Abstract: A method for state detection of a cutting device for agricultural crop is described. The cutting device is formed with a cutting tool set into rotation with respect to a shear bar operates such that a clearance position of the shear bar is changeable with respect to the cutting too. The method includes assigning at least two interspaced sensors for detecting vibrations to the shear bar caused by the cutting tool upon contact with the shear bar, transmitting signals generated by the sensors to a common signal analysis device and, the common signal analysis device comparing the signals and determining a state of the cutting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a leaf stripper for removing leaves from a plant. The leaf stripper includes a housing having an interior. The stripper has a grille supported by the housing and in communication with the interior. The grille is shaped to selectively enable the leaves to at least partially pass therethrough. The stripper has a stripping motor disposed within the interior of the housing and supported by the housing. The stripper has a rotatable string member operatively connected to the stripping motor. The string member is configured to create a partial vacuum within the interior of the housing for at least partially sucking the leaves through the grille when rotated and to at least partially shred the leaves at least partially passing through the grille.

Abstract: Device for defoliating buried products such as beets, comprises a rotor having, on part or all of its length, tools suitable for removing the leaves in particular by a rotation of the rotor. Each tool comprises at least one endless belt having arrangements for applying a striking force at the top of the product to cause the simultaneous cutting of the leaves in combination with a limited angular movement of the belt(s) at the time of the strike.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking mushrooms including a carriage, at least one picking head arranged to move back and forth horizontally, and a suction pad apparatus configured to grip mushrooms for picking. A movable camera or scanner may be arranged to image an area in which the mushrooms grow. A first member may be coupled to the picking head and arranged to move back and forth horizontally for moving the suction pad apparatus horizontally. A controlled parallelogram mechanism may lift and lower the suction pad apparatus and couple the suction pad apparatus to the first member, and which may be arranged to maintain a position of the suction pad apparatus irrespective of a height on which the suction pad apparatus is positioned.

Abstract: Device for treating bulbous or tuberous plants, particularly onions, provided with a green end and a root end and a bulb axis extending therethrough, comprising means for holding the bulbs, means for cutting the green end and the root end off from the bulbs, means for by means of image registration determining the orientation in the device of the bulbs held in the holding means, and means for orienting the onions in an orientation adjusted to the cutting means on the basis of said determination.

Abstract: A harvester for root crops such as beets is provided which preferably provides improved flow of root crops from a lifting assembly, along a plurality of transfer assemblies, and to a holding tank or a separate loading vehicle. Each transfer assembly includes a transfer surface, typically a conveyor or roller, for the downstream movement of harvested root crops. At least one of the transfer assemblies includes a movable stagnation reduction member mounted for rotation above the associated transfer surface. The movable member is typically positioned at a transition region of the flowpath in order to provide a “moving wall” that contacts harvested root crops to urge them downstream and prevent stagnation at the transition region. The movable member may be driven by any of a number of possible mechanisms or undriven and rotated by contact with the flow of crops.