Abstract: A steerable suspension system for a vehicle, especially useful in a self-propelled vehicle that can include a worker-platform and optionally include pick-up, transport, and delivery apparatus for produce bins. The steerable suspension system includes independent pairs of parallel arms, each pair coupled to a single steerable drive-wheel, serving as both a suspension and as a shock absorber, with the parallel-acting pair of arms maintaining the steering-leg in its substantially vertical position relative to a ground surface. This steerable suspension system aids the steerable movement and suspension of the vehicle, while increasing safety and maneuverability, and helps to reduce the number of workers required to operate the vehicle.
Abstract: A remote steering control and row finder, used with a tractor towing a vehicle or trailer. The remote steering control that can be retrofit to a conventional tractor and towed vehicle, and includes self-guiding features for finding a row of crops to maintain a center steer. The remote tractor includes a guide arm with an arm extension having a pivot tab proximate to a pivot block on the arm extension. The pivot block hinges about the arm extension at a block hinge. A pivot switch mounts to the arm extension, activated by the rotation of the pivot tab on the pivoting of the pivot block about the guide hinge. With the opening and closing of the pivot switch, either a hard-wired or a wireless remote console on the towed vehicle controls the steering mechanism of the remote tractor, guiding the direction of travel of the remote tractor.
Abstract: A forced-air system for conveying a produce within a mechanized harvester of a row crop. The mechanized harvester includes a straddling over-carriage having a central channel for receiving a row of bushes or vines containing the produce to be harvested, and especially for blue berries. The harvester has a harvesting beater, including a spool with rotating rods, mounted within the central channel of the mechanized harvester. The forced-air system can employ offset harvesting beaters and a flexible air supply diffuser, to precisely direct the fan or blower-generated airstream, to direct the harvested fruits or produce to interior catch pans and conveyors within the harvester, and to help remove the produce from the bushes or vines.