Abstract: A tobacco combine comprising a frame operable to be moved along a row of tobacco plants in a tobacco field, a pair of cooperating power driven mechanical tobacco defoliating units mounted on the frame for (1) movement therewith along the row of tobacco plants on opposite sides of a predetermined vertical extent of the stalks of the tobacco plants for removing tobacco leaves attached to the portion of the stalks within the predetermined vertical extent and (2) vertical movements with respect to the frame within (a) an operative range for varying the predetermined vertical extent of the stalks and (b) above the operating range for clearance purposes, a power driven longitudinal conveyor assembly disposed laterally outwardly from each defoliating unit for receiving leaves directed laterally thereby and moving the same rearwardly, a manually adjustable strut assembly for supporting the forward end of each longitudinal conveyor from the frame against a downward movement below a selected position of adjustment but

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk curing tobacco comprising a barn having a heat exchanger therein defining interior flow paths for heated water and exterior heat exchange surfaces disposed within the curing air flow path within the barn, hot water storage tank unit, a power operated pump for circulating hot water between the hot water storage tank unit and the heat exchanger, a hot water heating unit and a power driven pump for continuously circulating water between the hot water heating unit and the hot water storage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for priming tobacco plants having stalks and leaves extending outwardly therefrom comprising a pair of intermeshing defoliating units each of which includes a plurality of elongated members having sharp upper cutting edges extending generally in directions both longitudinal and transverse with respect to the row of plants. The units are driven such that the elongated members are moved through an orbital translational cycle in a direction such that the cutting edges of each elongated member will be moved inwardly toward the stalks, upwardly to sever the leaves from the stalks and then outwardly to carry the severed leaves away from the stalks.

Abstract: Tobacco handling apparatus that receives tobacco from a source, such as a trailer, and elevates it by a conveyor to a discharge end from which it is discharged in a flow path having a substantial maximum horizontal extent disposed above a container that has an elongated horizontal extent aligned with and underneath the flow path for receipt of the tobacco leaves in condition for subsequent curing. An oscillatable or reciprocable baffle, or a variable speed conveyor or feed roll is included for varying the horizontal extent of the flow path within the maximum extent in a generally uniform manner to cause the leaves to be distributed substantially uniformly along the elongated extent of the container.

Abstract: A tobacco supporting tine structure comprising an elongated rod bent to define a relatively long longitudinally extending leg portion having a free end thereof shaped to facilitate a piercing movement thereof through a bulk mass of tobacco leaves, a bight portion extending transversely from the other end of the leg portion, a relatively short parallel section extending from the opposite end of the bight portion from which the leg portion extends in the same direction as the latter, a locking section extending transversely from the short parallel sections in a direction toward and at an angle of approximately 45.degree. with respect to the leg portion and a relatively long leg section extending longitudinally from the locking section in generally coextensive parallel relation to the leg portion and having a free end shaped to facilitate a piercing movement thereof through a bulk mass of tobacco leaves.

Abstract: Tobacco handling apparatus that receives tobacco from a source, such as a trailer, and elevates it by a conveyor to a discharge end from which it is discharged in a flow path having a substantial maximum horizontal extent disposed above a container that has a longitudinal horizontal extent aligned with and underneath the flow path for receipt of the tobacco leaves therefrom in condition for subsequent curing. A leaf distributing mechanism is included for varying the horizontal extent of the flow path within the maximum extent in a generally uniform manner to cause the leaves to be distributed substantially uniformly along the longitudinal extent of the container. The container is preferably a large size bulk curing container and the leaf distributing mechanism is preferably a plurality of deflectors which are oscillated laterally in conjunction with a longitudinal reciprocating movement. The leaves can be handled after harvesting at the barn or while harvesting takes place in the field.

Abstract: A tobacco bulk curing barn construction including a furnace section and a plurality of portable barn sections each having imperforate side walls and top wall that form substantially complete exterior walls and roof of an integral transverse section of a composite curing part of the barn construction. Flanges and sealing gaskets are provided along edges of each section to provide sealing engagement of adjacent sections in a series row formation. A screen is secured across one end of the barn section to define with the side walls a full section open curing space for receiving tobacco filled in bulk therein when the section is disposed flat on the screened end. A pair of open frames is mounted between the side walls for movement from open positions after an initial amount of tobacco has been filled into position on top of the leaves to limit the amount of compression which can subsequently be applied to the initial tobacco by virture of the subsequent full loading of leaves into the curing space.