Constant force harvester rails
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorLarry Losli Slates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides a harvester that applies continuous contact between the plant to be harvested and harvesting rails, which thus reduces damage to the plant. The harvester uses a hydraulic system which causes the rails to provide a constant gripping force against the plants when in a float position of the hydraulic system. The system also has a spread setting and may or may not have a third static setting.
Claims20
An apparatus for harvesting fruit from plants arranged in a row in the ground as the apparatus is driven along the row, comprising:
- a main frame;
- means for applying an alternating force to said plants wherein the means includes a first member on a first side of the plants and a second member on a second side of the plants mounted on the main frame, and wherein the alternating force alternates between the direction towards the first member and then the direction towards the second member;
- and
- means for keeping the first member and the second member in continuous contact with the plants independent of varying thickness of the plants while permitting said first and second members to move relative to the plants as the apparatus is driven along the row, wherein said means for keeping is mounted on the main frame.
A method for harvesting fruit from plants arranged in a row in the ground, comprising the steps of:
- moving a harvester along the row so that the plants are located between a first member and a second member of the harvester;
- using the plants to separate the first member from the second member, so that the first member is on one side of the plants and the second member is on an opposite side of the plants;
- applying a constant gripping force to the first member and the second member pushing the first and second members towards each other, so that the first member and the second member are in continuous contact with the plants while permitting relative movement therebetween as the harvester moves along the row;
- and
- applying an alternating force through the first member and second member to the plants.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.