Abstract: Methods and devices for automated adjustment of a digging implement during harvest of underground crops are described. Utilizing the devices, a digging implement, e.g., a blade, can be located and maintained at a desired depth as a harvester travels across a field. During use, the digging implement depth controls can be varied as the harvester travels within a single field under different operating conditions, e.g., different soil friability, consistency, etc., thereby preventing crop loss and improving crop yield.

Abstract: Systems and methods of de-stemming produce are provided. An apparatus can process an item of produce having a first portion and a second portion attached to the first portion. The apparatus can include at least one first conveyor unit that can convey the first portion of the item of produce in a first direction. The apparatus can include at least one second conveyor unit that can convey the second portion of the item of produce in a second direction that differs from the first linear direction by between zero and 90 degrees to generate a separation force between the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce that separates the first portion from the second portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods of de-stemming produce are provided. An apparatus can process an item of produce having a first portion and a second portion attached to the first portion. The apparatus can include at least one first conveyor unit that can convey the first portion of the item of produce in a first direction. The apparatus can include at least one second conveyor unit that can convey the second portion of the item of produce in a second direction that differs from the first linear direction by between zero and 90 degrees to generate a separation force between the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce that separates the first portion from the second portion.

Abstract: This invention is a separator-conveyor that uses a scissors action to cut stems, roots, vines and other debris from a crop being harvested and processed. This is accomplished by providing a plurality of multi-sided rollers having sharp edges disposed alternately at an angle to adjacent rollers causing a scissors type cutting action that starts at one end of such rollers and continues to the other end. A plurality of the scissors action separator-conveyors can be used in conjunction with drying systems on a crop harvester-processor. This harvester-processor allows root crops such as peanuts to be harvested, cleaned, dried and graded in one continuous operation.

Abstract: A potato harvester having cooperative elements serving the functions of prividing an overall frame for the harvester with wheels for locomotion. A de-vining system utilizing a de-vining chain running between large top roller and a smaller bottom roller a pallet and worker stand, a sorting area to sort potatoes three ways and an area and system for discharge of filled pallets which cooperate in an assembly line process allowing for the intervention and participation of field workers with an automated process. The chief inventive portions being a pallet stand with an unloading forklift; Separation or sorting of potatoes onto conveyors which load the potatoes into the appropriate pallets depending on size while allowing for separation by hand of large and small potatoes from the average sized into three distinct areas by hand with waste disposal finished by hand; a refined digging and de-vining system designed to clear vines from the potatoes and carrier chain in a assembly line process.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for movement through a field is adapted to perform a number of functions including severing plant stems from the roots, placing the severed plants in windrows, and preparing soil for planting. The apparatus includes a wheel-mounted frame for attachment to a tractor, a pair of flat discs with notched peripheries mounted for rotation about parallel axes and hydraulic motors for imparting rotation, through drive shafts, to the discs in opposite directions. The discs and their supporting structure are mounted for selectively adjustable movement to vary the spacing of the axes of rotation, thereby placing the disc peripheries in either overlapped or spaced relation. The variable positioning of the disc peripheries governs the function performed by the apparatus and may be augmented by using discs of different diameters as well as by adjusting the spacing of the rotational axes.

Abstract: A device to remove the pod peanuts from the root thereof. The device mainly comprises a stem and leaf conveying mechanism and a pod peanut rubbing and conveying mechanism. The two mechanisms hold the stem and leaf portion and the pod peanut portion respectively, and twist the two portions simultaneously so as to cause the pod peanuts to separated from the root of peanut plant. The stem and leaf conveying mechanism includes a sliding member and a driving member; the pod peanut rubbing and conveying mechanism includes a fixed rubbing member and a rotary rubbing member. Both of the two mechanisms are driven with a driving power so as to provide almost an equal conveying speed for the stem and leaf portion and the pod peanut portion.

Abstract: A harvester for picking cucumbers that is effective and cost efficient on small, "pickling" cucumbers is mountable on a tractor frame for a conventional mechanical pickle harvester between a vine cutter and pinch roller mechanism. The harvester comprises a pickup mechanism at the front of the harvester for picking up severed cucumber vines and a conveying and fruit removal mechanism that conveys the vines rearwardly between the pick-up mechanism to the pinch roller mechanism, while at the same time gently dislodging fruit from the vines and thinning and defoliating the vines so as to improve the action of the pinch roller mechanism. The conveying and fruit removal mechanism includes a rotating paddle mechanism comprising cushioned gum rubber paddle blades that rotate in the direction of vine travel and strike the fruit as the vines are conveyed over the paddles.

Abstract: A green onion harvester is disclosed, which harvester includes a plurality of means for grasping the foliage, severing the roots, withdrawing the green onions from the soil, sorting out undersized green onions, removing the lower leaves, and depositing the green onions in a collection bin.