Abstract: A method of relative positioning between agricultural machines and crops on their planting rows having the steps which are performed in real time and during a harvest work and include determining a positioning of each tree top on a trees row, a machine rotor column position, and simultaneously a traveling speed of an agricultural machine, sending tree positioning and machine speed data to a data processor, processing the data and controlling servo mechanisms that actuate actuators which, in turn, place one rotor column with stripping rods in accordance with a determined tree top position and format.

Abstract: A deflector (10) for collecting and guiding harvested tree-fruit is implemented for resilient recovery from collisions with obstacles in the field. The deflector is coupled in cantilever to boom harvester (4) mounted on a vehicle (2). The harvester has a telescopic boom (8) with a mobile portion (14) terminated by a clamp (6) able to move in horizontal and in vertical translation towards and along a tree trunk (T). The deflector is coupled to the mobile portion for slaved translation with the clamp. Implemented as an array of separate ribs (32) flexibly coupled together and made of flexible elastic plastic material such as fiberglass, the deflector is lightweight and flexes upon collision to resiliently recover shape after the collision. Being lightweight, the cantilever does not destabilize the vehicle. The structure and the materials of construction of the deflector prevent transmission of vibrations generated by the vibrator (12) used to shake the trunk when harvesting.

Abstract: A fruit harvester includes a vehicle, a boom having a proximal end carried by the vehicle, a shaker head connected to a distal end of the boom for vibrating a tree trunk to shake fruit therefrom, and a fruit deflector comprising upper and lower portions connected together and cooperatively defining a fruit collecting surface for catching fruit shaken from the tree. The fruit deflector is pivotable between operating and retracted positions. The fruit deflector, when in the operating position, preferably has the lower portion adjacent the shaker head. Conversely, the fruit deflector, when in the retracted position, may have the lower portion being pivoted upward and away from the shaker head to facilitate access thereto.

Abstract: A fruit harvester may include a vehicle, a telescoping boom, a shaker head connected to the distal end of the telescoping boom for vibrating a tree to shake fruit from the tree. A boom positioning assembly is provided for connecting the boom to the vehicle. The boom positioning assembly may include a vertical guide mounted to the vehicle, a hinge joint assembly movable vertically along the vertical guide and connected to the proximal end of the telescoping boom to permit pivotal movement of the telescoping boom in both elevational and azimuthal directions. The boom positioning assembly may also include a vertical actuator for moving the hinge joint assembly vertically along the at least one vertical guide, and an elevational actuator for pivotally moving the telescoping boom in the elevational direction. The vertical guide may be pivotally mounted to the vehicle, and a tilt actuator may be provided for tilting the vertical guide relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A fruit harvester for harvesting fruit from a tree includes a shaker vehicle, a boom having a proximal end connected to the shaker vehicle and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, a shaker head connected to a distal end of the boom, and a fruit deflector carried by the boom. The fruit deflector includes a lower fruit deflecting portion, and an upper fruit deflecting portion. The upper fruit deflecting portion may pivot downward as the boom moves from the retracted position to the extended position, and pivot upward as the boom moves from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: For relative positioning between an agricultural machine and crops on their planting rows a sensor is arranged forwardly of a sensor of a rotor of an agricultural machine and at a distance which is at least equal to or greater than a top radius of trees to be worked with the radius being measured in a planting row direction, the tree top by the sensor to determine a rearward point, a forward point, a center point and a farthest transverse point from the center point of a tree top, and the rotor is adjusted to define a trajectory of the rotor center with respect to the points, whereupon the steps are repeated for each of the trees in the planting row to be worked.

Abstract: A over-the-row single sided harvester harvests a row crop from a first side of a row while simultaneously collecting crop from the “off side” side of the same row.

Abstract: A produce harvesting and coring apparatus and method, which facilitates the harvesting and coring of produce in a field setting. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of coring devices having automated coring elements are affixed to a side portion of an elongated harvesting apparatus, between work tables. A clean and core operator may then take an item of harvested produce and core it using the coring device, before placing the cored item of produce onto the elongated harvesting apparatus. The coring device preferably operates by placing an item of produce in a basket and moving the basket (with the produce therein) in a downward direction, permitting the cutting element to penetrate and remove the core of the item of produce.

Abstract: A produce harvesting and coring apparatus and method, which facilitates the harvesting and coring of produce in a field setting. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of coring devices having automated coring elements are affixed to a side portion of an elongated harvesting apparatus, between work tables. A clean and core operator may then take an item of harvested produce and core it using the coring device, before placing the cored item of produce onto the elongated harvesting apparatus. The coring device preferably operates by placing an item of produce in a basket and moving the basket (with the produce therein) toward a rotating cutting element, permitting the cutting element to penetrate and remove the core of the item of produce.

Abstract: A fruit harvester includes a vehicle, a boom having a proximal end carried by the vehicle, a shaker head connected to a distal end of the boom for vibrating a tree trunk to shake fruit therefrom, and a fruit deflector comprising upper and lower portions connected together and cooperatively defining a fruit collecting surface for catching fruit shaken from the tree. The fruit deflector is pivotable between operating and retracted positions. The fruit deflector, when in the operating position, preferably has the lower portion adjacent the shaker head. Conversely, the fruit deflector, when in the retracted position, may have the lower portion being pivoted upward and away from the shaker head to facilitate access thereto.

Abstract: A seed harvester pod and method are provided for harvesting seeds from the cones of a live, free—standing, coniferous tree. The pod comprises an open-sided conical frame, open at the top and bottom, supporting a permeable side wall, which may be netting. The netting is operative to allow penetration of sunlight, air and rain. However it will prevent the passage therethrough of airborne seeds released by the cones of the tree. The retained seeds deflect off the netting and drop into an interior, open-topped, annular trough supported by the frame at its base. The seeds are intercepted and collected by the trough. The pod can be lowered by a helicopter line onto the conical upper end of the tree, prior to cone maturation. After the cones have opened and the seeds have matured, released and become airborne, they are contained by the netting, drop and collect in the trough. The harvester is then later retrieved from the tree and the seeds are recovered.

Abstract: Removable universal tool-holder for mounting on a straddling vineyard tractor for agricultural work in tree or shrub plantations includes a main coupling chassis constructed so that it can be mounted, in a removable manner, on a straddling vineyard tractor; two secondary coupling chassis, each provided with a universal three-point hitch system; mechanisms connecting each secondary coupling chassis to the main coupling chassis; and mechanisms that make it possible to move each secondary coupling chassis in a vertical or approximately vertical plane and, preferably, in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane. It is understood that the universal tool-holder can support machines constructed to accomplish cultivation or treatment work such as: hoeing, mowing, plowing, harrowing, spraying, thinning out leaves, pruning, lopping, etc.

Abstract: A fruit harvesting machine (1) comprises a movable frame (2) and a harvesting assembly (5) for detaching crop material, comprising fruit and foliage from trees, shrubs and the like standing on a field. A conveyor (20) receives the detached fruit and foliage, together with juice from said fruit, and transports the same to a container (9). A stationary screen (60) is installed above the conveyor (20) for retaining thereon solid fruit portions and for allowing passage therethrough of said juice. A cleaning means (27) is provided above the is screen (60) for separating said foliage from said detached fruit. The conveyor (20) is provided with outwardly extending fingers (74) extending through the screen (20) for engaging and moving said solid fruit portions to said container (9).

Abstract: A vibratory shaker for mounting on a crop harvester framework for removing crops from vines, bushes, and trees has a crop foliage engaging brush that is driven directly about a brush rotation axis by a brush driving motor. The crop foliage engaging brush and the brush driving motor are supported for rotation on the crop harvester framework. The power for driving the brush driving motor is controlled to provide oscillatory motion subject to operator controlled frequency, amplitude and oscillatory wave shape.

Abstract: A over-the-row single sided harvester harvests a row crop from a first side of a row while simultaneously collecting crop from the “off side” side of the same row.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting the seed of native plant species with a cam mechanism that increases the zone of controlled brushing from a point of contact between the rotating brushes and combs to a four-inch span over which the rotating combs remain perpendicular to the surface of the brush while following an arc path nearly concentric to that of the brush shaft. The comb assembly consists of a belt stretched around a plurality of wheels and evenly spaced combs attached to the belt by a plurality of bars. The comb assembly pivots so that the distance between the rotating combs and rotating brushes can be adjusted to achieve maximum yield for a particular species. A method for harvesting native seeds using the harvester with the cam mechanism and adjustable comb assembly.

Abstract: The simultaneous processing of multiple rows of plants, especially trellised rows. Apparatus is provided to process two adjacent rows, using a conventional tractor with narrow gauge front wheels, with rear wheels on opposite sides of the two rows with a larger gauge. The spacing apart of the rear wheels is adjustable. The two processing apparati can be used simultaneously or selectively.

Abstract: A seed pod harvesting apparatus for attachment to a harvester to assist in the bunching and lifting of a plant for harvesting of root crops like peanuts. The seed pod harvesting apparatus having at least one pair of horizontally positioned snouts mounted to a frame in a spaced relationship, the snouts counter-rotate such that as a row of seed pod plants pass between the pair of snouts, the snouts assist in bunching and lifting of the seed pod plants as the harvester travels forward. The snouts are cone-shaped having a nose of the snout which is forward facing. The seed pod harvesting apparatus also including a digging component positioned between the pair of snouts for grasping the plant portion of the seed pod plant as the seed pod plant passes between the pair of snouts and pulling the plant from the ground.

Abstract: An improved gondola assembly for receiving harvested crops in the field from a crop harvester has a lightweight molded drop in tank held in place by a tank framework on the gondola assembly. The drop in tank lowers the gondola center of gravity as it replaces stainless steel or painted mild steel tanks and requires no periodic maintenance. A built in scale for continuous in the field monitoring of the weight of received harvested crop is constructed to be viewable by a tow tractor operator whether towed from one end of the gondola or the other. The towable gondola obtains power for operation of a pair of tank framework lift cylinders from the tow tractor so that the tank is movable between an elevated dump position and a lowered crop collection position. The gondola has a reversible towing tongue for towing in either direction so it may be configured to be towed on either side of a crop harvester.

Abstract: An article retrieving device for gathering and storing nuts that allows the user to maintain an erect posture during use, comprises a retaining element and a housing. The retaining element is adapted to retrieve nuts from the ground and includes a plurality of resilient pieces arranged in rows on a sleeve. The retrieved nuts are stored in the housing and dispensed from the housing via a dispensing opening.

Abstract: An olive harvester has a nonrotatable outer cap, a rotatable inner cap which is driven by compressed air supplied to the outer cap and which generates a swirl through the olive tree below the inner cap which dislodges the olives so that they can be collected in a skirt which is fixed to the outer cap and surrounds the tree. A flexible collection pipe or sleeve at the bottom of the skirt permits the discharge of the olives to the exterior.

Abstract: A leaf stripper includes several nozzles mounted at the end of branch pipes that are radially integral with a rotary compressed gas dispenser. The nozzles move along concentric circles with different radii behind a vegetation deflector. The deflector includes gas jet circulating and controlling structures such as circular slots with radii corresponding to that of the circumferences described by the nozzles.

Abstract: A mechanical harvester and harvesting method for harvesting crops grown on an overhead trellis system including a harvester frame having a top portion and opposing sides forming an open frame to allow crop bins or gondolas to pass under the top portion and through the harvester so that the harvester can continuously harvest an entire row of crops. The top portion of the harvester has crop separating mechanisms to dislodge the crop from the overhead plant canopy. The crop falls downward onto a conveyor belt assembly that transports the crop to the front of the harvester where it is deposited onto a pair of cross conveyor belts that conveys it to a central opening for depositing into the bin. A fan is utilized to blow air across the crop material to separate any plant debris from the crop prior to depositing the crop into the bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for picking and collecting fruit from fruit trees comprising a fruit picking assembly including a water cannon to selectively impact fruit to be picked with a water slug to detach the fruit from the fruit tree and a fruit collecting assembly disposed beneath the fruit picking assembly to catch the fruit detatched from the fruit tree.

Abstract: An article retrieving device for gathering and storing nuts that allows the user to maintain an erect posture during use, comprises a retaining element and a housing. The retaining element is adapted to retrieve nuts from the ground and includes a plurality of resilient pieces arranged in rows on a sleeve. The retrieved nuts are stored in the housing and dispensed from the housing via a dispensing opening.

Abstract: A method for connecting a fruit or nut tree to a mechanical shaker so that the shaking force is applied to the heartwood of the tree rather than to the bark and living cambium tissue of the tree, thus preventing or limiting injury to the tree.

Abstract: A harvester for gathering product from one or more plants comprises a drive mechanism, a retractable conveyor mounted to and extending from the drive mechanism towards the plant, and a sealing arrangement mounted at a distal end of the retractable arm. The sealing arrangement includes a sealing member and sensor configured to engage the plants and provide input to the retractable conveyor so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the distal end of the retractable arm and the second object. As a result, a seal is formed and maintained between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A method of making a nut harvester in which a plurality of wires are formed into a generally oval and cylindrically shaped chamber having flattened end portions. The shape of the chamber is created by forming the ends of wires into a circular configuration, then clamping the ends of the wires between inner and outer sleeves, pressing the wires and creating a deformation near the ends, then inserting a threaded bolt through the inner sleeve and placing a nut on the end of the bolt within said chamber. Tightening the nut on the bolt deforms the wires further to create substantially flat end portions of the chamber and further bowing the central portion of the wires to enlarge the chamber. The chamber is attached to a handle by a bail to provide a nut harvester having a rolling basket chamber that receives the nuts.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mechanical harvesting of tree fruits has been designed which has the capability of providing fruit suitable for the fresh market. The harvester features an impactor for dislodging fruit from a tree limb, a unique positioning system, a collecting conveyor utilizing energy-absorbing materials for minimizing fruit damage due to the impact of falling fruit, a transport conveyor which moves the harvested fruit to a revolving collecting bin, and bin-filling mechanisms which gently deposit harvested fruit in the collecting bin.

Abstract: A versatile fruit harvesting machine having the ability to be transformed between an extremely transportable configuration having a reasonable elevational height and an extremely high operational configuration capable of harvesting fruit from the highest regions of fruit trees. The harvesting machine also has the ability to provide for an exceptional range of penetration of the fruit tree during a harvesting cycle to ensure optimum removal of fruit from the tree. Separate regions of picking arms are utilized wherein an upper region of arms is folded down amongst the lower region of arms to provide for the elevation change between a transport configuration and an operational configuration. At least two distinct displacement systems cooperate to provide for the exceptional extension of the array of arms with a first displacement transferring both the array of arms as will as a second displacement system while a further displacement of the array of arms by the second displacement system occurs.

Abstract: A fruit removal assembly forming part of a mobile fruit harvester has a single motor for orbiting two pairs of oppositely disposed panels to which are mounted a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers which penetrate a fruit tree canopy and dislodge fruit. The motor is coupled to the panels by a mechanical drive and thereby provides for synchronized simultaneous movement of the panels. The panels are coupled to a structural frame for supporting the panels and tethers fixed to an anchor positioned to space the tethers from the structural frame at an intermediate portion between the panels and the structural frame are provided to align the panels and mitigate the occurrence of collisions between orbiting panels.

Abstract: A harvester system for separating ripe fruit such as tomatoes from harvested plants includes first and second sorters for detecting and sorting loose fruit and accepting or rejecting the loose fruit on the basis of the detected color and a transport conveyor for recycling rejected loose fruit from the second sorter back through the first sorter.

Abstract: A vibratory shaker for mounting on a crop harvester framework for removing crops from vines, bushes, and trees has a crop foliage engaging brush that is driven directly about a brush rotation axis by a brush driving motor. The crop foliage engaging brush and the brush driving motor are supported for rotation on the crop harvester framework. The power for driving the brush driving motor is controlled to provide oscillatory motion subject to operator controlled frequency, amplitude and oscillatory wave shape.

Abstract: Harvesting methods and apparatus provide endless movable arrays of finger members for contacting and strippingly lifting fruits from plants in growing fields with each of the arrays being generally upstanding, longitudinally elongated and having at least a portion which is substantially planar along which said finger members endlessly move upwardly while strippingly lifting said fruits from the plants as said apparatus travels through the growing field

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for dislodging produce from trees comprising a support structure, a boom vertically placed where a first end is connected to the support structure, a positioning apparatus to position a second end of the boom radially from the first end, horizontal posts connected to the boom wherein a first post is positioned above a second post, crank arm rotatably connected between the horizontal posts along an axis where the crank arm has a plurality of elbows, one of a plurality of spools rotatably attached to the crank arm at each respective elbow whereby each spool is free to rotate axially, a plurality of wands axialy attached to each spool and spaced around each spool, and a rotating apparatus for rotating the crank arm about its axis.

Abstract: A harvester incorporating at least one force balanced shaker vibratory brush as the harvesting apparatus uses a sensing system connected to a plurality of spring feelers carried on a shaft to generate a torque value responsive to the location of the shape and position of a tree. The feeler springs may be of differing lengths to assist in tuning the harvester. Apparatus and a method for mounting the shaker head on the vehicle as well as system of steering the harvester are disclosed.

Abstract: A harvester incorporating at least one force balanced shaker vibratory brush as the harvesting apparatus uses a sensing system connected to a plurality of spring feelers carried on a shaft to generate a torque value responsive to the location of the shape and position of a tree. The feeler springs may be of differing lengths to assist in tuning the harvester. Apparatus and a method for mounting the shaker head on the vehicle as well as system of steering the harvester are disclosed.

Abstract: A vibratory shaker for mounting on a crop harvester framework for removing crops from vines, bushes, and trees has a crop foliage engaging brush that is driven directly about a brush rotation axis by a brush driving motor. The crop foliage engaging brush and the brush driving motor are supported for rotation on the crop harvester framework. The power for driving the brush driving motor is controlled to provide oscillatory motion subject to operator controlled frequency, amplitude and oscillatory wave shape.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a power driven portable reaper comprising a guard structure for guarding the portable reaper when the portable reaper is to be temporarily put on the ground or during a reaping work. A power driven portable reaper (A) comprises an engine (20) on a base end thereof, a rod member (22) which is elongated forward from a tip side of the engine(20), an impact force generating unit (24) for converting rotation into reciprocation, and a cutting blade (26) provided in a tipmost portion thereof, a plurality of pipes (1A, 1B, 1C) are provided around the engine (20) so as to surround an outer circumference of the engine (20) in a direction from a tip of the engine (20) to a base end of the engine (20). A guard member is provided to be protruding outward from the reaper in the vicinity of the input force generating unit.

Abstract: In a tree shaking apparatus a pad positionable between the trunk of a tree to be shaken, and the apparatus itself, includes a pair of end sections. Each end section defines a bore extending therethrough for receiving a post extending from the apparatus, thereby mounting the pad on the apparatus. A resilient polymeric web extends between the end sections and defines a first surface for engaging the trunk of a tree to be shaken.

Abstract: A universal fruit-picking tool including a cage of a generally elliptical spheroid shape having a three-dimensional triangular opening in its upper half fitted with four cutters. Each cutter has a V-shaped gathering and cutting slot of unique design. The cage is supported by a tele-handle. The complex structure of the cage and cutters allows the new device to easily pick and, at the same time, safely catch the fruits, whatever the position of the tele-handle and the opening, which turn arbitrarily in three-dimensional coordination as the user desires. The general structure of the device is rigid, it does not dangle, it is aerodynamically shaped and agile and therefore it is possible to direct and push the device into the crown of fruit trees among close twigs, small branches and leaves in order to pick fruits easily.

Abstract: A harvester push tool has a concave body portion with broad and flat fingers extending therefrom to facilitate the harvesting of grounded nuts or other items. Grounded nuts or fruit are those that have either naturally fallen to the ground or are on the ground as a result of mechanically shaking the tree during the harvesting process.

Abstract: A harvesting of fruit from trees utilizing a harvesting machine which continuously advances along the row is explained. The harvesting machine utilizes a canopy penetration, fruit engagement and pressure severing method of mechanical harvesting. A plurality of arm members are held by an arm housing in either a single vertically disposed row or in a plurality of vertically disposed rows. During a harvesting procedure the arm housing undergoes a series of motions including rearward and forward on the harvesting machine as well as outward and inward therefrom. These motions may be controlled in an endless number of combinations to produce a desired harvesting action. One such harvesting action involves isolating to eliminate influence of the forward motion of the harvesting machine from the arm members during an extension motion and a retraction motion into and out of the canopy of the tree so that the arm members may enter the canopy with minimal resistance.

Abstract: The pepper harvester has a harvesting head, a primary conveyor, a shredder, cleaning and separating assemblies, a pepper sizer, a sorting bed and a discharge conveyor. The shredder is mounted above the primary elevator. First and second side plates of the shredder rotatably support three drums for rotation about parallel horizontal axes. The drums have a plurality of radially extending posts. The posts on a first drum project in between the posts on a second drum. The posts on a third drum project between the posts on the second drum. The drums are driven so that the first drum lifts crop material including some pepper from the conveyor. This crop material passes between the first and second drums, between the second and third drums and back to the conveyor. The posts on the drums travel at different speeds and shred cop material other than peppers.

Abstract: A fruit harvester includes a single shaker head having multiple, independently operable, shaker head segments freely rotatable about an axis of the head and moveable in a to and fro linear displacement. Each head segment includes a shaft and multiple finger elements radially extending from the shaft for penetrating fruit bearing branches of a tree. A shaker provides the radially linear displacement of the shaker head segment to and from the axis of the single shaker head. Adjacent shaker head segments are displaced in parallel and opposing directions for providing an oscillating movement to the finger elements, and thus a balance and stability to the shaker head during shaking movement of the tree branches. The shaker head is operable with a mobile carrier. A conveyor, also carried by the mobile carrier, is independently operable for receiving fruit falling from the tree and delivering the fruit onto a hauler.