Abstract: A bag-full indicator mechanism is provided for use on a mower that has a mower deck with cutting blades, a bag for collecting cut vegetation, and a chute communicating the mower deck with the bag. The bag-full indicator mechanism includes a vacuum actuator, a vacuum for providing a vacuum to the vacuum actuator, and a sensor for sensing that the bag is full. Preferably the vacuum is the intake manifold of the mower engine. The bag-full indicator mechanism also includes activator for activating the vacuum actuator and includes a switch and a pivotable lever. Finally, an indicator is used for indicating that the bag is full and preferably includes a shutoff for stopping the rotation of the cutting blades.

Abstract: In a scattered objects collector, air which has inducted scattered object is extracted and treated to minimize the release of dust into the ambient. The scattered objects collector has a power source driving an induction fan, a scattered objects induction portion through which scattered objects are inducted by the fan, a scattered objects collection vessel, and an air discharge duct through which, for enhanced induction efficiency, extracted air is directed from the collection vessel back to the induction portion. A cutter can be installed at the induction fan.

Abstract: A cotton harvester includes up to eight or more brush type row units mounted on a cross auger system having a split cross auger structure with two auger portions for moving material inwardly toward a central location. Cotton is conveyed through the rear of the central location into two separation chambers, one for each auger portion, and into the lower portions of two corresponding conveying ducts which extend upwardly and outwardly at bend locations located just above the rockshaft and below the cab floor. Each duct includes a nozzle directing air upwardly above the bend location so that cotton is sucked into the bend. The ducts extend upwardly at an angle to the vertical direction and include uppermost sections extending rearwardly over the input sections of the two cleaners. The uppermost sections are angled from the horizontal and distribute the cotton evenly over cleaner inlets.

Abstract: A lawnmower includes a grass collector bin connected to a rotary blade by a chute. Mounted on the chute is a pressure-sensitive detector which senses when the bin is full, on the basis of a given pressure increase in the chute. The detector includes a microswitch having a sensing arm which contacts a center portion of an elastic membrane. The membrane communicates with the chute such that the center portion of the membrane is deflected in response to a given pressure increase in the chute, in order to actuate the switch. The membrane includes a bellows portion for increasing the distance by which the membrane can be deflected in response to the given pressure increase.

Abstract: An apparatus towed behind a conventional farm tractor has a vacuum section ahead of a conventional mowing section so that litter and other debris are vacuumed into a rear hopper before entering into the mowing section. A conventional power take-off unit on the tractor distributes power via a transmission unit to a pair of centrifugal fans for the vacuuming stage and power to three mower blades. The apparatus may optionally have a sorting section in the discharge tube from the centrifugal fans to separate heavier recyclable debris from lighter debris such as grass clippings.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a cutting tool for use in the garden and workshops having a body (A) which houses a screw impeller (9) that can be driven by a motor (23). The screw impeller (9) being arranged to move waste along a flow path extending through the body (A) from an inlet (11) to an outlet (13), the outlet (13) being connectable to a receptacle which can then entrap any material so moved. A rotating cutting blade (35,41) controlled by the screw impeller (9) being located adjacent to the inlet (11) to act with a fixed cutting blade (31,37) to cut material projecting therebetween, which cut material is entrained through the body (A) by the screw impeller (9) to the receptacle.

Abstract: A lawn tractor has an engine, front wheels and rear wheels, a body frame extending longitudinally of the tractor, a mower unit supported by the body frame, a grass catcher supported by the body frame, a blower unit supported by the body frame, and a duct for transporting grass clippings cut by the mower unit into the grass catcher. The duct includes a first duct portion extending between the mower unit and the blower unit, and a second duct portion extending between the blower unit and the grass catcher. An output shaft of the engine, an input shaft of the mower unit and an input shaft of the blower unit all extend vertically. The engine output shaft, mower input shaft and blower input shaft are arranged inwardly of the rear wheels in the transverse direction of the body frame and substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with wheel support, a housing, and a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below a motor-driven disc for rotation about a vertical axis, which disc is capable of chipping branches because of a knife on one side and of moving air because of blades on the other side. A circumfirentially extending screen within the housing is supported in a vertical orientation relative to the ground, which screen is formed of at least two segments, both of which are supported radially inwardly and spaced from the sidewalls of the housing. The air and entrained debris are drawn into and enters the housing through an inlet extending to a centrally disposed axial opening whereby the entrained air and debris are driven against the screen to be broken up into smaller pieces.

Abstract: A grass cutting machine comprising a chassis including a chamber for receiving a cushion of air for supporting the chassis, a cutting member, a power source, a drive line for drivingly connecting the power source and the cutting member, a source of pressure air, and a grass collection device. The collection device comprises a receptacle for receiving cut grass and includes a base wall, an upper wall, and at least one side wall. The receptacle has at least one inlet disposed externally of the chamber and in the region of the base wall for entry of cut grass entrained in a stream of air directly into the receptacle part of at least the base wall includes an air permeable region to retain cut grass in the receptacle and to permit the said stream of air to be drawn through cut grass retained in the receptacle and through the air permeable region in the bases wall so as, to filter the air stream and compact the cut grass in the receptacle.

Abstract: A lever (10) is fastened by its bottom end to a lawnmower handle with connector (14) and clamp (12). It also has fastened to it, about one quarter of the way from the bottom end, another connector (14) which is fastened to the two lower ends of said mower handle in such a way that when lever (10) is pulled, pressure is transmitted to said handle ends, either squeezing them together or forcing them apart. This action causes said handle to become disengaged from the mower frame. Said handle can then be raised to the vertical position for storage.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cut-off member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. Upright forward slots and rear fore-and-aft extending slots in flat auger walls provide increased dirt and trash elimination. The top of the row unit housing is formed with a low friction material that is angled downwardly toward the row receiving area to reduce cotton loss.

Abstract: An indicator mechanism for visually displaying the full condition of a lawn mower grass collection bag, specially adapted for use on a riding lawn mower having a rear mounted bag. The indicator mechanism comprises a housing mounted to the discharge chute leading from the mower cutting deck to the collection bag, in a position visible to the driver during normal cutting operation of the mower. The housing includes a compartment in communication with the interior of the discharge duct through a suitable opening. An indicating member is hingedly disposed within the housing and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position in response to pressure variations caused by changes in the air flow within the duct. When the collection bag becomes full, high pressure within the duct forces the indicating member to its raised position, where it is visible to the driver through a window formed in the side of the housing.

Abstract: A windrowed crop harvester of the type including a tined pickup drum and a transverse, center discharge auger is modified to include opposite side seed pickup vacuum heads for disposition within the outer furrows of a three furrow swath along which the harvester is being moved with the vacuum heads being operative to vacuum up any seeds disposed within the aforementioned outer furrows. Also, the harvester includes a center vacuum head downwardly receivable within the center furrow of a three furrow swath and operative to vacuum up seeds from the center furrow and to transfer those vacuumed seeds into the interior of the harvester.

Abstract: A lawn mower of the type which collects grass cuttings includes a motor-driven blade rotatable about a sustantially vertical axis, at least one fan rotatable about the same axis, and a grass collecting system of the type in which grass collection is aided by suction from an airstream produced by the fan. It includes a closure which is selectively adjustable to at least two positions: one in which a grass collection aperture in a grass box is closed and a debris collection aperture in the grass box is open, and the other in which the grass collection aperture is open and the debris collection aperture is closed. A second embodiment includes a closure which is selectively adjustable to at least two positions: one in which both the grass collection aperture and the debris collection aperture are open, and the other in which only the grass collection aperture is open.

Abstract: A conventional header of a combine harvester includes a sickle knife and a table onto which the crop material is deposited by a reel. The crop material is transported toward the feeder housing of the combine harvester by an auger transportation system. At the feeder housing, the auger includes a cylindrical drum portion with fingers to push the material into the feeder housing. This conventional arrangement is modified by the addition of a suction shroud positioned over the central cylindrical portion of the auger to extract dust when cutting dusty crops such as peas.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting foodstuffs, such as nuts from the ground, uses compressed air passing through at least one venturi to create a vacuum at the inlet of a pickup conduit. Nuts are sucked into the pickup conduit which provides a straight flow path for the nuts. Compressed air is also discharged near the pickup conduit inlet to blow nuts to the inlet of the pickup conduit. Additionally, the machine discharges air from laterally extending blower arms to move nuts from obstacles which cannot be easily reached by the pickup conduit to locations where the foodstuffs can be reached by the pickup conduit.

Abstract: A grass cutting machine includes a grass cutter, a motor for driving the grass cutter, a housing for supporting the machine above ground datum, collector for collecting grass cut by cutter, and a fan for establishing a flow of air. The collector for cut grass further includes a duct for directing cut grass entrained in a stream of air from the fan. The duct has a collection mouth at an upstream end thereof and disposed in the region of the ground datum, thereof, and a downstream end of the duct connected to the collector. At least one air-outlet aperture is disposed in the region of the collection mouth, each aperture serving to direct at least a portion of the stream of air downstream from the collection mouth so as to draw into the mouth cut grass and to transport the cut grass through the duct to the collector.

Abstract: A ruffling attachment is disclosed for a blower for blowing leaves and other debris on the ground in a desired direction. The blower is of the type which includes a blowing apparatus having an output blowing port which puts out an output air flow. The apparatus is supported on a rollable support. The attachment comprises a support bracket configured and dimensioned to be secured to the blower and an attachment member secured to the bracket. A branching support member comprises a base adapted to matingly attach to the attachment member and a pair of arms extending to ends positioned at opposite sides of the output air flow. A pair of rufflers is provided, each of the rufflers extending respectively from a respective end on one of the arms. Both of the rufflers extend in a generally downward direction to points on opposite sides of the output air flow and bear down against the ground upon which the blower is resting.

Abstract: A straddle-type, self-propelled crop harvesting machine having an inverted U-shaped frame for passing over a row of crop bearing bushes. The frame has a longitudinal opening through which the row of crop bearing bushes pass and into which depend a pair of spaced, freely rotatable picking members. Each picking member is supported from a subframe which is pivotally attached to the main frame of the harvesting machine. Each subframe is supported on an air bag which can be used to set the initial height of the picking assembly and which also tends to isolate vibration from the main frame of the harvesting machine. A bearing assembly depends from the subframe and supports a housing in which two rotatable eccentric weights are mounted. The weights rotate in a vertical plane in phase but in opposite directions so that the weights pass at the top and bottom of each rotation and impart a vertical force to the housing.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with a wheel-supported housing having a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below the blades and having a portion thereof providing an air and debris inlet opening, a motor mounted on the housing with a shaft extending into housing and supporting a disc for rotation with the shaft within said housing, the disc having a cutter on its top for slicing limbs and a slot adjacent said cutting means to permit sliced material to pass through the disc, downwardly extending blades mounted on the bottom of the disc move air and air entrained debris within the housing to an exit opening in said housing generally opposite the inlet for air and entrained debris, and a top opening in the housing is radially aligned with the cutter to accept limbs and the like to be fed through the opening to be engaged by the cutter.

Abstract: This invention relates to rotary-type lawn mowers which may be supported on either a cushion of air (a hover mower) or on a wheeled/roller system.

Abstract: In the harvesting of a crop there is always a portion of the crop that is lost as a result of the combine harvesting process. The present device is attached to the underside of the combine and is arranged to pick up seeds and short crop missed by the first sweep of the combine. The device provides a fan arrangement within a housing carried adjacent the surface of the ground. The vacuum device picks up the seeds and short crop left behind by the normal pick up action of the combine. The present invention increases the yield of the crop, thereby making harvesting more cost efficient.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus and method includes a vehicle designed for operation along aisles between rows of low density young citrus trees for collecting, storing and transporting citrus fruit harvested by multiple workers moving along in front of the vehicle. The apparatus and method is more efficient and cost effective for harvesting citrus fruit from low density young citrus trees and eliminates pallet tubs and the vehicle boom required to empty and replace the tubs as used in the "conventional harvesting method". The machine and method includes a large semi-circular tray preferably mounted at a level about two feet above the ground on the front of a self-propelled vehicle carrying a hopper. The tray is selectively removable to allow a tray of different size to be mounted on the vehicle to meet the harvesting conditions involved at given citrus groves.

Abstract: An automated mushroom harvester has a carriage adapted to be moved over a mushroom-growing area, a picking head assembly being mounted on the carriage. The assembly includes a pneumatic ram mounted for rotation about its own axis, the ram piston rod being non-rotatable with respect to the ram cylinder. A suction cap is mounted on the lower end of the rod, and control means is provided for the supply of air to and from the ram. The control means is operated to drive the ram in such a way as to maintain substantially constant the speed of the suction cap as it approaches a mushroom to be harvested, and to ensure the maximum energy of the moving parts of the picking head assembly is below 0.25 Joules, during that constant speed approach.

Abstract: A crop pickup device including a rotatable drum or cylinder with pickup teeth thereon associated with a rake plate or notched stripping panel associated with the pickup teeth to effectively strip the plants from the pickup and collect and guide the seeds which may fall from the plants into the conveyor of the harvesting machine. A transverse manifold with a rearwardly facing slot-like opening is located forwardly of the pickup drum and teeth to prevent the plants from rolling forwardly when they are engaged by the pickup teeth and a pair of side blowers discharge air laterally inwardly and rearwardly which also prevent the plants from rolling forwardly and keep the windrow from fanning out or rolling outside of the pickup drum and teeth.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus and method includes a vehicle designed for operation along aisles between rows of low density young citrus trees for collecting, storing and transporting citrus fruit harvested by multiple workers moving along in front of the vehicle. The apparatus and method is more efficient and cost effective for harvesting citrus fruit from low density young citrus trees and eliminates pallet tubs and the vehicle boom required to empty and replace the tubs as used in the "conventional harvesting method". The machine and method includes a large semi-circular tray preferably mounted at a level about two feet above the ground on the front of a self-propelled vehicle carrying a hopper. The tray is selectively removable to allow a tray of different size to be mounted on the vehicle to meet the harvesting conditions involved at given citrus groves.

Abstract: In the combination of a rotary lawn mower, an improved mounting for an air impermeable bag is disclosed. The standard rotary lawn mower includes a rotating blade for cutting and blowing grass upwardly, a housing overlying the ground and surrounding the rotating blade for confining the upwardly blown cut grass about the rotating blade, a discharge aperture defined by the housing for permitting the upwardly blown grass to be discharged from the housing in a confined stream of air and cut grass, and an exhaust aperture from the bag for permitting air discharge from the air impermeable bag. The improved mounting for the air impermeable bag includes an underlying support attached to and supported over the ground from the rotatory lawn mower for receiving from above the air impermeable bag and supporting the bag above the ground. A bag stabilizing member fastens to the upper end of the bag at one end and is hinged with respect to the lawn mower at the mount for movement towards and away from the mount.

Abstract: A carrier for an air rake or leaf blower adjustably secured to a power driven vehicle or garden tractor, said carrier having roller means associated thereon wherefor the same may roll over the terrain, platform means for carrying an independently operable air rake or leaf blower thereon whereby the same is drawn over the terrain by the power driven vehicle and the leaf blower is operative while mounted thereon and may be disassociated therefrom for independent operation.

Abstract: A blueberry picking machine having a supporting frame from which two brush-like bush contacting members depend. The brush-like bush contacting members rotate freely when they contact a bush. Each bush contacting member is reciprocated vertically by an end driver unit containing counter-rotating weights rotating in a vertical plane to enable each brush-like member to dislodge ripened fruit from each branch contacted. The ripened fruit falls onto a plurality of movable catcher pans from which the fruit can travel to a continuous conveyor belt on each side which carry the fruit to the rear of the machine. A source of air supplies a large volume of air under the catcher pans and also blows air through the conveyor belts to clean the picked fruit. Secondary air sources are provided for blowing additional air through the conveyor belts to further clean the picked fruit.

Abstract: A harvesting machine having a self-propelled substantially U-shaped frame which can straddle a row of blueberry bushes. A collection surface is provided within the machine made up of a plurality of pivotally mounted overlapping catcher pans which extend inwardly toward the center of the machine from each side. A blueberry bush when in the machine forms an opening in the catcher pans about the upwardly and outwardly extending branches of the bush. A large volume of air is directed from each side of the harvesting machine under the catcher pans forming the collection surface and upwardly through the opening in the collection surface into the blueberry bush. The fountain of air into the blueberry bush diverts to the sides of the machine for harvesting those berries that might have fallen through the opening in the collection surface to the ground.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a laterally movable cotton harvesting unit of a cotton harvester. The cotton conveying structure comprises a cotton receiving assembly and a duct structure. The cotton receiving assembly vertically moves with and is inhibited against lateral movement to a tool bar assembly on which the harvesting unit is supported for lateral movement. The cotton receiving assembly includes first and second conveying sections which remain integrally connected to each other while allowing relative lateral movement of the harvesting unit from a harvesting position to permit servicing thereof. By inhibiting its lateral movement, the cotton receiving assembly is aligned in a cotton conveying relationship with and when the harvesting unit is returned to its harvesting position.

Abstract: A device for attachment to commercial lawn mowers which provides improved means for collection of spent debris. The device generally includes a debris chute which attaches to the lawn mower at its debris outlet, a gasoline-motor-driven mechanical blower and a debris collection receptacle. First and second sections of flexible tubing are utilized to respectively attach the chute and blower, and the blower and collection receptacle.

Abstract: A process and machine for gathering products such as fruit from the ground and being of the type comprising a source of pressurized air connected to a delivery conduit having a nozzle near the ground, a chassis carrying an inclined ramp (12) resting on the ground opposite the nozzle, receiving means arranged near the upper end of the ramp, the delivery conduit and nozzle being arranged in such a manner that the nozzle delivers the flow of air toward the ramp (12) in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the machine, and the inclined ramp (12) is carried by articulation means adapted to confer upon the ramp a displacement movement such that its lower edge is displaced with respect to the chassis along a trajectory of which the tangent forms with the ground an acute angle opening toward the rear.

Abstract: Air assisted harvesting means having a manifold extending transversely across the cutter bar platform of a harvester with a plurality of tubes depending therefrom, and nozzles on the tubes arranged to discharge air streams some of which at least partly overlie the air streams of others, so as to provide a deep rearwardly moving air curtain.

Abstract: The harvesting system has a crop cutting device disposed transversely of the direction of travel of the harvesting machine. A crop combing device is disposed adjacent to and extends forwardly of the cutting device. There is provided a pneumatic arrangement for generating a bed of air moving across the combing device in the direction towards the cutting device and generally parallel to the cutting plane of the cutting device. The moving bed of air facilitates gathering of the crop and reduces grain loss. The pneumatic arrangement includes nozzles for discharging air whereby to create said bed and a delivery system for delivering air under pressure to the nozzles. The nozzles are located in the plane of the bed and the delivery system is disposed generally beneath the combing device. Also disclosed is a finger attachment for a known harvesting system of agricultural machines. The finger attachment facilitates conversion of the known harvesting system to a harvesting system according to the invention.

Abstract: A leaf collection apparatus for use with a blower/vacuum device. An elongated tube is detachably secured at one end with a unique sleeve mechanism to the blower/vacuum and secured at the other end to a shroud or skirt. The shroud or skirt is adapted to fit over and seal the top of a large container. The sleeve mechanism and shroud are attached to the flexible tube with quick-release fastening mechanisms, and the shroud is adapted to be attached to the large container with a similar mechanism.

Abstract: A harvesting machine has a mobile main frame with a forwarding harvesting header that includes an axially transverse stripping rotor that is rotated with the front side moving upwardly to engage the grain bearing heads of a standing crop and separate the grain from the crop by impact while leaving the stem attached to the field. The impact with the stripping elements projects the grain rearwardly on the header to a crop collecting mechanism, which conveys it to a grain cleaning means in the body of the harvesting machine. An upper drum-type rotor is mounted on the header above and parallel to the stripping rotor and is provided with vanes and an arcuate hood, the upper rotor being rotated in the opposite direction from the lower rotor and generating an air flow between the drum and the hood that exits from the hood in a downward and rearward direction to assist in directing the grain heads into the stripping rotor and to convey the stripped grain rearwardly to the crop collecting mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a crop harvester for strawberries or other fruits or vegetables including a wheeled vehicle, preferably self propelled, adapted to pass along beds or rows of the crop and having a rotating perforated support element with hollow retractible fingers mounted over its perforations; the peripheral speed of the support element is approximately the same as the vehicle wheels. A fan or other air mover supplies vacuum pressure and positive pressure to ducts connected through the interior of said support element to said fingers; those fingers in a direction to contact the crop are connected to vacuum pressure. Fingers preceding such fingers are connected to positive pressure to eject the collected crop onto a conveyor leading to a collection receptacle.

Abstract: A tea harvester in the form of a wheeled vehicle adapted to straddle at least one row of plants carries therebeneath a horizontal transverse cutter bar in position to clip the tops of the plants in a row. Blower and manifold means are carried by the vehicle for emitting a horizontally-elongated vertically narrow stream of air rearwardly and downwardly across the cutter bar for blowing clippings rearwardly off the bar into the mouth of a conveyor means. The undersurface of the manifold means and its airstream-defining outlet are spaced above and forwardly of the bar to enable the tops of the plants to stand upright in the path of the airstream while being clipped. The conveyor means extends upwardly and rearwardly to convey the clippings to a collecting receptacle. The cutter bar, the blower and manifold means, and the conveyor means are all mounted to vehicle for vertical adjustment to adjust the above-ground cutting height of the cutter bar.

Abstract: An improved pressure air manifold and outlets system for grain header or harvester cutting platforms comprising a manifold which extends across and above the cutting platform, the manifold being adjustable for height position and angularity and being provided with a plurality of relatively narrow shaped outlet tubes which depend from the manifold and which terminate nominally above the cutter bar of the cutting platform, each outlet tube being directed to discharge pressure air substantially in a rearward direction also some air in a lateral direction to form a continuous curtain of air and a blower to impart an air flow through the manifold to discharge through the outlet tubes.

Abstract: For separating nuts from orchard trash in a windrow, the mixture of nuts and trash is picked up and deposited on the forward end of a foraminous conveyor enclosed by a housing connected to a fan inducing a vigorous flow of air through the conveyor. Variously arranged baffles, walls and guide plates direct the air rearwardly to enhance separation capacity and form settling zones to increase separation efficiency. Provision is also made for abruptly changing the direction of movement of the nut and trash supporting upper run of the conveyor to dislodge and tumble the nuts and the trash as they traverse the separation zone where the flow of air emerges through the upper run, thereby effecting even more rapid and efficient separation.

Abstract: A main shroud is open at the bottom, and carries a housing on the upper end thereof. An annular director ring is mounted to extend in spaced relationship about the bottom of the main shroud, and a vertical shaft extends upwardly through the shroud and the housing and is connected with a power unit. An upper blower fan is mounted on the shaft within the housing, and generates an upward flow of air through the harvester. An impeller is mounted on the lower end of the shaft, and includes a mounting ring having external blades thereon which project into the annular space defined by the director ring. The impeller external blades generate a downward flow of air through the annular space, which is directed downwardly and inwardly to dislodge macademia nuts found in ground crevices, so they can be entrained in the upward air flow and discharged from the harvester.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating intermixed heavier and lighter materials of varied dimension and mass-to-area ratios, being particularly adapted to harvesting fallen nuts intermixed with leaves and other foreign matter. The separator element is used where the fruit and foreign matter are being borne in a common air stream by means of imposing the separator in said air stream whereby a perforated surface on said separator carries the debris in a direction opposite from the movement of the fruit towards a collection zone. The debris is carried away from the separator zone by the mechanical action of the moving surface in addition to the debris carrying propensity of the air stream.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper device for use with a tractor-type rotary mower has a vacuum blower which is mounted on a frame and which is driven by a drive shaft connected to the power-take-off of the tractor. The frame is attached to the rear of the main frame of the tractor and includes provision for removably mounting a cylindrical container which collects material picked up by the vacuum blower.

Abstract: A pickup head for a machine which picks strawberries, and like crops, has a frame moveable along a crop row by a picker chassis on which the frame is mountable. A severing assembly is mounted on the frame for cutting a crop in the crop row from a plant associated with the crop. The crop is lifted into the severing assembly by an arrangement including a duct disposed for directing a gaseous stream beneath the crop and lifting same into communication with the severing assembly for cutting of the crop. The gas is directed under pressure just above the ground so as to put pressure against the crop and thereby bringing the crop into communication with the severing assembly.

Abstract: In an apparatus for increasing the yield of beans or grain wherein a primary harvesting machine or header is mounted forward of the combine with a secondary harvesting device located immediately to the rear of the primary harvester. The secondary harvesting device is vacuum operated to pick up beans or grain knocked to the ground under the primary harvester. The vacuumed up beans or grain are fed into the onboard chaffer and separator mechanism of the combine for cleaning and combining with the beans or grain picked up by the primary harvester.