A harvester using shaking to dislodge product from trees in which the shaking in each of at least two inertial force generators is controlled independently of the others. Embodiments provide the flexibility to adapt a harvesting procedure to different product and to adapt the harvesting procedure to different individuals within a particular type of plant, and in real-time.

A berry harvester provides flexible cushioned elements and surfaces to limit bruising of the fruit harvested. A chassis defines a picking tunnel that passes over rows of plants. A picking system removes fruit from the plants as the harvester moves along the rows. A catching system configured to receive fruit removed from the plants. The catching system includes resilient catch assemblies on each side of the picking tunnel, each of the catch assemblies at least partially overlapping adjacent catch assemblies. Each of the catch assemblies has an upper surface oriented orthogonally to horizontal and flex upon impact by falling fruit.

A method for operating a permanently excited synchronous motor of a hand-held working device includes the steps of: sensorlessly determining a position variable representative of a position of a rotor of the synchronous motor at a standstill; determining a direction variable for a continuous rotation of the rotor from standstill in a direction on the basis of the determined position variable such that an absolute value of an attainable torque that can be generated by the synchronous motor during its sensorless actuation for the rotation in the direction is greater than an absolute value of a breakaway torque limit of the working device; and sensorlessly actuating the synchronous motor on the basis of the determined direction variable for the rotation in the direction.

A harvester having a frame, an agitating system and a product gathering system. The frame has a central portion configured to receive and pass plants therethrough. The agitating system is positioned within the central portion that has a first side agitating assembly further comprising an axle with an axis of rotation and a plural of axial wands extending axially outwardly therefrom in a spaced apart configuration. The axle has a first end which is both above and outboard of the second end and the axle is angled relative to a vertical plane bisecting the frame body from front to back thereof. The axial wands can be agitated. The product gathering system includes an outer guide wall positioned below the rotary agitator assembly. The outer guide wall is angled relative to a vertical plane bisecting the frame body from front to back thereof.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for inducing (harmonic) vibration of objects having a large mass(es), such as the trunk of a fruit or nut tree, the crop of which may be harvested by shaking the tree through the induced vibration. Linear and radial embodiments utilize and include an actuator using Terfenol-D, a magnetostrictive actuator. Different versions utilize a piston rod actuator.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for inducing (harmonic) vibration of objects having a large mass(es), such as the trunk of a fruit or nut tree, the crop of which may be harvested by shaking the tree through the induced vibration. Linear and radial embodiments utilize and include an actuator using Terfenol-D, a magnetostrictive actuator. Different versions utilize a piston rod actuator.

A scale and a fruit collector with connected rows of scales is provided. The rows of scales extending between an intake and an outlet of the collector parallel to a median axis of the collector, scales including respectively a succession of scales with overlap, mounted as pivots on a support with a return to a resting position, each scale presenting a longitudinal median scale axis extending from the proximal to distal end of the scale and forming, in the resting position, an acute angle of aperture with the median axis, relative to the collector intake, and in which each scale presents a capability to pivot relative to the support, between the resting position and at least one bent-back position towards the outlet of the collector, reducing the angle of aperture. At least one hindrance limits an amplitude of divergent displacement, respectively between two successive scales of a row of scales.

A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The row unit includes a frame, a first deck plate assembly mounted to the frame, and a second deck plate assembly mounted to the frame. The first and second deck plate assemblies each include a deck plate, a plurality of deck plate segments extending from the deck plate and moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the deck plate, and a plurality of biasing members for biasing each respective deck plate segment. The row unit includes both operator controlled macro adjustment and automatic micro adjustment of a gap between the first deck plate assembly and the second deck plate assembly. The micro adjustment is achieved through biasing members biasing each respective deck plate segment.

An Integrated dual-use machine is for harvesting and treating fruit on trees, in order to harvest the fruit when in season and treat the fruit on the tree with phytosanitary products. The machine includes a moveable structure, intended to shelter the fruit trees. The moveable structure includes a collection unit for the fruit that has been brought down, and is supported on one or two traction vehicles. The vehicles include at least one device for projecting and orienting air currents, at least one infrared camera, at least one collection belt, at least one load container, at least one conveyor belt that connects the collection belt to a load trailer, and a traction system that actuates tractor treads.

A berry harvester includes a chassis, a berry removal system, a berry delivery system, an inspection station and a container filling station. The container filling station includes a berry delivery apparatus that conveys berries to containers on a container support. A container weighing system includes a container fill indicator generating a weighing signal. A processor is in communication with the weighing system and incorporates a filter for cancelling vibrations from the weighing signal. A method uses the container weighing system and the processor to indicate when a container is filled to contain a desired amount of berries and automatically reset when the filled container is removed.