Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and method for selectively cutting trees on plantations, such as might be done for thinning or stocking control. The apparatus may be drawn by a wheeled or tracked prime mover. It comprises an outwardly biasable primary arm mounted on a supporting frame. The distal end of this arm bears a guide means that serves to assist in moving it past those trees that are not to be removed in a manner that prevents injury to the tree. The guide means also acts as a guard for a tree-severing means. When a tree is to be removed the severing means is moved forward in the direction of travel so that it contacts the tree before the guide means. Otherwise, the severing means is prevented from contacting the tree by the guide means. The severing means may be manually deployed or it can be controlled by a simple logic system into which travel speed and take/leave decisions are made. The device is normally used in plantations in which trees have been planted in approximate rows.

Abstract: A deformeter for testing the firmness of fruit as an indication of its maturity includes a support for an individual fruit effective to convey the fruit to a testing location, at which sensors are urged to contact the fruit surface lightly, preferably on a diameter, to establish a datum position. The sensors are then urged to contact the fruit with a predetermined, deforming pressure. At least one more sensor moves correspondingly into the fruit to establish an indented position. The two sensor positions are electrically noted and are subtracted to afford an indented distance from datum position indicative of firmness and so maturity. A modification uses a pair of first sensors arranged on opposite sides of the fruit in a trailing position, the pairs operating in sequence and being arranged with all sensors substantially in the same, vertically adjustable plane.