Labour is now the biggest challenge in walnut harvesting. 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 walnut harvesters clear the orchard within days with a single operator, eliminating the need for labour and freeing the harvest from dependence on the weather.
In Türkiye, finding seasonal farm workers gets harder every year, while labour costs rise rapidly. Hand-harvesting walnuts requires, on average, about 1.5 man-days per decare of labour. 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 can degrade the quality of walnuts lying on the ground through contact with damp soil, causing 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 walnut 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 mid-sized family orchards to large commercial plantations. The two most popular models for walnut harvesting in Türkiye are:
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 mid-sized walnut orchards. The dual counter-rotating pick-up system separates the walnuts from the leaves for a clean harvest. It offers excellent manoeuvrability in narrow-row plantations.
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 walnuts drop from the tree at the right time and all together. Waiting for them to fall naturally can cost both time and yield.
The Monchiero VL08 tree shaker uses a hydraulic clamping system that vibrates the tree without damaging it, dropping ripe walnuts in a controlled way and shortening harvest time. It can shake 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 walnut harvesters varies with orchard size, the model chosen and any added equipment. The compact 2095 model is a suitable starting point for small and medium-scale walnut growers; the 20125 Ferox is preferred for industrial orchards larger than 300 decares. The VL08 shaker is a complementary investment for growers who want to speed up the harvest.
Key points to know when requesting a price:
Share your orchard size, row spacing and harvest plan — 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.
