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US 7,308,781 B2Granted
Combination bulk and tote loading harvesting apparatus and method
AssigneeRamsay Highlander, Inc.
InventorsFrank J. Maconachy, David Offerdahl, Jose Luis Garcia, Sr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A harvester capable of alternate configurations for bulk and tote loading. In a tote loading configuration, harvested produce is moved along a main conveyor, elevated to a raised conveyor area, packed into totes, and the packed totes are then moved onto a lower conveyor for further transport. In a bulk loading configuration, the harvested produce is transported along the main conveyor, to a raised conveyor area, and are then lifted using an elevator for placement into a bulk bin.
Claims7
A method for converting a harvester between bulk loading and tote loading configurations, comprising:
- utilizing a harvester comprising, in combination:
- a first harvester end;
- a second harvester end opposite the first harvester end;
- a main conveyor adapted to transport harvested produce in a direction from the first harvester end to the second harvester end;
- a substantially horizontal raised conveyor area positioned at a level higher than the main conveyor and located proximate the second harvester end;
- means for elevating the harvested produce from the main conveyor to the raised conveyor area;
- a lower conveyor adapted to transport filled totes;
- a first elevator adapted to lift the filled totes from a terminus of the lower conveyor;
- a second elevator adapted to lift the harvested produce in an unpacked state from a terminus of the raised conveyor area toward a bin;
- and
- means for permitting the first elevator and the second elevator to be alternately coupled to the second harvester end;
- coupling the first elevator to the terminus of the lower conveyor;
- transporting the filled totes on the first elevator;
- removing the first elevator;
- coupling the second elevator to the second harvester end;
- and
- lifting the harvested produce with the second elevator from the terminus of the raised conveyor area in the direction of the bin.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.