Agricultural harvester having automated tree sensing and shaking device and method

A tree harvester, including a tree shaker head, comprising:

• a body portion including an engine;
• a shaker head being movably engaged to the body, said shaker head including a pair of tree clamping pads;
• a tree shaking control system being operably engaged with said engine and said shaker head, said control system including:
• a means for sensing a tree;
• a means for determining a distance value to said tree;
• a means for causing said shaker head to move towards said tree;
• a means for causing said shaker head to clamp said tree;
• a means for causing said shaker head to shake said tree;
• a means for causing said shaker head to unclamp said tree;
• a means for causing said shaker head to move away from said tree.

A method for harvesting trees utilizing a tree shaking device, comprising:

• inputting a predetermined tree distance value into a control system;
• positioning a harvester including a tree shaker head proximate a tree;
• determining a distance value to said tree and inputting said distance value to said tree into said control system;
• providing control signals from said control system to said shaker head to cause said shaker head to move outwardly towards said tree;
• providing control signals from said control system to stop said outward movement of said shaker head when said distance value to said tree is equal to or less than said predetermined tree distance value;
• providing further control signals to said shaker head to cause said shaker head to clamp said tree, and to shake said tree, and to unclamp said tree, and to move said shaker head away from said tree.