Sugar beet defoliator and top saver

A sugar beet defoliator and top saver comprising:

• (a) a frame;
• (b) a removable cover situated on top of the frame;
• (c) a conveyor extending laterally from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame;
• (d) a plurality of steel flails disposed about a first rotating shaft, the first shaft being situated within the frame between a front end of the frame and the conveyor;
• (e) a plurality of rubber flails disposed about a second rotating shaft, the second rotating shaft being situated within the frame rearward of the conveyor;
• (f) two pairs of ground wheels situated outside of and rearward of the frame;
• (g) a plurality of scalper blades arranged transversely relative to the frame and situated rearwardly of the two pairs of ground wheels;
• (h) an interior shroud that is situated inside of the frame between the steel flails and a front end of the frame;
• and
• (i) a crank arm that is configured to move a deflector plate from a first position to a second position;
• wherein the interior shroud is curved in shape and creates a space between an interior surface of the interior shroud and the plurality of steel flails, and wherein the space between the interior surface of the interior shroud and the plurality of steel flails increases from a bottom of the interior shroud to a top of the interior shroud;
• and
• wherein the deflector plate has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the deflector plate is hingedly attached to the frame, wherein when the deflector plate is in the first position, it extends horizontally parallel with a top end of the interior shroud, and when the deflector plate is in the second position, it is situated between the plurality of steel flails and the conveyor.