Device and system for cutting the tops of onions and other bulb crops

A device for cutting the tops of crops in a crop bed, the device comprising:

• a support frame;
• a separator attached to the support frame and comprising a separator inlet, a separator outlet, and a cutter outlet, and defining an interior space therebetween, the interior space comprising a constriction between the separator inlet and the separator outlet to accelerate the velocity of an air stream flowing through the separator, the separator inlet and separator outlet positioned such that the air stream changes direction between the separator inlet and the separator outlet, the interior space further comprising an area of reduced air velocity at a rear portion of the interior space, the cutter outlet being therebeneath;
• an intake hood attached to the separator inlet, the intake hood comprising an intake hood inlet and defining an intake hood interior space in fluid communication with the interior space of the separator, wherein the intake hood inlet is adjustable in size and shape;
• a fan in fluid communication with the separator and creating an air stream flowing into the intake hood inlet at an upstream end of the air stream and out of the separator outlet at a downstream end of the air stream;
• a cutter comprising a band saw blade, the cutter attached to the device such that the band saw blade is positioned upstream of the intake hood inlet;
• a rotating screen attached to the separator and positioned within the interior space thereof, the rotating screen positioned between the separator inlet and the separator outlet such that the air stream passes therethrough;
• a chopper attached to the cutter outlet, the chopper comprising a plurality of rotating blades;
• and
• a vertical adjustment mechanism attached to the support frame for adjusting the height of the cutter relative to a crop bed,
• wherein the air stream generated by the fan and entering the intake hood inlet lifts one or more tops of a crop bed, wherein the cutter cuts the lifted tops and the air stream carries the tops into the separator, and wherein the tops are propelled to the rear of the separator and fall into the chopper.