Abstract: One embodiment of a stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header comprises a cylindrical shell with a recess in the main cylinder, wherein reduced flutes are not present in the recess, but full flutes are present therein. This embodiment includes a stalk slot having a length equal to the length of the recess. Additionally, the flutes may be configured such that a stalk engagement gap is present at least once during a full revolution of two opposing stalk rolls.

Abstract: A robotic system for use in agriculture includes at least one tool-holding arm to hold an agricultural tool and capable of being controlled to enable the agricultural tool to be raised or lowered, a sensor for measuring the height of crops, and a computer to determine a set value for controlling the at least one tool-holding arm on the basis of measurements taken by the sensor for measuring the crop height. The tool-holding arm is connected to a connection member such that it can be mounted on a control arm provided on an agricultural vehicle. The computer can determine a set value for controlling the control arm to enable the tool-holding arm to be raised or lowered on the basis of measurements taken by the sensor for measuring the crop height.

Abstract: A stalk roll may be configured to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header, wherein the stalk roll drive shaft has a generally square cross-sectional shape. The stalk roll may comprise a main cylinder with a plurality of flutes extending radially from the main cylinder along the length of the main cylinder. A taper may be positioned toward the front end of the main cylinder. The flutes may be configured such that a bladeless area on each of two stalk rolls of an opposing pair cooperate to form at stalk engagement gap in at least one moment in time per revolution of the stalk rolls.

Abstract: A braiding system having a plurality of mobile carrier devices movable under its own power, each mobile carrier including a plurality of wheels, a motor driving the wheels, a power source, a controller, and a pick-up unit having a receiver. Each of the plurality of mobile carriers has a tow carrier positioned in the receiver, and each mobile carrier is simultaneously movable along a virtual track-less path predetermined for each individual carrier, such that the simultaneous movement of the mobile carrier devices along their predetermined paths form a braid.

Abstract: A crop harvesting width of a harvester head is partitioned into a plurality of portions. At least one sensor detects a metric of a crop being harvested for each of the plurality of portions. A processing unit determines an attribute of the crop harvested for each of a plurality of portions using the detected metric.

Abstract: A harvesting header and feederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse and a header frame. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams. The feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures of the header frame are pivotably connected to enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface. At least one hydraulic ram connects between the feederhouse interface and the header frame to pivot the harvesting header on the feederhouse to a desired fore/aft pitch angle. A hydraulic supply provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram. Front and rear ground sensors provide an output that is used to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvesting header relative the ground by pivoting the header frame relative the feederhouse interface.

Abstract: A front attachment for a self-propelled combine harvester includes intake conveyor mechanisms arranged side by side having grooved conveyor wheels that rotate about a vertical rotational axis. Snapping units located downstream of the intake conveyor mechanisms in the direction of crop flow have snapping rollers extending horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel. A transverse conveyor is equipped with opposing auger sections drawn together in the center of the front attachment. The grooved conveyor wheels include extending driving elements that engage via sections thereof into guide channels to pick up and convey plant stalks in the direction of the center of the front attachment.

Abstract: A combine head frame includes a laterally-extending upper beam adjacent to the top of the combine head and a laterally-extending lower beam adjacent to the bottom of the combine head. A left lateral beam has first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to a left central portion of the upper beam and the second end is coupled to a left end portion of the lower beam. A right lateral beam has third and fourth ends, wherein the third end is coupled to a right central portion of the upper beam and the fourth end is coupled to a right end portion of the lower beam.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a corn head row unit has a conical seat and a spherical seat for mounting the stalk roll on a stalk roll driveshaft of a row unit. Each row unit has a drive shaft with a corresponding conical portion and a threaded fastener with a corresponding spherical portion for capturing the stalk roll on the drive shaft between mating conical shaft and stalk roll portions toward one end and mating spherical shaft and fastener portions at the other stalk roll end.

Abstract: A machine for the harvest of stalk-like plants with a cutting arrangement for cutting plant stalks that extends in a plane terminating in a cutting edge and a conveying arrangement for taking up and conveying away the cut plant stalks. The plane of the cutting arrangement is inclined upward in the forward operating direction (V) of the machine.

Abstract: Stalk rolls are used for a corn harvester having a body, an engine, a cab mounted to the body and a head mounted to a front of the body. The head includes an auger, row separators, corn stalk gathering assemblies between the row separators and ear removal devices. Each ear removal device includes a pair of stalk rolls. Each stalk roll has a core and longitudinally extending flutes spaced about a periphery of the core and extending along the core. Each stalk roll has a straight first section, a second section proximate a first end of the first section and having a first tapering profile, and a third section proximate the second section opposite the first section and having a second tapering profile.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a harvesting attachment for a harvesting machine with a frame, wherein the frame includes an outer wall which defines a cavity and in the cavity at least one strut is arranged.

Abstract: Harvester adapter for harvesting grain crops, particularly corn, comprising a frame structure attached to a harvester machine, at least one snapping unit (6) having a main drive means (13), and at least one stalk shredder unit (7) attached to the frame structure, the stalk shredder unit (7) having a shredder drive (14). A clutch means (15) is disposed between the shaft of the main drive means (13) of the snapping unit (6) and the shaft of the shredder drive (14) of the stalk shredder unit (7), where the stalk shredder unit (7) is in driving connection with the main drive means (13) of the snapping unit (6).

Abstract: A kernel processing assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine is provide. The kernel processing assembly includes a first roll supported in bearings on a first frame element and a second roll supported in bearings on a second frame element, that forms a slot with the first roll through which harvested crop can be conducted. A rotary bearing is arranged on the first side of the slot that retains the first frame element and the second frame element free to pivot against each other. A pre-load arrangement is arranged on the second side of the slot that pre-loads the first frame element and the second frame element against each other. The rotary bearing includes a shaft to which an eccentric is fastened that retains the first frame element free to pivot, and that the shaft is supported in bearings, free to rotate, relative to the second frame element, so that the width of the slot can be varied by rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A machine is provided for harvesting stalk-like crop, with a frame, to which in each case at least three mowing and intake arrangements are attached of which the first mowing and intake arrangement that is directly adjoining the longitudinal center plane of the machine and can be driven in such a way that their forward regions of the machine, as seen in the forward operating direction, move towards the outside. The second mowing and intake arrangements, that follow the first mowing and intake arrangement to the outside move in the opposite direction to the first mowing and intake arrangements. The third mowing and intake arrangements, which follow the second mowing and intake arrangements to the outside, are driven in the same direction as the first mowing and intake arrangements.

Abstract: A machine for the harvest of stalk-like plants is provided. The machine has a frame, two conveying elements supported on the frame and arranged one above the other with recesses distributed around their circumference for taking up and conveying a flow of crop that includes plant stalks. A stripper extends into the intervening space between the conveying elements in order to move the plant stalks out of the recesses. The stripper is connected to the frame by a free-standing post that extends vertically and is arranged outside the flow of the crop conveyed by the conveying elements. A point of the stripper interacts with the conveying elements located to the rear of the axis of rotation of the conveying elements relative to the forward operating direction of the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a harvesting apparatus (10), particularly a corn picker, comprising two drawing-in and picking units (18), each of which is provided with a picking gap (24) and a drawing-in device (26) that can be operated so as to draw plants into the picking gap (24) by means of which the infructescences can be separated from the plants. The inventive harvesting apparatus (10) further comprises a stalk chopper (32) that is disposed downstream of the drawing-in device (26), is used for comminuting the plant stalks, and is provided with a knife (36) which can be rotated about a shaft extending at least approximately in a vertical direction. The invention is characterized in that the envelope circle (38) described by the knife (40) of the stalk chopper spans at least the drawing-in devices (26) of two adjacent drawing-in and picking units (18).

Abstract: Methods and devices for guiding harvest residue at the time of harvest to prepare crops for strip-tilling operations. Embodiments of the invention include an attachment for a harvesting machine, and a method of harvesting a row crop in a way that directs harvest residue into relatively narrow strips, leaving strips of soil between the strips of harvest residue in better condition for strip-tilling. The management and placement of harvest residue during harvesting operations according to embodiments of the invention may improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of strip-tilling operations.

Abstract: This row unit utilizes an improved multi-zone, multi-functional stalk roll, which contains a novel revolving entry window to improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll flutes with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The invention provides that the rotating transport vanes located on the helical nose cone at the entry area to the stalk roll flutes lock the corn stalk into a revolving entry window. This novel row unit contains a multi-zone, multi-functional stripper plate that ensures minimal ear wedging and maximum discharge of material other than ears.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a compact arrangement of side-by-side mounted intake and mowing units, cross conveyors and deflection coveyors, which operate to efficiently deliver cut crop to a central outlet at the rear side of the header. Some of the compactness is attributable to a drive arrangement which makes it possible to mount the axes of rotation of certain cross conveyors respectively within the cylindrical envelopes described by the peripheries of the vertically spaced intake disks of the intake and mowing devices.

Abstract: A mowing implement is equipped with a rotary cutter bar and utilizes right- and left-hand sets of converging drums to aid those cutting discs located outboard of opposite sides of a discharge zone to converge crop to the discharge zone. The inner two of each of the sets of converging drums are identical and have inverted bowl shaped lower end plates having conical surfaces which aid in lifting crop. The insides of the bowl-shaped converging drum end plates form voids, which together with flat horizontal ejector plates, mounted on respective cutter discs for sweeping beneath the inner two of each set of converging drums, keep crop from packing beneath these converging drums. Associated with each of the innermost ones of the inner pair of converging drums is a guide element defining a horizontal shelf located for guiding crop, elevated by the conical surfaces of the lower ends of the inner most converging drums, to the discharge passage.

Abstract: A machine for mowing crop is equipped several intake and mowing arrangements disposed in side-by-side relationship to each other for the cutting of standing crop and for the conveying of the harvested crop. At the rear side of the intake and mowing arrangements, a transverse conveying channel is provided through which the harvested crop can be transported at least approximately transverse to the direction of operation. The downstream end of the transverse conveying channel communicates with an intake channel through which the harvested crop can be delivered to a chopper arrangement. A conveying arrangement, that can be driven, is arranged outside the transverse conveying channel in order to remove a jam, if necessary, that was caused by harvested crop emerging from the transverse conveying channel. The conveying arrangement is mounted for rotation about an approximately vertical axis.

Abstract: A machine is provided for mowing of stalk-like crops, having cutting and intake mechanisms arranged side by side, for cutting and conveying of the crop material, wherewith at least one such cutting and intake mechanism is disposed on each side of the longitudinal mid-plane of the machine. The machine further includes a guide element disposed in the center of the machine above, and at the forward side of, a conveying channel through which plants being harvested are conveyed actively to an intake channel of a field chopper. The guide element includes surfaces which are disposed at a distance from the conveying channel and are disposed relative to the course of the conveying channel so that the surfaces open upward from the conveying channel in a funnel-like manner.

Abstract: A header is equipped with a plurality of mowing and take-in devices for cutting and conveying plants. Associated with each of mowing and take-in device is a conveyor for receiving and conveying plant parts, especially corn ears, possibly separated from the plants, and return devices for returning the plant parts into the plant stream conveyed in the header. Each conveyor includes a chute mounted at an edge of the associated mowing and take-in device for receiving plant parts separated from harvested plants. The return device has a section extending into the chute for deflecting the plant parts back into the plant stream conveyed in the header.

Abstract: A machine for mowing crops includes a plurality of intake and mowing arrangements which each include a cutting disk and a plurality of conveying disks spaced vertically from each other along an upright axis of rotation. A plurality of strippers are mounted in the vicinity of the intake and mowing arrangements and define slots through which driver elements of the conveying disks pass during operation. Crop pieces accumulate in these slots and provided on the drivers of the disks for sweeping these crop pieces out of the slots are removers. These removers are in the form of elongate bars and are connected to the disks so as to be easily removable so that they may be easily replaced when worn to the extent they are no longer effective in cleaning the crop pieces from the stripper slots.

Abstract: An arrangement for the withdrawal of samples from a flow of harvested crop flowing in a conveying channel in a harvesting machine includes a guide element mounted so as to cover a sample withdrawal opening provided in a wall of the channel. The guide element is mounted for movement between a first position wherein it blocks the withdrawal opening, and in a second position wherein it opens the withdrawal opening and includes a region that is inserted into the conveying channel so as to forcibly deflect a crop sample through the withdrawal opening.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for harvesting corn or other such stalked vegetation includes at least one circulating endless conveyor for gathered plants, which forms an area at an end thereof for delivery of the plants to an inlet opening of a further processing apparatus. The endless conveyor includes conveyor links articulated to one another and at least one cutting plane comprising outwardly pointing cutters and having above it at least one holding plane for holding the cut stalks and including lower, outwardly-pointing holders. The endless conveyor is constructed such that a front side thereof, facing the cutters and holders, is of a substantially closed configuration.

Abstract: Harvesting equipment (1) for harvesting corn or similar stalk-like harvested products, the harvesting equipment (1) having at least one link chain (4; 5), which is provided with holding means for the cut-down harvested products (3), and has a tight side (4a; 5a) which can be moved, when in use, transversely to the driving direction (F) of the harvesting equipment (1), is constructed so that the extent (T) of an element (14, 15) of the link chain (4; 5), measured in the revolving direction (U1; U2), essentially corresponds to a whole number divider of a standard distance between rows (3a) of harvested products (3) cultivated, in a standardized manner.

Abstract: A header of a crop harvester is equipped with a plurality of side-by-side arranged intake and mowing drums, including two adjacent intake and mowing drums at one side of a crop outlet of the header, which rotate such that the one closest the outlet rotates to deliver crop first inward and then to the rear directly into a conveying channel located at the rear of the closest intake and mowing drum, while the other drum rotates to deliver crop first outward and then to the rear. A second crop conveying channel is located for receiving the crop harvested by the outer intake and mowing drums and for keeping this crop separate from that harvested by the inner intake and mowing drum until the separate streams merge at the crop outlet after being elevated there by a slope conveyor provided for lifting the crop from the working height of intake and cutting drums to the crop outlet, which is at a height above the working height.

Abstract: A harvesting header for a self-propelled harvesting machine comprising a center portion and two side portions. The center portion and both side portions are provided with forwardly extending crop processing arrangements. A transversely extending auger is located behind the crop processing arrangements. The crop processing arrangements can be moved between an operating position and a transport position by pivoting them about a transversely extending horizontal pivot axis. In this transport position the center of gravity of the harvesting header is moved rearwardly towards the harvesting machine. The side crop processing arrangements can be pivoted about forwardly extending pivot axes to reduce the width of the harvesting header in its transport position.

Abstract: A crop harvester header includes a plurality of intake and mowing drums mounted in side-by-side relationship to each other across the width of the header. Located to the rear of the intake and mowing drums for receiving crop delivered to the rear by them are a pair of slope conveyor drums respectively located on opposite sides of a longitudinal center plane of the header and at opposite sides of an inlet passage leading to feed rolls for introducing the crop into a chopper drum of the harvester.

Abstract: A gathering and picking device having a gathering element having radially extending fingers is rotated about an approximately vertical axis. The fingers are arranged to grasp plant stalks and transport the plant stalks along a picking gap of a picking device. The picking gap is curved such that it maintains an at least approximately constant distance from the vertical rotational axis of the gathering element over its operative length.

Abstract: A machine for mowing stalk-like crops includes a plurality of intake and mowing arrangements which each include a cutting disk and a plurality of conveying disks spaced vertically from each other along an upright axis of rotation. A plurality of strippers are mounted in the vicinity of the intake and mowing arrangements and define slots through which driver elements of the conveying disks pass during operation. Crop pieces accumulate in these slots and provided on the drivers of the disks for sweeping these crop pieces out of the slots are removers. These removers are in the form of elongate bars and are connected to the disks so as to be easily removable so that they may be easily replaced when worn to the extent they are no longer effective in cleaning the crop pieces from the stripper slots.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting stalks of sugarcane having a plurality of harvest chambers. Each harvest chamber has a pair of opposing side walls that forming a V-shaped forward opening for receiving sugarcane stalks to be cut for harvest and a plurality of revolving, opposing, resilient conveyor belts for grabbing, holding and feeding the sugarcane stalks through the chambers in a substantially upright position. Each harvest chamber has a plurality of adjustable blowers to selectively direct a high velocity air stream onto the sugarcane stalks to remove unwanted foliage from the sugarcane stalks and a vacuum system to suction unwanted foliage from the harvest chambers to a foliage collection chamber located within the harvester.

Abstract: This patent describes stalk rolls for use in corn head row units. The environmentally friendly stalk rolls improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The various embodiments of the penetrating stalk rolls may be mounted with or without nose bearings. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The stalk rolls described work to allow smooth uninterrupted improved flow of corn stalk material through the ear separation chamber and are designed to be environmentally friendly by ensuring that the corn plant remains connected to its original root system which prevents it from blowing or washing away.

Abstract: A moistener supply system for a cotton picking machine including a cleaner injection system that supplies cleaner to the system from a location remote from a water tank or other source of water. The outlet of the cleaner injection system preferably is positioned at a location that assures good mixing of the cleaner with the water before the resultant moistener is dispensed onto the moistening pads. Cleaner flow rate preferably is slaved to the water flow rate in order to maintain a generally constant cleaner concentration in the moistener in the absent external intervention. The cleaner flow rate can also be adjusted independently of the water flow rate to vary the cleaner concentration to meet the needs of the prevailing operating conditions. The cleaner concentration adjustment may be effected manually, automatically, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A machine for mowing stalk-type crops includes a crop conveyor wheel mounted for rotation about an approximately vertical axis and provided with recesses that are distributed over its circumference and designed as receptacles for plant stalks. A stationary shield is fixed directly above the conveyor wheel and includes an outer region located above an outer portion of the conveyor wheel just inwardly of the recesses of the surface of the conveyor wheel. In order to improve the crop transport and to prevent the loss of corn cobs, the shield is provided with an arcuate cutout located between the outer region and an inner region of the shield, the cutout having an open end located adjacent to the crop flow received by the machine.

Abstract: This row unit utilizes an improved multi-zone, multi-functional stalk roll, which contains a novel revolving entry window to improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll flutes with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The invention provides that the rotating transport vanes located on the helical nose cone at the entry area to the stalk roll flutes lock the corn stalk into a revolving entry window. This novel row unit contains a multi-zone, multi-functional stripper plate that ensures minimal ear wedging and maximum discharge of material other than ears.

Abstract: A forage harvester is equipped with a harvesting platform including a plurality of side-by-side mounted rotary collection and mowing drums that operate to feed stalk-like crops into a transport conduit located behind the collection and mowing drums. A pair of transport devices are mounted for rotating about respective axes located on opposite sides of a feed channel leading to an infeed channel of the forage harvester. The axes of rotation of the transport devices are tilted forward from the vertical and the transport devices include entrainment elements formed of disks having a plurality of long teeth formed thereabout, the long teeth projecting into the transport channel.

Abstract: A chassis frame for a self-propelled harvester including a pair of rails extending in side-by-side, spaced relation between forward ends thereof and opposite rearward ends thereof, the rails including compound bend portions adjacent to the rearward ends thereof which extend downwardly and convergingly to a cross member which is connected thereto. A rear axle is connected to the cross member in transverse relation to the rails and has wheels located in wheel cavities defined by the compound bend portions of the rails and pivotable about upright steering axes. The rails of the chassis frame can also include elements for mounting at least one radiator or cooler therebetween forwardly of the bend portions, and elements for mounting at least one radiator or cooler therebetween rearwardly of the bend portions, and an air flow duct can be disposed between the rails to provide a straight air flow path between the radiators or coolers.

Abstract: A header of a crop harvester is equipped with a plurality of side-by-side arranged intake and mowing drums, including two adjacent intake and mowing drums at one side of a crop outlet of the header, which rotate such that the one closest the outlet rotates to deliver crop first inward and then to the rear directly into a conveying channel located at the rear of the closest intake and mowing drum, while the other drum rotates to deliver crop-first outward and then to the rear. A second crop conveying channel is located for receiving the crop harvested by the outer intake and mowing drums and for keeping this crop separate from that harvested by the inner intake and mowing drum until the separate streams merge at the crop outlet after being elevated there by a slope conveyor provided for lifting the crop from the working height of intake and cutting drums to the crop outlet, which is at a height above the working height.

Abstract: A crop harvester header includes a plurality of intake and mowing drums mounted in side-by-side relationship to each other across the width of the header. Located to the rear of the intake and mowing drums for receiving crop delivered to the rear by them are a pair of slope conveyor drums respectively located on opposite sides of a longitudinal center plane of the header and at opposite sides of an inlet passage leading to feed rolls for introducing the crop into a chopper drum of the harvester.

Abstract: The corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row to the grain tank of the combine result in a novel and more efficient harvesting machine. The novel spatial relationship between the powered and the unpowered conveying systems moving in different directions will permit improved flow and flow rate with less plugging while using less power. This invention also provides a smooth uninterrupted flow of material from the row unit to the cross auger, thence through the dead space (energy wise) to the retrieving area of the feeder house. More efficient harvesting at higher speed is possible as the amount of material is lifted through a lesser angle of the inclined plane from ground to thresher unit.

Abstract: A two-piece retainer for securing a pivot tube of a combine feederhouse to a combine frame, having a first piece made of a polymer material and a second piece made of a metal material.

Abstract: An adjustable chopper shaft is disclosed including a chopper shaft (14), a gear (18) concentrically mounted on the chopper shaft, the gear being accomodated in a gearbox (40). A setup (30, 32) for selectively allowing rotation of the chopper shaft relative to the gear are provided and this setup for selectively allowing rotation of the chopper shaft relative to the gear is located externally of the gearbox.

Abstract: A pair of horizontal rods mounted to be very close to the ground run on either side of a row of stalks. The rods are mounted under harvesting equipment which would harvest the crop from the stalks. The rods are independently biased toward the row so that each of the rods contact and slide along the stalks. The rods are at least partially supported by pendants which hang from the harvesting equipment. The lateral movement of one of the pendants is measured to determine the deviation of the vehicle from the row.

Abstract: A row crop attachment for forage harvesters includes a plurality of row crop divider units arranged side-by-side on a base frame to define a plurality of crop conveying paths. Gathering chains are arranged to pass through each crop conveying path from an entrance to an exit thereof for conveying crop material through the crop conveying paths. Rotary knives are disposed adjacent the entrance of each crop conveying path for cutting off crop material before it is conveyed rearwardly through the crop conveying paths by the gathering chains. An auger is disposed adjacent the exits of the crop conveying paths for converging crop material exiting from the crop conveying paths toward a longitudinal center line of the row crop attachment. A filler ramp is positioned underneath the auger along this longitudinal center line behind the row crop divider units to prevent accumulation of crop material near the exits of the crop conveying paths.

Abstract: A high ground clearance tractor during one pass through rows of a standing crop, such as corn, opens a small furrow for a second crop, such as beans, plants the second crop, sprays suitable chemicals on the new crop, and trims the tops of the existing or standing crop. A large energy savings is realized compared to using separate machines for the required operations. The machine is particularly useful in regions having a long growing season. Two rows of a second crop can be planted between each adjacent pair of rows of the existing crop.

Abstract: A seed corn detasseling apparatus has a mounting base extending across the front of a wheeled vehicle, and three evenly spaced parallelogram linkages are vertically adjustable by separate hydraulic cylinders. A tool bar at the front of each linkage carries two laterally adjustable detasseling heads. Each head consists of a supporting frame the front of which forms an inverted V-shaped guide; and a forwardly and downwardly extending guide frame on the supporting frame cooperates with the inverted V-guide to guide upper leaves and tassels of corn plants between a pair of positively driven longitudinal rollers which are slightly spaced at the front and converge toward the rear. The rollers have short lands and grooves, with the grooves of one roller confronting the lands of the other roller. Tassels are pulled with practically no permanent damage to the upper leaves.

Abstract: Corn detasseling apparatus and method are disclosed whereby tassels are quickly and cleanly separated from corn plants while preventing damage to the leaves and the remainder of the stalk. The apparatus includes a detasseling head having two opposed rollers with alternating ridges and grooves which extend longitudinally with respect to the rotational axis of the rollers. The ridges and grooves of each roller intermesh with those of the opposing roller to form a wavy nip, and during rotation of the rollers, the tassels are securely grasped by the nip and pulled off the plants. In addition, the ridged rollers function as impellers which create forceful air currents that flow downward and blow the leaves of the plants away from the nip. Accordingly, the tassels are removed from the plant without any rough handling or damaging of the leaves, and with minimal cutting or shredding of the tassels to form objectionable trash.