Abstract: A vibration mechanism (300) for shaking a tree trunk held between two clamps, for an efficient harvest of the tree-fruits and for preventing damage to the tree-roots and to the tree trunk. The vibration unit comprises two counter-rotating rotors (R) weighted by displaceable weights (18, 19) and powered, preferably, by at least one hydraulic motor (M). A transmission (T) coupled to the motor and to the rotors, counter-rotates the rotors.

Abstract: A method of relative positioning between agricultural machines and crops on their planting rows having the steps which are performed in real time and during a harvest work and include determining a positioning of each tree top on a trees row, a machine rotor column position, and simultaneously a traveling speed of an agricultural machine, sending tree positioning and machine speed data to a data processor, processing the data and controlling servo mechanisms that actuate actuators which, in turn, place one rotor column with stripping rods in accordance with a determined tree top position and format.

Abstract: A tree harvester including an automated tree sensing and shaking control system. The control system includes a tree sensing device, such as an ultrasonic sensor that is mounted upon the harvester. Predetermined tree distance values and other shaker head control parameters are input into a programmable logic control (PLC) device of the control system. When the harvester is located next to a tree, the operator initiates an automated tree shaking cycle in which the tree sensor provides distance values to the tree as input signals to the controller. The shaker head automatically moves outward towards the tree until the inputted distance values to the tree are equal to or less than the predetermined tree distance values. The control system then causes the shaker head to clamp the tree, to shake the tree, to unclamp the tree and to move the shaker head back to the harvester.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a seal between a first object and a second object is disclosed. The device comprises a retractable arm mounted to and extending from the first object towards the second object. The device also comprises a sealing arrangement mounted at a distal end of the retractable arm. The sealing arrangement includes a sealing member and a sensor configured to engage the second object and provide input to the retractable arm so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the distal end of the retractable arm and the second object. As a result, a seal is formed and maintained between the first object and the second object. In one particular embodiment, the disclosure relates to a harvester for gathering product from one or more plants. The harvester comprises a drive mechanism, a retractable conveyor mounted to and extending from the drive mechanism towards the plant, and a sealing arrangement mounted at a distal end of the retractable arm.

Abstract: In this harvesting machine using shaker members in the form of rods to shake the fruit-bearing bushes and harvest the fruit, each shaker rod has an elongate base part which has, in use, a required flexibility characteristic for the rod in a horizontal plane and which has an oblong cross-section whose height is greater than its width, said cross-section having two main geometrical axes which are respectively horizontal and vertical and dimensions of height and width such that its moment of area about the horizontal main axis is significantly greater than its moment of area about the vertical main axis and its height is less than a predefined value. The base part forms a core for the rod, which can further include a wear part which covers the core and which is made of a material and has a thickness such that the rod has flexibility characteristics in the horizontal and vertical planes that are practically unchanged relative to those of the core, even after substantial wear of the wear part.

Abstract: A method for connecting a fruit or nut tree to a mechanical shaker so that the shaking force is applied to the heartwood of the tree rather than to the bark and living cambium tissue of the tree, thus preventing or limiting injury to the tree.

Abstract: A harvester for gathering product from one or more plants comprises a drive mechanism, a retractable conveyor mounted to and extending from the drive mechanism towards the plant, and a sealing arrangement mounted at a distal end of the retractable arm. The sealing arrangement includes a sealing member and sensor configured to engage the plants and provide input to the retractable conveyor so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the distal end of the retractable arm and the second object. As a result, a seal is formed and maintained between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A harvester incorporating at least one force balanced shaker vibratory brush as the harvesting apparatus uses a sensing system connected to spring feelers to generate a signal responsive to the location, shape and position of a tree.

Abstract: A vibratory shaker for mounting on a crop harvester framework for removing crops from vines, bushes, and trees has a crop foliage engaging brush that is driven directly about a brush rotation axis by a brush driving motor. The crop foliage engaging brush and the brush driving motor are supported for rotation on the crop harvester framework. The power for driving the brush driving motor is controlled to provide oscillatory motion subject to operator controlled frequency, amplitude and oscillatory wave shape.

Abstract: Machine for harvesting tree fruit comprising two parallel, vertical gantries joined at the bottom of their vertical side arms by longitudinal frames extending inward from the insides of the arms and joining the two arms on one side. A duct receives fruit conveyed by a screw container, to an end of the duct with a peeler. A rear storage container for peeled fruit is placed after the peeler. The two frames are separated by a distance slightly greater than the width of the trunk of the trees to be harvested. A longitudinally movably clamp for clamping a tree to be shaken is movable along a longitudinal guide on one of the frames. A feeler supported on one frame contacts the tree and activates the clamp to shake the tree.

Abstract: A net rotation speed control system for an oscillatory shaker head assembly driven by a force-balance drive carried on a crop harvester has a harvester forward velocity signal input. Also provided is an operator input for selecting appropriate speed relationship between the harvester velocity and the net shaker head rotation velocity. The system is useful as an open loop system, but is improved to correct for otherwise uncontrolled operating conditions by incorporating a speed sensor for net shaker head rotation velocity and closing the loop by connecting an output from the net rotation speed sensor to the control system.

Abstract: A fruit removal assembly forming part of a mobile fruit harvester has a single motor for orbiting two pairs of oppositely disposed panels to which are mounted a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers which penetrate a fruit tree canopy and dislodge fruit. The motor is coupled to the panels by mechanical drive means and thereby provides for synchronized simultaneous movement of the panels. The panels are coupled to a structural frame for supporting the panels and tethers fixed to an anchor positioned to space the tethers from the structural frame at an intermediate portion between the panels and the structural frame are provided to align the panels and mitigate the occurrence of collisions between orbiting panels.

Abstract: Machine for harvesting tree fruit comprising two parallel, vertical gantries joined at the bottom of their vertical side arms by longitudinal frames extending inward from the insides of the arms and joining the two arms on one side. A duct receives fruit conveyed by a screw container, to an end of the duct with a peeler. A rear storage container for peeled fruit is placed after the peeler. The two frames are separated by a distance slightly greater than the width of the trunk of the trees to be harvested. A longitudinally movable clamp for clamping a tree to be shaken is movable along a longitudinal guide on one of the frames. A feeler supported on one frame contacts the tree and activates the clamp to shake the tree.

Abstract: A vibratory shaker for mounting on a crop harvester framework for removing crops from vines, bushes, and trees has a crop foliage engaging brush that is driven directly about a brush rotation axis by a brush driving motor. The crop foliage engaging brush and the brush driving motor are supported for rotation on the crop harvester framework. The power for driving the brush driving motor is controlled to provide oscillatory motion subject to operator controlled frequency, amplitude and oscillatory wave shape.

Abstract: A baler pick-up includes a pair of support wheels, each of which is connected to the pick-up by a mounting arrangement permitting the wheel to be selectively moved from a working position outboard of the pick-up to an inboard, elevated transport or non-working position. Each mounting arrangement comprises a holder fixed to the pick-up and including a transverse pipe and a projection formed from a plate and spaced outwardly from and end of the pipe. The arrangement further comprises a wheel mounting bracket including a cylindrical tube pivotally and slidably received in the pipe and in a hole provided in the projection, the tube carrying a ring captured between the end of the pipe and the projection and containing a throughbore aligned with one of a pair of crossbores provided in the tube and receiving a linchpin bolt for retaining the wheel mounting bracket so as to dispose the wheel in a selected one of its positions.

Abstract: On tree shaking harvesters, shaker heads with padding engage tree trunks of nut and fruit trees and shake the trunks to dislodge the fruit/nuts. The invention disclosed is directed toward an improved pad or padding filler and cooling arrangement for the pads of a shaker machine/harvester. The pad is improved by having an improved filler material within a main chamber of the pad, the filler being ceramic material to supply body and help maintain a cool pad; and an improved cooling liquid circulation fitting is connected to the pad in one embodiment.

Abstract: In a tree shaking apparatus a pad positionable between the trunk of a tree to be shaken, and the apparatus itself, includes a pair of end sections. Each end section defines a bore extending therethrough for receiving a post extending from the apparatus, thereby mounting the pad on the apparatus. A resilient polymeric web extends between the end sections and defines a first surface for engaging the trunk of a tree to be shaken.

Abstract: A fruit harvester includes a single shaker head having multiple, independently operable, shaker head segments freely rotatable about an axis of the head and moveable in a to and fro linear displacement. Each head segment includes a shaft and multiple finger elements radially extending from the shaft for penetrating fruit bearing branches of a tree. A shaker provides the radially linear displacement of the shaker head segment to and from the axis of the single shaker head. Adjacent shaker head segments are displaced in parallel and opposing directions for providing an oscillating movement to the finger elements, and thus a balance and stability to the shaker head during shaking movement of the tree branches. The shaker head is operable with a mobile carrier. A conveyor, also carried by the mobile carrier, is independently operable for receiving fruit falling from the tree and delivering the fruit onto a hauler.