Abstract: The present invention relates to a pull type multi-pass automatic tobacco harvester adapted to be connected to a farm tractor and pulled through a tobacco field for harvesting tobacco within the field. The pull type automatic tobacco harvester includes a main frame that supports a leaf defoliator assembly and a conveying system on each side thereof for receiving the defoliated tobacco leaves and conveying them to an area of collection. Connecting the harvester to said tractor is a hydraulically actuate swingable tongue that is pivotably mounted about the front portion of said harvester's main frame. When pivotably connected to a draw bar on the tractor, said tongue may be pivoted such that the trailing position of the harvester can be laterally varied relative to the tractor such that the defoliator assembly of said harvester can be properly aligned with any one of two adjacent tobacco rows that run along one side of the tractor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pull type multi-pass automatic tobacco harvester adapted to be connected to a farm tractor and pulled through a tobacco field for harvesting tobacco within the field. The pull type automatic tobacco harvester includes a main frame that supports a leaf defoliator assembly and a conveying system on each side thereof for receiving the defoliated tobacco leaves and conveying them to an area of collection. Connecting the harvester to said tractor is a hydraulically actuated swingable tongue that is pivotably mounted about the front portion of said harvester's main frame. When pivotably connected to a draw bar on the tractor, said tongue may be pivoted such that the trailing position of the harvester can be laterally varied relative to the tractor such that the defoliator assembly of said harvester can be properly aligned with any one of two adjacent tobacco rows that run along one side of the tractor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for loading and unloading a bulk curing tobacco barn so that large heavy containers filled with tobacco leaves will be properly positioned in the barn in a close front-to-back relationship.

Abstract: The present invention entails a bulk tobacco barn having a generally enclosed drying area and a forced air heating system associated directly with the barn for generating a system of air and circulating the air through tobacco supported within the drying area of the barn. As a part of the forced air heating system, there is provided heating means that is thermostatically controlled to heat the system of air to maintain an appropriate temperature level within the drying area of the structure during the curing and drying process. Provided in conjunction with the bulk tobacco barn is an auxiliary heating system that comprises a stove or heater having a fire box for receiving and burning material such as wood or coal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic speed control system for controlling the peripheral speed of a pick-up reel rotatively mounted about the front of a peanut combine. During the harvesting operation, the hydraulic speed control system is adapted to drive the pick-up reel at a generally constant speed as long as the ground speed of the peanut combine is equal to or less than a selected speed. The hydraulic control system is responsive to the ground speed of the peanut combine such that once the ground speed exceeds said selected speed, the hydraulic control system then drives the pick-up reel in proportion to ground speed such that the peripheral speed of the reel is generally equal the harvester ground speed in order that the relative velocity between the entering crop material being delivered to the combine by the reel and the combine itself is generally zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved bulk tobacco container of the type used to contain and support flue cured tobacco material for curing and drying, with the bulk tobacco container being of the box type and provided with an air diffuser or air channeling device disposed generally centrally within the container for channeling air directly from the bottom of the container to the tobacco material generally centrally located within the container. In particular, as oriented in an upright curing and drying position, the air channeling device or air diffuser extends upright from the lower portion of the bulk tobacco container and includes a side wall structure that defines an interior air passing area such that air may enter a lower open end portion of the air diffuser and move upwardly therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinged eave assembly for a sectional or modular structure that enables the eave of the structure to be positioned over the roof for transport, thereby reducing the effective width of the structure to conform with State highway laws. Structurally a plurality of elongated metal hinges are utilized to hingedly mount the eave to the roof at certain spaced intervals along the area where the roof joins the upper portion of an underlying wall structure. One end of the metal hinge is split or cut longitudinally so as to form a pair of legs, one leg being bent with respect to the other to form an angle therebetween for receiving the eave. The two legs are secured to the eave while the end of the hinge opposite the legs is secured directly to the roof of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a speed control unit associated with a peanut combine for driving and controlling the peripheral speed of a forwardly disposed crop engaging pick-up reel rotatively mounted transversely about the front of the peanut combine. The speed control unit basically includes a dual input drive system including a first drive operatively connected to at least one ground engaging wheel of the combine for providing an input drive corresponding to the ground speed of the peanut combine. A second generally constant input drive is provided from a power take-off source associated with the peanut combine. These two drives simultaneously drive a centrifugal clutch which includes an output drive member that is driven at a speed corresponding to the faster of the two input drives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bulk tobacco curing and drying structure that comprises an elongated main housing having a cross sectional area substantially arcuate shaped and adapted to receive and support bulk tobacco or other crop material therein for curing and drying. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the elongated housing is of a generally cylindrical shape and supported by an underlying cradle support structure. Defined internally within the cylindrical housing is a drying chamber having laterally spaced supports for supporting a plurality of bulk tobacco containers or racks therein over a defined plenum area within the cylindrical housing. A forced air furnace system provided with the curing and drying structure acts to circulate air vertically through bulk tobacco contained within the drying chamber, and generally maintains a desired temperature level therein during the curing and drying process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tractor mounted implement for handling a box type bulk tobacco container. The implement is adapted to be connected to a conventional three-point hitching mechanism disposed about the rear of the tractor which generally extends rearwardly from the rear of the tractor and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms adapted to be positioned into engagement with stub shafts extending from the side of the particular bulk tobacco container being handled. By actuating the hydraulic control system of the tractor, the three-point hitching mechanism can be raised and lowered so as to adjust the height of the handling implement.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having a hydraulic control system for automatically and continuously controlling and maintaining the speed of a leaf defoliator assembly relative to and in proportion to the ground speed of the tobacco harvester. The hydraulic control system is adapted to continuously control the horizontal rearward speed component of the defoliating elements of a leaf defoliator assembly such that the defoliating elements move rearwardly during leaf defoliation at approximately the same speed the harvester is moving forward.To provide for continuous speed control of the defoliator assembly, the hydraulic speed control system is operative to continuously effectively sense or monitor harvester ground speed and to continuously drive the defoliator assembly in proportion to the effectively sensed or monitored ground speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic tobacco harvester having a longitudinal leaf conveyor system for receiving tobacco leaf material defoliated by a defoliator assembly carried by said harvester and generally conveying the received leaf material rearwardly and upwardly about said harvester where the longitudinal conveyor system discharges the leaf material therefrom about a rearward elevated area on said harvester. The longitudinal leaf conveyor system of a particular harvester includes a series of laterally spaced longitudinal conveyor assemblies, each conveyor assembly including a horizontal conveyor section for conveying the leaf material from the defoliator assembly towards the rear of said harvester, and an elevating section which acts to convey the leaves from the horizontal section upwardly therefrom to an elevated area on said harvester where the leaves are discharged therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved random leaf bulk tobacco container for supporting a mass of tobacco leaves therein during a curing and drying process. When oriented in an upright curing and drying position, the bulk tobacco container of the present invention basically comprises a pair of imperforated laterally spaced sides, a back retainer extending transversely between the laterally spaced sides, a front tine support frame also extending between the laterally spaced sides, and wherein the container is adapted to contain a mass of tobacco leaf material therein with the tobacco leaf material being supported by a plurality of tines extending between the front tine support frame and the back retainer of the bulk tobacco container. Provided about the back of the container is a perforated screen-like sheet member having openings formed therein for receiving the piercing ends of the tines and supporting the same.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester including roller members positioned adjacent to the upper rear end of the conveyor which functions to disengage leaves from the return side of the conveyor, and a cover arrangement over the discharge end of the conveyor to protect the discharged leaves from the force of winds.

Abstract: A bulk container for tobacco leaves which includes a tine frame member adapted to fit over the open end of a leaf container and having means to lock the individual tines after insertion into the tobacco leaves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defoliator head for a tobacco harvester in which the defoliator head is provided with a positive stalk gripping assembly for engaging and substantially encompassing respective tobacco stalks passing through the defoliator head during harvesting. The positive stalk gripping assembly comprises a pair of hydraulically driven belts disposed in side-by-side relationship so as to define a stalk passing area therebetween, and wherein at least one said belts includes a continuous series of outwardly projecting lugs disposed on the outside thereof. As the belts are driven, stalks entering therebetween are engaged and substantially encompass by the belts and successive lugs. Consequently, the stalks are stabilized and generally held in a firm upright position while the leaves are being defoliated therefrom by a defoliator mechanism associated with said defoliator head.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having a hydraulic control system for automatically and continuously controlling and maintaining the speed of a leaf defoliator assembly relative to and in proportion to the ground speed of the tobacco harvester. The hydraulic control system is adapted to continuously control the horizontal rearward speed component of the defoliating elements of a leaf defoliator assembly such that the defoliating elements move rearwardly during leaf defoliation at approximately the same speed the harvester is moving forward.To provide for continuous speed control of the defoliator assembly, the hydraulic speed control system is operative to continuously effectively sense or monitor harvester ground speed and to continuously drive the defoliator assembly in proportion to the effectively sensed or monitored ground speed.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester which is provided with a novel arrangement of cutters disposed rearwardly of the defoliator section of the harvester.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester which is provided with a novel arrangement of cutters disposed rearwardly of the defoliator section of the harvester.