Abstract: The present disclosure provides peanut maturity grading systems and methods for quickly, efficiently, and objectively determining a peanut maturity grade for a crop of peanuts and determining an optimal harvest time for the crop. Embodiments of systems and methods of the present disclosure can be performed in the field or field-side and do not require assistance of a trained peanut grading specialist.

Abstract: An axial threshing/separating system having at least one spring tined accelerator cylinder, in where the accelerator cylinder includes a plurality of double torsional spring tine cylinder elements extending from the spring tined accelerator cylinder; and one or more spring tined axial rotors, in where each of the spring tined axial rotors includes a plurality of double torsional spring tine rotor elements extending from each of the spring tined axial rotors, in where each of the spring tined axial rotors is aligned such that a respective longitudinal axis of each spring tined axial rotor is substantially coplanar and substantially parallel to a respective longitudinal axis of each other spring tined axial rotor, and wherein a longitudinal axis of at least one spring tined accelerator cylinder is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each spring tined axial rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for threshing legumes has a frame, which is movable over a ground surface. A drum, which is rotatable about its at least substantially horizontally oriented axis of rotation, is mounted on the frame and has a drum surface provided with one or more openings. A main threshing element is disposed within the drum and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which extends at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. At least one auxiliary threshing element is disposed within the drum and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which extends at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. An additional conveying member is disposed within the drum for conveying the legumes to be threshed through the drum. The apparatus has a detection device that measures an angle of inclination of the apparatus with respect to the horizontal and a control device that control the additional conveying member on the basis of the measured angle of inclination.

Abstract: A dehusking apparatus is provided having a fixed cage like housing and a conveyor within the housing for transporting produce from an inlet to an outlet. The conveyor has helical flights with an intermediate portion being covered by a flexible covering between which and the inside of the cage the produce may travel to be dehusked as the produce is conveyed through the apparatus.

Abstract: A crop harvesting combine having a body with a feeder house at its front end. The feeder house carries a detachable header which may be wider than the body and can thus be detached when moving the combine. The feeder house is vertically moveable in an arcuate path from a header ground contacting position to an elevated position. A first thrashing cylinder is in the header and a second thrashing cylinder is at the front of the combine body. The arcuate path of the feeder house has its center approximately at the rotational axis of the second thrashing cylinder so the distance between the axes of the first and second cylinders remains approximately constant as the feeder house is moved vertically. Downstream of the thrashing cylinder are a plurality of separation cylinders, at least some of which have concaves thereunder for reorienting elongate trash before being discharged.

Abstract: A system for threshing podded produce such as peas and beans, which may be harvested with their vine attached. A horizontal, cylindrical, rotating screen encloses a main beater having numerous paddles of height about one-twelfth the beater diameter. Paddles are pitched at an angle of about 25 degrees to a plane including the axis of the main beater and are also raked backwards by about 15 degrees from radial. A counter-rotating first satellite beater disposed above the main beater collects produce which has been macerated between the main beater and the screen and cooperates with the main beater, the linear tip speeds of the paddles and blades of both beaters being identical, to discharge a radially narrow, high-speed stream of macerated material across the interior of the cylindrical screen against a first sieving region of the screen above a second satellite beater.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses for threshing plant material having seeds contained in pods. Preferably, an apparatus of the invention includes at least two threshing members between which plant material to be threshed is passed. The threshing members are generally constructed and arranged to exert a compressive force on the plant material as it passes therebetween. It is believed that the compressive force exerted on the plant material causes air trapped inside the pods to expand and force the pods open, releasing the seeds contained therein. Apparatuses of the invention include, for example, a pre-threshing apparatus, a vining machine and a harvesting machine. Preferably, an apparatus of the invention provides an efficient method for increasing the yield of undamaged seeds.

Abstract: An improved separator outlet member for a pea sheller which includes a plurality of square passageways aligned side-by-side along the length of a base member. The peas are collected in the square openings as the pea sheller rotates and the peas drop onto a bottom plate spaced from the passageways from which the peas pass to a shaker for collection.