Abstract: A pneumatically operated press, particularly for pressing grapes, has a cylindrical drum which is rotatable about a horizontal axis.An internal membrane separates the drum into a pressing space in which the groups are pressed and an air space to which compressed air is introduced.A side wall of the drum defining the pressing space is perforated for passing the juice from the space and an opening in this side wall admits the grapes before and after pressing.The drum is cylindrical with the perforated side wall comprising half the drum surface and presenting a smooth surface to the membrane.The membrane is connected to the drum at opposite sides of its axis by connecting strips.

Abstract: A rotor and cultivating tools are provided for a rotary cultivating machine. The rotor is of the kind having a plurality of outwardly directed cultivating tools, in the form of rods.To fix the tools to the rotor shaft the shaft has secured to it one or more helical bars extending around the shaft from one end to the other. Holes are formed in the bars and in the shaft to receive the cultivating tools.The tools have a working portion at one end and a shank at the other end. The shank extends through the bar and the shaft and is secured by a nut at the end opposite the working portion. The working portion is flattened at its outer end to present a narrower dimension to the ground being worked.The arrangement provides a shaft and tools which are cheaper to make and replace.

Abstract: A baling machine for making large rectangular bales of straw or hay has a bale chamber with an entry opening at one end. Material is fed under compression to the entry opening to fill the chamber. So that the bale is formed of consolidated columns of material a guide is located adjacent the entry opening and can be moved in and out of the chamber after each column is formed.Pivoting of the guide pushes completed columns along the chamber to make way for incoming material.

Abstract: A method of aerating slurry involves the use of a screw conveyor operating in a tubular casing having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet has access to the air above the level of the slurry so that as the conveyor is rotated air is admitted through the inlet and discharged at the outlet, which is below the surface level, into the body of the slurry. The screw conveyor may be in two portions of opposite hand so that one portion discharges air and the other portion discharges slurry at a common outlet intermediate the two ends of the casing.

Abstract: A fruit harvesting machine, especially suitable for grapes, consists of a mobile frame which straddles the vines so that longitudinal frame members extend down each side of the central axis of the frame. Base plates for catching the falling fruit extend inwards from the longitudinal members and are pivotable to allow the vines to pass along the machine. A resilient attachment for each base plate biases the plates towards their extended positions and includes internal and external sleeves between which is a resilient sleeve pre-stressed to urge the internal sleeve, attached to the plate, to rotate relative to the external sleeve into the extended position.

Abstract: A baler for making large sized rectangular bales of agricultural crops, has a bale chamber the size and shape of the bales to be formed. At one end of the chamber the crop is introduced into the chamber by feed means which compresses the crop. A restraining member in the bale chamber is movable from adjacent the inlet towards a position in which the chamber is full so as to define an increasing volume of the chamber accessible to the crop and enable bales of variable, relatively high density to be formed.The restraining member is moved intermittently by the pressure of the crop in the chamber and after completion of each bale is returned to its initial position. Each bale is bound together when completed and a packing plate is optionally provided to assist in forming the bales.

Abstract: A fruit gathering machine, by which the fruit is released by means of shakers, is provided with means for separating out leaves which are removed at the same time. The leaves and fruit fall towards lateral discharge conveyors and each conveyor has air ducting with outlet openings whereby air jets are directed from opposite sides of the conveyor. An upper jet of air discharges the leaves from the machine.The machine is specially adapted for use in grape gathering.

Abstract: A machine for gathering fruit by a shaking and beating action includes a wheeled frame with a longitudinal central tunnel through which the plants pass. A series of groups of flexible beater fingers flank the longitudinal axis of the tunnel, and the beater fingers of each group are on carrier means on a connecting rod which has one end operatively connected to a driver eccentric and the opposite end carried upon a slide block secured to the machine frame. Each group of beater fingers moves generally elliptically so the flexible fingers have a whipping action which shakes the plants to dislodge the fruit.The machine has several adjustments which adapt it to harvesting fruit from a variety of plants, and in particular for gathering grapes from vines of different kinds, sizes and dispositions.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted cultivator is combined with a frame on which fixed cultivating tools are mounted. The fixed tools extend behind the rotary cultivator to break up ground below the level of rotary cultivation. The frame is releasably attached to the rotary cultivator and the attachment means are such that the frame can be used independently by direct attachment to the tractor three-point linkage.