A method and apparatus are provided for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk; and a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces, the opposing surfaces being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip leaves received by the defoliator mechanism; wherein the opposed surfaces act in the engaged position to apply a force on the gripped leaves to separate them from the stalk.

A method and apparatus are provided for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk; and a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces, the opposing surfaces being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip leaves received by the defoliator mechanism; wherein the opposed surfaces act in the engaged position to apply a force on the gripped leaves to separate them from the stalk.

A leaf removal assembly including a frame comprising a front plate having a feed opening, a leaf stripping assembly mounted on said front plate in front of said feed opening and an upper sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of upper socket grippers extending radially outward of the upper sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. The leaf removal assembly further includes a lower sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of lower sprocket grippers extending radially outwardly of the lower sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. At least one of the upper sprocket wheel and the lower sprocket wheel may be adjustably attached to the frame. A process for separating a leaf from a stalk comprising at least one leaf is also included.

A leaf removal assembly including a frame comprising a front plate having a feed opening, a leaf stripping assembly mounted on said front plate in front of said feed opening and an upper sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of upper socket grippers extending radially outward of the upper sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. The leaf removal assembly further includes a lower sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of lower sprocket grippers extending radially outwardly of the lower sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. At least one of the upper sprocket wheel and the lower sprocket wheel may be adjustably attached to the frame. A process for separating a leaf from a stalk comprising at least one leaf is also included.

A leaf removal assembly including a frame comprising a front plate having a feed opening, a leaf stripping assembly mounted on said front plate in front of said feed opening and an upper sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of upper socket grippers extending radially outward of the upper sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. The leaf removal assembly further includes a lower sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of lower sprocket grippers extending radially outwardly of the lower sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. At least one of the upper sprocket wheel and the lower sprocket wheel may be adjustably attached to the frame. A process for separating a leaf from a stalk comprising at least one leaf is also included.

A leaf removal assembly including a frame comprising a front plate having a feed opening, a leaf stripping assembly mounted on said front plate in front of said feed opening and an upper sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of upper socket grippers extending radially outward of the upper sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. The leaf removal assembly further includes a lower sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of lower sprocket grippers extending radially outwardly of the lower sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. At least one of the upper sprocket wheel and the lower sprocket wheel may be adjustably attached to the frame. A process for separating a leaf from a stalk comprising at least one leaf is also included.

A method for threshing and pneumatic separation of tobacco leaves, including: 1) transporting a mixture of the tobacco slices and stems from a primary threshing set into primary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out tobacco slices, and transporting a remaining mixture into a secondary threshing set; 2) transporting the mixture from the secondary threshing set into a secondary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out the tobacco slices and qualified stems, and transferring a remaining mixture to a tertiary threshing set; 3) transporting the mixture from the tertiary threshing set into a tertiary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out the tobacco slices and the qualified stems, and transferring a remaining mixture into a quaternary threshing set; 4) transporting the mixture from the quaternary threshing set into a quaternary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out the tobacco slices and the qualified stems, and returning a remaining mixture to the quaternary threshing set.

A method for threshing and pneumatic separation of tobacco leaves, including: 1) transporting a mixture of the tobacco slices and stems from a primary threshing set into primary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out tobacco slices, and transporting a remaining mixture into a secondary threshing set; 2) transporting the mixture from the secondary threshing set into a secondary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out the tobacco slices and qualified stems, and transferring a remaining mixture to a tertiary threshing set; 3) transporting the mixture from the tertiary threshing set into a tertiary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out the tobacco slices and the qualified stems, and transferring a remaining mixture into a quaternary threshing set; 4) transporting the mixture from the quaternary threshing set into a quaternary pneumatic separation unit for sorting out the tobacco slices and the qualified stems, and returning a remaining mixture to the quaternary threshing set.