An impact processing system (10) having a central opening (12) enabling material flow into a primary impact zone (14) in which is located an impact mechanism (16) rotatable about a rotation axis (18). An impact structure (20) provided with a plurality of holes (22) surrounds the impact mechanism (16). The rotatable impact mechanism (16) impacts material entering the primary impact zone (14) from the central opening (12) and accelerate the impacted material in a radial outward direction toward the impact structure (20) to effect fragmentation of the impacted material so that when sufficiently fragmented the material is able to pass through the holes (22). An optional outer structure (30) is radially spaced from the impact structure (20) and may comprise one or more segments that cumulatively extend about the axis of rotation (18) for an angle from 30 and 270 inclusive. A rotatable set of impact members (50) may be located between the impact structure and the outer structure. One or more gaps (28) may be provided in the impact structure (20) to allow the passage of large and/or hard objects that cannot otherwise be fragmented. The outer structure (30) is positioned to span across the gaps (28) so that material passing there thought is directed onto the outer structure (30).

An impact processing system (10) having a central opening (12) enabling material flow into a primary impact zone (14) in which is located an impact mechanism (16) rotatable about a rotation axis (18). An impact structure (20) provided with a plurality of holes (22) surrounds the impact mechanism (16). The rotatable impact mechanism (16) impacts material entering the primary impact zone (14) from the central opening (12) and accelerate the impacted material in a radial outward direction toward the impact structure (20) to effect fragmentation of the impacted material so that when sufficiently fragmented the material is able to pass through the holes (22). An optional outer structure (30) is radially spaced from the impact structure (20) and may comprise one or more segments that cumulatively extend about the axis of rotation (18) for an angle from 30 and 270 inclusive. A rotatable set of impact members (50) may be located between the impact structure and the outer structure. One or more gaps (28) may be provided in the impact structure (20) to allow the passage of large and/or hard objects that cannot otherwise be fragmented. The outer structure (30) is positioned to span across the gaps (28) so that material passing there thought is directed onto the outer structure (30).

A harvesting machine comprising a shaking mechanism operable to shake fruit or nuts from a tree or bush; a deflection plate for directing the fruit or nuts to an area away from the base of the tree or bush; and a device for moving fruit or nuts from the base of the tree or bush to the area away from the base of the tree or bush is disclosed. The deflection plate may be positioned at an angle of between 0 to about 75 relative to the horizontal.

A harvesting machine comprising a shaking mechanism operable to shake fruit or nuts from a tree or bush; a deflection plate for directing the fruit or nuts to an area away from the base of the tree or bush; and a device for moving fruit or nuts from the base of the tree or bush to the area away from the base of the tree or bush is disclosed. The deflection plate may be positioned at an angle of between 0 to about 75 relative to the horizontal.

A tomato catcher device having an outer rectangular plastic frame and an inner ultra-violet resistant netting with a rectangular cut-out in the center to allow a tomato or cucumber plant to grow up and through. The center rectangle cut-out is surrounded by flanges that rest against the plant to help shield the plant's produce from falling through the center net hole and onto the ground, thereby preventing the produce from rotting.

A tomato catcher device having an outer rectangular plastic frame and an inner ultra-violet resistant netting with a rectangular cut-out in the center to allow a tomato or cucumber plant to grow up and through. The center rectangle cut-out is surrounded by flanges that rest against the plant to help shield the plant's produce from falling through the center net hole and onto the ground, thereby preventing the produce from rotting.

An electric motor in a work apparatus has a power characteristic line which runs between a lower rotational speed of the electric motor and an upper rotational speed of the electric motor. The power characteristic line has a power characteristic with a pronounced maximum (M) and an operating plateau (AP) which lies in a working rotational speed range (AD) of the work apparatus. A method for operating the electric motor provides for configuring the position of the operating plateau (AP) to be variable with respect to the rotational speed of the electric motor to achieve stable operating points over a wide rotational speed range.

The berry catcher system has an elastic catcher sheet that is sandwiched between upper and lower endless hollow rims. A protector sheet is deployed below the catcher sheet. The system is structured so that as berries are dislodged from their respective vines, the catcher sheet catches the berries as the protector sheet simultaneously protects (at least) the underside of the catcher sheet.

Systems, device, and methods for harvesting fruits or nuts are disclosed. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates dust associated with harvesting fruits and nuts. The two-piece harvester may include a shaker configured to shake a tree and cause the fruits or nuts to fall and a receiver configured to collect the fallen fruits or nuts and deposit the fruits or nuts on the ground. The shaker may be configured to couple with trees having a low crotch height, and may include a blower to direct material off of the shaker and onto the receiver. The receiver may include a hopper configured to receive fruits or nuts from a conveyor and control a rate of deposition of the fruits or nuts onto the ground. The receiver may include a windrowing device configured to prepare the ground prior to creation of a windrow and control a size of a windrow.

Systems, device, and methods for harvesting fruits or nuts are disclosed. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates dust associated with harvesting fruits and nuts. The two-piece harvester may include a shaker configured to shake a tree and cause the fruits or nuts to fall and a receiver configured to collect the fallen fruits or nuts and deposit the fruits or nuts on the ground. The shaker may be configured to couple with trees having a low crotch height, and may include a blower to direct material off of the shaker and onto the receiver. The receiver may include a hopper configured to receive fruits or nuts from a conveyor and control a rate of deposition of the fruits or nuts onto the ground. The receiver may include a windrowing device configured to prepare the ground prior to creation of a windrow and control a size of a windrow.