Abstract: A plant engaging system comprising a rigid frame, a first drum assembly, a counterweight system, and a rotation system. The rigid frame assembly defines a reference axis. The first drum assembly comprises at least one drum member and at least one beater rod extending from the drum member. The drum member defines a first drum axis, and the first drum assembly is supported by the rigid frame such that the first drum axis is parallel to and spaced a first offset distance from the reference axis. The counterweight assembly has a center of gravity and is supported by the rigid frame such that the center of gravity is spaced a second offset distance from the reference axis. The rotation system causes the at least one drum member and the counterweight assembly to revolve around the reference axis. Revolution of the at least one drum member about the reference axis causes the beater rod to engage the plant to dislodge produce from the plant.

Abstract: A system for harvesting fruit from vertical plants arranged in rows. The system comprises a frame having two frame portions arranged on opposite sides of a given row during harvesting. A front wheel and one back wheel are mounted on one of the frame portions, and the other back wheel is mounted on the other wheel portion. A shaker system and collecting system are arranged on the frame to dislodge and collect the fruit. The collecting system defines an entryway through which the plants pass relative to the harvesting system during harvesting. The front wheel is arranged forward of the entryway and significantly increases the maneuverability of the harvesting system.

Abstract: A beater rod assembly for a crop harvesting machine where the beater rods rotate into and out of a crop row as the harvesting machine moves along the crop row. Each beater rod comprises an elongate fiberglass core surrounded by polyethylene sheath that exerts compressive forces radially inwardly around the fiberglass core. This arrangement alleviates damage to the fiberglass core that would otherwise occur by the tip end of the rod engaging posts or possibly engaging the tip end of another rod.

Abstract: A raisin harvesting machine adapted to harvest raisins from vines where the raisin bunches are positioned in an upwardly and outwardly extending growing plane. The machine has a beater rod assembly which is positioned at a lateral slant so as to have a substantial alignment component parallel to growing zone of the raisins. In some embodiments, the machine moves along one row, the beater rod assembly moves into and out of the crop row in a harvesting motion. When the harvesting machine moves at an opposite direction along an adjacent row, the beater assembly is moved to an opposite side of the harvesting machine so as to be properly positioned to engage the raisins in the second crop row.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting produce from row crops, a pair of beater rods for use in said apparatus, and methods related to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a chassis which travels along the row of crops, and a harvesting unit, which is carried by the chassis and which comprises: A means for engaging and depressing an upper side and a means for engaging and raising a lower side of various portions of the crops, with the side engaging means defining a crop receiving area therebetween and with the crop portions entering into the crop receiving area and being raised and depressed; a means operatively connected to the side engaging means for imparting first and second vertical components of oscillation to the depressing and raising of the crop portions; with the apparatus being characterized in that a central zone of the second component (said second component comprising a lower zone, said central zone, and an upper zone) is oscillated up and down about a fixed horizontal axis.

Abstract: A crop tending machine and method to automatically steer a harvesting machine and provide warning to the operator when there is a gap sensed in a crop row. The machine comprises a chassis that moves along a crop row axis, a location sensing member, a steerable wheel, and a control mechanism. The sensing member senses a distance of the machine from the axis. The steerable wheel has first and second predetermined angular positions that are angularly displaced by predetermined amounts from a straight ahead steering position.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester for rowed crops, such as berry bushes, includes a wheeled chassis having an enclosure formed by a pair of upstanding fore and aft extending sidewalls. The harvester is driven in a manner that the berry bushes enter the front of the enclosure and exit from the rear. A stabilizing and displacing assembly is located toward the front of the enclosure to dislodge the fruit from the bushes when the bushes are within the enclosure, and to minimize any dislodging of fruit forward or rearward of the enclosure. The fruit is dislodged by a side-to-side transverse movement of the bush which is caused by a set of middle displacing rods. The bush is stabilized by forward and rearward stabilizing rods which act in opposition to the middle displacing rods.