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 centrifugal gas separator includes a separation chamber defined by a peripheral wall spaced apart from, extending around a central axis of and extending axially between opposite ends of the chamber. A peripheral intake port co-operates with the peripheral wall to introduce a rotating flow of a gaseous intake stream comprising a gas component and a non-gas component along an inside surface of the peripheral wall. A peripheral exhaust port defined through the peripheral wall diverts a radially outermost portion of the rotating flow, including at least some of the non-gas component, to exit the chamber. A gas component output port is configured to allow the gas component to be drawn from an axially central volume of the separation chamber.

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 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 centrifugal gas separator includes a separation chamber defined by a peripheral wall spaced apart from, extending around a central axis of and extending axially between opposite ends of the chamber. A peripheral intake port co-operates with the peripheral wall to introduce a rotating flow of a gaseous intake stream comprising a gas component and a non-gas component along an inside surface of the peripheral wall. A peripheral exhaust port defined through the peripheral wall diverts a radially outermost portion of the rotating flow, including at least some of the non-gas component, to exit the chamber. A gas component output port is configured to allow the gas component to be drawn from an axially central volume of the separation chamber.

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.