Macaw palm supply chain: Evaluation of a semi-mechanized fruit harvesting system

•Agricultural mechanization for an effective harvesting of macaw palm fruits.•Mechanical vibrations can be applied for macaw palm fruit mechanical harvesting.•A harvester machine prototype was evaluated for harvesting macaw palm fruits.•Prototype operational performance and mechanical injuries in fruits were evaluated.•Mechanical vibrations are applicable and promising for macaw palm fruit harvesting. The macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is native to Brazil and is a promising crop for oil extraction for biodiesel production. Production methods are still lacking, as well as the in-depth knowledge required for domestication and improved fruit harvesting. The use of mechanical vibrations, which is well established in crops such as coffee, may help to develop harvesting methods. Therefore, this study evaluated the operational performance of a semi-mechanized macaw palm fruit harvester prototype. The prototype was evaluated in field tests conducted in Araponga, Minas Gerais, with plants originating from accessions in Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul. The evaluations were based on data involving operational capacity, operational efficiency and damage to fruits. The prototype presented an average operational capacity of over 90 %, thus validating the use of mechanical vibrations for macaw palm fruit harvesting.