Abstract: The method including the steps of growing plants supported on a structure with pendant portions of the plants extending downwardly therefrom and moving the pendant portions of the plants upwardly over the plants prior to harvest. The apparatus having a conveyor with a grasping section operable to introduce the pendant portions to the conveyor for transport therealong and a releasing section operable to release the pendant portions from the conveyor and a mount borne by the conveyor for securing the conveyor on a vehicle for transport along the plants with the grasping section deployed for contact with the pendant portions and the releasing section disposed above the plants for releasing the pendant portions on to the plants.

Abstract: A method for harvesting fruit from a row crop trained on a trellis wire and an apparatus having a vehicle adapted for earth traversing movement along a row crop supported on a trellis wire, a striking member having an end portion, an assembly mounting the striking member on the vehicle with said end portion disposed for movement with the vehicle along a course adjacent to the trellis wire and for reciprocal movement in a path to and from engagement with the trellis wire, and a mechanism connected in driving relation to the striking member for reciprocating the striking member to move the end portion thereof in the path repeatedly to strike the trellis wire to shake the fruit from the row crop.