Defoliator

A defoliator including:

• a. a frame configured to mount to a vehicle, the frame having a frame length oriented perpendicular to the direction along which the vehicle travels,
• b. a main support arm:
• (1) having a main support arm length extending along the frame length,
• (2) being both pivotable and vertically translatable with respect to the frame in planes oriented perpendicular to the direction along which the vehicle travels,
• c. an elongated boom arm pivotally affixed to the main support arm, whereby the boom arm may pivot between an unfolded state wherein the boom arm is approximately parallel to the main support arm to a folded state wherein the boom arm is more perpendicular to the main support arm than parallel,
• d. a main shaft:
• (1) having a main shaft length extending adjacent the main support arm,
• (2) being rotatably connected to the main support arm, and
• (3) having protruding tines arrayed along the main shaft length,
• e. an arm shaft:
• (1) having an arm shaft length extending adjacent the boom arm,
• (2) being rotatably connected to the boom arm, and
• (3) having protruding tines arrayed along the arm shaft length.

A defoliator including:

• a. a frame having a horizontally extending frame length,
• b. a main support arm having a main support arm length extending along the frame length,
• c. an elongated boom arm,
• d. a pivot connecting the boom arm and the main support arm, the pivot having:
• (1) upper and lower mounts extending from one of the main support arm and the boom arm,
• (2) a pin rotatably affixing the other of the main support arm and the boom arm between the upper and lower mounts, wherein the pin:
• (a) is pivotally affixed with respect to one of the upper mount and the lower mount to pivot in vertical planes, and
• (b) extends within a slot defined in the other of the upper mount and the lower mount, whereby pivoting of the pin in vertical planes moves the pin along the slot,
• e. a main shaft:
• (1) having a main shaft length extending adjacent the main support arm,
• (2) being rotatably connected to the main support arm, and
• (3) having protruding tines arrayed along the main shaft length,
• f. an arm shaft:
• (1) having an arm shaft length extending adjacent the boom arm,
• (2) being rotatably connected to the boom arm, and
• (3) having protruding tines arrayed along the arm shaft length.

A defoliator including:

• a. a frame configured to mount to a vehicle, the frame having a frame length oriented perpendicular to the direction along which the vehicle travels,
• b. a rotatable main shaft having a main shaft length extending adjacent the frame length, the main shaft having tines protruding therefrom and arrayed along the main shaft length,
• c. a rotatable arm shaft having an arm shaft length, the arm shaft having tines protruding therefrom and arrayed along the arm shaft length,
• d. an elongated boom arm:
• (1) having the arm shaft rotatably connected thereon, and
• (2) pivotally affixed with respect to the frame,
• whereby:
• A. the main shaft may be rotated during travel of the vehicle when the frame is mounted on the vehicle to strike any leafy plants adjacent the main shaft with the main shaft's tines, thereby removing leaves from the plants, and
• B. the boom arm may pivot between an unfolded state wherein the arm shaft is approximately parallel to the main shaft to a folded state wherein the arm shaft is approximately perpendicular to the main support arm.