Abstract: An oil cleanup method and apparatus uses processed kenaf that is processed using a cutter to preliminarily cut the kenaf stalks into short pieces or billets. These billets are threshed to separate fiber and core portions of the kenaf billets. The billet size thus defines the fiber length and thus fiber product texture. Separators grade the particulate core after threshing. The core particles are added to a container such as a bale or boom that will float on the surface of an oil slick in an aquatic or marine environment. The bales can also be added to dry spills to absorb the oil. The particulate kenaf core can be added to a treatment vessel, such as a vertical column and with inlet and outlet portions. Wastewater with an oil portion can be added to the treatment vessel and the core particles removes oil from the wastewater stream. Sludge solidification can be accomplished with the kenaf particles.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester having at its front end a topper section for cutting off the tops of the cane stalks and upper and lower sets of cane gathering arms which gather up the cane and bring it into the harvester for harvesting at its base and topping at its top. The topper section is carried on a vertically moveable base riding on vertical tracks for varying the height of the topping cuts, to which base is also pivotally connected the harvester ends of the upper set of cane gathering arms, thus interconnecting the topper cutter entry or harvester ends of the upper arms and the topper section for combined movement together. Variable length, telescoping bracing arms are pivotally connected between the left, upper and lower arms and the right, upper and lower arms, respectively, to provide stabilizing bracing to the upper sets of arms when they are vertically varied with the topper section.