Abstract: A blueberry picking machine having a supporting frame from which two brush-like bush contacting members depend. The brush-like bush contacting members rotate freely when they contact a bush. Each bush contacting member is reciprocated vertically by an end driver unit containing counter-rotating weights rotating in a vertical plane to enable each brush-like member to dislodge ripened fruit from each branch contacted. The ripened fruit falls onto a plurality of movable catcher pans from which the fruit can travel to a continuous conveyor belt on each side which carry the fruit to the rear of the machine. A source of air supplies a large volume of air under the catcher pans and also blows air through the conveyor belts to clean the picked fruit. Secondary air sources are provided for blowing additional air through the conveyor belts to further clean the picked fruit.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises an engine disposed in a rear portion of a vehicle frame, a cooling fan for producing cooling air flows for the engine, and an engine hood including a discharge opening for discharging engine cooling air rearwardly of the vehicle frame. A mower unit is disposed forwardly of the vehicle frame for cutting grass and blowing grass clippings rearwardly through a duct to a grass catcher mounted upwardly of the engine hood. The grass catcher includes an air vent disposed upwardly of the engine hood for discharging grass conveying air flows toward cooling air flows discharged from the engine hood. The conveying air flows join the cooling air flows to drift rearwardly away from the vehicle body.

Abstract: An air-floated apparatus, such as a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner, is comprised of an endless housing having a bottom opening defined by a relatively flat plate member projecting inwardly from a bottom part of the housing. At least one air impeller is provided for pressurizing air within the housing sufficient to float the housing above a support surface. The plate member directs air laterally into the housing to inhibit the escape of air from the housing and maintain a relatively constant pressure in the housing. In one embodiment the apparatus is comprised of a lawn mower having a rotatable cutting member mounted within the housing. The rotary action of the cutting member centrifuges grass cuttings within the housing. The plate member acts as a shelf to support the centrifuged grass cuttings and cooperates with an inner wall of the housing to direct the grass cuttings into a discharge duct for collection in a bag or other receptacle.

Abstract: A cotton harvester duct system for pneumatically transporting cotton from a harvesting unit toward a receptacle. The duct structure has a generally horizontal section leading from an opening and joined to a generally vertical section extending in a generally straight line alignment with a conveyor tube. An air nozzle extends to an interior of the duct structure for propelling cotton through the duct structure upwardly through the conveyor tube. The air nozzle is mounted upstream from the opening at a foremost lower location and adjacent a wall of the vertical duct section.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester primary extractor apparatus is provided for separating cane crop leafy trash material from a harvested stream of conveyed cut billets. The apparatus is used with chopper cane harvesters wherein cane billets are fed continuously into a cleaning chamber in the form of a hollow housing interior of the extractor and a powered extractor fan directed air and leafy trash exiting the cleaning chamber upwardly. Air intakes are in the form of a plurality of side air intake openings each having correspondingly placed vertically extended louver plates angled inwardly of the housing outer wall, each of the side openings and louver plates being spaced along the housing wall beginning at a first position adjacent the cane billet feed inlet and extending rearwardly therefrom toward the middle of the extractor housing.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure which directs doffed cotton toward a cotton receptacle and readily allows both vertical and lateral movement of a harvesting unit to which it is connected. The conveying structure includes at least one discharge duct assembly defining an elongated cotton flow passage opening at one end to a harvesting mechanism of a harvesting unit and opening at an opposite end to exahust cotton into a cotton receptacle. The duct assembly is provided with an intermediate section defined by a pair of elongated tubes which telescopically move relative to each other to maintain integrity of the duct assembly upon movement of the harvesting unit.

Abstract: A harvesting machine having a self-propelled substantially U-shaped frame which can straddle a row of blueberry bushes. A collection surface is provided within the machine made up of a plurality of pivotally mounted overlapping catcher pans which extend inwardly toward the center of the machine from each side. A blueberry bush when in the machine forms an opening in the catcher pans about the upwardly and outwardly extending branches of the bush. A large volume of air is directed from each side of the harvesting machine under the catcher pans forming the collection surface and upwardly through the opening in the collection surface into the blueberry bush. The fountain of air into the blueberry bush diverts to the sides of the machine for harvesting those berries that might have fallen through the opening in the collection surface to the ground.

Abstract: Cleaning device for harvested sugar cane or similar products having a guiding duct (10) which receives, from a throwing assembly (L), cane billets and trash, sending them to a deflecting duct (20) which receives the material through a first inlet (21) communicating with an upper outlet of the guiding duct (10) and placed on a laterally broadened portion of the duct, having a diverging polygonal structure (12) that spreads the material being sent to the deflecting duct (20). The deflecting duct (20) has a body portion (23) provided with curves that spread the billets and trash now-incorporated in a flowing mixture containing air, which was introduced in the deflecting duct (20) through air inlets placed on the upper portion (22) and lower portion (25) of its inlet (21) and through auxiliary lateral air inlets (26) provided on each side of the body portion (23).

Abstract: A driven cylinder mower comprises a mower body 101 and a grass box. An electric motor drives a cutter assembly 202, and also a turbo fan drawing air through an opening 207, both mounted in the body. The grass box has a mouth 204 over the cutters and an opening 302 which mates with the opening 207 in the mower body, and through which the turbo fan sucks air from the cutting region through the grass box. The air from the turbo fan may be discharged within a skirt on the underside of the mower body to assist in supporting the mower above the ground. This skirt, and the land wheels and rear roller, lie behind the cutters, so as to avoid flattening the grass before it reaches the cutters. The land wheels are preferably inset, so that they run only on cut grass.

Abstract: The present invention describes improvements to an air-floated apparatus having a deck with an open bottom, a platform enclosing a portion of the open bottom of the deck to define a pressure chamber, and an impeller for pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the housing above a support surface, the platform having an opening and the deck having an outer periphery. According to the invention, a novel structural member is supported between the deck and the platform along a predetermined portion of the deck outer periphery, the structural member including an upper wall and a lower wall defining a chamber. A pressure seal is supported in the platform opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting crop including a rotor (11) mounting on a movable frame (12) and carrying a succession of transverse combs (14) each formed of an array of outwardly projectint teetch (15) traverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus through the crop. Each tooth (15) is pointed with side edges diverging away from the distal tip of the tooth. The rotor rotates in the overshot mode and the combs intrude into the crop and gather crop stems between adjacent pairs of teeth and detach grain and grain heads, or other required crop parts, by rubbing or breaking the parts free from the stems. The junction of adjacent teeth (15) preferably has an enlarged aperture (21) to assist striping and to allow withdrawal of striped stems. In other embodiments, the teeth may be replaced by a brush-like structure or by rods or other crop engaging elements, backed by plain transverse ribs for collecting and conveying detached crop parts.

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 pick-up header for a combine is designed to improve the control of the material from a windrow as it is picked up from the ground and transported to the feeder housing of the combine. Immediately rearwardly of the pick-up fingers is provided an air transportation device including a plurality of openings through which air is forced to carry the material rearwardly toward the feeder housing while allowing the escape of stones. Rearwardly of the air transportation device is a sheet which inclines downwardly toward the curved feeding surface of the feeder housing with the pick-up, air transportation device and guide sheet all pivotally mounted relative to the feeder housing. A feed roller includes a plurality of fingers which rotate with the roller about an eccentric axis so that the fingers project outwardly at the front of the roller to a length extending just to the rear of the pick-up fingers and then retract at the rear of the roller.

Abstract: A mobile harvester of leafy produce has two harvesting sections with a cutter located forwardly for severing the produce from the ground. A continuous belt having a large number of openings moves in a closed path presenting an upwardly facing surface. A low pressure plenum underneath the belt provides a vacuum attraction to the belt upwardly facing for picking up severed produce. An enclosure ove the belt protects against wind removal of produce leaves from the belt. The two harvesting sections are individually adjustable for proper height above the ground.

Abstract: The apparatus for harvesting crops, particularly seed crops, comprises a mobile support structure (20) and a crop stripping device in the form of a rotor (30), which may be attached to height adjustable arms and is driven by drive means (22). The rotor (30) carries transverse rows of crop stripping elements (1) which may be combined with transverse ribs. The crop stripping elements have prominent leading edges, for example each formed at the junction between two faces which are acutely inclined with respect to each other. The drive to the rotor is so arranged that during forward movement of the apparatus the crop engaging elements (32) are propelled progressively through the crop, moving upwards at the front region. Seeds and other plant parts detached by the action of the rotor are impelled into a crop flow passage (27) under a crop guide cover (21). A transverse auger (83) transfers the detached material into a duct (84) where an elevator (85) moves it over a screen (86) for separation of the seeds.

Abstract: A thrashing system for a vegetable harvester including a plurality of tines on an oscillating shaker head which engage vines and shake the fruit such as cucumbers, from the vines. The fruit is collected on a cross conveyor and the vines are pulled through at least one pair of pinch rolls for discharge on the ground. A full width blower directs high pressure air across the cross conveyor to lift and spread the vines allowing disconnected fruit to fall therethrough onto the cross conveyor.

Abstract: A cane harvester cleaning system for removing dirt and trash from cane billets, including a cleaning chamber. Cane billets mixed with trash are conveyed into an upper portion of the cleaning chamber. A fan and air duct are provided to blow air into the cleaning chamber and up through cane billets. A trash discharge is provided on the upper portion of the cleaning chamber to direct air from the fan and entrained trash out of the cleaning chamber. Cleaned cane billets pass out the lower portion of the cleaning chamber and into a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine having a plurality of cleaning sieves which are operated to arrange grain in a thin veil or crop mat on the sieves. The cleaning system of the present invention includes an elongated transverse cleaning fan and an air plenum. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven about a fixed axis and includes a plurality of spaced apart blades peripherally disposed about the fan. The air plenum extends parallel to and along substantially the entire length of the fan for directing a forced flow of air from the fan rearwardly through the cleaning sieves. The air plenum includes upper and lower air directing baffles.

Abstract: A mower deck with fan structure rotatable with the blade spindle for creating an air turbulence to prevent debris buildup around the spindle and to exhaust debris away from and cool the mower drive train area. In one embodiment, an attachment including a plurality of vanes is connected to the lower side of the driven spindle sheave to create an air disturbance around the spindle. In another embodiment, the sheave is apertured and includes integral vanes projecting downwardly from the apertures. The fan structure draws air in from a first drive cover port located above the blade spindle and exhausts air and airborne debris through a second port in a high pressure side of the cover.

Abstract: A mower bar is disclosed having rotating cutters driven by vertical drive shafts and associated gearing. The mower bar includes an air duct along its forward edge and at each rotating cutter. Air ducts are also included in each cutters' centered dish portion.

Abstract: A vegetable harvester of the type adapted to be mounted on a tractor locates the cutting mechanism, the pneumatic transport system and a collection box on a common frame which is movable vertically relative to the tractor on which it is mounted to adjust the height of the cutting blade and to raise the collection box to a height whereby the contents may be discharged through a bottom opening into a larger receptacle. The common frame is mounted on a telescopic slide frame which in turn is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the conventional three point hitch of a tractor whereby the telescopic frame and the common frame during the cutting mechanism may be tilted relative to the vertical to adjust the angle of the cutting mechanism relative to the ground.

Abstract: A blower attachment for rotation with a filament line spool of a conventional filament line trimmer which attachment is provided with at least a pair of blades that are selectively extendable from the spool for providing a blower function.

Abstract: A power lawn mower has a cutter blade mounted on a vertical output shaft driven by an engine and extending substantially horizontally, and a housing covering the cutter blade. The power lawn mower has a throw-out plate for throwing out the grass cut by the cutter blade, the throw-out plate being mounted on the output shaft above the cutter blade within the housing and extending substantially horizontally. The throw-out plate is angularly spaced from the cutter blade and positioned therebehind in the direction of rotation of the throw-out plate. The throw-out plate is shorter than the cutter blade and substantially flat. The throw-out plate includes a throw-out arm having a leading edge in the direction of rotation thereof and curved progresively rearwardly in the same direction from a proximal end of the throw-out arm to a radially outward end thereof.

Abstract: An elongate housing is provided for removable attachment to either a self-propelled windrower or conventional farm tractor. A flexible-bristle brush is adjustably secured to the housing such that when the housing is moved through a field of seed-bearing plants, the rotating brush interacts with the housing to strip seeds from the plants. The seeds are deposited in an auger trough and moved by the auger to one end of the housing. An impeller or blower located outside the housing creates a vacuum such that the seeds are drawn through a screened opening in the housing and conveyed to a seed storage area. In order to break apart agglomerations of seeds or seed bearing pods, the blower/impeller is preferably provided in the form of a fan having blades which rotate about a shaft aligned such that the harvested seeds strike the fan blades, thereby breaking apart the seed agglomerates and seed pods.

Abstract: A system for collecting twine tails on an agricultural baler includes a suction fan connected by hoses to mouth devices which partially envelop the knotters on the baler. Another hose connects the suction fan to a container. During operation, the suction fan acts to convey twine tails from the knotters into the container where they are collected. The container has an open mesh lid allowing egress of dust and small particles of debris but preventing egress of the twine tails and large particles of debris.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing dirt and debris from the interior of a divider member mounted on the end disc of a disc cutterbar used in a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the dividers are provided with air inlet openings to permit the introduction of air into the interior chamber of the hat-shaped divider members. Each divider member is provided with a plurality of fan blades mounted to the top plate thereof to exhaust air from within the interior chamber and create a flow of air from the air inlet openings through the interior chamber and exciting a discharge opening formed between the divider top plate and a stationary cover mounted thereabove. This flow of air cleans the interior chamber of dirt and debris. An optional filter can be utilized to reduce the amount of dirt and debris permitted to enter the interior chamber through the air inlet openings.

Abstract: A harvester includes a mobile vehicle with a forward vertically adjustable header that includes a mechanism for stripping grain from a standing crop as the machine advances while leaving the stem of the crop attached to the soil. The stripping mechanism including a pair of axially transverse vertically offset brush-type rotors having randomly spaced radial bristles, the upper rotor being disposed slightly forwardly of the lower and being driven so that its lower surface moves rearwardly in close proximity to the rearwardly moving upper surface of the lower roller that is driven in the opposite direction from the first rotor. The grain heads on most of the standing crop is disposed between the axes of the rotors, and the grain is stripped as the heads move into the bite between the rotors.

Abstract: A mower includes a cylindrical cutting unit mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and an air pump for establishing a cushion of pressurized air for supporting the mower above a ground datum. A hood separates the cushion of air from the cylindrical cutting unit and from a grass collector.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing dirt and debris from the interior of a divider member mounted on the end disc of a disc cutterbar used in a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the dividers are provided with air inlet openings to permit the introduction of air into the interior chamber of the hat-shaped divider members. Each divider member is provided with a plurality of fan blades mounted to the top plate thereof to exhaust air from within the interior chamber and create a flow of air from the air inlet openings through the interior chamber and exiting a discharge opening formed between the divider top plate and a stationary cover mounted thereabove. This flow of air cleans the interior chamber of dirt and debris. An optional filter can be utilized to reduce the amount of dirt and debris permitted to enter the interior chamber through the air inlet openings.

Abstract: A leaf handling apparatus is provided which interactively combines the effects of a rake and an air blower. The apparatus is comprised of an elongated straight rigid shaft having two adjustable handles for hand-held manipulation of the apparatus. Two sets of elongated flexible tines are positioned at the lower extremity of the shaft. An air conduit tube is attached to the shaft in substantially coextensive relationship therewith. The lower extremity of the conduit has a nozzle which is disposed below the tines. An air blower can be removably associated with the upper extremity of the conduit. Air blown through the nozzle into close proximity with the tines facilitates the handling of leaves.

Abstract: A housing for an engine cooling fan which is mounted on the top of a vertical engine output shaft with the inner space of a double wall serving as a fuel tank. The fan housing comprises a weatherproof synthetic resin outer wall forming the upper half of the fan housing and a transparent synthetic resin inner wall forming the lower half, both being hermetically integrated into one piece.

Abstract: A cane harvester (10) having an endless conveyor (15) for elevating cane billets from a chopper (14) for deposit through a passage (44) onto a secondary elevator (16). A fan (17) directs a blast of air across the pasage (44) to force trash and leaves through an outlet chute (18). A rake assembly (25) is provided above the conveyor (15) to level and even the billets and trash thereon and an air jet arrangement (47, 48, 57, 58) is disposed at the upper end of the conveyor (15) to prevent build up of trash and assist the conveyance of trash and billets through the passage (44). A trash deflecting assembly (74) is provided in the outlet chute (18) so that the direction of trash exiting therefrom can be selectively varied.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower including a motor housing for vertically enclosing a motor; and a cutter casing disposed below the motor housing for housing a cutter fitted to the lower extremity of the shaft of the motor. The cutter casing is connected to the motor housing in such a manner that they communicate with each other. The cutter casing has at the upper portion thereof air-passing ports vertically extending therethrough. There is provided on the cutter casing a shroud for enclosing the motor housing, and the shroud has at a portion thereof apertures opening to communicate with the atmosphere; and air inlets opening to communicate through an air filter with the interior of the motor housing. In the cutter casing and above the cutter, there are provided an air impeller for creating a flow of air to support the mower on a cushion of air; and an axial impeller for cooling the motor. Both impellers are fitted to the motor shaft such that the axial impeller overlies the air impeller.

Abstract: An air-cushion lawn mower has a rotary cutting blade shrouded by a hood. The mower has a fan wheel rotatable about the same axis as the blade, and both the blade and the fan wheel are driven by a motor mounted on the hood. The front part of the hood with respect to the normal direction of travel of the mower, has projections which support a freely rotatable roller which acts to reduce the frictional resistance to forward motion when the mower is used to cut relatively long blades of grass.

Abstract: The lawn mower comprises a vertical cutter shaft which is driven by an internal combustion engine its upper housing is formed as synthetic plastics moulding and combines a fuel tank, a carburettor and an air suction silencer into one construction unit which is secured as a unit on the internal combustion engine. A fuel passage between the fuel tank and the carburettor is formed into the housing. In the path of the fuel supply there is arranged a fuel shut-off valve the valve body of which carries a segment disc serving as choke flap of the carburettor.

Abstract: A tea harvester in the form of a wheeled vehicle adapted to straddle at least one row of plants carries therebeneath a horizontal transverse cutter bar in position to clip the tops of the plants in a row. Blower and manifold means are carried by the vehicle for emitting a horizontally-elongated vertically narrow stream of air rearwardly and downwardly across the cutter bar for blowing clippings rearwardly off the bar into the mouth of a conveyor means. The undersurface of the manifold means and its airstream-defining outlet are spaced above and forwardly of the bar to enable the tops of the plants to stand upright in the path of the airstream while being clipped. The conveyor means extends upwardly and rearwardly to convey the clippings to a collecting receptacle. The cutter bar, the blower and manifold means, and the conveyor means are all mounted to vehicle for vertical adjustment to adjust the above-ground cutting height of the cutter bar.

Abstract: The blower of a forage harvester is controlled by two-speed belt drives for operating the blower between a first and a second speed for improved power requirements and operating efficiency. The disadvantages of such belt drives is avoided by a selector apparatus which controls a single speed rotating input and provides a two-speed rotating output.

Abstract: For separating nuts from orchard trash in a windrow, the mixture of nuts and trash is picked up and deposited on the forward end of a foraminous conveyor enclosed by a housing connected to a fan inducing a vigorous flow of air through the conveyor. Variously arranged baffles, walls and guide plates direct the air rearwardly to enhance separation capacity and form settling zones to increase separation efficiency. Provision is also made for abruptly changing the direction of movement of the nut and trash supporting upper run of the conveyor to dislodge and tumble the nuts and the trash as they traverse the separation zone where the flow of air emerges through the upper run, thereby effecting even more rapid and efficient separation.

Abstract: A hover-type lawn mower being provided with a cover which fits over the shroud or housing for the rotatable blade. The cover is provided with openings so that the air flow therethrough forms an air cushion and also transports cut grass and leaves to a collecting area in the cover. The cover is further provided with releasable fastening means to the shroud, so that the cover can be removed when it is desired to empty the collected cut grass and leaves therein.

Abstract: A blower device for producing a flat, sheet-like stream of air or gas is disclosed. An elongated, tubular body having one end closed and a slot opening along its length is supplied with air or gas under pressure at its other open end. A flat nozzle section fixed to the slot opening extends tangentially from the body. A series of twisting vanes within the body force the incoming air or gas into a spiral or helical flow pattern causing it to flow easily through the slot opening into the nozzle section. Straightening vanes are provided within the nozzle section to assure that the flow rate is substantially even along the outlet of the nozzle section. The blower device is mounted in combination with a grain or seed harvester forwardly of its cutter bar so as to blow rearwardly and prevent grain or seed from plant stalks from falling on the ground as the harvester moves along.

Abstract: A radial blowing device for a harvester thresher cleaning arrangement has at least two blowers each having a double impeller with two sets of blades, two wind passages each extending from a respective one of the impellers, and two partitions each subdividing a respective one of the wind passages into two half passages, so that each of the half passages communicates with a respective one of the sets of blades of a respective one of the impellers, and each of the partitions extends up to the rotor of a respective one of the impellers.

Abstract: A harvester for beans and like crop includes a pick-up reel having a width equal to the overall width of the harvester and leading to a first, cleaning, conveyor which terminates at an air passage incorporating a fan for generating a generally vertical air flow. Where the vertical air passage meets the cleaning conveyor, a rotary valve is provided which permits the passage of the beans and other parts of the crop but prevents or at least restricts the passage of the air flow into the space above the upper run of the conveyor.The rotary valve may take the form of a rotary vaned assembly having six vanes each of which is secured to one face of a hexagonal shaft and various forms of rotary valve are also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an air cushion supported vegetation cutter including a cutter casing housing an impeller for creating the air cushion in conjunction with the casing. An aperture in the casing permits air flow to the impeller and a support structure supports a motor for driving the impeller. The support structure provides a duct for the flow of cooling air over the motor and the duct has cooling air outlets located upstream of the aperture in the casing. This arrangement provides an improved motor cooling arrangement in which the motor cooling air and the air for the impeller interact upstream of the impeller.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower of the hovering air cushion type, or of conventional design, is provided with a grass clearing plate which is preferably mounted on the front of the mower and projects a distance therefrom whereby a part of the mower housing and the grass clearing plate together provide a loading surface for the cut grass. The mowing and cut grass clearing operations occur at the same time, thus eliminating a separate after treatment of the cut lawn.

Abstract: An air cushion lawn mower has a rotary grass cutting blade and a fan driven by a motor. A hood encloses the cutting blade and the fan and includes a generally vertical wall portion which is part cylindrical and which extends over an arc of 270.degree. about the axis of rotation of the blade and close to the path of rotation of the tips of the blade. The hood has an outwardly directed peripheral lip spaced outwardly of, and in a generally horizontal direction from, the lower extremity of the vertical wall portion. An outlet for cut grass is located in a position in relation to the vertical wall portion such that the cut grass is ejected through the outlet into a grass collecting container. The lowest surface of the peripheral lip is preferably in a horizontal plane which is below the lower extremity of the vertical wall portion.

Abstract: A fan housing comprising two side plates and a scroll, angle elongated scraper members secured transversely between the side plates, the scroll resting on the scraper members and being slideably mounted on the side plates, and a reciprocating actuator secured to the scroll such that upon operation of the actuator, the scroll is oscillated across the scraper members so dislodging deposit from the inside of the scroll.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating intermixed heavier and lighter materials of varied dimension and mass-to-area ratios, being particularly adapted to harvesting fallen nuts intermixed with leaves and other foreign matter. The separator element is used where the fruit and foreign matter are being borne in a common air stream by means of imposing the separator in said air stream whereby a perforated surface on said separator carries the debris in a direction opposite from the movement of the fruit towards a collection zone. The debris is carried away from the separator zone by the mechanical action of the moving surface in addition to the debris carrying propensity of the air stream.

Abstract: In combination with a lawn edger device which is used to cut vegetation along the edge of a sidewalk or other similar hard surface, the edger having a housing which has mounted thereon a motor, the housing and motor being mounted on a wheel assembly for movement along the sidewalk or lawn, the motor causing rotation of a cutting blade, the improvement comprising the including of a fan device located adjacent to the cutting blade for the purpose of blowing shredded vegetation created by the cutting blades, the fan device to be rotatably driven by means of the motor, the fan device comprising a series of fan blades which are flexibly attached to a fan hub, the fan device comprising a series of fan blades which are flexibly attached to a fan hub, the fan hub being mounted on a driving shaft and capable of being moved in respect thereto, whereby because of the flexible mounting of the fan blades and the non-rigid connection between the fan hub and the fan driving shaft the fan is not capable of causing injury to

Abstract: A fan housing through which mire is drawn includes a plurality of rods connected around and inside the periphery of the housing and a belting placed thereover, ends of the belting extending through a side opening in the housing and connected to a rocker arm or other oscillating means, thereby flexing the belting and scraping the belting against the rods to prevent mire build up and to remove existing mire without having to shut down fan operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collecting assembly for grass cuttings, clippings, various debris, etc. and it is designed primarily to be used in combination with a cutting machine. The cutting machine may be a riding mower or a push or walk behind type. A storage means including a removable container element for receiving the debris is arranged in fluid communication with a negative pressure source which may be a vacuum-type pump or impeller element disposed in fluid communication with the storage means to create a negative pressure therein. Conduit means interconnects the cutting deck or cutting area of the cutting machine with the storage means wherein the cutting area, conduit means, storage means and negative pressure source means are all arranged in fluid communication so as to substantially define a negative fluid flow pressure throughout the system. Fluid flow is accordingly directed from the cutting area along with the debris entrained in said fluid flow into the storage area.