Abstract: A windrow merger includes heads having cams that control the speed of the tines. The cam is configured with a section that slows the speed of the tines while passing a lower front portion of the path of rotation to lift material from the ground at lower speeds and therefore handles the material more gently at the point of pickup. The cam is configured to accelerate the tines at the point where the lifted material is propelled rearward from the pickup assembly. The merger heads also include a widened conveyor that is configured with an upper surface extending rearward and slightly downward to further evenly distribute material across the width of the conveyor. The heads are supported on skids that have a linkage connecting the skids at each end of the head with one of the skids having a mechanism that acts as a master to control the slave of the linked opposite skid.

Abstract: A fruit harvester and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The fruit harvester includes a frame and a collector connected to the frame. The collector includes a beater, one or more arms supporting the beater, one or more conveyor belts or moving beds configured to collect fruit dislodged from the plant(s) by the beater; and one or more augers configured to deposit the fruit into one or more bins held by the frame. The beater is configured to dislodge fruit and plant matter from one or more plants to which the fruit and plant matter are attached. The arm(s) are attached directly or indirectly to the frame. The conveyor belt(s) or moving bed(s) are configured to carry the fruit to the auger(s).