Abstract: A gathering and picking device comprising a first gathering element that is arranged on a first side of a picking gap and a second gathering element that is arranged on a second side of a picking gap opposite the first gathering element. Both gathering elements are rotated about a predominantly vertical axes and are provided with carrier elements that grasp standing plants. The carrier elements introduce the standing plants into the picking gap and convey the standing plants over at least part of the length of the picking gap.

Abstract: A gathering and picking device having a gathering element having radially extending fingers is rotated about an approximately vertical axis. The fingers are arranged to grasp plant stalks and transport the plant stalks along a picking gap of a picking device. The picking gap is curved such that it maintains an at least approximately constant distance from the vertical rotational axis of the gathering element over its operative length.

Abstract: The crop lifters include a pair of rotatable disks with rims that converge towards each other below and to the rear of their centers and that diverge from each other above and forward of their centers. As the disks are carried forward by a harvester, each pair of disks gather plant material, grasp the plant material, lift the plant material and then release the plant material above an elevating conveyor. The disks remain above the surface of the ground and are rotated by crop material as the harvester moves forward or are driven by motors. Flexible disks have rims that are forced to converge by slide bearings. Semi-ridged disks are mounted on axes that extend toward each other, upward, and forward from each disk center. A plurality of pairs of disks can be carried by one harvester. A knife severs plants from their roots forward of the conveyor.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting stalks of sugarcane having a plurality of harvest chambers. Each harvest chamber has a pair of opposing side walls that forming a V-shaped forward opening for receiving sugarcane stalks to be cut for harvest and a plurality of revolving, opposing, resilient conveyor belts for grabbing, holding and feeding the sugarcane stalks through the chambers in a substantially upright position. Each harvest chamber has a plurality of adjustable blowers to selectively direct a high velocity air stream onto the sugarcane stalks to remove unwanted foliage from the sugarcane stalks and a vacuum system to suction unwanted foliage from the harvest chambers to a foliage collection chamber located within the harvester.

Abstract: A moistener supply system for a cotton picking machine including a cleaner injection system that supplies cleaner to the system from a location remote from a water tank or other source of water. The outlet of the cleaner injection system preferably is positioned at a location that assures good mixing of the cleaner with the water before the resultant moistener is dispensed onto the moistening pads. Cleaner flow rate preferably is slaved to the water flow rate in order to maintain a generally constant cleaner concentration in the moistener in the absent external intervention. The cleaner flow rate can also be adjusted independently of the water flow rate to vary the cleaner concentration to meet the needs of the prevailing operating conditions. The cleaner concentration adjustment may be effected manually, automatically, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A harvester at least one adapting device for receiving a front attachment, wherein a mechanically and/or hydraulically switchable reversing device is associated with at least one of the working components of the agricultural harvesting machine which are at the front in the direction of travel and the front attachment, which is received by the adapting device, can be moved by at least one displacement device into at least one non-working position which is at a distance from the working components of the agricultural harvesting machine, and which forms a gap for passage of crop between the front attachment and these working components. In this way, in the non-working position a through-gap is created between the front attachment and the working components of the harvesting machine, through which the crop stream conveyed out of the agricultural harvesting machine during the reversing process and interspersed with one or more foreign bodies can flow down in the direction of the ground.

Abstract: A gathering and picking unit for a harvesting assembly having a plurality of picking units. Each picking unit is provided with at least one picking roll. The picking rolls are rotatably mounted to the outer portion of a moving element that is rotated about a second vertical axis. Each picking roll is rotated about a first horizontal axis. The picking units can be arranged radially or tangentially on the moving element.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester is equipped with a header including intake and plucking arrangements which, in the case of corn, separate the ears from the stalk and conveys them in different streams to the harvester. The harvester has a conventional cutter drum that receives the stalks and cuts them into short lengths, and has a hammermill which receives the corn ears and chops them into small pieces. The corn stalk pieces and the chopped ears can be recombined and discharged from the harvester into a trailer as whole plant silage, or can be delivered in separate streams to separate trailers or separate containers of the same trailer.

Abstract: A machine for removing roots and tops from crops including a pair of counter-rotating rollers spaced apart so as to define a nip therebetween, and means for rotating the rollers characterized in that at least one roller is in the form of a polygonal twisted prism.

Abstract: A gathering and picking unit for a harvesting assembly having a plurality of picking units. Each picking unit is provided with at least one picking roll. The picking rolls are rotatably mounted to the outer portion of a moving element that is rotated about a second vertical axis. Each picking roll is rotated about a first horizontal axis. The picking units can be arranged radially or tangentially on the moving element.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester is equipped with a header including intake and plucking arrangements which, in the case of corn, separate the ears from the stalk and conveys them in different streams to the harvester. The harvester has a conventional cutter drum that receives the stalks and cuts them into short lengths, and has a hammermill which receives the corn ears and chops them into small pieces. The corn stalk pieces and the chopped ears can be recombined and discharged from the harvester into a trailer as whole plant silage, or can be delivered in separate streams to separate trailers or separate containers of the same trailer.

Abstract: A feeding and picking device having a rotating feeding device that is rotated about a vertical axis. The device is able to work in fields not planted in rows and is designed to grasp plant stalks and feed them into a picking device. The picking device comprises a snapping channel formed by snapping bars under which is located at least one snapping roll. The feeding device comprises a disc having fingers that overlap the snapping channel. The feeding device is therefore designed to transport the plant throughout the effective length of the picking device.

Abstract: A corn harvesting attachment for attachment to a self-propelled harvesting machine such as e.g. a combine harvester is described, which can cut independently of the rows and pick the corn ears off the stalks in order to process them separately from the rest of the plants, for example thresh them out. Picking units are associated with the individual feed regions of the cutter bar, which comprise large conveying discs provided with edge recesses. The cut-off whole plants, which are picked upright, are transferred to the picking units either by means of clearing discs or by the fact that the receiving sections of the picking units enter the circle in which the conveying discs move.

Abstract: A combine and corn harvesting head of the type for removing ears of corn from their associated stalks are disclosed herein. The harvesting head includes a row unit for each row to be harvested by the combine while following a path through a field of corn to be harvested. The row units each include a stationary vertical surface and a continuous belt rotatably supported to provide a moving surface parallel to the vertical surface. The row unit removes ears of corn from their respective stalks when the ears are engaged by both the moveable and the stationary surfaces. More specifically, the movement of the moveable surface relative to the stationary surface rotates the ears relative to the stalks (i.e. rolls the ears along the stationary surface) to remove the ears and to convey them to the conveying auger of the harvesting head. The ears are then conveyed into the combine where they are threshed to remove the kernels of corn from the cobs of the ears.

Abstract: A system for processing freshly picked ears of sweet corn in the field. In the preferred embodiment, a portable, towable processing machine having an on-board hydraulic power system includes a hopper for receiving whole ears, a husking bed for removing the husks, a bucket elevator for raising the husked ears to an upper level, a plurality of kernel cutting machines for cutting kernels from the ears, scalping beds for separating cut kernels from cutting debris, and a hopper for receiving and storing the cut corn and for delivering it to another vehicle or receptacle. The ears and kernels are moved through the machine by an integrated system of conveyors and bucket elevators. The conveyors and the cutting machines are so arranged that a stream of ears is recirculated past entrances to the machines, which are arranged in parallel flow so that any ear may be presented for kernel removal to any cutting machine. Ears enter the first available cutting machine they encounter.

Abstract: A fresh market sweet corn harvester for removing ears of corn from corn stalks. The harvester is configured to be mounted to a drive chassis for over-the-ground travel and includes a lower frame with one or more cutters for cutting lower portions of the corn stalks at a cut height above the ground. Hydraulic cylinders extending between the lower frame and the chassis are actuated from within the chassis operator compartment to raise and lower the lower frame and adjust the cut height. An upper frame is pivotally mounted with respect to the lower frame, One or more gathering mechanisms and one or more stripping mechanisms are mounted to the upper frame. The gathering mechanisms engage upper portions of the cut corn stalks and pull the stalks through the harvester. The stripping mechanisms remove ears of corn from the stalks as they are pulled through the harvester by the gathering mechanisms.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the stalk-receiving gaps between stripper plates in a produce harvester. The mechanism is adapted for use in harvester where a number of pairs of stripper plates are utilized, and where a space is formed between adjacent pairs of stripper plates, and a stalk-receiving gap is formed between the stripper plates within each pair. The mechanism permits all stalk-receiving gaps in the harvester to be adjusted simultaneously and to the same degree. These gaps are adjusted from both sides allowing for optimum centering of the gap to engage the stalks. The mechanism comprises a reciprocating shaft disposed so as to move substantially perpendicular to the movement of the harvester. A number of rotating shafts are connected to the reciprocating shaft and these are disposed within the spaces between adjacent pairs of stripper plates. The rotating shafts are disposed substantially at right angles to the movement of the harvester.