A01D46/26

Apparatuses and methods for moving windrow ends inward
10849273 · 2020-12-01 ·

Apparatuses for and methods of moving the ends of windrows inward are disclosed. The apparatuses of the present invention include a front end, a rear end and two opposing sides, the front end configured to be wider than the rear end, two skids attached to the two opposing sides, a gate rotatably attached to the rear end and configured to cover an opening in the rear end, a gate cylinder operably attached to the gate and configured to close the gate to collect fruit and/or nuts within the apparatus, and open the gate to distribute the fruit and/or nuts outside of the apparatus, thus eliminating the need to hand rake the ends of the windrows inward or to blow the ends of the windrow inward with a hand blower.

Apparatuses and methods for moving windrow ends inward
10849273 · 2020-12-01 ·

Apparatuses for and methods of moving the ends of windrows inward are disclosed. The apparatuses of the present invention include a front end, a rear end and two opposing sides, the front end configured to be wider than the rear end, two skids attached to the two opposing sides, a gate rotatably attached to the rear end and configured to cover an opening in the rear end, a gate cylinder operably attached to the gate and configured to close the gate to collect fruit and/or nuts within the apparatus, and open the gate to distribute the fruit and/or nuts outside of the apparatus, thus eliminating the need to hand rake the ends of the windrows inward or to blow the ends of the windrow inward with a hand blower.

Berry harvester weighing system

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.

RECEIVER WITH DESTICKER
20200352210 · 2020-11-12 ·

Systems, devices, and methods for harvesting one or more crops, such as fruits or nuts are disclosed. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that separates a crop from sticks, leaves, or other foreign debris. A receiver of the two-piece harvester may include a desticker that is configured to separate selected objects (such as fruits and nuts) that have fallen from a tree or otherwise been introduced from other objects (such as sticks, leaves, or other debris) that have fallen from the tree. The desticker may include a conveyor belt with openings sized to allow the selected objects to pass through and to prevent the other objects from passing through. The desticker may also include one or more impeders or agitators to move, shift, tumble, or jostle the objects being conveyed by the conveyor belt and thereby cause some objects to pass through the conveyor belt.

RECEIVER WITH DESTICKER
20200352210 · 2020-11-12 ·

Systems, devices, and methods for harvesting one or more crops, such as fruits or nuts are disclosed. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that separates a crop from sticks, leaves, or other foreign debris. A receiver of the two-piece harvester may include a desticker that is configured to separate selected objects (such as fruits and nuts) that have fallen from a tree or otherwise been introduced from other objects (such as sticks, leaves, or other debris) that have fallen from the tree. The desticker may include a conveyor belt with openings sized to allow the selected objects to pass through and to prevent the other objects from passing through. The desticker may also include one or more impeders or agitators to move, shift, tumble, or jostle the objects being conveyed by the conveyor belt and thereby cause some objects to pass through the conveyor belt.

Tree fruit or nut harvester to minimize machine passes in the orchard
10806080 · 2020-10-20 ·

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. The deflection plate may be positioned at an angle of between 0 to about 75 relative to the horizontal.

Tree fruit or nut harvester to minimize machine passes in the orchard
10806080 · 2020-10-20 ·

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. The deflection plate may be positioned at an angle of between 0 to about 75 relative to the horizontal.

Two-piece harvester having a shaker and a receiver for harvesting tree fruits or nuts

Systems, devices, and methods are described for efficient harvesting of fruit or nuts. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates damage to fruits or nuts deposited on the ground after harvesting from the tree. 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 or in bins. The shaker and the receiver may each include cabs that are configured to be positioned in a plurality of different positions. The shaker may include a wheel that is extendible between a retract position and an extended position. The receiver may include chute that is configured to deposit the fruits or nuts in different locations based on the direction of travel of the receiver.

Two-piece harvester having a shaker and a receiver for harvesting tree fruits or nuts

Systems, devices, and methods are described for efficient harvesting of fruit or nuts. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates damage to fruits or nuts deposited on the ground after harvesting from the tree. 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 or in bins. The shaker and the receiver may each include cabs that are configured to be positioned in a plurality of different positions. The shaker may include a wheel that is extendible between a retract position and an extended position. The receiver may include chute that is configured to deposit the fruits or nuts in different locations based on the direction of travel of the receiver.

End effectors for harvesting machines and methods for using end effectors
10785912 · 2020-09-29 · ·

An end effector for harvesting fruit. The end effector includes a collection device that has an opening with a plurality of prongs over the opening. The end effector also has an oscillating device secured to, and in an oscillating relationship with, the plurality of prongs.