Abstract: A device for removing plant material from a plant bed. In one embodiment, the device includes a frame with an oscillating cutter attached thereto. The oscillating cutter is disposed such that a cutting portion thereof is beneath the surface of a plant bed when the device is in use. A conveyor is also attached to the frame, the nose of the conveyor being disposed beneath the surface of the plant bed. As the device moves along a plant bed, the oscillating cutter cuts plant material, which is scooped up by the nose of the conveyor and transported to a desired location.

Abstract: Plastic mulch retrievers are disclosed comprising a body and at least one set of cutting or digging elements mounted to the body to loosen plastic mulch embedded in the ground. At least one conveyor is mounted to the body rearward of the at least one set of cutting or digging elements. The conveyor engages the loosened plastic mulch and removes at least some of the ground material attached to the extracted plastic mulch. At least one storage device can be mounted to the body rearward of the conveyor to store the retrieved plastic mulch. Embodiments of the plastic mulch retriever comprise multiple sets of cutting or digging elements and multiple respective conveyors.

Abstract: A plastic mulch retriever is disclosed comprising a body and at least one cutting or digging element mounted to the body to loosen plastic mulch embedded in the ground. A conveyor is mounted to the body rearward of the at least one cutting or digging elements to engage the loosened plastic mulch and remove at least some of the ground material attached to the extracted plastic mulch. At least one storage device is mounted to the body rearward of the conveyor to store the retrieved plastic mulch.

Abstract: A root-crop harvester is configured to temporarily store tubers by recirculating tubers on the conveyor system of the harvester. The conveyor system has selectable first and second operating configurations. In the first operating configuration the conveyor system transports tubers from the digger bed to an outlet where tubers are unloaded from the harvester (e.g., onto a truck). In the second operating configuration the conveyor system transports tubers along the conveyor system for a period of time and then diverts tubers to an earlier position within the conveyor system, thereby recirculating tubers on the harvester. After a period of time, the harvester operator selects the first operating configuration and the recirculating tubers along with newly dug tubers are unloaded from the harvester.

Abstract: A method (100) of translating an imperative language function into a parameterized hardware component can include the steps of using (102) formal imperative function arguments to represent at least one among a component input port and a component parameter and distinguishing (104) between formal imperative function arguments intended as component parameters from formal imperative function arguments intended as component input ports. The method can generate (106) hardware description by providing a framework where imperative language functions can be translated into hardware components by being instantiated, combined and simulated. Arbitrary code can be associated (108) to a function-importing block as parameterization code and enabling an assignment of arbitrary code to actual imperative function arguments. The arbitrary code can be executed (110) in an interpreter that analyzes assigned variables by name and compares variable names with the formal argument identifiers in an imported function.

Abstract: The machine for removing ferrous debris removes such debris from firing ranges where the removal of hard objects is desired to prevent ricochets during firing exercises, particularly on aircraft gunnery ranges. The machine includes a chassis towed behind a remotely controlled or automated vehicle, with a mechanism support frame pivotally mounted on the chassis. A series of magnetic operating arms is provided across the mechanism frame, with a chain drive conveyor cycling the operating arms as the machine is operated. The operating arms automatically release any gathered ferrous debris into a hopper as the arms reach the hopper during their cycle. A mechanism is provided to accommodate angular deflection of the operating arms relative to the hopper due to sloped terrain, and a further automated mechanism is provided to tilt and empty the hopper as required. No human operator is required in the immediate area of the machine.

Abstract: An improved method of mounting the cutting head of a sod harvester with respect to the conveyor employs a single ball joint between the cutting head and the conveyor, and a pair of side links spaced outwardly of the conveyor and arranged to constrain the cutting head against lateral displacement with respect to the conveyor. Preferably, the links are adjustable in length to permit vertical and lateral adjustment of the cutting head with respect to the conveyor, e.g. “tracking” of the cutting head.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanized beet harvester with a front-end beet digging and lifting assembly. A special grabroll assembly whch directs the beets inwardly from both ends of the harvester towards the center and backwardly towards a low level pick-up reservoir in an elevator assembly which lifts the beets to a storage/discharge system.

Abstract: Mobile combine apparatus for harvesting and separating a mixture of agricultural produce such as potatoes from other materials such as clods and stones including an impact element defining an impact surface, and apparatus for causing the mixture of agricultural products and stones to impinge on the impact surface in a predetermined direction irrespective of the orientation of the combine apparatus within a given range of operative orientations.

Abstract: During the first pass across a field of row-planted sugar or red beets, the apparatus digs the beets from a specific number of rows (six being illustrated but the apparatus herein disclosed can be structured for four or five rows as well), elevates the beets at one side of the apparatus to a given height and discharges the elevated beets into a tank from which they are periodically re-elevated and discharged into a truck at the side of the apparatus opposite the side at which they are elevated and re-elevated, the truck trailing the apparatus over rows from which beets have been removed when not receiving re-elevated beets. On the next pass in a reverse direction across the field, the truck runs in the swath where the beets have been removed during the first pass, and the beets during the second pass are continually discharged into the truck without resort to storage and without re-elevating the beets as done on the first pass.

Abstract: A device for spreading plants, such as tomato vines, generally across the width of an interior chamber of a conventional harvester, such as a tomato harvester, after the vines have been cut from their root systems in a field, fed onto a forward end of a driven inclined chain belt conveyor, pivotally carried on a front end of the harvester, and discharged into a harvester chamber for processing, such as removing the tomatoes from the vines, cleaning, sorting, etc., by existing conventional means. The spreader device comprises a pair of chain conveyors, each comprised of a pair of spaced apart sprockets, rotatably mounted relative to opposed ends of an elongated support member, a chain engaged about the sprockets and extending therebetween, and a plurality of outwardly extending, spaced apart fingers, fixed to the chain at their inner ends along the length of the chain.