Measurements of pea tenderness comparable to those provided by mechanical tenderometers are provided through analysis of an infrared spectrum of shelled peas. These measurements may be output directly or used to control real time harvesting of peas to prevent mixing of peas with different tenderness values.

Measurements of pea tenderness comparable to those provided by mechanical tenderometers are provided through analysis of an infrared spectrum of shelled peas. These measurements may be output directly or used to control real time harvesting of peas to prevent mixing of peas with different tenderness values.

Measurements of pea tenderness comparable to those provided by mechanical tenderometers are provided through analysis of an infrared spectrum of shelled peas. These measurements may be output directly or used to control real time harvesting of peas to prevent mixing of peas with different tenderness values.

Measurements of pea tenderness comparable to those provided by mechanical tenderometers are provided through analysis of an infrared spectrum of shelled peas. These measurements may be output directly or used to control real time harvesting of peas to prevent mixing of peas with different tenderness values.

A defoliator having a frame suitable for mounting to a vehicle supports an elongated main support arm which extends substantially horizontally, and which has a tine-bearing main shaft which rotates to have the tines knock at least some leaves (or portions thereof) from plants beneath. The main support arm rides on wheels, and may pivot and vertically translate with respect to the frame such that the main support arm (and the tined main shaft) will generally follow the elevation and contour of the ground beneath. To defoliate greater areas, one or both ends of the main shaft may be connected to a boom arm hearing a rotating tined arm shaft, which extends the effective length of the main support arm and tined main shaft. The boom arms are preferably capable of folding rearwardly to reduce the effective size of the defoliator for easier transport.

A combine for harvesting chick peas includes a first rotatable shaft having components that cut a crop and pass the cut crop in a rearward direction, and a drum that includes an outer shell with stationary threshers and a cut crop opening, a rotatable central mount, a plurality of rotatable threshers. Each of the rotatable threshers is attached to the central rotatable mount and in line with a stationary thresher. A plurality of cutters is attached to the outer shell, a flame source projects a flame into the drum, and a water source projects water into the drum. The cut crop passes into the cut crop opening, to be further cut by the plurality of cutters and threshed by the plurality of rotatable threshers, such that the flame and water are projected onto the cut crop, resulting in a processed crop and detritus that is separated from the processed crop.

A combine for harvesting chick peas includes a first rotatable shaft having components that cut a crop and pass the cut crop in a rearward direction, and a drum that includes an outer shell with stationary threshers and a cut crop opening, a rotatable central mount, a plurality of rotatable threshers. Each of the rotatable threshers is attached to the central rotatable mount and in line with a stationary thresher. A plurality of cutters is attached to the outer shell, a flame source projects a flame into the drum, and a water source projects water into the drum. The cut crop passes into the cut crop opening, to be further cut by the plurality of cutters and threshed by the plurality of rotatable threshers, such that the flame and water are projected onto the cut crop, resulting in a processed crop and detritus that is separated from the processed crop.

A combine for harvesting chick peas includes a first rotatable shaft having components that cut a crop and pass the cut crop in a rearward direction, and a drum that includes an outer shell with stationary threshers and a cut crop opening, a rotatable central mount, a plurality of rotatable threshers. Each of the rotatable threshers is attached to the central rotatable mount and in line with a stationary thresher. A plurality of cutters is attached to the outer shell, a flame source projects a flame into the drum, and a water source projects water into the drum. The cut crop passes into the cut crop opening, to be further cut by the plurality of cutters and threshed by the plurality of rotatable threshers, such that the flame and water are projected onto the cut crop, resulting in a processed crop and detritus that is separated from the processed crop.

A combine for harvesting chick peas includes a first rotatable shaft having components that cut a crop and pass the cut crop in a rearward direction, and a drum that includes an outer shell with stationary threshers and a cut crop opening, a rotatable central mount, a plurality of rotatable threshers. Each of the rotatable threshers is attached to the central rotatable mount and in line with a stationary thresher. A plurality of cutters is attached to the outer shell, a flame source projects a flame into the drum, and a water source projects water into the drum. The cut crop passes into the cut crop opening, to be further cut by the plurality of cutters and threshed by the plurality of rotatable threshers, such that the flame and water are projected onto the cut crop, resulting in a processed crop and detritus that is separated from the processed crop.