An example apparatus embodiment includes a support frame; a cut and lift mechanism coupled to the support frame; a tool carrying platform coupled to the cut and lift mechanism; an outer leaf removal device coupled to the tool carrying platform; a cutting tool coupled to the tool carrying platform; a controller in data communication with the cut and lift robot; and a plant center locator in data communication with the controller.

A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the produce using a movable first belt with a first set of produce grippers and a movable second belt with a second set of produce grippers. When the produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.

A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the produce using a movable first belt with a first set of produce grippers and a movable second belt with a second set of produce grippers. When the produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.

A machine 10 for harvesting horticultural products, in particular leafy vegetables, comprises a support structure 20 mainly extending predominantly along a movement direction M of the machine 10, between a first end 11 and a second end 12; cutting means 30 mechanically associated with said support structure 20, arranged at said first end 11and configured to cut said horticultural products; conveying means 40 mechanically connected to said support structure 20 and extending, along a conveying direction R, between a harvesting portion 41 arranged near said first end 11, and an outlet portion 42arranged near a receiving area of said support structure 20, and configured to convey said cut horticultural products along said conveying direction R; motorisation means 50mechanically associated with said conveying means 40 and configured to move them so as to convey said cut horticultural products; wherein said conveying means 40 comprise a first carrier 60; and a second carrier 70 arranged counter-facing said first carrier 60 by a predetermined distance so as to define an upwards tunnel 80 of said horticultural products; wherein said first and second carriers 60, 70 being arranged inclined with respect to a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the ground; and wherein said first and second carriers 60, 70 extending along said conveying direction R so as to allow a harvesting of said horticultural products along said conveying direction R from a starting height near the ground to a collection height greater than said starting height.

A machine 10 for harvesting horticultural products, in particular leafy vegetables, comprises a support structure 20 mainly extending predominantly along a movement direction M of the machine 10, between a first end 11 and a second end 12; cutting means 30 mechanically associated with said support structure 20, arranged at said first end 11and configured to cut said horticultural products; conveying means 40 mechanically connected to said support structure 20 and extending, along a conveying direction R, between a harvesting portion 41 arranged near said first end 11, and an outlet portion 42arranged near a receiving area of said support structure 20, and configured to convey said cut horticultural products along said conveying direction R; motorisation means 50mechanically associated with said conveying means 40 and configured to move them so as to convey said cut horticultural products; wherein said conveying means 40 comprise a first carrier 60; and a second carrier 70 arranged counter-facing said first carrier 60 by a predetermined distance so as to define an upwards tunnel 80 of said horticultural products; wherein said first and second carriers 60, 70 being arranged inclined with respect to a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the ground; and wherein said first and second carriers 60, 70 extending along said conveying direction R so as to allow a harvesting of said horticultural products along said conveying direction R from a starting height near the ground to a collection height greater than said starting height.

A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce and its method of use is provided. The apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor comprising a set of parallel rods having a space therebetween, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The methods of using the apparatus include feeding a harvested produce onto a conveyor comprising a set of parallel rods having a space therebetween; transporting the harvested produce on the conveyor towards a stripping roller connected to a framework of the leaf removal apparatus; contacting the harvested produce with a plurality of flexible members connected to the framework, and the stripping roller, and loosening or removing one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce, wherein one or more of the removed wrapper leaves fall through the space between the rods of the conveyor.

Device for harvesting vegetable plants from the land, includes: a frame; first and second conveyors arranged on the frame, the conveyors positioned a conveyance track conveying vegetable plants that have been separated from the land to one or more processing stations; the first and second conveyors each including a series of links, wherein the links within a series are connected to each other by first hinged connections; the links having clamping surfaces, which in the conveyance track the clamping surfaces of the first and second conveyors face each other for keeping the vegetable plants, clamped in between them in an intermediate space formed by the opposing clamping surfaces of the links of the first and second conveyors, the conveyance track, the links of at least one of the conveyors being resiliently movable relative to the frame in a direction transverse to the clamping surfaces.

A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves.

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.