Abstract: A device and method for automated, mechanical harvesting of plants having differing heights and stem lengths, wherein a stem portion of the plant must be severed at a uniform, predetermined length from the top of the plant.

Abstract: A mounting connection for a feed roller removably connected between oppositely located frame sections of a cane harvester. A splined adaptor plate is connected to an end of the feed roller about its longitudinal axis and within the transverse width between the frame sections. A motor having a shaft with a pinion mounted thereon is operable to engage with the splined adaptor plate. The motor is removably connected to the outside of one of the frame sections and the pinion is of a diameter sufficient to be withdrawn through the frame with the motor. After removing a similar connection on the opposite side of the feed roller, the feed roller is free of any connection to the frame and may be lowered within the frame sections and removed.

Abstract: A two-row sugar cane harvester utilizing a single crossing arm for conveying two rows of cane rearwardly, merging the two rows of cane and discharging the two rows of cane at laterally adjusted positions in relation to the path of travel of the harvester with the crossing arm including a laterally adjustable discharge mechanism enabling six-row heaps of sugar cane to be formed without rolling over the initial row. The crossing arm includes a unique powered sticker chain arrangement oriented in opposed relation to a non-powered roller chain for gripping and conveying the sugar cane stalks in relation to the harvester. The forward end of the harvester includes a novel arrangement of lower and upper pairs of scroll-type gathering and lifting devices and a novel cutting and shredding assembly for cutting and chopping the immature upper end portions of the sugar cane stalks.

Abstract: A harvester strips seeds from a standing crop while essentially leaving the stems of the crop attached to the soil. The harvester comprises a mobile main frame and a vertically adjustable harvesting header carried thereby. A first axially transverse rotor is mounted on the header with its axis generally below the level of substantially all the seeds on the standing crop. The first rotor includes a hub and outwardly projecting stripper elements. The stripper elements define longitudinally spaced openings on the rotor periphery of a width greater than upper seed-bearing heads of the crop, permitting the introduction of the seed-bearing heads into the rotor interior as the machine advances so that the seeds are impacted by sides of the stripper elements interiorly of the outer end thereof. A second axially transverse rotor is disposed parallel to, above and forwardly of the first rotor and has a generally cylindrical outer periphery adjacent the periphery of the first rotor.

Abstract: The adjustable chaffer and lower sieve of a combine harvester are replaced by a cob catcher or cob-saving sieve which allows corncobs along with shelled corn to be recovered as a mixture from the harvester rather than separating the corn from the cobs and discarding the cobs. The cob-saving sieve comprises a framework incorporating parallel inclined vanes sufficiently spaced apart to allow cobs to pass therethrough and disposed at an angle to direct airflow from the harvester fan over the surface of the sieve for removal of unwanted material.

Abstract: A method for harvesting cucumbers comprising forming a series of parallel trenches in a field while planting cucumber seeds in a line parallel to the trenches and spaced equidistantly from adjacent trenches, the trenches being spaced apart a distance equal to the track of a tractor to be used for harvesting the cucumbers, and when the cucumbers have grown to maturity, harvesting the cucumbers with a harvester having spaced apart cucumber pick-up heads which are guided along either side of a row of cucumber vines while mounted on a tractor whose wheels are being guided by the parallel trenches.

Abstract: This compact gear box is intended for a corn harvesting unit having a pair of harvesting rolls and a pair of gathering chain assemblies. The gear box includes a drive shaft and first and second pairs of shafts connected to the harvesting rolls and the gathering chain assemblies respectively. The drive shaft includes a bevel gear driving a bevel pinion gear mounted to the end of each of the first pair of shafts to rotate the harvesting rolls. The first shafts each include worm gears and the second shafts each include worm wheels engageable by associated worm gears of the first pair of shafts to rotate the gathering chain assemblies.

Abstract: A row unit for a corn harvesting header is disclosed wherein the frame of the row unit includes a box beam structure at the rear of the unit for housing the gearing necessary for driving the gathering chains and stalk rolls. This unitary row unit frame structure is mounted to the frame of the header by two pairs of Z-shaped clamp members to give a solid, stable, low cost and light weight row unit structure.

Abstract: A drive system for a corn harvesting header is disclosed wherein the power input shaft delivering rotational power to the individual row units is positioned externally of the gear housing. A slip clutch for each individual row unit is affixed to the power input shaft rearward of each gear housing and is connected thereto by an endless chain. This improved drive system allows maintenance of the row units without disturbing the power input shaft and maintenance of the slip clutches without disturbing the row units.

Abstract: The mount (17) for the front bearing (19) of a corn harvester snapping roll (14) is in two parts (18, 21) which have cooperative end portions which permit relative adjustment of such parts about a laterally extending axis (62). Such adjustment permits the front bearing axis (31) to be placed in a lateral plane (61) in which the snapping roll rear bearing axis (32) is also disposed.

Abstract: A device and method for automated, mechanical harvesting of plants having differing heights and stem lengths, wherein a stem portion of the plant must be severed at a uniform, predetermined length from the top of the plant.