Abstract: Module builder having a generally rectangular framework with an open top side and with spaced apart side walls and spaced apart front and rear walls. The rear wall is formed by a door movable between open and closed positions. A carriage is mounted on the framework for movement longitudinally of the framework between the front and rear walls. A motor is provided for causing movement of said carriage between the front and rear walls. A tramper mechanism is carried by the carriage and has a tramper foot. A hydraulic actuator is provided for moving said tramper foot vertically within said framework for forming a module of material which is dumped into the framework. Wheels are mounted on opposite sides of said framework to permit the module builder to be transported from one location to another. The side walls have upwardly and outwardly flared portions so that imaginery vertical lines depending from the outer upper margins of the side walls clear the wheels on the sides of the rectangular framework.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for harvesting a crop of the character having stalks which carry seed pods, such as the sesame plant. The apparatus includes a harvesting vehicle which mounts at its front end a header structure. The header structure includes side-by-side guide units adapted for movement along individual rows of the stalks. Each guide unit includes a pair of forwardly diverging guide members which gently guide the stalks for relative movement toward rotary cutter units disposed generally at the apex of the guide members. Horizontally extending, spaced-apart stabilizer fingers are mounted for movement along each guide unit in a path toward the cutter units for stabilizing the stalks prior to and during the time that they are cut off. Drive means is provided for controlling rearward movement of the fingers at a rate substantially equal to the rate of forward vehicle travel whereby the fingers maintain registry with the stalks up to the point at which they are cut off.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting sesame seed from sesame stalks having pods thereon and having a framekwork with the cylinder structure rotatably mounted in the framework. A concave structure is also mounted in the framework in a fixed position in the framework and generally underlies the cylinder structure to form an entrance area, a separating area and an exit area in conjunction with the cylinder structure. A feeder is carried by the framework for delivering sesame stalks with the pods thereon, sesame seed pods and sesame seeds to the entrance area so that they are introduced between the cylinder structure and the concave structure and pass through the separating area for separating sesame seeds therefrom and discharging the remaining stalk and pod fragments through the exit area. Walker assemblies are utilized for removing the remaining stalk and pod fragments from the exit area.

Abstract: Bank out module builder with unloading mechanism having a generally rectangular framework formed by spaced apart sidewalls and spaced apart front and rear walls with the top and bottom being open, the rear wall being formed by a door being movable between open and closed positions. Ground engaging wheels are carried by the framework to facilitate movement of the framework over the ground. A bottom structure is secured within the lower extremity of the rectangular framework for closing the bottom side. A carriage is mounted in the framework for movement longitudinally along the framework between the front and rear walls. A tramper mechanism is carried by the carriage and is movable vertically in the framework for tramping material introduced into the rectangular framework through the top side to form a module within the rectangular framework.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for harvesting a crop of the character having stalks which carry seed pods, such as the sesame plant. The apparatus includes a harvesting vehicle which mounts at its front end a header structure. The header structure includes side-by-side guide units adapted for movement along individual rows of the stalks. Each guide unit includes a pair of forwardly diverging guide members which gently guide the stalks for relative movement toward rotary cutter units disposed generally at the apex of the guide members. Horizontally extending, spaced-apart stabilizer fingers are mounted for movement along each guide unit in a path toward the cutter units for stabilizing the stalks prior to and during the time that they are cut off. Drive apparatus is provided for controlling rearward movement of the fingers at a rate substantially equal to the rate of forward vehicle travel whereby the fingers maintain registry with the stalks up to the point at which they are cut off.

Abstract: A multi-row vineyard cultivator for cultivating a plurality of generally parallel rows of grape vines simultaneously having a wheeled framework adapted to travel over the rows with first and second outriggers mounted on the framework extending from the framework in a direction generally perpendicular to the line of travel so that they overlie a row on each side of the framework. A downwardly depending post is provided on each of the outriggers. Cultivator assemblies are mounted on each of the posts which are adequate for one row. A hydraulic actuator is provided for moving the post and the cultivator assemblies carried thereby longitudinally along the outrigger associated therewith.