Abstract: A support frame; a cut and lift mechanism coupled to the support frame; a tool carrying platform coupled to the cut and lift mechanism; an outer leaf removal device coupled to the tool carrying platform; a cutting tool coupled to the tool carrying platform; a controller in data communication with the cut and lift robot; and a plant center locator in data communication with the controller.

Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning beaches or other similar sandy areas which includes a digger chain and an associated sweeper chain for capturing debris and other articles and conveying the same to a collection box or separation conveyor.

Abstract: A bulb harvester with structure for lifting foliage attached to bulbs for presentation to an upper set of rotatably supported belts affixed to define a first foliage receiving crack. The first receiving crack is narrow for tightly gripping foliage attached to a bulb. The upper set of belts are positioned at a divergent angle relative to the ground. With rotation of the upper set of belts, gripped foliage with an attached bulb is drawn upward from the ground due to the divergent angle and transported toward the rear of the harvester. A lower set of elongated members define a second foliage receiving crack positioned below the first receiving crack to allow the first and second foliage receiving cracks to simultaneously possess the foliage of a bulb with the bulb positioned below a bottom plane of the lower set of elongated members.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is mountable upon a tractor for removing stakes from the ground and for collecting the stakes. The apparatus includes a support framework and a stake loosening means disposed on the framework. The stake loosening means includes a plurality of stake loosening fingers for loosening the stakes relative to the ground. The loosened stakes are removed from the ground by counterrotating rollers which define a stake receiving passage therebetween. The stakes are guided from the counterrotating rollers by means of a stake guiding chute having an input and an output end with the output end being disposed adjacent a stake collecting means.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving along rows of agricultural beds for pulling and collecting stakes therefrom. A stake-pulling element is suspended from framework attached to a wheeled collection bin and from a framework attached to a towing vehicle. A pair of endless parallel puller chains is disposed in the stake pulling element having a forward end near the surface of the bed and a rearward end elevated with respect thereto. The puller chains are driven to cause the inner runs of the chains to move upward and rearward with the rearward chain velocity equal to the forward velocity of the apparatus. Stakes are gripped between the chains, carried rearwardly and pulled directly upward to remove the stakes from the ground. As the stakes are carried to the rear of the chains, they are transferred to a stake transport belt which moves the pulled stakes to the bin and deposits the stakes therein. Operating power in one embodiment is obtained by coupling to the wheels of the collection bin.

Abstract: A row crop harvester is provided with mechanism for mounting two picking heads for both vertical and horizontal adjustment of the ground engaging lower ends of the heads, to simultaneously harvest two rows of plants which may vary in spacing from each other throughout their lengths. One head is guided along its row by steering the harvester itself, while the lower end of the other head is guided along its row by selectively operating controls which transversely shift the lower end of the head relative to the first mentioned steerable head thereby accurately following and simultaneously harvesting two rows of crops such as root crops.In the preferred embodiment the upper end of each picking head is associated with a severing mechanism for removing the tops or foliage from the roots of the plants.

Abstract: A harvester and trimmer for carrots, which can also be used on root crops such as red beets, turnips, parsnips and rutabaga, embodies a wheeled vehicle having a conventional plowshare and an upwardly and rearwardly extending harvesting frame. The harvesting frame mounts opposed endless harvesting or lifter belts having adjacent reaches for grasping and lifting the tops of the plants. A pair of laterally opposed gauging belts is disposed above a downstream portion of the lifter belts and these belts are upwardly and rearwardly inclined from the lifter belts at an acute angle of about 6-7 degrees for independently grasping the tops to pull the tops up through the underlying lifter belts, bringing the crowns of the roots against the lifter belts.

Abstract: A belted-track vehicle, unpowered and attached to a cantilevered apparatus to support the apparatus clear of the ground and adapted to be driven by the apparatus.

Abstract: A lettuce harvester is provided having a positive means for engaging the stems of lettuce to be trimmed whereby the trim cut is caused to take place at right angles to the stem and the lettuce is left ready for packing.