Abstract: The present invention relates to a tractor mounted implement for handling a box type bulk tobacco container. The implement is adapted to be connected to a conventional three-point hitching mechanism disposed about the rear of the tractor which generally extends rearwardly from the rear of the tractor and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms adapted to be positioned into engagement with stub shafts extending from the side of the particular bulk tobacco container being handled. By actuating the hydraulic control system of the tractor, the three-point hitching mechanism can be raised and lowered so as to adjust the height of the handling implement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defoliator head for a tobacco harvester in which the defoliator head is provided with a positive stalk gripping assembly for engaging and substantially encompassing respective tobacco stalks passing through the defoliator head during harvesting. The positive stalk gripping assembly comprises a pair of hydraulically driven belts disposed in side-by-side relationship so as to define a stalk passing area therebetween, and wherein at least one said belts includes a continuous series of outwardly projecting lugs disposed on the outside thereof. As the belts are driven, stalks entering therebetween are engaged and substantially encompass by the belts and successive lugs. Consequently, the stalks are stabilized and generally held in a firm upright position while the leaves are being defoliated therefrom by a defoliator mechanism associated with said defoliator head.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having a hydraulic control system for automatically and continuously controlling and maintaining the speed of a leaf defoliator assembly relative to and in proportion to the ground speed of the tobacco harvester. The hydraulic control system is adapted to continuously control the horizontal rearward speed component of the defoliating elements of a leaf defoliator assembly such that the defoliating elements move rearwardly during leaf defoliation at approximately the same speed the harvester is moving forward.To provide for continuous speed control of the defoliator assembly, the hydraulic speed control system is operative to continuously effectively sense or monitor harvester ground speed and to continuously drive the defoliator assembly in proportion to the effectively sensed or monitored ground speed.