Machine for harvesting asparagus stalks and the like

Apparatus for harvesting crops which grow in stalks or the like comprising

• a frame adapted to be moved along the ground,
• means mounted on said frame for detecting stalks of a selected height in the path transversed by the frame and for producing a first signal in response thereto,
• a cutting assembly mounted on the frame to selectively rotate from a first rest position to a cutting position adjacent a selected stalk and upwardly to a second rest position, said cutting assembly including a hub means mounted on said frame to selectively rotate about a generally horizontal axis, and elongated cutting means attached to and extending outwardly of said hub means to rotate therewith,
• switch means mounted on said frame and responsive to the rotation of the cutting assembly from the first rest position for producing a second signal, and
• clutch means responsive to said first signal for initiating rotation of said cutting assembly from the first rest positon toward the cutting position, and responsive to said second signal for continuing the rotation of said cutting assembly through the cutting position to the second rest position.

Apparatus for harvesting plant stalks comprising

• a frame adapted to be moved along the ground, and
• a cutting assembly mounted on the frame to selectively rotate downwardly to the ground to cut a selected stalk and then upward away from the ground, said cutting assembly including
• an elongate cutting arm mounted at one end thereof to the frame to selectively rotate about a generally horizontal axis in a generally vertically disposed pathway, said arm being mounted to pivot at said one end transversely of said pathway,
• a cutter element extending from the other end of said cutting arm for cutting the salks as the arm is rotated to the ground,
• a guide pad mounted on one side of said cutting arm, and
• means for causing said cutting arm, when the arm is rotated to the ground, to pivot transversely of said pathway until said guide pad engages a selected stalk positioned in the path in which the arm is pivoted and is stopped by the stalk.