Abstract: On tree shaking harvesters, shaker heads with padding engage tree trunks of nut and fruit trees and shake the trunks to dislodge the fruit/nuts. The invention disclosed is directed toward an improved pad or padding filler and cooling arrangement for the pads of a shaker machine/harvester. The pad is improved by having an improved filler material within a main chamber of the pad, the filler being ceramic material to supply body and help maintain a cool pad; and an improved cooling liquid circulation fitting is connected to the pad in one embodiment.

Abstract: A flexible main shaker pad with an inexpensive and environmentally safe filler. The pad to be used in opposing pairs, one pad placed on each opposite side of a tree trunk or branch and supported by shaker arms of a tree trunk shaking harvester. The pad is constructed of flexible rubbery material, and is a thin-walled hollow pad having a large sealed interior chamber substantially full of fluid. The pad is preferably elongated to span the diameter of a tree trunk. The chamber is accessible through a removable plug in an end wall of the pad. The fluid within the chamber is preferably substantially water. The water filler is highly fluid, and non-compressible, and these characteristics aid in providing a pad which is flexible and conformable about a tree trunk, and which is not subject to excessive crushing and deformation under normal clamping pressures associated with tree shaking to dislodge fruit.

Abstract: A friction reducing slip member for the shaker arms of a tree shaking harvester. The slip member in one form is a thin flexible panel structured for placement outward or over a main pad of the shaker head. The slip member includes a peripherally sealed interior chamber fully containing a friction reducing material such as grease, silicone lubricant, powdered or granular lubricants, or coatings having low coefficients of friction such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The lubricant allows the outer surface or side of the slip member to be positioned against a tree and to remain stationary during the tree shaking mode. The opposite interior side of the slip member is allowed to move with the shaker head as the shock waves are carried through the stationary surface of the slip member to the tree. The stationary side wall positioned against the tree protects the bark and cambium layer of the tree from damage.

Abstract: The material slinger includes an upper section with feed hopper suitable for rotatably connecting to a vertically disposed feed chute or tube. Affixed below the feed hopper is a pivotal main body which can be repositioned to alter the angle of the dispensed material. The material is fed from the feed hopper to a funnel shaped hopper in the main body where it is directed onto the curved surface of a high speed rotating throwing belt. The belt, along with the positionable main body, allows the material to be thrown a significant distance and at a wide range of readily changed angles. Also included is an air vent located between the feed hopper and funnel hopper which allows free circulation of air into and or out of the material feed path. The air vent serves as a pressure relief and a vacuum preventing arrangement depending upon the circumstances of material flow.

Abstract: A nut harvest trailer having a hopper with a rotatable loop of flexible screen affixed over the top of the hopper extending from the front to the rear thereof. A solid panel is affixed between an upper and lower layer of the loop of screen. The solid panel extends from the front of the hopper toward the rear thereof. The solid panel terminates to leave a narrow opening between the end of the solid panel and the rear of the hopper. The structure allows a mixture of nuts and small limbs to be deposited onto the upper layer of screen and solid panel at the front of the trailer. The mixture is then moved by the upper layer of screen on the solid panel toward the rear of the trailer where the nuts fall through the screen, through the narrow opening and into the hopper of the trailer. The sticks remain on the screen and are deposited off the rear of the trailer. The lower layer of the screen loop moves from the rear of the hopper toward the front thereof.

Abstract: An improved double section, self-propelled harvester for harvesting nuts and fruits from trees. Each separate harvester section has an engine and sterring mechanics for operation by a single driver per section. Each section is structured to be simultaneously disposed one section on each side of a tree to form a V-shaped produce catch platform sloping toward a centrally positioned off-load system of conveyors. The off-load conveyors carry the produce for deposit into either hauling trailers attached one to each section or fruit boxes riding on the harvester. One harvester section is equipped with a self-centering trunk style shaker adapted to reach out and vibrate the tree to remove the produce therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-propelled fully operational loose bulk material slinger in a vehicle equipped to be driven. A slinger and hopper is mounted on a chassis supported by a triangular arrangement of road wheels. Individual powering of two road wheels, one on each side of the chassis, allows self-powered mobility and the road wheels can be steered for directional release of a material being stockpiled. A third small road wheel attached to swivel, balances the vehicle and can be retracted and extended to angle the vehicle for increasing and decreasing trajectory height of material being stockpiled. An engine and a hydraulic system provides mobility and mechanical adjustability to the vehicle. A stand-on control station allows the slinger vehicle according to the invention to be fully controlled by a single operator.

Abstract: A generally closed circulatory system of tubing between a first heat exchanger built into the shaker head, and a second heat exchanger positioned remote of the first heat exchanger. The closed circulatory system contains a coolant which is coursed through the first heat exchanger whereat heat is pulled from the shaker head into the coolant. The heated coolant is then coursed through the second heat exchanger where the increased heat of the coolant is expelled. The coursing of the coolant through the two heat exchangers is a generally continuous cycle.

Abstract: A lubricant filled reservoir attached to a pressuring device is adapted to deliver lubricant from the reservoir to between the padding layers of the shaker heads. The lubricant reservoir and pressuring device in one arrangement of the invention is a manually operated hand-held grease gun attachable to a lubricant fitting which extends through an outer pad of the shaker head to a second layer of padding. In another arrangement of the invention the lubricant reservoir is mounted on the harvester and the pressuring device is either manually or power operable from within the driver's cab. A conduit extending from the mounted lubricant reservoir to the shaker head padding is generally permanently attached as a part of the machine. The driver in this arrangement may grease the shaker heads periodically without stopping the tree shaking process or leaving the driver's cab.

Abstract: A retaining sling for fruit tree shaker pads is provided with circularly channels within or between the exterior walls of the sling. The sling also has input and output ports which communicate with fluid circulating channels to course liquid throughout the sling for cooling purposes. The liquid movement can be accomplished through gravitational, convectional, or mechanical pump means. The liquid can be cooled by a radiator, by coils in an ice chest, or by refrigeration.

Abstract: The invention provides a low-profile agricultural trailer with power assisted wheels for use in orchards particularly during nut harvesting. A rectangular paneled trailer body has an open top partially covered by a sectional opened-top longitudinal hood, and is formed internally with hopper-like structure having sliding doors as openable bottom closures. The sliding doors move horizontally operated manually by levers at both ends of the trailer body. The hood has expanded metal see-through corners so nut loading can be watched and the nuts retained. A continuous loop load leveler has chains with angular load leveling paddles attached operational adjacently below the opened top of the hood. A base framework having trailer tow hitches at both ends supports the trailer body. An axle fastened to the base framework passes through a wheel housing downwardly opened transversely centrally through the trailer body. Two automotive type wheels with road tires are attached, one to each end of the axle by wheel hubs.

Abstract: A portable self-powered load conveyer is structured on a wheeled frame with a drive-over ramp feature allowing ground level loading of bulk materials. Pivotally attached to the wheeled frame, is an elevator with height adjustment mechanics for depositing the bulk materials as required at a higher level. The wheeled frame is equipped with retractable street wheels and a tow hitch for moving the conveyer from job site to job site by towing. Dual sets of positionable wheels, also on the frame, allows backward, forward, turning, and sideways self-powered movement of the conveyer assemblage around the job site. The self-powering is accomplished by an installed internal combustion engine and controlled hydraulic pressurized mechanics. The control arrangement allows for the entire conveyer assemblage to be managed by a single operator.

Abstract: A cylindrical fruit tree shaker pad is provided with small parallel longitudinal channels manufactured into the exterior walls of the pad. The pad also has a larger centrally located longitudinal bore which communicates with grooved channels manufactured into each end of the shaker pad body structure or in grooved channels designed into two end caps, all of which communicate with the longitudinal parallel channels. These channels and grooves are designed to circulate liquid throughout the shaker pad for cooling purposes. The liquid movement can be accomplished through gravitational, convectional, or mechanical pump means. The liquid can be cooled by a radiator, by coils in an ice chest, or by refrigeration.