Abstract: The machine of the present invention operates to automatically nail a combination of pre-cut wood boards together to form a pallet. The machine may be adjusted so that the size of the pallet can be varied as to dimensions and number of pre-cut boards. Once the pallet size and board combination has been selected, the machine is set up by moving jigs, stops, clamps and nailing heads into their proper operative positions. A number of nailing heads are adjustably mounted on a carriage that moves past a support on which the pre-cut boards are mounted. Both the top and bottom boards of the pallet are nailed simultaneously to the central or longitudinal board of the pallet. By way of a clamping system, the boards are squared and precisely positioned and secured together by clamping action. The carriage then begins to move and the nailing operations commence and continue until all of the nails have been driven into the boards of the pallet.

Abstract: The machine of the present invention operates to automatically nail a combination of pre-cut wood boards together to form a pallet. The machine may be adjusted so that the size of the pallet can be varied as to dimensions and number of pre-cut boards. Once the pallet size and board combination has been selected, the machine is set up by moving jigs, stops, clamps and nailing heads into their proper operative positions. A number of nailing heads are adjustably mounted on a carriage that moves past a support on which the pre-cut boards are mounted. Both the top and bottom boards of the pallet are nailed simultaneously to the central or longitudinal board of the pallet. By way of a clamping system, the boards are squared and precisely positioned and secured together by clamping action. The carriage then begins to move and the nailing operations commence and continue until all of the nails have been driven into the boards of the pallet.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for field packing of broccoli and other cut product includes a mobile frame and a rotatable sorting table. Individual broccoli stalk cut by workers walking along with the mobile packer and placed on conveyors on the packer and are discharged onto the rotatable sorting table. A plurality of banding frames are attached to the periphery of the rotatable table and include mechanisms for holding an expanded elastic band. Workers standing around the table may gather the broccoli from the table, form bunches of individual stalks, and place the bunches into the expanded band. Further mechanisms are provided for automatically ejecting the banded broccoli onto a discharge conveyor, and replacing a new elastic band onto the banding frame. The bunched broccoli may then be packed into cartons by other personnel on the mobile packer.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for bundling and tying a product. A plurality of spaced product carriers are sequentially moved along a conveyor flight. At a first station along said flight, a product tie is inserted into each spaced carrier. Each carrier is then advanced to a second station and a product is inserted therein. Each carrier, containing a product and a product tie, is then advanced along said conveyor flight to a third station where the tie is secured about the product. Thereafter, the tied product is discharged from the apparatus at a delivery station. Tie insertion, conveyor operation, product tying, and product delivery are automatic operations, one in coordination with the other and at a selected rate.

Abstract: A needle seeder for use in a seed delivery system is described. A seed needle is operated by a pneumatic cylinder or other such drive means in a reciprocating motion. During an upward stroke, the seed needle passes through a seed bed into a seed delivery port. The seed needle has a needle tip that includes a complementary recess for cradling a seed; a pressure differential maintained at the needle tip maintains the seed in position on the needle tip. At the furthest extent of an upward stroke, the seed needle tip is in place at a seed delivery port and the pressure differential at the needle tip is reversed, thereby expelling the seed from said tip and through a seed delivery hose. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of needle seeders are arranged in a row and mounted to a tractor driven seed delivery device for field seeding.