Abstract: Modular pruning and/or topping machine, that can be used in agriculture, viticulture, fruit or tree growing or for brush clearing, includes at least one cutter bar. The cutter bar basically has juxtaposed cutting modules. Each module includes a rotary cutting tool and a three-phase asynchronous electric motor for individual rotational driving of the respective tool.

Abstract: Harvesting head to be installed on a traveling carrier and configured to straddle a row of fruit-bearing plants, during operation, so as to harvest berries or small fruit such as, for example, grapes, black currants, gooseberries, raspberries, olives is the present invention. The harvesting head is dependent on one or more a device imparting movements during operation, the movements on either side being in relation to the median vertical plane of a straddling carrier on which the harvesting head is mounted. The device is controlled by at least one control system and capable of centering at least the lower part of the harvesting head in relation to the plants in rows.

Abstract: The method for analysing the structure of cultured hedges, equally applicable by day or by night, for a mobile, continuously-moving machine in tied or staked plantations such as vineyards, includes a system using an artificial vision system, working by transmission, which permits a detection of the shadowing of the light between one or more transmitters and one or more detectors to one side and the other of the hedge. The information generated by said shadows of light are processed by an electronic analysis system, programmed or embodied to examine the elements of the structure of the hedge.

Abstract: A device and a method for automatically inspecting objects traveling in an essentially monolayer flow. The device comprises a detection unit through which the object flow passes, consisting of the following: elements for applying electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the plane of conveyance of the objects and defining a lighting plane, the intersection of the lighting plane and plane of conveyance defining a detection line; a receiver device periodically scanning each point on the detection line and receiving radiation reflected by an elementary measuring zone, the plane defined by the detection line and the optical input center being known as the scanning plane; elements for transmitting the reflected radiation. The radiation emitted is concentrated in the region of the lighting plane and the lighting plane and the scanning plane merge, whereupon the joint plane is inclined in relation to the normal of the plane of conveyance.

Abstract: A leaf stripper which is intended more specifically for stripping vine leaves includes a stripping head which is equipped with a rotary drum with an open-work cylindrical side wall, rotator device for the drum, suction device which can be used to generate a suction air stream that passes through the aforementioned open-work cylindrical side wall of the drum, and a mechanism of channeling the air stream through a portion modifying the side wall. There is a cutting device which is installed close to the side wall portion of the rotating suction drum and which is positioned parallel or essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. The open-work cylindrical wall of the drum is made from a flexible, deformable material which is permeable to the air stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leaf stripper which is intended more specifically for stripping vine leaves. The inventive leaf stripper consists of a stripping head (1) which is equipped with a rotary drum comprising an open-work cylindrical side wall (3), means of rotating said drum, suction means (4) which can be used to generate a suction air stream that passes through the aforementioned open-work cylindrical side wall (3) of the drum, a means of channeling the air stream through a portion modifying the side wall and a cutting means (14) which is installed close to the side wall portion of the rotating suction drum and which is positioned parallel or essentially parallel to the axis of rotation (A-A) of the drum. The invention is characterized in that the open-work cylindrical wall (3) of the drum (2) is made from a flexible, deformable material which is permeable to the air stream.

Abstract: A multipurpose machine for close-row production of tree or shrub plantations, such as vineyards or orchards includes a working head including a rotor powered by a motor and designed for receiving at least two interchangeable tools. The invention also includes a meshing guide peripherally configured to mesh with the foot of trees or shrubs and arranged above the tools, the meshing guide being capable of rotating at a speed different from that of the rotor and having, viewed from the direction of said axis, the general shape of a notched disc having at its periphery alternating notches and projecting parts, the length of the operating radius of the rotary tools being not more than that of the radius of a circle tangent to the base of the notches of the guide, which can thereby, in operation, successively mesh with the base of the trees or shrubs, when coming in contact with the latter.

Abstract: An leaf stripping apparatus for stripping vines has a stripping head with a grid-type rotating suction drum rotatably mounted about a generally vertical axis, a suction cooperative with the stripping head for generating an air flow through the perforated cylindrical side wall of the suction drum, a channeling structure formed on the stripping head for channeling the air flow through the changing portion of the side of the suction drum, and a cutter affixed to the stripping head adjacent the changing portion of the side wall. The cutter is arranged generally parallel to the vertical axis of rotation of the rotating suction drum. The drum is suitable for positioning directly against the vine during movement of the stripping head therealong.

Abstract: An electronic anti-skid device for motor vehicles with hydrostatic transmission has at least one sensor for the transmission of data pertaining to the output of the hydrostatic transmission, a steering angle detector and an electronic computer. The electronic computer uses data from the sensor to calculate theoretical power output of the hydraulic motors of the driver wheels of the vehicles and, thus, the theoretical speed of the wheels. The electronic computer is programmed to scan the detectors at very rapid intervals, and to adjust, on each scan, hydraulic output from output regulators. The output regulators have electrical controllers and are coupled to each hydraulic motor of a driven wheel way as to limit the power from each regulator to a value marginally above the theoretical output for the motor of the wheel to which the power regulator is connected.

Abstract: Device for a soil cultivating machine, comprising a rotor. A plurality of tools are mounted on the rotor. At least one tool of the plurality comprises a fixing end, a soil engaging portion, and a connecting portion which connects the fixing end to the soil engaging portion. The at least one tool is movably mounted to the rotor.

Abstract: Removable universal tool-holder for mounting on a straddling vineyard tractor for agricultural work in tree or shrub plantations includes a main coupling chassis constructed so that it can be mounted, in a removable manner, on a straddling vineyard tractor; two secondary coupling chassis, each provided with a universal three-point hitch system; mechanisms connecting each secondary coupling chassis to the main coupling chassis; and mechanisms that make it possible to move each secondary coupling chassis in a vertical or approximately vertical plane and, preferably, in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane. It is understood that the universal tool-holder can support machines constructed to accomplish cultivation or treatment work such as: hoeing, mowing, plowing, harrowing, spraying, thinning out leaves, pruning, lopping, etc.

Abstract: Machine for working the soil in tree or shrub plantations, consisting of a chassis (1-2) equipped with mechanisms (4-5a, 11, 11) allowing it to be mounted on the universal three-point hitch system of a farm tractor and consisting, laterally, of mechanisms (28a, 28b) permitting the mounting of lateral tools (29A, 29B) allowing the working of the soil near the feet of the aligned trees or shrubs and mechanisms for driving these tools in rotation from the power take-off shaft of the tractor, characterized in that the chassis (1-2) is itself provided with a universal three-point hitch system (4-5b, 13, 13) allowing the mounting, on this chassis, of a second machine that customarily moves in between the rows, for the working or the treatment of the soil, or any other job related to the cultivating of the trees or shrubs.

Abstract: Removable universal tool-holder for mounting on a straddling vineyard tractor for agricultural work in tree or shrub plantations includes a main coupling chassis constructed so that it can be mounted, in a removable manner, on a straddling vineyard tractor; two secondary coupling chassis, each provided with a universal three-point hitch system; mechanisms connecting each secondary coupling chassis to the main coupling chassis; and mechanisms that make it possible to move each secondary coupling chassis in a vertical or approximately vertical plane and, preferably, in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane. It is understood that the universal tool-holder can support machines constructed to accomplish cultivation or treatment work such as: hoeing, mowing, plowing, harrowing, spraying, thinning out leaves, pruning, lopping, etc.

Abstract: Machine for working the soil in tree or shrub plantations, consisting of a chassis (1-2) equipped with mechanisms (4-5a, 11, 11) allowing it to be mounted on the universal three-point hitch system of a farm tractor and consisting, laterally, of mechanisms (28a, 28b) permitting the mounting of lateral tools (29A, 29B) allowing the working of the soil near the feet of the aligned trees or shrubs and mechanisms for driving these tools in rotation from the power take-off shaft of the tractor, characterized in that the chassis (1-2) is itself provided with a universal three-point hitch system (4-5b, 13, 13) allowing the mounting, on this chassis, of a second machine that customarily moves in between the rows, for the working or the treatment of the soil, or any other job related to the cultivating of the trees or shrubs.

Abstract: A process for using localized agricultural data to optimize the cultivation of perennial plants, the process including: passage through a parcel of perennial plants by a farm machine; automatic production of positioning signals at several points in the parcel, by means of an absolute positioning sensor, for example, of the differential GPS type installed on board the farm machine; automatic measurement by means of appropriate sensors of one or more pieces of agricultural data at each of these points; recording of the positioning signals and the data measured at these points by a data processing unit; processing of the positioning signals by means of a computer and an appropriate algorithm so as to organize them according to the rows of the parcel, so that the same row can be found again unambiguously during different passes; real-time or deferred representation of the positions passed through and/or the agricultural data in the form of a computer-generated map.

Abstract: Device and method of on-board weighing of harvested materials on a harvesting machine having a path for the harvested material. The device includes first and second weighing devices disposed near each other on a common support and being connected to an electronic computer. The first and second weighing devices are one of an electronic balance or scale. The second weighing device is equipped with a weighing platform which is installed in the path of the harvested material. A feed system is included which is independent of the weighing platform The method includes supporting a known fixed mass on the first weighing device, successively weighing the known fixed mass on the first weighing device, feeding, with the feeding system, the harvested material continuously and in successive lots onto the weighing platform of the second weighing device, weighing the harvested material on the second weighing device, and processing signals from the first and second weighing devices using the computer.

Abstract: Tool for soil cultivating machine, such as a weeding machine, hoeing machine, and vineyard plow, includes a rotor on which interchangeable tools are mounted. The tool comprises a fixing end located in an upper space zone, this end being arranged or configured so that it can be mounted with freedom of pivoting. The tool includes a connecting portion located in an intermediate space zone, the intermediate portion extending downwardly from the fixing end, and an active portion located in a lower space zone. The soil cultivating machine includes a rotor rotating about a vertical or substantially vertical axis and is provided, at its periphery, with interchangeable tools, wherein the rotor is arranged so as to enable the tools to be mounted with freedom of pivoting during operation.

Abstract: Machine for the selective harvest of berries, for example, machine for gathering grapes, of the type having a shaking system constituted by two berry picking assemblies each having a plurality of superposed gathering arms, characterized in that said shaking system is coupled to at least one driving electro-hydraulic device including at least one hydraulic jack controlled by a servovalve or by a proportional solenoid valve controlled by a microprocessor electronic control unit.

Abstract: Machine for the automatic or semi-automatic trimming or cutting of vines and espalier-trained trees or shrubs. The machine includes at least one cutting assembly constituted by a plurality of cutting tools stacked about a common shaft. Each of these cutting tools includes a rotative circular cage having the shape of a scalloped disk with notches extending toward the cage interior and demarcated by teeth (5). The teeth include an extreme portion and superposed bars . The superposed bars extend from this extreme portion in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating cage. Each of these cutting tools also includes an interior member which participates in the cutting action, and is housed in the rotating cage. The extreme portion of the teeth of the rotating cages forms a projecting angle, and the inclined edges of this pointed portion are provided with at least one notch.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing ties, for example for tying vines. The apparatus includes a mechanism for feeding an initial portion of a filiform band; a rotatable twister positioned at the front of the device provided with two openings for engaging two parts of the initial portion of the band; a cutting arrangement positioned upstream from one of the openings of the twister; a hinged guide positioned at the front of the device; a motor and a transmission system designed to be alternately active or inactive in order to execute, respectively, (1) the operation of the feeding mechanism, the hinged guide, and the cutting system, while the rotating twister is at a stop; and (2) the driving in rotation of the twister while the feeding mechanism, the hinged guide, and the cutting system are de-activated.