Abstract: A mobile aerial lift platform vehicle of the type having an upstanding pedestal and an elevating assembly mounted on the pedestal to raise and lower the work platform while maintaining the center of gravity of the platform within the base area defined by the wheels of the vehicle. The improvement is that the pedestal is pivotally mounted to the chassis of the vehicle for pivotal movement about a first axis extending fore and aft of the chassis and about a second axis extending from side to side of the chassis. Two hydraulic rams for provided, each of which will pivot the pedestal about one only of the axes, so that the pedestal may be leveled even through the vehicle is on unlevel ground.

Abstract: A pedestal scaffold type having a base member, a telescopic mast mounted vertically on the base member and a work cage mounted in cantilever manner from the upper end of the mast. The majority of the nested tubular mast sections are of rectangular cross-section and are formed of thin-walled sheet aluminum with rounded corners and vertical stiffening ribs on each side thereof extending the height thereof. Plastic slide blocks at the inner corners of the upper end and at the outer corners of the lower end of the mast section distribute the forces between the sections to relatively large areas of the aluminum sheet which forms the mast sections.

Abstract: A picking head for a mechanical grape harvester, the picking head having an oscillatable frame and a pair of opposed shaker rails supported on and below the picking head frame. Two sets of longitudinally spaced counterweights are mounted on the picking head frame for rotation about vertical axes, each set including upper and lower eccentric weights. The weights are rotated so that the longitudinal forces cancel out and the transverse forces are additive. The rotative forces of the upper and lower weights in each set are 180.degree. out of phase with each other and related to each other in magnitude so as to minimize the amount of transverse reactive force transmitted from the picking head to the main frame of the harvester. A link suspension enables the center of oscillation of the picking head to be below the picking head frame.

Abstract: A movable pedestal scaffold having two sets of wheels on the scaffold base to permit the scaffold to be rolled horizontally while the mast of the scaffold is in a vertical position. A transport frame is mounted for vertical movement on the mast, with such movement being powered by a hydraulic cylinder. A first set of wheels is mounted on the transport frame to support the scaffold at (1) a tilted position relatively near to vertical when the transport frame is close to the base member, and (2) at a tilted position substantially inclined from vertical when the transport frame is away from the base member. A second set of wheels is mounted on the transport frame closer to the mast and to the base frame then the first set of wheels on the transport frame, the first and second sets of wheels on the transport frame acting together to support the scaffold on an elevated horizontal surface as the scaffold is raise to or lowered from that surface.

Abstract: A steering and drive system for a four-wheeled vehicle (10) with two non-steering and non-driving wheels (16, 17) at one end of the vehicle, in which the system includes two wheel brackets (23, 32) at the other end of the vehicle, each wheel bracket having a motor-driven wheel (18, 19) mounted thereon, and each wheel bracket being mounted on the vehicle for turning about a vertical axis which passes through the angle of rotation of the wheel thereon, and a double-ended hydraulic cylinder (35) having a housing (36) fixed to the frame (15) of the vehicle and a reciprocating piston (41) whose ends are connected by links (47, 53) to the two wheel brackets to provide a tie between the wheels and Ackerman steering.

Abstract: Cordon-trained grape vines are pruned by positioning circular saw blades to form a cutting path of predetermined size and shape above and on both sides of the horizontal trellis wire on which the cordons are trained and by translating the cutting path along the trellis wire while maintaining the size and shape of the cutting path substantially constant, while maintaining the sides of the cutting path centered on the cordons and maintaining the upper part of the cutting path at a desired height above the cordons.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for span scaffolds having vertical castered columns at the four corners thereof. The propulsion unit includes a first elongated frame member extending between the columns on one side of the scaffold, a second elongated frame member extending between the columns on the other side of the scaffold, and a third, wheeled, frame member extending crosswise between the first and second frame members, the third frame member being mounted on the first and second frame members for limited free vertical movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A mobile scaffold unit having a wheeled base frame and a horizontal work platform, interconnected by upper end lower scissors sets. Each scissors set has a power arm and a stabilizer member, and the upper and lower pivotally connected power arms have a hydraulic ram connected therebetween. The upper and lower power arms are pivotally connected to the platform and base frame respectively and have a length greater than the length of the platform, with the ram being connected to the power arms beyond the platform. The width of the scissors set is considerably less than the distance between the wheels on opposite sides of the frame, enabling the scissors set to be disposed between the wheels and to be mounted to the base frame at a level considerably below the upper surfaces of the wheels. The power arms are made up from three beams connected in a fork manner and provide two parallel beams where the forces are greatest and a single beam where forces are relatively low.

Abstract: A rotatable platform assembly having upper and lower frames coupled together for rotation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame and about a first and fixed vertical axis. A large diameter ring, having its center at the first vertical axis, is mounted on the lower frame and has a cylindrical vertical outer surface and an annular horizontal track surface. The upper frame has a plurality of rollers in rolling engagement with the track and a chain sprocket mounted thereon and rotatable about a second vertical axis. A standard roller chain is trained around the ring and chain sprocket and the ring is provided with fixed chain-engaging pins and adjustable pad members engageable with the chain to take up chain slack between pins. A manually-operable, lockable and impact-releasable drive means is provided in the upper frame for rotation of the chain sprocket, so that the upper frame rotates about the first vertical axis with the rotating chain sprocket orbiting around such axis.

Abstract: A wire retaining clip has a mid-portion extending across the back of a vineyard post and forwardly extending arms with helical turns on the ends thereof. The retaining clip is engaged with a tensioned, horizontal trellis wire so that the trellis wire is bent sharply rearwardly of the front edges of the post and is locked into the turns of the clip. The retaining clip prevents the trellis wire from pulling away from the front of the post, prevents movement of the post along the length of the trellis wire and utilizes the tension of the trellis wire to restrain twisting of the post. An installing tool provides for easy installation of the retaining clips.

Abstract: A mechanical grape harvester for trellis-supported grape vines having relatively rigid shaker members for engaging and shaking the rigid trunk structure of the vine and having relatively flexible striker rods for striking against the limber portions of the vine growth trained along the trellis wire. The shaker members and striker rods are both operated at minimal speeds to reduce leaf removal and plant damage.

Abstract: A generally rectangular frame having a vertical support column at each corner thereof mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame. Four hydraulic rams, all of the same diameter and one for each support columns, are used are used to connect the frame to the columns, with the two rams at one end causng raising or lowering of the frames by contraction or extension of the rams while corresponding movement of the other end of the frame is caused by opposite movement of the rams thereat. A hydraulic control system selectively: raises or lowers the frame relative to all four columns, raises or lowers the frame relative to one side only of the frame, or or raises one side of the frame while lowering the other. Additionally, the system allows the columns at one end of the frame to move freely, in equal and opposite directions relative to the frames.

Abstract: A pivotal striker rod picking device carried by a row harvesting machine, the picking device having opposed striker rod holders each pivoting about a vertical axis, one on each side of the centerline of the machine, the striker rod holders each having horizontal striker rods mounted thereon. A cyclically operable drive means is connected to each striker rod holder to oscillate each of the striker rods horizontally through a constant amount of arcuate stroke, inwardly towards and outwardly away from the machine centerline. The force of each striker rod against an object in its path of inward movement is sensed and used to shift the striker rod stroke horizontally relative to the machine centerline. A first control shifts the strokes in the same direction to maintain an equal amount of striker rod force on both sides of an object which is off-center relative to the machine.

Abstract: The harvesting of grapes from vines grown on a horizontal trellis-supported wire wherein the wire and fruit-bearing portions of the vine which are secured to the wire are directly held and uniformly shaken along the length of the wire with no shaking energy being directly imparted to the vine trunks or to the foliage canopy over the fruit-bearing portions of the vines and with minimal disturbance of the canopy.

Abstract: A pedestal scaffold having casters on the scaffold base to permit the scaffold to be rolled horizontally while the scaffold is in a generally vertical position. Retractable outriggers are extended outwardly and locked in position to provide a large support area for the scaffold, with the act of extension and locking of the outriggers causing the casters to lift off the ground so that the scaffold cannot be moved when in use. When the outriggers are not in use and the scaffold is movable on its casters, the casters support the scaffold with a substantial tilt from elevation so that it cannot be used. Additional wheel support frames are provided so that the scaffold can be tilted down for rolling transport, such wheel support frames also serving to protect the user in case the scaffold should tip over when it is generally vertical and supported on its base casters.

Abstract: A suspension and support system for shaker elements of a mechanical harvester wherein a generally horizontal shaker element support is suspended from the frame of the machine by a pair of generally vertical links pivotally connected at their lower and upper ends respectively to the shaker element support and frame, the links being of unequal length so that the unequal swinging movement of the links relative to the frame will result in a solely horizontal movement of the shaker element which is mounted on the end of the horizontal support member. The pivot connections have no relatively moving, interengaged surfaces so as to prevent sticking of such connections in the event juice accumulates thereon.

Abstract: A mobile scaffold having a main frame with an elevated work station. Widener frames are detachably and pivotally connected to the main frame, forming a secure and integral part of the scaffold, the widener frames each having a vertically adjustable ground-engaging caster thereon to support the full weight of the scaffold. The widener frames are pivotal to an inward position narrowing the width of the scaffold to enable the scaffold to be rolled through narrow doors or aisles and pivotal outwardly to a position which widens the base and affords maximum stability for the scaffold when in use.

Abstract: A press comprising an apertured press box which opens on a side parallel to its axis to admit the product to be pressed. After closing of the press box a ram is forced axially through the press box to compress the material and squeeze the liquid therefrom. A restricted opening is then formed at the end of the press box and the material in the cylinder is extruded therethrough.

Abstract: In a mechanical harvesting machine having horizontal striker rods, each of which is secured at one end to a vertical oscillating shaft, the improvement whereby the rod tips which strike the vine are inclined outwardly from the rod, away from the longitudinal centerline of the machine, thereby enabling the vertical shafts to be widely spaced to increase the angle of the rods to the centerline so that the striking contact of the rods on the vines is predominantly by the inclined tips rather than by the sides of the rods. The rods are resilient and the tips are weighted so that the tips will flex in and out of the vine when the shafts are oscillated to deliver a series of localized impulses to the fruit on the vine.

Abstract: A base frame with four wheels, two of which are powered by separate hydraulic motors connected in series so that the fluid flowing through one motor then flows through the other. A speed control is provided whereby the constant output of a hydraulic pump either passes entirely through the motors or is partially bypassed around the pump.