Abstract: A vegetable topping device comprises at least one rotatable blade and a plenum chamber and further comprises an outlet: characterised in that, in use, the rotating blade(s) generate an airflow which lifts the vegetable tops such that they are cut by the blade(s) and are then directed to the outlet from the plenum chamber by their entrainment in the airflow in combination with the plenum chambers inherent shape.

Abstract: A rodent-proof aerial splice closure (20) includes a substantially hollow casing (30, 31) having substantial externally exposed plastic areas. The casing sections (30, 31) are moveable with respect to one another on a hinge (35) for accessing the interior of the casing. Clamps (50) provide for reversibly holding the casing sections (30, 31) closed. Cables can enter and exit the closure (20) through cable ports (45), which can be sealed by end-pieces (55). The exterior geometry of the closure (20) is such that substantially all exposed plastic surface regions which are accessible to rodent teeth are rounded with curvatures preferably greater than one inch radii, thus large enough to prevent rodent teeth from biting down thereon.

Abstract: A scalping apparatus (10) is disclosed including a disc (32) having a circular periphery rotatably mounted upon a pivot post (46) located below and behind the lower surface of the disc (32). The axis (34) of the disc (32) is tilted at an acute angle in the order of 30.degree. from the ground surface and in a vertical plane which extends at a nonparallel angle preferably in the order of 30.degree.-40.degree. from the row (14) of sugar beets being scalped. In the most preferred form, the angular offset of the disc (32) causes the disc (32) to rotate about its axis (34) with the horizontal movement of the apparatus (10) such that rotation of the disc (32) need not be powered. The mount (38) of the disc (32) is adjustably positioned relative to the carriage of a shoe (16) which slides on the sugar beets and vertically moves relative to the ground surface. The trailing edge (22) of the shoe (16) extends at a nonparallel angle preferably in the order of 30.degree.-40.degree.

Abstract: The invention is a field onion topping machine with a front-end gathering and lifting assembly 16 which delivers onions to a transport assembly 25 and a substantially horizontal cutting table 26 provided by a moving chain conveyor 15. A fan 17, spaced apart from beneath the cutting table 26 but being connected to beneath the cutting table 26 by suitable ductwork 18, blows a stream of air up through conveyor chain 15 in the area of the cutting table 26, lifting and extending the tops, but not the bulbs of the onions on the chain, into cutter member 27 where the tops are removed and blown out discharge chute 19 by the same stream of air. Onions with their tops removed exit at the back of the machine via discharge assembly 20.

Abstract: A harvesting machine is especially adapted for automatic topping and loading of crops, such as onions. The crops are gathered from the field and elevated on a conveyor to a region adjacent to which a topping device (a sickle) is disposed. The conveyor has openings to permit the passage of air which is blown from a blower. The openings are sufficiently narrow to support the crop while allowing rocks, clumps and other debris to drop therethrough. The blower is offset from the topping region. A duct extends tangentially and upwardly from the blower to direct a laminar (non-turbulent) flow of air through the conveyor openings for extending the tops. The duct has a wall at the bottom thereof which faces the region. This wall has a passage, preferably with louvers which extend generally vertically. A negative pressure is developed adjacent to these louvers and a generally laminar flow of air passes upwardly through the louvers and enhances the laminar flow through the conveyor in the region where topping occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting green peanuts comprising severing the peanut foliage from the peanuts which remain implanted in the ground by means of a vine cutting apparatus and plowing up the green peanuts and cleaning them by means of a novel combine. The vine cutting apparatus comprises a wheeled vehicle which is towed behind a tractor and has a transversely extending, ground engaging reciprocating cutter which severs the foliage, a conveyor which upwardly transports the foliage to be directed by a blower means through a chute into a container pulled behind the apparatus. The combine uproots the peanut pods by means of a single, transverse digger blade, upwardly conveys them and shakes the dirt therefrom and dumps the peanuts into the main body of the combine where the dirt is removed, the stems are severed from peanuts, and the peanuts are stored.