Abstract: Tobacco plants are harvested by having an operator ride a harvesting vehicle along a plant row so that as plants are successively cut from the ground by a cutter on the vehicle, the operator may grasp the severed plant and impale the same onto an upright stake likewise carried by the vehicle. As the stake becomes loaded with plants, the operator may remove the loaded stake from its holding socket on the vehicle and lay the same on a rearwardly disposed deck. He then replaces the loaded stake with an empty stake obtained from a supply thereof carried by the vehicle, and repeats the cutting, impaling and replacement steps until a sufficiently large accumulation of loaded stakes has been obtained on the deck. Thereupon, the deck is tilted to an inclined position so as to dump the plant-loaded stakes onto the ground in a pile, whereupon the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A tobacco protecting harvester of the floating spear type disturbs the plants a minimum amount but positively controls them at all times, while severing and loading them onto tobacco sticks in respective groups and offloading the loaded tobacco sticks.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester comprises a pair of counter rotating defoliators overlying a pair of opposing spaced apart lateral transfer conveyors for conveying picked leaves outwardly from under the defoliators. A pair of belts are driven in opposite directions, portions of which oppose and are spaced apart from one another along opposing portions of the pair of lateral conveyors. The belt spacing is such to allow tobacco plant stalks to pass therebetween as opposing belt portions engage and support tobacco plant stalks. Side conveyors receive picked leaves from the pair of lateral transfer conveyors. The speed drives are arranged so that the rotary speed of the rotating defoliators, the conveying speed of the lateral conveyors, the conveying speed of the side conveyors and the linear speed of the belts are independently adjustable of one another. A pair of speed indicators may be provided to visually indicate the respective speeds of the picking rate of the defoliators and the ground speed of the harvester.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester consisting of a mobile machine having a frame on wheels and which at the forward end supports rotary overlapping cutters adjacent the ground for cutting tobacco plants which are then deposited in a trough-like conveyor system consisting of a central conveyor and slanted side conveyors which are driven at a faster speed than the central conveyor to eliminate injury to the plants. The machine, cutters and conveyors are hydraulic driven from separate hydraulic motors actuated by a gasoline engine. The cut tobacco plants are carried rearwardly by the conveyor and manually hung individually on a lath which is located in a supporting shuttle assembly of bowed construction and then pushed rearwardly which brings forward another lath ready to be loaded with newly cut tobacco plants. Because of the bowed construction of the shuttle the laths pass without injuring the tobacco leaves.

Abstract: Tobacco handling apparatus that receives tobacco from a source, such as a trailer, and elevates it by a conveyor to a discharge end from which it is discharged in a flow path having a substantial maximum horizontal extent disposed above a container that has a longitudinal horizontal extent aligned with and underneath the flow path for receipt of the tobacco leaves therefrom in condition for subsequent curing. A leaf distributing mechanism is included for varying the horizontal extent of the flow path within the maximum extent in a generally uniform manner to cause the leaves to be distributed substantially uniformly along the longitudinal extent of the container. The container is preferably a large size bulk curing container and the leaf distributing mechanism is preferably a plurality of deflectors which are oscillated laterally in conjunction with a longitudinal reciprocating movement. The leaves can be handled after harvesting at the barn or while harvesting takes place in the field.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a tobacco combine incorporates a single pump for driving a pair of tobacco leaf defoliators in contra rotating directions, and a pair of hydraulic motors for the take off conveyors in the same direction. Precise synchronization of the defoliator blades driven by the motors is assured by serially connecting the motors in the hydraulic circuit. A 50--50 flow divider provides equal hydraulic fluid flow to a pair of hydraulic motors, each driving portions of a first conveyor system, respectively, the fluid flows from these two motors being combined to drive a common second conveyor system.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a lateral beam frame assembly which is mounted on a mobile unit frame, and supports a vertically adjustable guide beams which in turn support a contra-rotating tobacco defoliating mechanism as well as the conveyor assembly for conveying a defoliated tobacco leaves to a common conveyor, is made laterally adjustable. The longitudinal beams are supported adjustably on the upper portions of the tractor mounting framework. A cable and winch arrangement is used for securing lateral adjustment of the beam and the rigidly mounted guide elements for supporting the vertical guide beams. In addition, an upper truss-forming cable or bar assembly is secured to the lateral beam so as to rigidify same and prevent bending moments from impairing the effective operation of the combine and harvester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for harvesting tobacco wherein the apparatus includes a tobacco harvester having a stalk cutting head comprised of two sets of generally vertically spaced circular saw blades disposed in side-by-side relationship that are adapted during harvesting to cut standing tobacco stalks into relatively short stalk sections. Tobacco leaf material extending from the cut stalk sections remain generally intact with the cut stalk sections such that during harvest the tobacco crop material is harvested in a manner such that the respective stalk sections and tobacco leaf material are harvested together in one operation.

Abstract: The tobacco harvester as pulled by a tractor and is adapted to span two rows of tobacco simultaneously, two subframes are pivotally mounted from the main frame of the harvester and each subframe includes a pair of spaced apart flat header boards which are spaced apart so as to allow a row of tobacco plants to pass therebetween. A rotating defoliator blade is mounted above each header board and an adjustable deflector is adjustably mounted above each defoliator blade. A horizontal and vertical conveyor arrangement is disposed between each subframe and an identical conveyor arrangement is disposed along the outer side of each conveyor frame for receiving the tobacco leaves and conveying them rearwardly and upwardly to a transverse conveyor.

Abstract: In a tobacco combine having a pair of contra-rotating defoliation blade members, upper and lower guides are provided for assuring proper positioning of the tobacco leaves for defoliation without impeding the speed of defoliation such as by gripping engagements of the stalk. The upper guide has diverged forward ends which converge toward one another (in a direction toward the rear) and project downwardly (in a direction forward of the defoliating blade members), intermediate portions which converge gradually rearwardly with downwardly sloping parallel portions which, in turn, are connected by curved portions to rear suspension brackets.

Abstract: A tobacco bulk curing barn construction including a furnace section and a plurality of portable barn sections each having imperforate side walls and top wall that form substantially complete exterior walls and roof of an integral transverse section of a composite curing part of the barn construction. Flanges and sealing gaskets are provided along edges of each section to provide sealing engagement of adjacent sections in a series row formation. A screen is secured across one end of the barn section to define with the side walls a full section open curing space for receiving tobacco filled in bulk therein when the section is disposed flat on the screened end. A pair of open frames is mounted between the side walls for movement from open positions after an initial amount of tobacco has been filled into position on top of the leaves to limit the amount of compression which can subsequently be applied to the initial tobacco by virture of the subsequent full loading of leaves into the curing space.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having an aggressive defoliating assembly along with a forward projecting leaf divider assembly that effectively divides a lower group of leaves from remaining leaves of each stalk entering the defoliating assembly during the tobacco harvesting operation. This division enables the defoliator assembly to more effectively and efficiently defoliate the lower group of separated leaves from each stalk passing through the defoliator assembly. When utilized in the form of a tractor mounted harvester, the tobacco harvester of the present invention includes a unique split or half lateral conveyor assembly that enables the harvester to be closely mounted adjacent one side of a conventional farm tractor despite the presence of the tractor's front wheel which with certain sized tractors prevent the utilization of conventional conveyor design without necessitating extra wide width tractor passing rows in the tobacco field.

Abstract: A work table designed to be used to facilitate the removal of objects, preferably tobacco stalks, supported on sticks or other elongated elements by single or by several workers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic tobacco harvester having a longitudinal leaf conveyor system for receiving tobacco leaf material defoliated by a defoliator assembly carried by said harvester and generally conveying the received leaf material rearwardly and upwardly about said harvester where the longitudinal conveyor system discharges the leaf material therefrom about a rearward elevated area on said harvester. The longitudinal leaf conveyor system of a particular harvester includes a series of laterally spaced longitudinal conveyor assemblies, each conveyor assembly including a horizontal conveyor section for conveying the leaf material from the defoliator assembly towards the rear of said harvester, and an elevating section which acts to convey the leaves from the horizontal section upwardly therefrom to an elevated area on said harvester where the leaves are discharged therefrom.

Abstract: The tobacco harvester is pulled by a tractor having an offset hydraulically operated hitch arrangement which permits the harvester to be selectively positioned to the side of the tractor. A tobacco receiving trailer is coupled to the harvester by a hydraulically operated coupling whereby the trailer can be shifted forwardly and rearwardly alongside the harvester to insure the even distribution of tobacco within the trailer as it is supplied via a conveyor which is laterally shiftable to compensate for the lateral shifting of the harvester relative to the trailer. The harvester is provided with a pair of spaced apart defoliators adapted to be located on opposite sides of a tobacco row. The defoliators are mounted in a sub-frame which is mounted for lateral movement relative to the main frame. The defoliators may be comprised of elongated spiral webs rotatable about their own axes or may be comprised of a pair of oscillating bars having a plurality of laterally extending flexible fingers thereon.

Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a tobacco harvester wherein a centrally disposed trailer attached to a towing vehicle is straddled by a worker support platform. Mechanical means are also provided for conveying the product harvested by the workers into the centrally disposed trailer.

Abstract: A trailer having a tobacco receiving box thereon is connected to a tobacco harvester which in turn may be pulled by a tractor or which may be self-propelled. The trailer is connected to the tobacco harvester by a hitch at one side of the harvester for forward and rearward movement of the trailer relative to the direction of movement of the harvester so as to evenly distribute the tobacco being delivered from the harvester into the tobacco box on the trailer. A double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder is connected to one end of a pivoted lever, the opposite end of which is connected to the trailer tongue, for oscillating the lever and reciprocating the trailer forwardly and rearwardly relative to the tobacco harvester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tobacco harvester having an automatic leaf spreader associated therewith for uniformly spreading defoliated tobacco leaves into an opened top leaf receiving structure such as a trailer, container, or box-type rack such that the leaf receiving structure is generally uniformly filled throughout from bottom to top by the spreader during the harvesting operation.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester is disclosed that utilizes an endless defoliator belt having defoliating apertures therein. Tobacco stalks pass into the apertures and during a downwardly moving segment of the defoliator belt leaves are stripped therefrom. A front downwardly inclined portion of the defoliator means includes a first angular section and a second angular section where the angle of the second section with respect to horizontal is greater than that of the first. Using this arrangement the plant is better prepared for defoliation in the first section while normal defoliation takes place in the second section. Further improvements to the tobacco harvester are included such as horizontal and vertical sensors for proper positioning of the defoliating means. Attendant indicator means alert an operator of the need for any necessary adjustment to the defoliator means.

Abstract: Leafy and woody plants are harvested by holding the uprooted plants in a guided path while they are being removed. The uprooted and removed plants are classified and counted by a counter along the path to establish a minimum standard size to which the counter responds. The plants meeting this standard are counted until the number of the counted plants has reached a set number and the counted plants accumulate in a space between the end of the guided path and a packaging device. The counter is set to operate a forked element for moving the accumulated plants to the packaging device when the set number has been reached.

Abstract: The tobacco harvester is adapted to be mounted adjacent the side of a tractor and includes an inclined chute with a chain conveyor operating in an aperture in the bottom of the chute extending the full length of the chute. The lower end of the inclined chute straddles the tobacco plant and a rotating cutter blade mounted at the lower end of the chute severs the stalk close to the ground. The cut tobacco plant travels top first up the conveyor and at the top end of the chute the top of the stalk passes through an aperture formed by orthogonally disposed stationary bars and into the nip between a pair of rotatable feed rollers, one of which is driven. The feed rollers draw the stalk through the stripper bars to strip the leaves from the stalk so that the stalk and the leaves will fall into separate containers.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester including roller members positioned adjacent to the upper rear end of the conveyor which functions to disengage leaves from the return side of the conveyor, and a cover arrangement over the discharge end of the conveyor to protect the discharged leaves from the force of winds.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tobacco harvesting implement comprising a frame assembly for mounting on a tractor, the frame assembly carrying a defoliation assembly constituted by contra-rotating pairs of rectangular flapper elements having plural slots along the lateral edges thereof and kicker to the rear of the flapper means operated in association with the defoliation assembly for insuring the deposit of tobacco leaves on a pair of longitudinally running conveyors. The kicker elements are greater in length than the defoliating flapper elements and include at least a pair in line with the defoliating flapper elements and a pair of 90.degree. relative thereto, and means are provided for adjusting the spacing between the pair of contra-rotating tobacco leaf defoliators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic tobacco harvester and to a defoliator assembly therefor, the tobacco harvester being of the type that is readily adaptable to connect directly to a conventional three point hitch of a farm tractor. The automatic tobacco harvester and defoliator assembly therefor is of the "multi-pass" type in that the defoliator assembly of the harvester can be used to prime or defoliate only a certain level of leaves from the stalks during tobacco harvesting operation while leaving unripened leaves on the stalks. As the lower priming are removed from the stalks, the defoliator assembly is accordingly moved upwardly to accommodate other priming levels during the course of the tobacco harvesting season. The defoliation of the tobacco leaves is accomplished by a pair of defoliator units or assemblies carried by a frame structure in lateral spaced apart relationship in order that a tobacco stalk row may pass therebetween.

Abstract: A combination bulk tobacco rack loader and unloader, and method of unloading a bulk tobacco rack is disclosed. The combination bulk tobacco rack loader and unloader comprises a generally open frame structure adapted in the unloading mode to receive filled bulk tobacco rack on its side with the plane of the tobacco leaves therein being generally horizontally disposed in overlying relationship, the bulk tobacco rack being of the type having first and second sections latched together and with tines fixed to at least one section and extending therefrom to penetrate and support the bulk volume of tobacco leaves peripherally contained therein. Once placed in the apparatus or device of the present invention, the same is adapted upon selective actuation to unlatch at least one latching mechanism associated with the bulk rack to allow one section of the rack to be pulled from the other section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defoliator head for a tobacco harvester in which the defoliator head is provided with a positive stalk gripping assembly for engaging and substantially encompassing respective tobacco stalks passing through the defoliator head during harvesting. The positive stalk gripping assembly comprises a pair of hydraulically driven belts disposed in side-by-side relationship so as to define a stalk passing area therebetween, and wherein at least one said belts includes a continuous series of outwardly projecting lugs disposed on the outside thereof. As the belts are driven, stalks entering therebetween are engaged and substantially encompass by the belts and successive lugs. Consequently, the stalks are stabilized and generally held in a firm upright position while the leaves are being defoliated therefrom by a defoliator mechanism associated with said defoliator head.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having a hydraulic control system for automatically and continuously controlling and maintaining the speed of a leaf defoliator assembly relative to and in proportion to the ground speed of the tobacco harvester. The hydraulic control system is adapted to continuously control the horizontal rearward speed component of the defoliating elements of a leaf defoliator assembly such that the defoliating elements move rearwardly during leaf defoliation at approximately the same speed the harvester is moving forward.To provide for continuous speed control of the defoliator assembly, the hydraulic speed control system is operative to continuously effectively sense or monitor harvester ground speed and to continuously drive the defoliator assembly in proportion to the effectively sensed or monitored ground speed.

Abstract: A machine for automatically inserting a lath through the stems of tobacco plants while maintaining a fixed spacing between the plants. The spacing can be preset over a continuous wide range. The plants are steered to the point of a spear by a guide which withdraws or advances two arms an equal amount on each side of a spear, thus always keeping the plant centered. The plants are skewered by the spear, which contains a lath in a hollow core, and slid over the spear to be deposited over the lath.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus adapted to be towed by a standard tractor, and capable of automatically removing tobacco leaves from their respective stalks. The removed leaves are fed to a cart also being towed by the tractor. The tobacco leaves are stripped from the stalks by a pair of rotating defoliators centrally positioned in the harvesting apparatus, and transported up the outside walls of the harvester by way of a plurality of associating spaced transport belts, and are dropped onto a conveyor system for delivery to the towed cart. Also disclosed is a mechanism by which the spacing between the towing tractor and the defoilator blades can be adjusted to change the tobacco row undergoing harvest. Furthermore, there is disclosed a mechanism by which the towed harvester can be adjusted so as to strip all of the tobacco leaves off of the stalks or to remove only the leaves in select regions of the stalks.

Abstract: A tractor drawn mechanical tobacco harvester in which the defoliating apparatus is pivotable as a unit to accommodate changes in terrain and variations in the alignment of the tobacco plants within the row of plants being harvested. The defoliating apparatus is selectively positionable to defoliate different rows of tobacco plants without a change in the position of the tractor. A novel defoliating apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester which is provided with a novel arrangement of cutters disposed rearwardly of the defoliator section of the harvester.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester which is provided with a novel arrangement of cutters disposed rearwardly of the defoliator section of the harvester.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting and treating tobacco in which the tobacco plants are automatically defoliated as a harvester moves through a field. The tobacco leaves are discharged in a random haphazard manner into a large bulk container where the leaves are secured in position and then the containers are placed within a treating barn and the leaves are cured.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a large quantity of green tobacco leaves in bulk form with an intermediate screen separating portions of the leaves along the entire length of the container and with a plurality of independent support rods for supporting the tobacco leaves in generally vertical position while the leaves are being cured. The tobacco container is open at one side only during filling and is open at the top and bottom only during the curing process.