In almond harvesting, labour is now the biggest challenge. Finding seasonal farm workers gets harder every year, while wages rise rapidly. On top of that, hand harvesting takes weeks, and during that long period an unexpected rain can reduce the quality of the season's crop. Monchiero self-propelled almond harvesters clear the orchard in a matter of days with a single operator, eliminating the need for manual labour and freeing the harvest from dependence on the weather.
In Turkey, finding seasonal farm workers gets harder every year, while labour costs rise rapidly. Hand-harvesting almonds requires, on average, approximately 1.5 man-days of labour per decare. Based on this figure:
Assembling a crew of this size at the start of the season, organising it and keeping it in the field throughout the harvest has become practically impossible for many growers today.
The second problem is timing. Hand harvesting takes weeks. During that long period, an unexpected rain causes fallen almonds to lose quality through contact with damp soil, leading to significant losses in colour, flavour and market value. A single spell of bad weather can jeopardise the profitability of the entire season.
Time required to harvest a 300-decare almond orchard:
| Method | Equipment | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hand harvesting | 30 workers × 15 days | 450 man-days |
| Monchiero 2095 | Single operator, ~50 da/day | ~6 days |
| Monchiero 20125 Ferox | Single operator, ~100 da/day | ~3 days |
* Harvest rates are based on operating speeds of 6 da/hour (2095) and 12 da/hour (20125 Ferox) respectively, in an orchard with suitable ground preparation. They may vary depending on field conditions.
Mechanical harvesting offers growers four key advantages:
The Monchiero range meets a variety of needs, from medium-sized family orchards to large commercial plantations. The two most popular models for almond harvesting in Turkey:
A compact solution for mid-sized orchards
With its Yanmar Stage V diesel engine, 4-wheel-drive Twin-Lock system and 1.3 m³ hopper, the 2095 is an ideal combination for medium-sized almond orchards. The dual counter-rotating pick-up system separates the almonds from leaves for a clean harvest. It offers excellent manoeuvrability in narrow-row plantings.
High capacity for large commercial plantations
The 20125 Ferox is a top-tier harvester designed for larger-scale operations. It stands out with the largest hopper in its class, at 3.1 m³, which means fewer unloading stops in the field and a significant increase in harvesting speed. Its wide pick-up system and advanced cleaning unit deliver high efficiency over long working hours.
For an efficient harvest, it is important that the almonds drop from the tree at the right time and all together. Waiting for natural drop can lead to both lost time and crop losses.
The Monchiero VL08 tree shaker shortens harvest time by dropping ripe almonds in a controlled way using a hydraulic clamp system that vibrates the tree without damaging it. It has a shaking capacity of more than 3 trees per minute.
One of the VL08's biggest advantages is its programmable joystick control system: it applies the set shaking program identically on every tree. This eliminates the differences in clamping force that vary from operator to operator, and avoids common mistakes such as incorrect positioning of the clamping jaws on the trunk, excessive clamping or bark damage. The result: your trees stay healthy from harvest to harvest and long-term yield is protected.
In an orchard shaken with the VL08, collection is then carried out with the 2095 or the 20125 Ferox — so the harvest is completed in a very short time.
A harvester investment shapes your productivity for many years. The main criteria to evaluate when making your decision are:
As Monchiero Türkiye, in addition to sales, we provide service support and genuine spare parts for the whole life of your machine. Under the Monchiero Certified Maintenance Programme (Monchiero Assist), we visit your orchard twice a year to carry out comprehensive maintenance before and after the season. With our support line open 7 days a week during the harvest season and our commitment to send a technician to the field within 24 hours, we guarantee that your machine keeps its day-one performance.
The price of Monchiero almond harvesters varies with orchard size, tree row spacing and the selected machine configuration. For growers establishing a young almond orchard, the 2095 compact model is a suitable starting point; for large, mature orchards, the 20125 Ferox delivers industrial-scale capacity. The VL08 shaker enables fast, efficient harvesting without harming almond trees.
Key points to know when requesting a price:
Share your orchard size, almond variety and row spacing — your tailored quote will be in your hands within 24 hours.
The Monchiero 2095, 20125 Ferox and VL08 models are now covered by the Agricultural Financing programme through Ziraat Bankası and Ziraat Katılım Bankası. The programme offers our growers three key advantages:
Contact our team for detailed terms, the application process and a payment plan tailored to you.
