US20090272092A1 - Pull Type Pepper Harvester - Google Patents
Pull Type Pepper Harvester Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090272092A1 US20090272092A1 US12/477,020 US47702009A US2009272092A1 US 20090272092 A1 US20090272092 A1 US 20090272092A1 US 47702009 A US47702009 A US 47702009A US 2009272092 A1 US2009272092 A1 US 2009272092A1
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- Prior art keywords
- fruit
- assembly
- frame
- helix
- header
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- Abandoned
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D45/00—Harvesting of standing crops
Definitions
- the tractor pulled pepper harvester removes mature peppers from a single row of pepper plants, leaves the pepper plants standing and separates peppers from foreign material.
- Peppers are harvested by hand pickers as well as by machines. Machine pickers reduce the cost of picking thereby making peppers available for consumption at a relatively low cost. Hand pickers are freed for higher paying tasks that can not be accomplished by machines.
- Crops are harvested by whole crop harvesters that remove the entire plant from the roots and run the plant material through a separating and cleaning assembly.
- Whole crop harvesters have not been acceptable for peppers. They leave too much plant material mixed with dried peppers. Fresh peppers mature over a period of time. As a result a substantial portion of a crop would be lost if fresh peppers of various varieties were harvested by a whole crop harvester.
- Machine harvesters for peppers that remove the fruit and leave the plant standing have been used for some years. These harvesters harvest the fruit and leave most of the stalks, stems and leaves in the field when harvesting fresh peppers as well as dried peppers.
- the pull type pepper harvester has a frame.
- a right side axle tube and spindle is telescopically received in a horizontal transverse tube of the frame and locked in one of a plurality of selectable positions relative to the frame.
- a left side axle tube and spindle is telescopically received in the horizontal transverse tube of the frame and locked in one of a plurality selectable positions relative to the frame.
- a right tire and wheel is journaled on the right side axle tube and spindle.
- a left tire and wheel is journaled on the left side axle tube and spindle.
- a hitch assembly includes a main draft tube with a draft tube rear portion pivotally attached to the frame by at least one pin for pivotal movement about a vertical axis.
- a draft tube forward portion is adapted to be connected to a tractor.
- An adjustable length strut is pivotally attached to the frame and to the main draft tube. The adjustable length strut is extended to increase length to hold the main draft tube in a harvesting position. The adjustable length strut is retracted to decrease length and hold the main draft tube in a transport position.
- a header assembly includes a rigid header frame with a header frame rear portion pivotally attached to the frame for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis.
- a left side ground engaging tire and wheel is mounted on a header frame front portion of the rigid header frame adjacent to a rigid header frame left side. The left side ground engaging tire and wheel is vertically adjustable relative to the rigid header frame.
- a right side ground engaging tire and wheel is mounted on the header frame front portion of the rigid header frame adjacent to a rigid header frame right side. The right side ground engaging tire and wheel is vertically adjustable relative to the rigid header frame.
- a left snout assembly and a right snout assembly are pivotally mounted on the rigid header frame.
- a left plant feed assembly and a right plant feed assembly mounted on the rigid header frame front portion, cooperate with each other to urge crop plants from the left snout assembly and the right snout assembly to the rear relative to the rigid header frame.
- a left helix assembly is journaled on the rigid header frame by a left rear bearing and extends downward and forward from the left rear bearing.
- a right helix assembly is journaled on the rigid header frame by a right rear bearing and extends downward and forward from the right rear bearing.
- the right helix assembly is parallel to the left helix assembly and spaced from the left helix assembly.
- a left expanded metal grate under the left helix assembly has an outboard edge fixed to the rigid header frame and an inboard metal edge that forms the left side of a plant passage through the header assembly.
- a right expanded metal grate under the right helix assembly has an outboard edge fixed to the rigid header frame and an inboard metal edge that forms a right side of the plant passage through the header assembly.
- a left continuous belt and slat conveyor is mounted on the rigid header frame to the left side of the left helix assembly.
- a right continuous belt and slat conveyor is mounted on the rigid header frame to the right side of the helix assembly.
- a left expanded metal side panel, a right expanded metal side panel, and at least one expanded metal top cover retain and deflect fruit separated from plants by the left helix assembly and the right helix assembly into the left continuous belt and slat conveyor and into the right continuous belt and slat conveyor.
- a header lift assembly includes a header hydraulic lift cylinder connected to the frame and to the rigid header frame through a linkage.
- a drum conveyor includes a cylindrical tube.
- a conveyor front wall with a circular aperture is fixed to the cylindrical tube.
- a conveyor rear wall, with a circular aperture is fixed to the cylindrical tube.
- a plurality of divider plates are connected to the conveyor front wall and the conveyor rear wall to form a plurality of fruit receiving pockets.
- the fruit receiving pockets receive fruit from the left continuous belt and slat conveyor and the right continuous belt and slat conveyor.
- a left side driven roller and a right side driven roller journaled on the frame support the cylindrical tube and rotate the cylindrical tube to elevate fruit in the plurality of fruit receiving pockets.
- a fixed arcuate plate closes a radially inward facing opening of the plurality of fruit receiving pockets from a location past a fruit receiving location to a fruit discharge position.
- a fruit separating and cleaning assembly includes a left vertical side wall and a right vertical side wall that extend through the circular aperture through the conveyor rear wall and through the circular aperture through the front wall of the drum conveyor, clamped to a vertical frame portion of frame and extending rearwardly from the vertical frame portion.
- a transverse rear wall is fixed to the left vertical side wall and to the right vertical side wall.
- a hood covers the area between the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall and extends forward from the transverse rear wall.
- a plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts, each of which is journaled on the left vertical side wall and the right side wall, are parallel to each other.
- a plurality of star wheels are mounted on each of the plurality of star wheel shafts.
- a fan is connected to the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall and discharges air through fruit discharged from the drum conveyor and under the hood.
- a plurality of plate shafts are journaled on the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall below the plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts.
- a plurality of plate assemblies are mounted on each of the plurality of plate shafts.
- a plate of each of the plurality of plate assemblies on each of the plurality of plate shafts extends between the plates of the plurality of plate assemblies mounted on each adjacent one of the plurality plate shafts.
- An endless drive chain driven by a hydraulic motor drive sprocket is trained around a star wheel driven sprocket on each of the plurality of star wheel shafts and a plate shaft driven sprocket on each of the plurality of plate shafts.
- a trash discharge passage is provided between a rear star wheel of the plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts and the transverse rear wall.
- a transverse conveyor assembly mounted on the frame below a forward plate shaft of the plurality of plate shafts, includes a transverse conveyor discharge end.
- a fruit discharge conveyor is pivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about a vertical discharge conveyor axis.
- a discharge conveyor hopper is positioned under the transverse conveyor discharge end.
- a hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and the fruit discharge conveyor pivots the fruit discharge conveyor about the vertical discharge conveyor axis.
- the header lift assembly includes the header lift assembly with a lift cylinder rod end pivotally connected to a lift bar assembly.
- the lift bar assembly has a lift bar upper end journaled of a transverse horizontal shaft with the transverse horizontal axis.
- a lower end cross bar of the lift bar assembly engages the rigid header frame during extension of the header hydraulic lift cylinder and lifts the left side ground engaging tire and wheel and the right side ground engaging tire and wheel from the ground.
- Retraction of the header hydraulic lift cylinder lowers the left side ground engaging tire and wheel and the right side ground engaging wheel and tire to the ground.
- Continued retraction of the header hydraulic cylinder disengages the lift bar assembly from the rigid header frame thereby permitting the rigid header to pivot downward as well as upward as the harvester moves along a row of plants.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front and right hand side of the harvester with parts broken away;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear and right hand side of the harvester with parts broken away;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection of the harvesting head and the upright frame assembly with parts broken away;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transverse conveyor discharge end and the pivotally mounted discharge conveyor with parts broken away;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the right hand rear wheel and a portion of the frame with parts broken away;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the right snout assembly and the right hand harvesting head support wheel
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the frame front and left side with parts removed and parts broken away;
- FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the driven portions of the harvesting head with parts broken away;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the header lift bar assembly and the lift cylinder.
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of a star wheel
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first side of a plate assembly.
- FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a plate assembly.
- the terms left hand and right hand are as seen by a person standing behind the machine and facing in the direction of normal forward movement.
- the frame is constructed from rectangular tubular steel for strength.
- the frame could be fabricated from beams that are not tubular or rectangular.
- the pull type pepper harvester 10 includes a frame 12 .
- Two tires and wheel assemblies 14 are journaled on an axle assembly 16 .
- the axle assembly 16 includes a horizontal transverse tube 18 that is fixed to the frame 12 .
- a right side axle tube 20 shown in FIG. 5 , is telescopically received in the horizontal tube 18 and locked in a selected position by bolts 22 and 24 .
- a right spindle is fixed to an outboard end of the right side axle tube 20 .
- a wheel hub 26 is journaled on the right spindle.
- a left side axle tube 28 shown in FIG. 7 , is telescopically received in the horizontal tube 18 and locked in a selected position by bolts, the same as the bolts 22 and 24 that hold the right side axle tube 20 .
- a left spindle is fixed to an outboard end of the left side axle tube 28 .
- a wheel hub 30 is journaled on the spindle.
- a plurality of bores 32 are provided through the right side axle tube 20 and the left side axle tube 28 for adjusting the position of the tires and wheels assemblies 14 relative to the frame 12 as required to accommodate the row spacing of the pepper rows. The tire and wheel assemblies 14 are adjusted to roll on the ground between rows of plants.
- a hitch assembly 34 includes a main draft tube 36 .
- the main draft tube 36 is pivotally attached to a vertical tube 38 of the frame 12 by an upper pin 40 and a lower pin 42 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis.
- An adjustable length strut 44 includes a rear tube 46 that is pivotally attached to the frame 12 by a vertical pivot pin 48 that is horizontally spaced to the right from the lower pin 42 .
- a forward tube 50 is telescopically received in the rear tube 46 and has a forward end pivotally attached to the main draft tube 36 by a vertical pivot pin 52 .
- An adjustment pin 54 passes through a bore through the rear tube 46 and through one of a plurality of bores through the forward tube 50 .
- the adjustment pin 54 can lock the adjustable length strut 44 in a retracted position in which the frame 12 follows directly behind a towing tractor for movement on a road.
- the adjustment 54 can also lock the adjustable strut 44 in an extended position in which the harvester 10 is substantially to the right of the towing tractor and the towing tractor is to the left of the row of peppers that is being harvested.
- a hitch (not shown) is secured to the forward end of the main draft tube 36 . This hitch cooperates with a hitch portion on a tractor to connect the harvester 10 to a tractor.
- a header assembly 60 includes a rigid header frame 62 .
- the header frame 62 includes fore and aft extending beams 64 and 66 .
- a transverse horizontal shaft 68 is secured to the rear portions of the fore and aft extending beams 64 and 66 .
- the horizontal shaft 68 is journaled in bearing housings 70 and 72 .
- the bearing housing 70 is bolted to a horizontal member 74 that extends rearward from a vertical tube 76 of the frame 12 .
- the bearing housing 72 is bolted to a horizontal member 78 that extends rearward from a vertical tube 80 of the frame 12 .
- the lower ends of the vertical tubes 38 , 76 and 80 are welded to a transverse horizontal tube 82 of the main frame 12 .
- a horizontal transverse tube 84 is welded to the upper ends of the vertical tubes 38 , 76 and 80 .
- Fore and aft extending horizontal tubes 86 and 88 shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 , are welded to the transverse horizontal tube 82 .
- a rear transverse horizontal tube 90 is welded to the rear ends of the fore and aft extending horizontal tubes 86 and 88 .
- the tube 90 is parallel to the tube 82 .
- the horizontal transverse tube 18 is part of the axle assembly 16 that is supported by tire and wheel assemblies 14 , is fixed to the rear transverse horizontal tube 90 by two fore and aft tubes 92 and 94 .
- the header assembly 60 includes a rigid header frame 62 with transverse header frame tubes 96 and 98 that are welded to fore and aft upper header tubes 100 and 102 .
- Lower side rails 104 are parallel to each other and connected together by front vertical tubes 106 and 108 .
- Parallel rear vertical tubes 110 are each welded to an end of the transverse header frame tube 96 and to an end of one of the two lower side rails 104 .
- the front vertical tubes 106 and 108 are substantially longer than the two rear vertical tubes 110 .
- the first rear vertical tube 110 on the left side is welded to the fore and aft beam 64 .
- the second rear vertical tube 110 on the right side is welded to the fore and aft beam 66 .
- the front portion of the rigid frame 62 is supported by a left ground engaging tire and wheel 112 and by a right ground engaging tire and wheel 114 .
- the two tires and wheels 112 and 114 are journaled on yoke assemblies 116 .
- the yoke assemblies 116 supporting ground engaging tires and wheels 112 and 114 are identical.
- the yoke 116 as shown in FIG. 6 is welded to the forward end of a beam 118 .
- the rear of the beam 118 is pivotally attached to the front of the rigid header frame 62 by a transverse horizontal pivot pin 120 .
- a turn buckle assembly 122 is pivotally attached to the rigid header frame 62 and to the beam 118 by a bolt 124 .
- Lengthening the turn buckle assembly 122 pivots the beam 118 about the pivot pin 120 thereby lowering the tire and wheel 114 relative to the rigid frame 62 .
- Lengthening the turnbuckle assembly 122 raises the front of the header frame 62 and pivots the header frame and the transverse horizontal shaft 68 in the bearing housings 70 and 72 .
- Shortening the turnbuckle assembly 122 pivots the transverse horizontal shaft 68 in the bearing housings 70 and 72 and lowers the front of the header frame 62 .
- the turnbuckle assemblies 122 are adjusted so that both tires and wheels 112 and 114 support the front of the rigid header frame 62 when harvesting on level ground. On uneven ground the tire and wheel 112 or 114 on the highest field surface supports more or even all of the weight of the header assembly 60 that is supported by the two tires and wheels on level ground.
- a left snout assembly 126 and the right snout assembly 128 are pivotally attached to the rigid header frame 62 by pivot pins 130 for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis.
- a snout turnbuckle assembly 132 is pivotally attached to the frame 62 by a pivot pin 134 .
- a slider assembly 136 on a forward end of the snout turnbuckle assembly 132 is slidably received in a slot 138 in a bracket 140 fixed in the snout assembly 128 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the turnbuckle assembly 132 is shortened to raise the leading end of the snout assembly 128 .
- the turnbuckle assembly 132 is lengthened to lower the leading end of the snout assembly 128 .
- a snout tip 142 is mounted on the leading end of the right snout assembly 128 .
- a snout tip 144 is mounted on the leading tip of the left snout assembly 144 .
- the turnbuckle assemblies 132 for each snout assembly 126 and 128 are adjusted so that the snout tips 142 and 144 slide along the surface of a field that is to be harvested.
- the snout tips 142 and 144 lift plant material and fruit that is on the ground between plant rows.
- the slider assembly 136 in the slot 138 is positioned in selected positions by the turnbuckle assembly 132 so that the snout tips 142 and 144 slide along the surface of a field and prevents the snout tips 142 and 144 from descending downward past a selected level.
- the slots 138 and the slider assembly 136 permit the snout tips to slide up over obstructions.
- Each plant feed assembly 148 and 150 includes a generally cylindrical tube 152 with a substantially vertical axis.
- a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal slots 154 are provided through the wall of each of the cylindrical tubes 152 .
- Plant material feed fingers 156 are secured to vertical shafts 162 and driven by hydraulic motors 158 and 160 .
- the hydraulic motors 158 and 160 and the vertical shafts that they drive are offset from the vertical axes of the cylindrical tubes 152 toward each other.
- the feed fingers 156 retract into the inside of the cylindrical tubes 152 after plant material is conveyed between both of the cylindrical tubes.
- the slots 154 end in the portions of cylindrical tubes 152 in which the feed fingers 156 are entirely inside the tubes.
- the feed fingers 156 pass through slots 154 and extend out of the cylindrical tubes 152 near the front edge of the cylindrical tubes.
- Generally flat plates 164 with slots 166 guide plant material from the left and right snout assemblies to the cylindrical tubes 152 .
- the header assembly 60 includes a left helix assembly 168 and a right helix assembly 170 for harvesting fruit from plants.
- Each helix assembly 168 and 170 includes a central shaft 172 that is journaled on the rigid header frame 62 by a rear bearing 174 and a front support bearing 176 .
- a conical member 178 is fixed to the lower forward end of each central shaft 172 .
- Radial arms 180 are fixed to each central shaft 172 .
- a rod is bent to form a helix 182 and welded to the free ends of the radial arms 180 .
- the radial arms 180 have the same length.
- the central shaft 172 is in the center of the helix 182 .
- the lower end of each helix 182 is welded to the conical member 178 .
- each helix 182 is welded to a cylindrical tube 184 secured to the upper end of the central shaft 172 .
- the two helix assemblies 168 and 170 are driven in a timed relation relative to each other by a continuous roller chain trained around sprockets on the upper end of each central shaft 172 and a hydraulic motor drive (not shown).
- An expanded metal grate 186 with an inboard metal edge 188 is mounted on the frame 62 under each helix assembly 168 and 170 .
- the space between the two inboard metal edges 188 is for the passage of plant stalks, stems and leaves.
- the outboard edges of each of the expanded metal grates 186 are fixed to the rigid header frame 62 .
- a right continuous belt and slat conveyor 190 is mounted on the header frame 62 outboard of right helix assembly 170 .
- a left continuous belt and slat conveyor 192 is mounted on the header frame 62 outboard of the left helix assembly 168 .
- a plate 194 is provided between the right helix assembly 170 and the belt and slot conveyor 190 . The plate 194 permits lateral movement of the right helix assembly 170 to adjust the space between the left helix assembly 168 and the right helix assembly. Minor adjustments in the space between the left helix assembly 168 and the right helix assembly 170 are made to accommodate changes in crop conditions. These changes may keep the right helix assembly 170 parallel to the left helix assembly 168 .
- the adjustable right helix assembly 170 may also be adjusted to vary the space between the right helix assembly and the left helix assembly 168 from the lower forward ends to the upper rear ends of the two helix assemblies. These adjustments will maintain the left helix assembly 168 and the right helix assembly 170 and the axes of their central shafts 172 in a common helix plane.
- both sides of the header assembly 60 are covered by expanded metal panels 196 .
- the top of the header assembly 60 is covered by two expanded metal covers 198 and 200 .
- Each of the expanded metal covers 198 and 200 is connected to the transverse header frame tube 98 by a hinge 197 . This hinge 197 permits both expanded metal covers 198 and 200 to be opened for maintenance.
- the tires and wheels 112 and 114 that support the front of the header assembly and follow the terrain as the harvester moves along a row of plants with fruit to be harvested are not steerable. It is therefore desirable to lift the tires and wheels 112 and 114 off the ground when turning around at the end of a plant row and when moving to or from a field to be harvested. It is also desirable to raise the front of the header assembly 60 when crossing obstructions such as an irrigation ditch or a grass water way for soil erosion control. If the tires and wheels 112 and 114 are permitted to follow the terrain into a depression, it is possible for the snout tips 142 and 144 to contact a bank on the far side of the depression and become buried.
- the header lift system includes a lift bar assembly 195 .
- the lift bar assembly 195 includes a left bar 201 with a left connector plate 203 on its upper end and a right bar 205 with a right connector plate 207 .
- the left connector plate 203 is clamped to a left bearing block and bearing 209 mounted on the transverse horizontal shaft 68 by bolts.
- the right connector plate 207 is clamped to a right bearing block and bearing 211 mounted on the transverse horizontal shaft 68 .
- a first transverse cross bar 213 is welded to the left bar 201 and to the right bar 205 midway between the ends of both bars and holds the two bars parallel to each other and spaced apart.
- a pair of spaced apart ears 215 are welded to the first transverse cross bar 213 .
- a second cross bar 217 is welded to the forward end of the left bar 201 and the right bar 205 .
- the second cross bar 217 is parallel to the transverse horizontal shaft 68 .
- a header hydraulic lift cylinder 219 has a rod end that is pivotally connected to the spaced apart ears 215 , welded to the first cross bar 213 by a pivot pin 221 .
- a pair of spaced apart ears 223 welded to the transverse horizontal tube 82 of the frame 12 , are pivotally attached to a head end of the hydraulic lift cylinder 219 .
- Extension of the hydraulic cylinder 219 pivots the left and right bars 201 and 205 about the horizontal shaft 68 and moves the second cross bar 217 into engagement with the bottom of the rigid header frame 62 .
- the second cross bar 217 of the lift bar assembly 195 is lowered a selected distance below the rigid header frame 62 when harvesting fruit such as peppers. This permit the tires and wheels 112 and 114 follow the contour of the terrain and position the conical members 178 on the forward end of the left and right helix assemblies 168 and 170 at a selected elevation relative to plants with fruit that is being harvested.
- a drum conveyor 202 is mounted on the frame 12 to the rear of the vertical tube members 38 , 76 and 80 of the frame 12 that form a vertical mast.
- the drum conveyor 202 sits on a pair of left side drive rollers 204 and 206 on a horizontal axis parallel to the normal direction of forward movement.
- the left side driven rollers 204 and 206 are supported on a shaft 208 journaled in a bearing block 210 bolted to transverse horizontal tube 82 and a bearing block 212 bolted to rear transverse horizontal tube 90 .
- the drum conveyor 202 also sits on a pair of right side driven rollers 214 and 216 on a horizontal axis parallel to the normal direction of forward movement.
- the right side driven rollers 214 and 216 are supported on a shaft 218 journaled in bearing block 220 and a bearing block 222 .
- the bearing block 220 is mounted on an arm 224 welded to the transverse horizontal tube 82 .
- the bearing block 222 is mounted on an arm 226 welded to the rear transverse horizontal tube 90 .
- Rubber rollers 228 and 230 limit rearward movement of the conveyor drum 202 .
- Rubber rollers 232 and 234 limit forward movement of the conveyor drum 202 . Additional rollers can be provided to hold the conveyor drum in a vertical position.
- the rollers 228 , 230 , 232 and 234 have center bearings, a metal carrier wheel and a rubber periphery.
- the drum conveyor 202 includes a cylindrical tube 236 .
- a front wall 238 is fixed to the cylindrical tube 236 and extends radially inward from the cylindrical tube.
- a rear wall 240 is also fixed to the cylindrical tube 236 and extends radially inward from the cylindrical tube.
- a circular aperture 242 is provided through the front wall 238 .
- a circular aperture 244 is also provided through the rear wall 240 .
- a plurality of divider plates 246 extend from the front wall 238 to the rear wall 240 and radially inward from the cylindrical tube 236 to form fruit receiving pockets 248 .
- the outer surface of the cylindrical tube 236 sits on the left side driven rollers 204 and 206 right side driven rollers 214 and 216 .
- the left shaft 208 and attached left side driven rollers 204 and 206 are rotated by a hydraulic motor 250 .
- the right shaft 218 attached to the right side driven rollers 214 and 216 is rotated by a hydraulic motor 252 .
- Both hydraulic motors 250 and 252 work together to rotate the drum conveyor 202 .
- the drum conveyor 202 can be rotated in a clockwise direction or in a counter clockwise direction by the hydraulic motors 250 and 252 as seen in FIG. 2 .
- the right and left continuous belt and slat conveyors 190 and 192 convey harvested fruit through the circular aperture 242 through the front wall 238 .
- a fixed plate 254 shown in FIG. 2 keeps fruit from passing through the circular aperture 244 through the rear wall 240 of the drum conveyor 202 .
- Fruit discharged from right and left continuous belt and a slat conveyors 190 and 192 is directed into the fruit receiving pockets 248 in the drum conveyor 202 .
- An arcuate fixed plate 256 starting at about forty five degrees from the bottom center of the drum conveyor 202 and extending from the front wall 238 to the rear wall 240 closes the fruit receiving pocket 248 .
- the arcuate fixed plate 256 is on the left hand side of the drum conveyor 202 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- An identical arcuate fixed plate 256 can be provided in the right hand side of the drum conveyor 202 if desired.
- the upper edge of the plate 256 is anchored to the frame 12 .
- the drum conveyor 202 elevates harvested fruit up to the top of the drum conveyor and drops the fruit into a fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 .
- a fruit discharge from the drum conveyor is defined by the left vertical side wall 262 , the right vertical sidewall 264 of the cleaning assembly and the front wall 238 and the rear wall 240 of the drum conveyor.
- the cylindrical tube 236 can be expanded metal or a metal band with apertures for discharge of foreign matter such as sand and water.
- the separating and cleaning assembly 260 includes a left vertical side wall 262 and a right vertical side wall 264 .
- the forward end of the left vertical side wall 262 is clamped by bolts 268 to a left vertical beam 266 that is welded to the transverse horizontal tube 84 of the frame 12 and extends downward.
- the forward end of the right vertical side wall 264 is clamped by bolts 268 to a right vertical beam 270 that is also welded to the transverse horizontal tube 84 .
- Two bridge members 272 and 274 shown in FIG. 2 , with horizontal beams 276 and integral vertical beams 278 on each end are welded to the vertical side walls 262 and 264 .
- a plurality upper star wheel horizontal shafts 280 are journaled on the vertical side walls 262 and 264 .
- the axes of the star wheel horizontal shafts 280 are in a common plane that extends rearward and upward.
- Each star wheel 282 has a plurality of generally radially extending resilient fingers 284 and a central bore 283 that receives the a star wheel horizontal shaft 280 .
- a plurality of star wheels 282 are secured to each star wheel shaft 280 in side by side relationship and extend from the left side wall 262 to the right side wall 264 . There is a space between the star wheels 282 on adjacent star wheel shafts 280 for the passage of fruit being cleaned.
- a plurality of plate shafts 286 are journaled on the vertical side walls 262 and 264 .
- the axes of the plate shafts 286 are parallel to each other and to the star wheel shafts 280 .
- Plate assemblies 288 with a central hubs 290 and square shaft passages 292 are fixed to the plate shafts 286 .
- a plate member 294 of each plate assembly 288 is preferably square and has four edge surfaces 285 .
- the edge surfaces 285 impart vertically upward force on fruit and convey fruit in one direction. Plate members with other shapes can be used in place of the square plate members.
- These alternate plate assemblies may also have more than four edge surfaces.
- a plurality of plate assemblies 288 are mounted on each plate shaft 286 in side by side relation and extend from the left vertical side wall 262 to the right vertical side wall 264 .
- the plurality of plate shafts 286 have axes that are all in a horizontal plane.
- the plate members 294 on each plate shaft 286 extend between the plate members on adjacent shafts 286 .
- a continuous roller chain 295 is trained around a drive sprocket 296 driven by a hydraulic motor.
- the continuous roller chain 295 is also trained across the top of sprockets 300 mounted on each star wheel shaft 280 .
- a hold down bar or slide may be provided to hold the chain 295 in engagement with each sprocket 300 on each star wheel shaft 280 .
- the continuous roller chain 295 is trained under a first idler sprocket 302 and across the top of sprockets 304 mounted on each plate shaft 286 .
- Chain hold down sprockets 306 are provided to hold the continuous roller chain in engagement with the sprockets 304 mounted on each plate shaft 286 .
- the continuous chain 295 runs from the forward chain hold down sprocket 306 to the drive sprocket 296 .
- the drive sprocket is driven in a counter clock-wise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 , by a hydraulic motor.
- a cross flow fan 308 with a housing 310 is mounted on the forward end of the vertical side walls 262 and 264 .
- An air intake 312 of the cross flow fan is covered by an expanded metal grate 314 .
- the fan shaft 316 is driven by a hydraulic motor 318 . Air discharged from the cross flow fan 308 passes through fruit discharged from the drum conveyor 202 and separates some leaves and other trash.
- a hood 320 that covers the top of the fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 is attached to the vertical side walls 262 and 264 and a transverse rear wall 322 .
- the transverse rear wall 322 is fixed to the rear of the side walls 262 and 264 .
- Air from the cross flow fan 308 carries leaves and other light weight plant material downward, between the rear wall 322 and the rear star wheel horizontal shaft 280 , toward the ground.
- the star wheels 282 on the star wheel horizontal shafts 280 let fruit pass through the space between the shafts and the star wheels.
- Large pieces of trash mixed with the crop material, received from the drum conveyor 202 are carried rearward and upward past the rear most star wheel shaft 280 , discharged from the fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 and fall to the ground.
- Fruit, such as chili peppers, that passes through the star wheels 282 on the star wheel shafts 280 fall to the plate assemblies 288 on the plate shafts 286 .
- the space between the star wheel shafts 280 can be adjusted so that small fruit falls through first toward the front of the cleaning assembly and the largest fruit falls through the space between two star wheel shafts near the rear of the cleaning assembly.
- the rotating plate assemblies 288 on the plate shafts 286 have edge surfaces 285 and points 287 that engage fruit, throw the fruit upward and forward separating soil, sand, plant material, and other foreign matter from the fruit. Substantially all of the separated material passes between the plate members 294 and to the ground.
- a transverse conveyor assembly 330 includes a conveyor trough 332 and a continuous conveyor belt 334 .
- the continuous belt 334 is trained around a lower idler roller 336 and a driven roller 338 .
- the driven roller 338 is driven by a hydraulic motor 340 .
- the idler roller 336 is adjusted by adjustment screws 342 to tension the continuous conveyor belt 334 .
- the conveyor trough 332 of the transverse conveyor assembly 330 receives cleaned fruit from the forward plate shaft 286 and attached plate assemblies 288 of the fruit separation and cleaning assembly 260 .
- the continuous conveyor belt 334 conveys the fruit received in the conveyor trough 332 to a discharge conveyor hopper 344 of a discharge conveyor assembly 346 .
- the discharge conveyor assembly 346 includes a lower conveyor trough 348 secured to a support cradle 350 .
- the cradle 350 includes two plate members 352 and 354 secured to the lower portion of the lower conveyor trough 348 .
- the discharge conveyor hopper 344 is secured to the plate members 352 and 354 .
- a vertical beam 356 is welded to the plate 352 .
- a vertical beam 358 is welded to the plate 354 .
- a horizontal beam 360 has one end clamped to the vertical beam 356 and another end clamped to an upper portion of the lower conveyor trough 348 .
- a second horizontal beam 362 has one end clamped to the vertical beam 358 and another end clamped to an upper portion of the lower conveyor trough 348 .
- An upper yoke 364 is welded to the vertical beams 356 and 358 midway between the plate members 352 and 354 and the first and second horizontal beams 360 and 362 .
- An upper trunnion assembly 366 pivotally attaches the yoke 364 to a horizontal beam 368 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis.
- the horizontal beam 368 is attached to the top of the vertical tube 38 and extends rearward from the vertical tube of the frame 12 .
- a lower yoke 370 shown in FIG. 7 , is welded to the vertical beams 356 and 358 below the upper yoke 364 .
- a lower trunnion assembly 372 pivotally attaches the lower yoke 370 to a horizontal beam 374 for pivotal movement about the same vertical axis as the upper trunnion assembly 366 .
- the horizontal beam 374 is welded to the bottom end of a vertical tube 376 and to the vertical tube 38 of the frame 12 .
- a plate 378 welded to the top of the vertical tube 376 , is clamped to the horizontal beam 368 by a plurality of bolts 380 that pass through an upper plate 382 and a lower plate 378 .
- a hydraulic cylinder 384 is pivotally attached to an ear 386 on the vertical tube 38 by a pivot pin 388 and to an ear 390 on the vertical beam 356 by a pivot pin 392 .
- the hydraulic cylinder 384 is operable to pivot the discharge conveyor assembly 346 more than ninety degrees about the vertical axis of the upper trunnion assembly 366 and the lower trunnion assembly 372 .
- An upper conveyor trough 394 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the lower conveyor trough 348 .
- the pivot connection permits the upper conveyor trough 394 to be moved to a transport or storage position as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the upper conveyor trough 394 is clamped in a position in which it extends upward and outward from the upper end of the lower conveyor trough 348 at the same angle as the lower conveyor trough as shown in FIG. 1 .
- a continuous conveyor belt 396 with slats 398 that hold and convey fruit is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 1 .
- the continuous conveyor belt 396 is trained around a lower roller 400 supported by bearings 402 and an upper roller 404 .
- the upper roller 404 is driven by a hydraulic motor 406 .
- the lower roller 400 is moved by an adjustment screw 408 to apply the desired tension on the continuous belt 396 .
- the discharge conveyor assembly 346 is shown in FIG. 7 with the conveyor belt 396 , the lower roller 400 and the upper roller 404 removed.
- a screen 409 is provided on the lower end of the lower conveyor trough for separation of sand and dirt. This screen 409 extends part way around the lower roller 400 and attaches to a lower edge of the discharge conveyor hopper 344 .
- the harvested fruit can be collected in a container moving in the same direction as the harvester 10 and to the left side of the harvester.
- the container is either on a self propelled vehicle or pulled by a separate tractor.
- the hydraulic cylinder 384 is retracted and the discharge conveyor 346 extends laterally to the left side of the harvester.
- the harvested fruit can also be delivered to a container on a trailer pulled behind the harvester 10 .
- a hitch beam 410 is welded to fore and aft tubes 92 and 94 as well as to the horizontal transverse tube 18 .
- a trailer tongue is attached to tongues 412 and 414 extending rearward from hitch beam 410 .
- the hydraulic cylinder 384 is extended so that the discharge conveyor 346 extends rearward and upward to discharge fruit into a trailer towed behind the harvester 10 .
- a platform 416 and a guard rail 418 that are both attached to the frame 12 form a work station for a person to sort material on the continuous conveyor belt 334 between the fruit separation and cleaning assembly 260 and the discharge conveyor assembly 346 . The person working on the work station would observe the harvested fruit conveyed on the belt 334 and separate undesirable material by hand.
- the fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 works well for some crops. For other crops a different cleaning and separating assembly may be desirable.
- the cleaning assembly 260 can be changed quickly by disconnecting two hydraulic motors and removing the bolts 268 .
- the main draft tube 36 of the hitch assembly 34 is attached to a towing tractor.
- the hitch assembly 34 is adjusted to position the header assembly 60 to the right of the tractor.
- the header assembly is centered on the row of plants to be harvested.
- the tires and wheel assemblies 14 are to be positioned to roll on the ground on opposite sides of the row to be harvested. Both wheels 14 should be centered between the row of plants to be harvested and adjacent plant rows.
- the tractor tires should be centered to roll on the ground between plant rows and to the left on the plant row to be harvested.
- a trailer or other vehicle, for receiving harvested fruit, should have wheels that run on the ground between plant rows.
- the hydraulic motors are connected to a source of hydraulic fluid powered by the towing tractor.
- a hydraulic pump that provides the hydraulic fluid can be mounted on the harvester 10 or on the tractor.
- the front of the header assembly 60 is lowered to move the tire and wheels 112 and 114 into ground engagement.
- the tires and wheels 12 and 14 support a substantial portion of the total weight of the header assembly.
- the snout tips 142 and 144 move along the ground surface and lift low fruit.
- the snout assemblies 126 and 128 continue to lift plant material and guide the plant material toward the plant feed assemblies 148 and 150 .
- the plant material feed fingers 156 move plant material between the cylindrical tubes 152 and the helix assemblies 168 and 170 .
- the helixes 182 formed by steel rods engage low plant fruit.
- the helixes 182 engage fruit higher up on the plants.
- the plants pass through the slot between the inboard metal edges 188 by the time they reach the cylindrical tubes 184 of the helix assemblies 168 and 170 .
- Each helix 188 lifts fruit that is contacted upward, outward and rearward and removes mature fruit from the plant.
- the fruit severed from plants by the helix assemblies 168 and 170 is deposited on continuous belt and slat conveyors 190 and 192 .
- These conveyors 190 and 192 convey the fruit rearward and upward.
- the fruit is discharged from the conveyors 190 and 192 into fruit receiving pockets 248 in a drum conveyor 202 .
- the drum conveyor 202 elevates the fruit and drops the fruit into a fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 .
- a cross-flow fan 308 blows air through a stream of fruit falling into the fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 .
- a hood 320 directs air from the cross flow fan 308 and light weight entrained material rearward and downward out of the separating and cleaning assembly 260 .
- the fruit and heavier foreign material lands on a bed of star wheels 282 on star wheel horizontal shafts 280 .
- the star wheel horizontal shafts 280 rotate to move plant material rearward.
- the fruit falls downward between the star wheels 282 and the star wheel shafts 280 . Large pieces of crop material are moved to the rear of the rear most star wheel shaft 280 and fall out of the fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 together with the air and light foreign material.
- Cleaned fruit discharged from the fruit separating and cleaning assembly 260 is deposited on a transverse conveyor assembly 330 .
- the transverse conveyor assembly 330 moves the fruit toward the discharge conveyor 346 system on the left hand side of the harvester 10 .
- the discharge conveyor 346 elevates fruit and deposits the fruit in a moving container on the left side of the harvester or in a container pulled behind the harvester.
- Either tire and wheel 112 or 114 can support the front of the header assembly 60 with a rigid frame 62 while the other tire and wheel is up in the air.
- the front of the header Upon reaching the end of a plant row, the front of the header is raised off the ground to a road transport position while the harvester is turned around and lined up with another row of plants to be harvested. The front of the header assembly 60 is then lowered to let the non-steerable tires and wheels 112 and 114 support the front of the header assembly and follow the terrain.
Abstract
The harvester frame is supported by laterally adjustable wheels. A hitch draft tube connects the frame to a tractor. A transverse horizontal shaft is journaled on a frame mast. A header frame rear is attached to the horizontal shaft. Ground engaging wheels support the header front. Two spaced apart helix assemblies on the header frame are rotated to remote fruit from plants. The helix forward ends work at ground level. Helix rear ends are elevated. A header lift bar is journaled on the horizontal shaft. A header lift cylinder pivots a free end of the lift bar into engagement with the header frame and lifts header wheels from the ground. Conveyors convey crop material from the helix assemblies to a fruit cleaning assembly with a forward end attached to the frame mast. Separated and cleaned fruit is received from the cleaning assembly and discharged from the harvester.
Description
- This application is a division of and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/050,792, titled PULL TYPE PEPPER HARVESTER filed Mar. 13, 2008.
- The tractor pulled pepper harvester removes mature peppers from a single row of pepper plants, leaves the pepper plants standing and separates peppers from foreign material.
- Peppers are harvested by hand pickers as well as by machines. Machine pickers reduce the cost of picking thereby making peppers available for consumption at a relatively low cost. Hand pickers are freed for higher paying tasks that can not be accomplished by machines.
- Crops are harvested by whole crop harvesters that remove the entire plant from the roots and run the plant material through a separating and cleaning assembly. Whole crop harvesters have not been acceptable for peppers. They leave too much plant material mixed with dried peppers. Fresh peppers mature over a period of time. As a result a substantial portion of a crop would be lost if fresh peppers of various varieties were harvested by a whole crop harvester.
- Machine harvesters for peppers that remove the fruit and leave the plant standing have been used for some years. These harvesters harvest the fruit and leave most of the stalks, stems and leaves in the field when harvesting fresh peppers as well as dried peppers.
- Successful self propelled mechanical harvesters that remove fruit from two or more rows of plants simultaneously are known. The plant rows are generally a minimum of 400 meters long. The machines require a uniform distance between rows. Relatively large transport equipment is required to transport the fruit from the field. The transport equipment and harvesters require substantial space to turn around at each end of the rows. These machines tend to lose too much crop in high production areas where hand pickers have been used for centuries, and agronomy practices have not been modified to accommodate relatively large machines. Farms as well as individual fields are often too small to justify the cost of a self propelled harvester and the transportation systems required to move harvested fruit from a high capacity harvester to a processing facility.
- The pull type pepper harvester has a frame. A right side axle tube and spindle is telescopically received in a horizontal transverse tube of the frame and locked in one of a plurality of selectable positions relative to the frame. A left side axle tube and spindle is telescopically received in the horizontal transverse tube of the frame and locked in one of a plurality selectable positions relative to the frame. A right tire and wheel is journaled on the right side axle tube and spindle. A left tire and wheel is journaled on the left side axle tube and spindle.
- A hitch assembly includes a main draft tube with a draft tube rear portion pivotally attached to the frame by at least one pin for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. A draft tube forward portion is adapted to be connected to a tractor. An adjustable length strut is pivotally attached to the frame and to the main draft tube. The adjustable length strut is extended to increase length to hold the main draft tube in a harvesting position. The adjustable length strut is retracted to decrease length and hold the main draft tube in a transport position.
- A header assembly includes a rigid header frame with a header frame rear portion pivotally attached to the frame for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis. A left side ground engaging tire and wheel is mounted on a header frame front portion of the rigid header frame adjacent to a rigid header frame left side. The left side ground engaging tire and wheel is vertically adjustable relative to the rigid header frame. A right side ground engaging tire and wheel is mounted on the header frame front portion of the rigid header frame adjacent to a rigid header frame right side. The right side ground engaging tire and wheel is vertically adjustable relative to the rigid header frame. A left snout assembly and a right snout assembly are pivotally mounted on the rigid header frame. A left plant feed assembly and a right plant feed assembly, mounted on the rigid header frame front portion, cooperate with each other to urge crop plants from the left snout assembly and the right snout assembly to the rear relative to the rigid header frame. A left helix assembly is journaled on the rigid header frame by a left rear bearing and extends downward and forward from the left rear bearing. A right helix assembly is journaled on the rigid header frame by a right rear bearing and extends downward and forward from the right rear bearing. The right helix assembly is parallel to the left helix assembly and spaced from the left helix assembly. A left expanded metal grate under the left helix assembly has an outboard edge fixed to the rigid header frame and an inboard metal edge that forms the left side of a plant passage through the header assembly. A right expanded metal grate under the right helix assembly has an outboard edge fixed to the rigid header frame and an inboard metal edge that forms a right side of the plant passage through the header assembly. A left continuous belt and slat conveyor is mounted on the rigid header frame to the left side of the left helix assembly. A right continuous belt and slat conveyor is mounted on the rigid header frame to the right side of the helix assembly. A left expanded metal side panel, a right expanded metal side panel, and at least one expanded metal top cover retain and deflect fruit separated from plants by the left helix assembly and the right helix assembly into the left continuous belt and slat conveyor and into the right continuous belt and slat conveyor.
- A header lift assembly includes a header hydraulic lift cylinder connected to the frame and to the rigid header frame through a linkage.
- A drum conveyor includes a cylindrical tube. A conveyor front wall with a circular aperture is fixed to the cylindrical tube. A conveyor rear wall, with a circular aperture is fixed to the cylindrical tube. A plurality of divider plates are connected to the conveyor front wall and the conveyor rear wall to form a plurality of fruit receiving pockets. The fruit receiving pockets receive fruit from the left continuous belt and slat conveyor and the right continuous belt and slat conveyor. A left side driven roller and a right side driven roller journaled on the frame support the cylindrical tube and rotate the cylindrical tube to elevate fruit in the plurality of fruit receiving pockets. A fixed arcuate plate closes a radially inward facing opening of the plurality of fruit receiving pockets from a location past a fruit receiving location to a fruit discharge position.
- A fruit separating and cleaning assembly includes a left vertical side wall and a right vertical side wall that extend through the circular aperture through the conveyor rear wall and through the circular aperture through the front wall of the drum conveyor, clamped to a vertical frame portion of frame and extending rearwardly from the vertical frame portion. A transverse rear wall is fixed to the left vertical side wall and to the right vertical side wall. A hood covers the area between the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall and extends forward from the transverse rear wall. A plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts, each of which is journaled on the left vertical side wall and the right side wall, are parallel to each other. A plurality of star wheels are mounted on each of the plurality of star wheel shafts. A fan is connected to the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall and discharges air through fruit discharged from the drum conveyor and under the hood. A plurality of plate shafts are journaled on the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall below the plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts. A plurality of plate assemblies are mounted on each of the plurality of plate shafts. A plate of each of the plurality of plate assemblies on each of the plurality of plate shafts extends between the plates of the plurality of plate assemblies mounted on each adjacent one of the plurality plate shafts. An endless drive chain driven by a hydraulic motor drive sprocket is trained around a star wheel driven sprocket on each of the plurality of star wheel shafts and a plate shaft driven sprocket on each of the plurality of plate shafts. A trash discharge passage is provided between a rear star wheel of the plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts and the transverse rear wall.
- A transverse conveyor assembly, mounted on the frame below a forward plate shaft of the plurality of plate shafts, includes a transverse conveyor discharge end. A fruit discharge conveyor is pivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about a vertical discharge conveyor axis. A discharge conveyor hopper is positioned under the transverse conveyor discharge end. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and the fruit discharge conveyor pivots the fruit discharge conveyor about the vertical discharge conveyor axis.
- The header lift assembly includes the header lift assembly with a lift cylinder rod end pivotally connected to a lift bar assembly. The lift bar assembly has a lift bar upper end journaled of a transverse horizontal shaft with the transverse horizontal axis. A lower end cross bar of the lift bar assembly engages the rigid header frame during extension of the header hydraulic lift cylinder and lifts the left side ground engaging tire and wheel and the right side ground engaging tire and wheel from the ground. Retraction of the header hydraulic lift cylinder lowers the left side ground engaging tire and wheel and the right side ground engaging wheel and tire to the ground. Continued retraction of the header hydraulic cylinder disengages the lift bar assembly from the rigid header frame thereby permitting the rigid header to pivot downward as well as upward as the harvester moves along a row of plants.
- Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front and right hand side of the harvester with parts broken away; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear and right hand side of the harvester with parts broken away; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection of the harvesting head and the upright frame assembly with parts broken away; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transverse conveyor discharge end and the pivotally mounted discharge conveyor with parts broken away; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the right hand rear wheel and a portion of the frame with parts broken away; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the right snout assembly and the right hand harvesting head support wheel; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the frame front and left side with parts removed and parts broken away; -
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the driven portions of the harvesting head with parts broken away; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the header lift bar assembly and the lift cylinder. -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of a star wheel; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first side of a plate assembly; and -
FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a plate assembly. - The terms left hand and right hand are as seen by a person standing behind the machine and facing in the direction of normal forward movement. The frame is constructed from rectangular tubular steel for strength. The frame could be fabricated from beams that are not tubular or rectangular.
- The pull
type pepper harvester 10 includes aframe 12. Two tires andwheel assemblies 14 are journaled on anaxle assembly 16. Theaxle assembly 16 includes a horizontaltransverse tube 18 that is fixed to theframe 12. A rightside axle tube 20, shown inFIG. 5 , is telescopically received in thehorizontal tube 18 and locked in a selected position bybolts side axle tube 20. Awheel hub 26 is journaled on the right spindle. A leftside axle tube 28, shown inFIG. 7 , is telescopically received in thehorizontal tube 18 and locked in a selected position by bolts, the same as thebolts side axle tube 20. A left spindle is fixed to an outboard end of the leftside axle tube 28. Awheel hub 30 is journaled on the spindle. A plurality ofbores 32 are provided through the rightside axle tube 20 and the leftside axle tube 28 for adjusting the position of the tires andwheels assemblies 14 relative to theframe 12 as required to accommodate the row spacing of the pepper rows. The tire andwheel assemblies 14 are adjusted to roll on the ground between rows of plants. - A
hitch assembly 34 includes amain draft tube 36. Themain draft tube 36 is pivotally attached to avertical tube 38 of theframe 12 by anupper pin 40 and alower pin 42 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. Anadjustable length strut 44 includes arear tube 46 that is pivotally attached to theframe 12 by avertical pivot pin 48 that is horizontally spaced to the right from thelower pin 42. Aforward tube 50 is telescopically received in therear tube 46 and has a forward end pivotally attached to themain draft tube 36 by avertical pivot pin 52. Anadjustment pin 54 passes through a bore through therear tube 46 and through one of a plurality of bores through theforward tube 50. Theadjustment pin 54 can lock theadjustable length strut 44 in a retracted position in which theframe 12 follows directly behind a towing tractor for movement on a road. Theadjustment 54 can also lock theadjustable strut 44 in an extended position in which theharvester 10 is substantially to the right of the towing tractor and the towing tractor is to the left of the row of peppers that is being harvested. There are preferably multiple bores through theforward tube 50 for the receivingadjustment pin 54 when the length of theadjustable length strut 44 is extended to accommodate towing tractors with different sizes and to position the wheels of the towing tractor between plant rows. A hitch (not shown) is secured to the forward end of themain draft tube 36. This hitch cooperates with a hitch portion on a tractor to connect theharvester 10 to a tractor. - A
header assembly 60 includes arigid header frame 62. Theheader frame 62 includes fore and aft extendingbeams horizontal shaft 68 is secured to the rear portions of the fore and aft extendingbeams horizontal shaft 68 is journaled in bearinghousings housing 70 is bolted to ahorizontal member 74 that extends rearward from avertical tube 76 of theframe 12. The bearinghousing 72 is bolted to ahorizontal member 78 that extends rearward from avertical tube 80 of theframe 12. The lower ends of thevertical tubes horizontal tube 82 of themain frame 12. A horizontaltransverse tube 84 is welded to the upper ends of thevertical tubes horizontal tubes FIGS. 2 and 7 , are welded to the transversehorizontal tube 82. A rear transversehorizontal tube 90 is welded to the rear ends of the fore and aft extendinghorizontal tubes tube 90 is parallel to thetube 82. The horizontaltransverse tube 18 is part of theaxle assembly 16 that is supported by tire andwheel assemblies 14, is fixed to the rear transversehorizontal tube 90 by two fore andaft tubes - The
header assembly 60 includes arigid header frame 62 with transverseheader frame tubes upper header tubes vertical tubes vertical tubes 110 are each welded to an end of the transverseheader frame tube 96 and to an end of one of the two lower side rails 104. The frontvertical tubes vertical tubes 110. The first rearvertical tube 110 on the left side is welded to the fore andaft beam 64. The second rearvertical tube 110 on the right side is welded to the fore andaft beam 66. - The front portion of the
rigid frame 62 is supported by a left ground engaging tire andwheel 112 and by a right ground engaging tire andwheel 114. The two tires andwheels FIG. 6 , are journaled onyoke assemblies 116. Theyoke assemblies 116 supporting ground engaging tires andwheels yoke 116, as shown inFIG. 6 is welded to the forward end of abeam 118. The rear of thebeam 118 is pivotally attached to the front of therigid header frame 62 by a transversehorizontal pivot pin 120. Aturn buckle assembly 122 is pivotally attached to therigid header frame 62 and to thebeam 118 by abolt 124. Lengthening theturn buckle assembly 122 pivots thebeam 118 about thepivot pin 120 thereby lowering the tire andwheel 114 relative to therigid frame 62. Lengthening theturnbuckle assembly 122 raises the front of theheader frame 62 and pivots the header frame and the transversehorizontal shaft 68 in the bearinghousings turnbuckle assembly 122 pivots the transversehorizontal shaft 68 in the bearinghousings header frame 62. Theturnbuckle assemblies 122 are adjusted so that both tires andwheels rigid header frame 62 when harvesting on level ground. On uneven ground the tire andwheel header assembly 60 that is supported by the two tires and wheels on level ground. - A
left snout assembly 126 and theright snout assembly 128 are pivotally attached to therigid header frame 62 bypivot pins 130 for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis. Asnout turnbuckle assembly 132 is pivotally attached to theframe 62 by apivot pin 134. Aslider assembly 136 on a forward end of thesnout turnbuckle assembly 132 is slidably received in aslot 138 in abracket 140 fixed in thesnout assembly 128, as shown inFIG. 6 . Theturnbuckle assembly 132 is shortened to raise the leading end of thesnout assembly 128. Theturnbuckle assembly 132 is lengthened to lower the leading end of thesnout assembly 128. Asnout tip 142 is mounted on the leading end of theright snout assembly 128. Asnout tip 144 is mounted on the leading tip of theleft snout assembly 144. Theturnbuckle assemblies 132 for eachsnout assembly snout tips snout tips slider assembly 136 in theslot 138 is positioned in selected positions by theturnbuckle assembly 132 so that thesnout tips snout tips slots 138 and theslider assembly 136 permit the snout tips to slide up over obstructions. - The
snout walls 146 of the left andright snout assemblies plant feed assemblies plant feed assembly cylindrical tube 152 with a substantially vertical axis. A plurality of vertically spaced aparthorizontal slots 154 are provided through the wall of each of thecylindrical tubes 152. Plantmaterial feed fingers 156 are secured tovertical shafts 162 and driven byhydraulic motors hydraulic motors cylindrical tubes 152 toward each other. Thefeed fingers 156 mounted on thevertical shafts 162 engage plant material passing between thewalls 146 of the left andright snout assemblies cylindrical tubes 158. Thefeed fingers 156 retract into the inside of thecylindrical tubes 152 after plant material is conveyed between both of the cylindrical tubes. Theslots 154 end in the portions ofcylindrical tubes 152 in which thefeed fingers 156 are entirely inside the tubes. Thefeed fingers 156 pass throughslots 154 and extend out of thecylindrical tubes 152 near the front edge of the cylindrical tubes. Generallyflat plates 164 withslots 166 guide plant material from the left and right snout assemblies to thecylindrical tubes 152. - The
header assembly 60 includes aleft helix assembly 168 and aright helix assembly 170 for harvesting fruit from plants. Eachhelix assembly central shaft 172 that is journaled on therigid header frame 62 by arear bearing 174 and afront support bearing 176. Aconical member 178 is fixed to the lower forward end of eachcentral shaft 172.Radial arms 180 are fixed to eachcentral shaft 172. A rod is bent to form ahelix 182 and welded to the free ends of theradial arms 180. Theradial arms 180 have the same length. Thecentral shaft 172 is in the center of thehelix 182. The lower end of eachhelix 182 is welded to theconical member 178. The upper end of eachhelix 182 is welded to acylindrical tube 184 secured to the upper end of thecentral shaft 172. The twohelix assemblies central shaft 172 and a hydraulic motor drive (not shown). An expandedmetal grate 186 with an inboard metal edge 188 is mounted on theframe 62 under eachhelix assembly rigid header frame 62. A right continuous belt andslat conveyor 190 is mounted on theheader frame 62 outboard ofright helix assembly 170. A left continuous belt andslat conveyor 192 is mounted on theheader frame 62 outboard of theleft helix assembly 168. Aplate 194 is provided between theright helix assembly 170 and the belt andslot conveyor 190. Theplate 194 permits lateral movement of theright helix assembly 170 to adjust the space between theleft helix assembly 168 and the right helix assembly. Minor adjustments in the space between theleft helix assembly 168 and theright helix assembly 170 are made to accommodate changes in crop conditions. These changes may keep theright helix assembly 170 parallel to theleft helix assembly 168. The adjustableright helix assembly 170 may also be adjusted to vary the space between the right helix assembly and theleft helix assembly 168 from the lower forward ends to the upper rear ends of the two helix assemblies. These adjustments will maintain theleft helix assembly 168 and theright helix assembly 170 and the axes of theircentral shafts 172 in a common helix plane. - The
helix assemblies header assembly 60 are covered by expandedmetal panels 196. The top of theheader assembly 60 is covered by two expanded metal covers 198 and 200. Each of the expanded metal covers 198 and 200 is connected to the transverseheader frame tube 98 by ahinge 197. Thishinge 197 permits both expanded metal covers 198 and 200 to be opened for maintenance. - The tires and
wheels wheels header assembly 60 when crossing obstructions such as an irrigation ditch or a grass water way for soil erosion control. If the tires andwheels snout tips lift bar assembly 195. Thelift bar assembly 195 includes aleft bar 201 with aleft connector plate 203 on its upper end and aright bar 205 with aright connector plate 207. Theleft connector plate 203 is clamped to a left bearing block and bearing 209 mounted on the transversehorizontal shaft 68 by bolts. Theright connector plate 207 is clamped to a right bearing block and bearing 211 mounted on the transversehorizontal shaft 68. A firsttransverse cross bar 213 is welded to theleft bar 201 and to theright bar 205 midway between the ends of both bars and holds the two bars parallel to each other and spaced apart. A pair of spaced apartears 215 are welded to the firsttransverse cross bar 213. Asecond cross bar 217 is welded to the forward end of theleft bar 201 and theright bar 205. Thesecond cross bar 217 is parallel to the transversehorizontal shaft 68. A headerhydraulic lift cylinder 219 has a rod end that is pivotally connected to the spaced apartears 215, welded to thefirst cross bar 213 by apivot pin 221. A pair of spaced apartears 223, welded to the transversehorizontal tube 82 of theframe 12, are pivotally attached to a head end of thehydraulic lift cylinder 219. Extension of thehydraulic cylinder 219 pivots the left andright bars horizontal shaft 68 and moves thesecond cross bar 217 into engagement with the bottom of therigid header frame 62. Continued extension of thehydraulic cylinder 219 pivots therigid header frame 62 and theleft bar 201 and theright bar 205 together with thetransverse header shaft 68 about the shaft axis and lifts the tires andwheels wheels second cross bar 217 of thelift bar assembly 195 is lowered a selected distance below therigid header frame 62 when harvesting fruit such as peppers. This permit the tires andwheels conical members 178 on the forward end of the left andright helix assemblies - A
drum conveyor 202 is mounted on theframe 12 to the rear of thevertical tube members frame 12 that form a vertical mast. Thedrum conveyor 202 sits on a pair of leftside drive rollers rollers shaft 208 journaled in abearing block 210 bolted to transversehorizontal tube 82 and abearing block 212 bolted to rear transversehorizontal tube 90. Thedrum conveyor 202 also sits on a pair of right side drivenrollers rollers shaft 218 journaled in bearingblock 220 and abearing block 222. Thebearing block 220 is mounted on anarm 224 welded to the transversehorizontal tube 82. Thebearing block 222 is mounted on anarm 226 welded to the rear transversehorizontal tube 90.Rubber rollers conveyor drum 202.Rubber rollers conveyor drum 202. Additional rollers can be provided to hold the conveyor drum in a vertical position. Therollers - The
drum conveyor 202 includes acylindrical tube 236. Afront wall 238 is fixed to thecylindrical tube 236 and extends radially inward from the cylindrical tube. Arear wall 240 is also fixed to thecylindrical tube 236 and extends radially inward from the cylindrical tube. Acircular aperture 242 is provided through thefront wall 238. Acircular aperture 244 is also provided through therear wall 240. A plurality ofdivider plates 246 extend from thefront wall 238 to therear wall 240 and radially inward from thecylindrical tube 236 to form fruit receiving pockets 248. The outer surface of thecylindrical tube 236 sits on the left side drivenrollers rollers left shaft 208 and attached left side drivenrollers hydraulic motor 250. Theright shaft 218 attached to the right side drivenrollers hydraulic motor 252. Bothhydraulic motors drum conveyor 202. Thedrum conveyor 202 can be rotated in a clockwise direction or in a counter clockwise direction by thehydraulic motors FIG. 2 . - The right and left continuous belt and
slat conveyors circular aperture 242 through thefront wall 238. A fixedplate 254 shown inFIG. 2 , keeps fruit from passing through thecircular aperture 244 through therear wall 240 of thedrum conveyor 202. Fruit discharged from right and left continuous belt and aslat conveyors fruit receiving pockets 248 in thedrum conveyor 202. An arcuate fixedplate 256 starting at about forty five degrees from the bottom center of thedrum conveyor 202 and extending from thefront wall 238 to therear wall 240 closes thefruit receiving pocket 248. The arcuate fixedplate 256 is on the left hand side of thedrum conveyor 202 as shown inFIG. 3 . An identical arcuatefixed plate 256 can be provided in the right hand side of thedrum conveyor 202 if desired. The upper edge of theplate 256 is anchored to theframe 12. Thedrum conveyor 202 elevates harvested fruit up to the top of the drum conveyor and drops the fruit into a fruit separating and cleaningassembly 260. A fruit discharge from the drum conveyor is defined by the leftvertical side wall 262, the rightvertical sidewall 264 of the cleaning assembly and thefront wall 238 and therear wall 240 of the drum conveyor. Thecylindrical tube 236 can be expanded metal or a metal band with apertures for discharge of foreign matter such as sand and water. - The separating and cleaning
assembly 260 includes a leftvertical side wall 262 and a rightvertical side wall 264. The forward end of the leftvertical side wall 262 is clamped bybolts 268 to a leftvertical beam 266 that is welded to the transversehorizontal tube 84 of theframe 12 and extends downward. The forward end of the rightvertical side wall 264 is clamped bybolts 268 to a rightvertical beam 270 that is also welded to the transversehorizontal tube 84. Twobridge members FIG. 2 , withhorizontal beams 276 and integralvertical beams 278 on each end are welded to thevertical side walls horizontal shafts 280 are journaled on thevertical side walls horizontal shafts 280 are in a common plane that extends rearward and upward. Eachstar wheel 282 has a plurality of generally radially extendingresilient fingers 284 and acentral bore 283 that receives the a star wheelhorizontal shaft 280. A plurality ofstar wheels 282 are secured to eachstar wheel shaft 280 in side by side relationship and extend from theleft side wall 262 to theright side wall 264. There is a space between thestar wheels 282 on adjacentstar wheel shafts 280 for the passage of fruit being cleaned. - A plurality of
plate shafts 286 are journaled on thevertical side walls plate shafts 286 are parallel to each other and to thestar wheel shafts 280.Plate assemblies 288 with acentral hubs 290 andsquare shaft passages 292 are fixed to theplate shafts 286. Aplate member 294 of eachplate assembly 288 is preferably square and has four edge surfaces 285. The edge surfaces 285 impart vertically upward force on fruit and convey fruit in one direction. Plate members with other shapes can be used in place of the square plate members. These alternate plate assemblies may also have more than four edge surfaces. A plurality ofplate assemblies 288 are mounted on eachplate shaft 286 in side by side relation and extend from the leftvertical side wall 262 to the rightvertical side wall 264. The plurality ofplate shafts 286 have axes that are all in a horizontal plane. Theplate members 294 on eachplate shaft 286 extend between the plate members onadjacent shafts 286. - A
continuous roller chain 295 is trained around adrive sprocket 296 driven by a hydraulic motor. Thecontinuous roller chain 295 is also trained across the top ofsprockets 300 mounted on eachstar wheel shaft 280. A hold down bar or slide may be provided to hold thechain 295 in engagement with eachsprocket 300 on eachstar wheel shaft 280. Thecontinuous roller chain 295 is trained under afirst idler sprocket 302 and across the top ofsprockets 304 mounted on eachplate shaft 286. Chain hold downsprockets 306 are provided to hold the continuous roller chain in engagement with thesprockets 304 mounted on eachplate shaft 286. Thecontinuous chain 295 runs from the forward chain hold downsprocket 306 to thedrive sprocket 296. The drive sprocket is driven in a counter clock-wise direction as viewed inFIG. 2 , by a hydraulic motor. - A
cross flow fan 308 with ahousing 310 is mounted on the forward end of thevertical side walls air intake 312 of the cross flow fan is covered by an expandedmetal grate 314. Thefan shaft 316 is driven by ahydraulic motor 318. Air discharged from thecross flow fan 308 passes through fruit discharged from thedrum conveyor 202 and separates some leaves and other trash. - A
hood 320 that covers the top of the fruit separating and cleaningassembly 260, is attached to thevertical side walls rear wall 322. The transverserear wall 322 is fixed to the rear of theside walls cross flow fan 308 carries leaves and other light weight plant material downward, between therear wall 322 and the rear star wheelhorizontal shaft 280, toward the ground. - The
star wheels 282 on the star wheelhorizontal shafts 280 let fruit pass through the space between the shafts and the star wheels. Large pieces of trash mixed with the crop material, received from thedrum conveyor 202, are carried rearward and upward past the rear moststar wheel shaft 280, discharged from the fruit separating and cleaningassembly 260 and fall to the ground. Fruit, such as chili peppers, that passes through thestar wheels 282 on thestar wheel shafts 280 fall to theplate assemblies 288 on theplate shafts 286. The space between thestar wheel shafts 280 can be adjusted so that small fruit falls through first toward the front of the cleaning assembly and the largest fruit falls through the space between two star wheel shafts near the rear of the cleaning assembly. Therotating plate assemblies 288 on theplate shafts 286 haveedge surfaces 285 and points 287 that engage fruit, throw the fruit upward and forward separating soil, sand, plant material, and other foreign matter from the fruit. Substantially all of the separated material passes between theplate members 294 and to the ground. - A
transverse conveyor assembly 330 includes aconveyor trough 332 and acontinuous conveyor belt 334. Thecontinuous belt 334 is trained around alower idler roller 336 and a drivenroller 338. The drivenroller 338 is driven by ahydraulic motor 340. Theidler roller 336 is adjusted byadjustment screws 342 to tension thecontinuous conveyor belt 334. Theconveyor trough 332 of thetransverse conveyor assembly 330 receives cleaned fruit from theforward plate shaft 286 and attachedplate assemblies 288 of the fruit separation and cleaningassembly 260. Thecontinuous conveyor belt 334 conveys the fruit received in theconveyor trough 332 to adischarge conveyor hopper 344 of a discharge conveyor assembly 346. - The discharge conveyor assembly 346 includes a
lower conveyor trough 348 secured to asupport cradle 350. Thecradle 350 includes twoplate members lower conveyor trough 348. Thedischarge conveyor hopper 344 is secured to theplate members vertical beam 356 is welded to theplate 352. Avertical beam 358 is welded to theplate 354. Ahorizontal beam 360 has one end clamped to thevertical beam 356 and another end clamped to an upper portion of thelower conveyor trough 348. A secondhorizontal beam 362 has one end clamped to thevertical beam 358 and another end clamped to an upper portion of thelower conveyor trough 348. Anupper yoke 364 is welded to thevertical beams plate members horizontal beams upper trunnion assembly 366 pivotally attaches theyoke 364 to ahorizontal beam 368 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. Thehorizontal beam 368 is attached to the top of thevertical tube 38 and extends rearward from the vertical tube of theframe 12. Alower yoke 370, shown inFIG. 7 , is welded to thevertical beams upper yoke 364. Alower trunnion assembly 372 pivotally attaches thelower yoke 370 to ahorizontal beam 374 for pivotal movement about the same vertical axis as theupper trunnion assembly 366. Thehorizontal beam 374 is welded to the bottom end of avertical tube 376 and to thevertical tube 38 of theframe 12. Aplate 378, welded to the top of thevertical tube 376, is clamped to thehorizontal beam 368 by a plurality ofbolts 380 that pass through anupper plate 382 and alower plate 378. Ahydraulic cylinder 384 is pivotally attached to anear 386 on thevertical tube 38 by apivot pin 388 and to anear 390 on thevertical beam 356 by apivot pin 392. Thehydraulic cylinder 384 is operable to pivot the discharge conveyor assembly 346 more than ninety degrees about the vertical axis of theupper trunnion assembly 366 and thelower trunnion assembly 372. - An
upper conveyor trough 394 is pivotally attached to the upper end of thelower conveyor trough 348. The pivot connection permits theupper conveyor trough 394 to be moved to a transport or storage position as shown inFIG. 7 . During harvesting operations in the field, theupper conveyor trough 394 is clamped in a position in which it extends upward and outward from the upper end of thelower conveyor trough 348 at the same angle as the lower conveyor trough as shown inFIG. 1 . Acontinuous conveyor belt 396 withslats 398 that hold and convey fruit is shown inFIG. 4 andFIG. 1 . Thecontinuous conveyor belt 396 is trained around alower roller 400 supported bybearings 402 and anupper roller 404. Theupper roller 404 is driven by ahydraulic motor 406. Thelower roller 400 is moved by anadjustment screw 408 to apply the desired tension on thecontinuous belt 396. The discharge conveyor assembly 346 is shown inFIG. 7 with theconveyor belt 396, thelower roller 400 and theupper roller 404 removed. Ascreen 409 is provided on the lower end of the lower conveyor trough for separation of sand and dirt. Thisscreen 409 extends part way around thelower roller 400 and attaches to a lower edge of thedischarge conveyor hopper 344. - The harvested fruit can be collected in a container moving in the same direction as the
harvester 10 and to the left side of the harvester. The container is either on a self propelled vehicle or pulled by a separate tractor. When delivering fruit moving along on the left side of theharvester 10, thehydraulic cylinder 384 is retracted and the discharge conveyor 346 extends laterally to the left side of the harvester. The harvested fruit can also be delivered to a container on a trailer pulled behind theharvester 10. Ahitch beam 410 is welded to fore andaft tubes transverse tube 18. A trailer tongue is attached totongues hitch beam 410. Thehydraulic cylinder 384 is extended so that the discharge conveyor 346 extends rearward and upward to discharge fruit into a trailer towed behind theharvester 10. - Some crops harvested by the
harvester 10 include some fruit or other plant material that is considered undesirable. Aplatform 416 and aguard rail 418 that are both attached to theframe 12 form a work station for a person to sort material on thecontinuous conveyor belt 334 between the fruit separation and cleaningassembly 260 and the discharge conveyor assembly 346. The person working on the work station would observe the harvested fruit conveyed on thebelt 334 and separate undesirable material by hand. - The fruit separating and cleaning
assembly 260 works well for some crops. For other crops a different cleaning and separating assembly may be desirable. The cleaningassembly 260 can be changed quickly by disconnecting two hydraulic motors and removing thebolts 268. - During operation of the
harvester 10, themain draft tube 36 of thehitch assembly 34 is attached to a towing tractor. Thehitch assembly 34 is adjusted to position theheader assembly 60 to the right of the tractor. The header assembly is centered on the row of plants to be harvested. The tires andwheel assemblies 14 are to be positioned to roll on the ground on opposite sides of the row to be harvested. Bothwheels 14 should be centered between the row of plants to be harvested and adjacent plant rows. The tractor tires should be centered to roll on the ground between plant rows and to the left on the plant row to be harvested. A trailer or other vehicle, for receiving harvested fruit, should have wheels that run on the ground between plant rows. The hydraulic motors are connected to a source of hydraulic fluid powered by the towing tractor. A hydraulic pump that provides the hydraulic fluid can be mounted on theharvester 10 or on the tractor. The front of theheader assembly 60 is lowered to move the tire andwheels wheels - As the
harvester 10 is moved forward by the tractor, thesnout tips snout assemblies plant feed assemblies material feed fingers 156 move plant material between thecylindrical tubes 152 and thehelix assemblies helixes 182 formed by steel rods engage low plant fruit. As the plants progress into the passage between the inboard metal edges 188 thehelixes 182 engage fruit higher up on the plants. The plants pass through the slot between the inboard metal edges 188 by the time they reach thecylindrical tubes 184 of thehelix assemblies helix assemblies slat conveyors conveyors conveyors fruit receiving pockets 248 in adrum conveyor 202. Thedrum conveyor 202 elevates the fruit and drops the fruit into a fruit separating and cleaningassembly 260. - A
cross-flow fan 308 blows air through a stream of fruit falling into the fruit separating and cleaningassembly 260. Ahood 320 directs air from thecross flow fan 308 and light weight entrained material rearward and downward out of the separating and cleaningassembly 260. The fruit and heavier foreign material lands on a bed ofstar wheels 282 on star wheelhorizontal shafts 280. The star wheelhorizontal shafts 280 rotate to move plant material rearward. The fruit falls downward between thestar wheels 282 and thestar wheel shafts 280. Large pieces of crop material are moved to the rear of the rear moststar wheel shaft 280 and fall out of the fruit separating and cleaningassembly 260 together with the air and light foreign material. The fruit that passes through the space between star wheelhorizontal shafts 280 lands on a bed ofplate shafts 286 andplate assemblies 288. Therotating plate assemblies 288 throw fruit upward and forward. Dirt, sand and other foreign material falls away from the fruit, moves between therotating plate assemblies 288 and falls to the ground. - Cleaned fruit discharged from the fruit separating and cleaning
assembly 260 is deposited on atransverse conveyor assembly 330. Thetransverse conveyor assembly 330 moves the fruit toward the discharge conveyor 346 system on the left hand side of theharvester 10. The discharge conveyor 346 elevates fruit and deposits the fruit in a moving container on the left side of the harvester or in a container pulled behind the harvester. - Occasionally there is an irrigation ditch or other obstruction to cross. Either tire and
wheel header assembly 60 with arigid frame 62 while the other tire and wheel is up in the air. - Upon reaching the end of a plant row, the front of the header is raised off the ground to a road transport position while the harvester is turned around and lined up with another row of plants to be harvested. The front of the
header assembly 60 is then lowered to let the non-steerable tires andwheels - The disclosed embodiments are representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.
Claims (4)
1. A pull type pepper harvester comprising:
a frame
a left tire and wheel journaled on the left side of the frame and laterally adjustable to position the left tire and wheel between two plant rows, and a right tire and wheel journaled on the right side of the frame and laterally adjustable to position the right tire and wheel between two plant rows;
a hitch assembly including a main draft tube with a draft tube rear portion pivotally attached to the frame by a pin for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a draft tube forward portion adapted to be connected to a tractor, and an adjustable length strut pivotally attached to the frame and to the main draft tube that is locked in an extended position to hold the frame in a harvesting position and that is locked in a retracted position to hold the frame in a transport position;
a header assembly including a rigid header frame with a header frame rear portion attached to a transverse horizontal shaft journaled on the frame for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis, a left side ground engaging tire and wheel journaled on a left yoke assembly that is pivotally attached to a header frame front portion by a left transverse horizontal pivot pin and a left adjustment assembly that holds the left yoke assembly in selected positions about the left transverse horizontal pivot pin, a right side ground engaging tire and wheel journaled on a right yoke assembly that is pivotally attached to the header frame front portion by a right transverse horizontal pivot pin and a right adjustment assembly that holds the right yoke assembly in selected positions about the right transverse horizontal pivot pin, a left helix assembly with a left conical member on a helix forward end and a left cylindrical tube on a helix rear end and a left helical bar extending from the left conical member to the left cylindrical tube, a right helix assembly with a right conical member on a helix forward end and a right cylindrical tube on a helix rear end and a right helical bar extending from the right conical member to the right cylindrical tube, at least one left bearing rotatably mounting the left helix assembly on the rigid header frame with the left cylindrical tube above and to the rear of the left conical member and at least one right bearing rotatably mounting the right helix assembly on rigid header frame in a position with a right helix axis in a common plane with a left helix axis of the left helix assembly and spaced from the left helix assembly to form a plant passage between the left helix assembly and the right helix assembly, a left continuous belt and slat conveyor mounted on the rigid header frame on the left side of the left helix assembly, a right continuous belt and slat conveyor mounted on the rigid header frame on the right side of the right helix assembly and wherein the left continuous belt and slat conveyor and the right continuous belt and slat conveyor receive fruit separated from plants by the left helix assembly and the right helix assembly and elevate and move the fruit to the rear;
a header lift assembly including a lift bar assembly with a lift bar upper end journaled on the transverse horizontal shaft, a header hydraulic lift cylinder connected to the frame and to the lift bar assembly and wherein extension of the header hydraulic lift cylinder moves a lift bar lower end into engagement with the rigid header frame and continued extension of the header hydraulic lift cylinder lifts the left side ground engaging tire and wheel and the right side ground engaging tire and wheel to a transport position off the ground;
an elevating conveyor mounted on the frame that receives harvested fruit from the left continuous belt and slat conveyor and from the right continuous belt and slat conveyor on the rigid header frame and elevates the fruit;
a fruit separating and cleaning assembly with a left vertical side wall, a left vertical wall rear end, and a left vertical wall front end attached to the frame, a right vertical side wall, a right vertical wall rear end and a right vertical wall front end attached to the frame, a blower attached to the left vertical wall front end and the right vertical wall front end, a transverse rear wall attached to the left vertical wall rear end and a right vertical wall rear end, a hood secured to the transverse wall and extending forward to a fruit inlet into the fruit separating and cleaning assembly, a plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts each of which is journaled on the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall, a plurality of star wheels with rubber fingers mounted on each star wheel shaft forming a separation bead, a front star wheel shaft of the plurality of star wheel shafts that receives fruit and other plant material discharged from the elevating conveyor that passes through the fruit inlet and wherein the star wheel shafts are spaced apart so that fruit passes downward between star wheels on adjacent star wheel shafts and wherein the star wheels are rotated to elevate the large pieces of plant material and convey the large pieces of plant material to a trash discharge chute between a rear star wheel shaft and the transverse rear wall, a fan mounted on the left vertical wall front end and the right vertical wall front end that discharges air forward of the fruit inlet and under the hood and separates light trash from fruit and carries the separated light trash through the trash discharge chute, a plurality of horizontal plate shafts each of which is journaled on the left vertical side wall and the right vertical side wall and below the plurality of horizontal star wheel shafts, a plurality of plate assemblies mounted on each of the plurality of plate shafts and wherein the plurality of plate assemblies on each of the plurality of plate shafts extends between the plurality of plate assemblies mounted on each adjacent one of the plurality of plate shafts and wherein each plate assembly includes a periphery with a plurality of projections that engage fruit upon rotation of the plurality of plate shafts in a common direction, accelerate fruit upward thereby separating foreign material from the fruit to pass down between the plurality of plate assemblies and simultaneously conveys fruit toward a fruit discharge from the fruit separating and cleaning assembly; and
a conveyor system mounted on the frame that receives fruit discharged from the fruit separating and cleaning assembly and conveys fruit away from the pull type pepper harvester.
2. A pull type pepper harvester, as set forth in claim 1 , including a left helix front support bearing supported by the rigid header frame and rotatably supporting the left conical member, and a right helix front support bearing supported by the rigid header frame and rotatably supporting the right conical member.
3. A pull type pepper harvester, as set forth in claim 1 , including a left snout assembly pivotally attached to the header frame front portion and covering the left side ground engaging wheel, and a right snout assembly pivotally attached to the header frame front portion and covering the right side ground engaging wheel.
4. A pull type pepper harvester, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the conveyor system mounted on the frame includes a transverse conveyor assembly that receives fruit discharged from the fruit separating and cleaning assembly discharge and conveys the fruit away from the fruit separating and cleaning discharge, and a fruit discharge conveyor that receives a fruit from the transverse conveyor assembly, elevates the fruit and discharges fruit from the pull type pepper harvester.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/477,020 US20090272092A1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2009-06-02 | Pull Type Pepper Harvester |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/050,792 US7555888B1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2008-03-18 | Pull type pepper harvester |
US12/477,020 US20090272092A1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2009-06-02 | Pull Type Pepper Harvester |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/050,792 Division US7555888B1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2008-03-18 | Pull type pepper harvester |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090272092A1 true US20090272092A1 (en) | 2009-11-05 |
Family
ID=40810938
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/050,792 Expired - Fee Related US7555888B1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2008-03-18 | Pull type pepper harvester |
US12/477,020 Abandoned US20090272092A1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2009-06-02 | Pull Type Pepper Harvester |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/050,792 Expired - Fee Related US7555888B1 (en) | 2008-03-18 | 2008-03-18 | Pull type pepper harvester |
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US (2) | US7555888B1 (en) |
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CN103359310A (en) * | 2013-07-28 | 2013-10-23 | 衢州乐创节能科技有限公司 | Orange classification box filling machine |
CN104255185A (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2015-01-07 | 湖南农业大学 | Small crawler-type oilseed rape windrower |
CN105248039A (en) * | 2015-10-20 | 2016-01-20 | 河南省粮源农业发展有限公司 | Hand-push little pepper harvester |
KR101855076B1 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2018-05-10 | 동양물산기업 주식회사 | A screening device for a red pepper harvest |
CN108738666A (en) * | 2018-06-11 | 2018-11-06 | 重庆华渝种子有限公司 | Pepper-picking machine |
KR20190107799A (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2019-09-23 | 동양물산기업 주식회사 | Red pepper harvesting machine |
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BR102013028618B1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2020-03-10 | Marchesan Implementos E Máquinas Agrícolas Tatú S/A | TUBULAR STRUCTURE APPLIED TO SUGAR CANE HARVEST |
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RU2462020C1 (en) * | 2011-03-23 | 2012-09-27 | Федеральное государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования Волгоградская государственная сельскохозяйственная академия | Collector of cucurbits crop fruit with active feeder |
CN103359310A (en) * | 2013-07-28 | 2013-10-23 | 衢州乐创节能科技有限公司 | Orange classification box filling machine |
CN104255185A (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2015-01-07 | 湖南农业大学 | Small crawler-type oilseed rape windrower |
CN105248039A (en) * | 2015-10-20 | 2016-01-20 | 河南省粮源农业发展有限公司 | Hand-push little pepper harvester |
KR101855076B1 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2018-05-10 | 동양물산기업 주식회사 | A screening device for a red pepper harvest |
KR20190107799A (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2019-09-23 | 동양물산기업 주식회사 | Red pepper harvesting machine |
KR102087586B1 (en) | 2018-03-13 | 2020-03-11 | 동양물산기업 주식회사 | Red pepper harvesting machine |
CN108738666A (en) * | 2018-06-11 | 2018-11-06 | 重庆华渝种子有限公司 | Pepper-picking machine |
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