Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus is provided which includes a vehicle, a mechanism for moving the vehicle along the ground; a tray, coupled to the vehicle, for receiving picked fruit; a pivotable hopper, mounted to the vehicle, for temporarily storing the picked fruit; and a transfer system for transferring the picked fruit from the tray to the hopper. The apparatus further includes an elevator for selectively elevating the device and/or a titling device for selectively tilting the device.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting fruit from trees is provided. The machine includes a supporting vehicle; a hopper mounted on the vehicle; a blower assembly for maintaining a sub-atmospheric pressure in the hopper; an extendable/retractable boom rotatably mounted on the vehicle; a worker-supporting bucket attached to the outer end of the boom; and a conduit system extending from the bucket, through the boom, and into the hopper whereby the fruit may be transferred from the bucket to the hopper. The boom includes inner, middle and outer telescopically slidable boom sections; while the conduit system includes inner, middle and outer telescopically slidable conduit sections. The machine further includes a first deflection-preventing member which is mounted on the inner end of the middle boom section and a second deflection-preventing member mounted on the inner end of the outer boom section.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus and method includes a vehicle designed for operation along aisles between rows of low density young citrus trees for collecting, storing and transporting citrus fruit harvested by multiple workers moving along in front of the vehicle. The apparatus and method is more efficient and cost effective for harvesting citrus fruit from low density young citrus trees and eliminates pallet tubs and the vehicle boom required to empty and replace the tubs as used in the "conventional harvesting method". The machine and method includes a large semi-circular tray preferably mounted at a level about two feet above the ground on the front of a self-propelled vehicle carrying a hopper. The tray is selectively removable to allow a tray of different size to be mounted on the vehicle to meet the harvesting conditions involved at given citrus groves.