Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves. The friction force applied by the stripping roller removes one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce.

Abstract: A towable apparatus adapted for the separation of rock, stones, or debris from topsoil, having a stationary, non-vibrating sifting screen. A hydraulically powered conveyor belt with paddles pushes the soil across the sifting screen. The system provides features to assist prevention of machine jamming by large debris. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: The machine for removing ferrous debris removes such debris from firing ranges where the removal of hard objects is desired to prevent ricochets during firing exercises, particularly on aircraft gunnery ranges. The machine includes a chassis towed behind a remotely controlled or automated vehicle, with a mechanism support frame pivotally mounted on the chassis. A series of magnetic operating arms is provided across the mechanism frame, with a chain drive conveyor cycling the operating arms as the machine is operated. The operating arms automatically release any gathered ferrous debris into a hopper as the arms reach the hopper during their cycle. A mechanism is provided to accommodate angular deflection of the operating arms relative to the hopper due to sloped terrain, and a further automated mechanism is provided to tilt and empty the hopper as required. No human operator is required in the immediate area of the machine.

Abstract: The machine for removing ferrous debris removes such debris from firing ranges where the removal of hard objects is desired to prevent ricochets during firing exercises, particularly on aircraft gunnery ranges. The machine includes a chassis towed behind a remotely controlled or automated vehicle, with a mechanism support frame pivotally mounted on the chassis. A series of magnetic operating arms is provided across the mechanism frame, with a chain drive conveyor cycling the operating arms as the machine is operated. The operating arms automatically release any gathered ferrous debris into a hopper as the arms reach the hopper during their cycle. A mechanism is provided to accommodate angular deflection of the operating arms relative to the hopper due to sloped terrain, and a further automated mechanism is provided to tilt and empty the hopper as required. No human operator is required in the immediate area of the machine.

Abstract: This device is a vehicle for scraping earth from regions containing land mines or munitions. The scraped earth is separated into munitions and earth, the earth is allowed to exit the vehicle's scraper bowl. The munitions and land mines are retained in the scraper bowl. The device is additionally armored in those regions where explosion of the cargo carrying, e.g., land mines, is found. Additionally, the device may be robotically operated.

Abstract: A beach cleaner for recovering waste while moving in a towed state by a traction vehicle. A grating-like portion scoops up waste present in front of the beach cleaner as the beach cleaner is moved and a reticulate portion that is formed behind the grating-like portion to hold waste. As the beach cleaner is moved, waste present in front of the beach cleaner is scooped up onto the grating-like portion and is held with the reticulate portion formed behind the grating-like portion. Sand that is scooped up together with the waste is allowed to drop through the gaps in the grating-like portion.

Abstract: A beach cleaner for recovering waste while moving in a towed state by a traction vehicle. A grating-like portion scoops up waste present in front of the beach cleaner as the beach cleaner is moved and a reticulate portion that is formed behind the grating-like portion to hold waste. As the beach cleaner is moved, waste present in front of the beach cleaner is scooped up onto the grating-like portion and is held with the reticulate portion formed behind the grating-like portion. Sand that is scooped up together with the waste is allowed to drop through the gaps in the grating-like portion.

Abstract: Waste scattered on a sandy beach is recovered in a clean and efficient manner by using a beach cleaner of a simple structure. In a first waste recovery step, a first beach cleaner A is allowed to travel on a sandy beach while being towed by a self-traveling vehicle R, whereby waste G1 such as string-like waste and other elongated waste is caught on rakes and conveyed to a waste recovery area. In a waste recovery station the first beach cleaner A is lifted to recover the waste. In a second waste recovery step, while a second beach cleaner is allowed to travel by the self-traveling vehicle, waste such as cans which have not been recovered in the first waste recovery step are scooped up in a waste conveying section, and are then collected in a waste collecting section by means of scraping blades and are recovered in a waste recovering area.

Abstract: A beach cleaner for traveling on sandy soil while being towed by a traction vehicle for recovering waste such as empty cans scattered on the sandy soil. The beach cleaner is provided with a travel body. The travel body includes a plurality of longitudinal members arranged in a hurdle shape spacedly and extending in a travel direction and also having in a front portion thereof a portion to be pulled by the traction vehicle. A flat plate-like scraper for scraping up waste together with sand during travel of the beach cleaner is provided in the front portion of the travel body. A net for separating waste from a mixture of sand and waste scraped up by the scraper and for storing the thus-separated waste thereon is stretched on an upper surface of the travel body.

Abstract: The present invention provides mobile agricultural machinery for use in the harvesting of root crops. The machinery (10) comprises a chassis (12) provided with wheels (14), root crop harvesting shares (18), and an elevator system (22) including at least one generally vertically extending portion for conveying tubers (40) or the like generally vertically upwards from a first level to a second level. The elevator system comprises first and second endless belts (24, 25) and drive means (30) therefor which drive said belts in counter-rotating directions so that opposed conveying surfaces of the belts are driven in a common direction so as to define a conveying passage (28) therebetween.

Abstract: A rock picker includes a picker grate having a plurality of picker bars extending in a curved path forwardly and downwardly to a forwardmost end for engaging the rocks and lifting them onto the picker grate. A conventional sweeping reel sweeps the rocks to a hopper. The forward end of each of the grate bars includes a portion consisting of a vertical plate parallel to the direction of movement together with a rotating rod which extends across the full width of the picker and is supported by the cup-shaped forward ends of the grate bars. The rod improves the rock picking action and also allows the clearing of trash between the rod and the vertical plate portions exposed at the front of the grate bars. A second embodiment includes a further roe positioned with a trip mechanism forwardly and downwardly of the first rod.

Abstract: A potato harvester having cooperative elements serving the functions of prividing an overall frame for the harvester with wheels for locomotion. A de-vining system utilizing a de-vining chain running between large top roller and a smaller bottom roller a pallet and worker stand, a sorting area to sort potatoes three ways and an area and system for discharge of filled pallets which cooperate in an assembly line process allowing for the intervention and participation of field workers with an automated process. The chief inventive portions being a pallet stand with an unloading forklift; Separation or sorting of potatoes onto conveyors which load the potatoes into the appropriate pallets depending on size while allowing for separation by hand of large and small potatoes from the average sized into three distinct areas by hand with waste disposal finished by hand; a refined digging and de-vining system designed to clear vines from the potatoes and carrier chain in a assembly line process.

Abstract: Mobile combine apparatus for harvesting and separating a mixture of agricultural produce such as potatoes from other materials such as clods and stones including an impact element defining an impact surface, and apparatus for causing the mixture of agricultural products and stones to impinge on the impact surface in a predetermined direction irrespective of the orientation of the combine apparatus within a given range of operative orientations.

Abstract: Machine (10-110) to restore railway road beds with a continuous endless-conveyor riddle, the machine (10-110) comprising a frame (11) on trolleys (12-13), an excavator chain means (19), riddle means (25-125-47) with at least one continuous endless-conveyor riddle (25-126), discharge means (30), means (36-38) to distribute restoration material, and alignment grippers (39-40), in which machine (10-110) the continuous endless-conveyor riddle (25-126) sorts the material with its upper segment alone.

Abstract: A crawler tractor with a dozer blade and fitted with accessories to loosen the ground in the strafing pit area of an Air Force gunnery range and simultaneously remove from the ground rocks the size of a man's fist and larger and spent projectiles. The tractor is provided with an electromagnet positioned ahead of the dozer blade. Positioned to the rear of the tractor, and pivotally attached to its frame by drawbars, is a chisel bar with a plurality of chisel blades. Just ahead of the chisel bar is a rock rake having a spine from which extend a plurality of forwardly projecting tines. The rake is supported with its tines at such an angle that their tips barely scrape the surface of the earth. Ahead of the rock rake, there is a drag consisting of a section of railroad rail suspended from the drawbars of the chisel assembly at a height sufficient to just scrape the surface of the ground during operation of the tractor.

Abstract: A harvesting device for separating round root crops, such as potatoes, from soil and other unwanted material. The crop and the soil in which it is growing is uplifted into the harvesting device by the forward movement of the device. The uplifted material is delivered into two conveyors, one positioned above the other and one running at a different speed from the other. The upper conveyor has a series of transverse members, such as fingers and flaps, which break up the uplifted material into discrete portions and these transverse members form with the lower conveyor a series of pockets so that each discrete portion of uplifted material lies in a pocket. The conveyors are inclined and this combined with the differential speed causes the material to be tumbled and the round root crops to roll free of unwanted material.

Abstract: A known and commercially available electronic sorter is positioned between the sorting conveyor of a tomato harvester and the front cross-conveyor thereof. This sorter includes a rejector mechanism for rejecting tomatoes of colors other than those corresponding to red-ripeness. A rejection chute receives culls impelled thereinto by the rejector mechanism dropping the rejected fruit on the ground, while accepted fruit falls to a front cross-conveyor. A preparatory mechanism associated with the sorting conveyor impels the tomatoes at a desired trajectory toward the electronic sorter, and preferably includes an elevating flighted conveyor for receiving tomatoes from the sorting conveyor, raising them to a higher level, and then dropping them forwardly on to an intermediate generally level conveyor. The intermediate conveyor is driven at a constant speed regardless of the speeds of all other moving parts of said harvester.

Abstract: A tomato harvester with improved maneuverability and versatility. An improved spinner gives better action in wet soil. The driver obtains improved visibility from an improved canopy structure and is given controls that are easier to identify. An improved collecting conveyor affords balance between the two sides. The conveyor system is improved, in many ways, with better transmission between the conveyors and better access to cleaning. An improved output conveyor and drop loader are also provided.

Abstract: The apparatus for cleaning tuberous plants of this invention comprises a frame, a plurality of digging wheels fastened on the lowermost side of a suitable horizontal framing member at the forwardmost terminal end of the frame, a disk-renk, a belt-renk subassembly, and a discharging subassembly. The disk-renk may include a multiplicity of pentagonally shaped plates fastened on a suitable shaft. The belt-renk subassembly may include a elevating conveyer operable to elevate and to move rearwardly tubers discharged from the disk-renk and a belt-renk disposed parallel to, and substantially beneath, the elevating conveyer, and a upwardly inclined chain conveyer-like belt inclined from its forwardmost terminal end to its rearwardmost terminal end. The chain conveyer-like belt is driven in an upwardly inclined, rearward direction.