Abstract: An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a housing having at least one receptacle configured to removably receive at least one cutting reel system to rest unsecured therein. The housing includes a closeable lid having retention structure configured to operably secure the at least one cutting reel system in the at least one receptacle when the lid is closed. In some embodiments, the housing is further configured to removably receive a knife assembly to rest unsecured in the housing, and the retention structure of the closeable lid further includes a knife retention structure configured to operably secure the knife assembly in engagement with the at least one cutting reel system when the lid is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

Abstract: A helical-bladed cutting reel includes a central shaft having a central axis of rotation, and a plurality of helical blades. Each of the blades extends along a respective helical path on an outer surface of the central shaft. A direction of each respective helical path has both an axial component and a circumferential component relative to the central axis of the central shaft as it extends across the outer surface of the central shaft. Each of the helical blades is welded directly to the central shaft. In preferred embodiments all of the blades are continuously autogenously welded directly to the central shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

Abstract: A harvesting tumbler apparatus includes first and second spaced apart grating segment retainers, and a tumbler grating including a plurality of resiliently tensionable grating segments connected to the first and second grating segment retainers. The resiliently tensionable grating segments extend from each of the first and second grating segment retainers in a spaced apart circular arrangement. The tumbler apparatus further includes a tension mechanism configured to apply a sufficient tension force to the resiliently tensionable grating segments to cause the grating to form a cylindrical shape. In illustrative embodiments, the resiliently tensionable grating segments may include flexible cord segments.

Abstract: A removable motor housing for a plant material trimming device. The removable housing may include a first motor housing connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be slidably or pivotably connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be operable to receive an output shaft from a first motor in the first housing. The output shaft may be operable to communicate with an input shaft of the plant trimming device. A biasing device may be connectable to the first motor housing and the plant trimming device for biasing the first motor housing into a first position. When the first motor housing is in the first position a substantially constant force is applied between the input shaft of the plant trimming device and the output shaft of the first motor.

Abstract: A helical-bladed cutting reel includes a central shaft having a central axis of rotation, and a plurality of helical blades. Each of the blades extends along a respective helical path on an outer surface of the central shaft. A direction of each respective helical path has both an axial component and a circumferential component relative to the central axis of the central shaft as it extends across the outer surface of the central shaft. Each of the helical blades is welded directly to the central shaft. In preferred embodiments all of the blades are continuously autogenously welded directly to the central shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

Abstract: A removable motor housing for a plant material trimming device. The removable housing may include a first motor housing connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be slidably or pivotably connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be operable to receive an output shaft from a first motor in the first housing. The output shaft may be operable to communicate with an input shaft of the plant trimming device. A biasing device may be connectable to the first motor housing and the plant trimming device for biasing the first motor housing into a first position. When the first motor housing is in the first position a substantially constant force is applied between the input shaft of the plant trimming device and the output shaft of the first motor.

Abstract: A harvesting tumbler apparatus includes first and second spaced apart grating segment retainers, and a tumbler grating including a plurality of resiliently tensionable grating segments connected to the first and second grating segment retainers. The resiliently tensionable grating segments extend from each of the first and second grating segment retainers in a spaced apart circular arrangement. The tumbler apparatus further includes a tension mechanism configured to apply a sufficient tension force to the resiliently tensionable grating segments to cause the grating to form a cylindrical shape. In illustrative embodiments, the resiliently tensionable grating segments may include flexible cord segments.

Abstract: A plant material trimming device includes two end walls supporting a rotatable perforated tumbler, a rotatable reel with helical blades, and a blade mechanism pivotably connected to the end walls of the device. The blade mechanism includes: (i) a blade bar configured to cut plant material in cooperation with the helical blades when the device is in operation; (ii) a first arm operatively associated with the blade bar; and (iii) a second arm pivotably connected to the first arm such that the second arm can pivot downward when the blade mechanism is unlocked. A tightening block may be threadedly connected to the second arm and connectable to one of the two end walls. The tightening block may be configured for adjusting the pitch of the blade bar relative to the helical blades when the blade mechanism is locked to the end walls.

Abstract: A removable blade mechanism for a plant material trimming device. The blade mechanism includes a blade bar connectable to the plant material trimming device and a tool-less adjustable locking device connectable to the blade bar and to the plant material trimming device to lock the blade bar to the plant material trimming device.

Abstract: A removable motor housing for a plant material trimming device. The removable housing may include a first motor housing connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be slidably or pivotably connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be operable to receive an output shaft from a first motor in the first housing. The output shaft may be operable to communicate with an input shaft of the plant trimming device. A biasing device may be connectable to the first motor housing and the plant trimming device for biasing the first motor housing into a first position. When the first motor housing is in the first position a substantially constant force is applied between the input shaft of the plant trimming device and the output shaft of the first motor.