitating application and engineering processes to make the company’s products compliant.
• Caterpillar’s focus on quality was another deciding factor for picking a Cat engine, as they are high quality just like Orchard-Rite's machines. They both have the same high standards and are dedicated companies that provide service and support throughout the life of their products. 

Check the specs

CONTACT ORCHARD-RITE

CONTACT YOUR CAT DEALER

• The Cat®  C4.4 Industrial Diesel Engine is offered in ratings up to 200 hp (150 kW) and peak torque 825 Nm (609 lb-ft) which meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V emission standards.
• A modular and compact core on the Cat C4.4 makes installing the engine on any number of machine applications a relative breeze.  And when downsizing from five-liter platforms, OEMs can see a 20% reduction in length, 5% reduction in height and 40% reduction in weight of the engine, significantly reducing installation costs.
• With a 15% increase in power density and 10% increase in torque when compared to its predecessor engine, the compact design of the Cat C4.4 reduces heat loss for more efficient engine output, helping operators conquer even the toughest tasks with relative ease.
• When compared to similar 6-cylinder platforms, the C4.4 saves more than 18% in fluid consumption and is specially balanced to be its most effective, every day.
• Built-in clean emissions modules keep the Cat C4.4 performing at its peak while also keeping the air around the work site cleaner.

CUSTOMER:

Orchard-Rite

PRODUCT:

Monoboom & Bullet tree shakers

LOCATION:

Union Gap, Washington

SCOPE OF ENGINE USE:

Cat® C3.6 and C4.4 U.S. EPA & CARB Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V Industrial Engines

CAT DEALER:

N C Power Systems

PERFORMING THE PERFECT SHAKEDOWN

Breaking into the nut-orchard machinery industry today would be tough to crack. That’s because one company in particular, Orchard-Rite, has dominated that space for three decades. Founded in 1967, Orchard-Rite is a leader in the broader orchard equipment industry and has made harvesting equipment to serve the nut market niche since 1990. The company’s innovative designs and sound engineering practices produce nut-harvesting machines – called “tree shakers” – of unparalleled quality and dependability.

Those advantages are essential to owners of professional nut orchards. They know the profitability of a crop depends, in part, on the harvesting techniques that are used. Having the right equipment is critical, which is why so many people rely on Orchard-Rite engine-powered tree shakers to ensure practical, safe and efficient crop collection.

Orchard-Rite currently manufactures two types of shakers for walnuts, pecans, almonds, macadamias and pine nuts: the Monoboom and the Bullet. The industry-standard, Monoboom shaker, is the mainstay model in the lineup and performs scaffold shaking, a process that entails grabbing and shaking a tree’s branches. This model’s large size and long boom must be maneuvered carefully in order to travel from tree to tree. In contrast, the best-selling Bullet shaker is a newer, more compact model that can be driven down rows of closely-planted trees with ease, in less time and with less ground compaction.

BRANCHING OUT

The fact that several different types of nuts are grown professionally means there is endless opportunity to create machines specifically built to harvest each type. Consider pistachios, for example. These delicate nuts can be harmed by dropping to the ground. To prevent this from happening, Orchard-Rite is developing a new two-piece pistachio tree shaker that will be introduced in 2021. The first piece is a catching unit that gently collects falling pistachios. The second piece is a conveyor system that moves the pistachios to bins trailing behind the unit. This eliminates the need for a sweeper machine and, therefore, minimizes creation of dust that can impede air quality.

While the various Orchard-Rite tree shakers are quite different, the machines share a common feature: each is powered by a Cat® industrial engine. The Bullet and Monoboom models are powered with the Cat C4.4 engine, while each piece of the new two-piece shaker will be powered with a Cat C3.6 engine.

In a nutshell, collaboration is key. The close alliance between Orchard-Rite and Caterpillar began in 2006. By the following year, Caterpillar had helped Orchard-Rite equip its entire shaker product line with Cat engines, expertly maximizing engine horsepower to support each shaker’s hydraulics. One of the company’s main reasons for working with Caterpillar was the need to adapt to changing emissions regulations. Caterpillar had the broad emissions expertise and experience that Orchard-Rite required. In fact, Cat dealer, N C Power Systems, has helped Orchard-Rite navigate several complex emission changes over the years, while also facilitating application and engineering processes to make the company’s products compliant.

The kernel of kinship. Caterpillar’s focus on quality was another deciding factor. Tim Price, Orchard-Rite Division Manager, says his team appreciates how Caterpillar’s manufacturing standards match their own standards. “Cat engines are high quality from top to bottom, just like our machines,” he states. “We have visited the facilities where our engines are made, and we’re impressed by everything they do, including how they pour their own castings and perform the machining.”

Tim also points out another similarity: both Caterpillar and Orchard-Rite are dedicated companies that provide service and support throughout the life of their products. That’s a significant selling point that is profoundly meaningful to Orchard-Rite customers.  

“CAT ENGINES ARE HIGH-QUALITY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, JUST LIKE OUR MACHINES.”