Abstract: A method for harvesting plants bearing fruit or vegetables and particularly strawberries is disclosed. The method incorporates the use of a vehicle that comprises a conveyor belt system which is a pair of conveyors each comprising a belt assembly and an elongated trough positioned in a fixed relation above the belt assembly. Each conveyor is configured so that it can span many rows of fruit. Workers stand behind a conveyor and follow the vehicle picking strawberries. When the vehicle reaches the end of a row, the conveyor belt system is arc displaced over the vehicle to the opposite side using hydraulic power or some other appropriate means for displacement. The vehicle wheels are orientated for travel along the access road along the end of a field, for example, 90 degrees when the road is perpendicular to the rows of fruit. The vehicle then travels along the end of the field until it is again aligned with rows of fruit to be picked. The wheels are then orientated back for travel across the field.

Abstract: A method for harvesting plants bearing fruit or vegetables and particularly strawberries is disclosed. The method incorporates the use of a vehicle that comprises a conveyor belt system which is a pair of conveyors each comprising a belt assembly and an elongated trough positioned in a fixed relation above the belt assembly. Each conveyor is configured so that it can span many rows of fruit. Workers stand behind a conveyor and follow the vehicle picking strawberries. When the vehicle reaches the end of a row, the conveyor belt system is arc displaced over the vehicle to the opposite side using hydraulic power or some other appropriate means for displacement. The vehicle wheels are orientated for travel along the access road along the end of a field, for example, 90 degrees when the road is perpendicular to the rows of fruit. The vehicle then travels along the end of the field until it is again aligned with rows of fruit to be picked. The wheels are then orientated back for travel across the field.

Abstract: A vehicle for the harvesting of plants bearing fruit or vegetables and particularly strawberries is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a conveyor belt system which is a pair of conveyors each comprising a belt assembly and an elongated trough positioned in a fixed relation above the belt assembly. Each conveyor is configured so that it can span many rows of fruit. Workers stand behind a conveyor and follow the vehicle picking strawberries. When the vehicle reaches the end of a row, the conveyor belt system is arc displaced over the vehicle to the opposite side using hydraulic power or some other appropriate means for displacement. The vehicle wheels are orientated for travel along the access road along the end of a field, for example, 90 degrees when the road is perpendicular to the rows of fruit. The vehicle then travels along the end of the field until it is again aligned with rows of fruit to be picked. The wheels are then orientated back for travel across the field.