Tree fruit or nut harvester to minimize machine passes in the orchard
AssigneeFlory Industries
InventorsMike Flora, Brandon Eller, Seth Richmond
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims23
A harvesting machine comprising:
- a. a shaking mechanism operable to shake fruit or nuts from a tree or bush, wherein said shaking mechanism is located on a first lateral side of the harvesting machine;
- and
- b. blowing mechanism positioned posteriorly to said shaking mechanism for moving said fruit or nuts shaken free by said shaking mechanism from a base of the tree or bush and away from a row in which the tree or bush is positioned, wherein said blowing mechanism is located on said first lateral side of the harvesting machine.
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A harvesting machine comprising:
- a. a shaking mechanism operable to shake fruit or nuts from a tree or bush in a row, wherein said shaking mechanism is located on a first lateral side of the harvesting machine;
- b. a rotating brush having a portion operable to contact the ground near a base of said tree or bush while said shaking mechanism is engaged with said tree or bush;
- and
- c. a blower mechanism positioned posteriorly to the shaking mechanism and having an outlet directed outward from said first lateral side for moving a said fruit or nuts shaken free by said shaking mechanism to second side of said row opposite from said first side.
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A method of harvesting using a harvesting vehicle comprising:
- a. attaching a shaking mechanism operable to shake fruit or nuts from a tree or bush in a row;
- b. activating said shaking mechanism to vibrate said tree or bush such that said fruit or nuts fall from said tree or bush;
- and
- c. activating a blowing mechanism for moving said fruit or nuts away from a base of the tree or bush to an opposite side of said row from said harvesting vehicle.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.