Abstract: A vegetable topping device comprises at least one rotatable blade and a plenum chamber and further comprises an outlet: characterised in that, in use, the rotating blade(s) generate an airflow which lifts the vegetable tops such that they are cut by the blade(s) and are then directed to the outlet from the plenum chamber by their entrainment in the airflow in combination with the plenum chambers inherent shape.

Abstract: In a field harvester and trimmer for root crops having foliage tops growing from the crowns of the crop to be harvested and trimmed, such as large bulbous onions, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, consisting of a movable vehicle having at least a forward mounted severing and lifting mechanism and trimmer, the improvement comprising a series of rotating and caged flail drum sub-assemblies for trimming the foliage tops and roots of the gathered crop the results of which is a surprisingly enhanced trimmed state. In accordance with the invention, the series of caged, rotating flail drum sub-assemblies of the invention each includes independently rotating dissectable cylindrical cage circumferenential of a series of transverse knives mounted on a central, independently driven shaft. The cylindrical cage includes a side wall preferably provided with a plurality of slots defining major axes of symmetry substantially transverse to axis of rotation of the central driven shaft.