WO2005043978A1

WO2005043978A1 - Olive harvesting machine

Info

Publication number: WO2005043978A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/004693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlos Oscar Porta; Hector Oscar Rostan; Pablo Martin Bonadeo
Original assignee: Los Olivares De Venado Tuerto S.A.; Lyons, Andrew, John
Priority date: 2003-10-27
Filing date: 2003-10-27
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: AU2003282216A1

Abstract

Olive harvesting machine (1) including a chassis (2) with four wheels (3), a power engine (4) and control (7) and transmission devices. The chassis carries an operator's cab (16) and a frame (10) supporting the rollers (11) placed in opposition to one another, each of which consists of a motorized vertical axle (12) to which are connected several hairs (14) capable of being in physical contact with the branches of the plant. Each of the said hairs (14) is connected to an above-mentioned vertical axle (12) so that, apart form enabling a turning movement, tile free end in the axle is allowed to oscillate as compared to the end attached to the axle (12).

Description

OLIVE HARVESTING MACHINE

Field of Invention: This invention consists in a harvesting machine particularly designed for harvesting olives, although in general it could also be applied to the harvesting of other bushlike crops. In particular, the invention refers to an olive-harvesting machine for mechanical harvesting of bushes, improving harvest yield in comparison to other machines or to hand harvesting.

Background of Invention: Since ages ago, specially in the Mediterranean basin, man has brought in harvest from the olive tree taking advantage of the nutritious characteristics of its fruit, the olive. With the passing of time, the olive oil has proved to be most beneficial to health. In ancient times, man used to harvest the olive by hand, climbing up the tree and reaping off the fruits. As the tree grew and he had to climb higher, this technique was replaced by the so-called "knocking-down", which involves knocking the branches in order to make the fruits fall off and collect them once on the ground. There are in the state of the art certain patents involving devices that allow for a more efficient "knocking-down", such as the United States patent Number 5,099,637, which discloses a device similar to a rake, although its teeth are covered by a padding material that makes it possible to harvest the olives without causing them any harm. These "knocking-down" techniques, even though still used at present, are reasonably applicable to small harvesting surfaces. In fact, it is very common in certain European countries, such as Italy, to find small producers that have only a few hectares of land where they harvest olives and, due to the reduced number of plants, it is possible to use this harvesting technique. Therefore, large-scale harvesting of olives calls for the use of some mechanical assistance means tending to ease production. However, as such extensive harvesting areas are uncommon, due to the olive's low yield as compared to other crops (which usually leads to its replacement), other harvesting machines initially designed for other crops are adapted to harvest olives. The most typical examples are coffee harvesting machines or fruit harvesting machines which are adapted so that they may be used on this plant. Obviously, none of them provides an adequate solution because the olive tree has clearly defined characteristics different from those of coffee or fruit plants. There are several patents involving fruit or coffee harvesting machines. For example, United States patents that have characteristics similar to those present in this invention: include 5,904,034, 4,077, 193, 4,329,836, 4,860,529, 4,974,404, 5,027,593, 5,161 ,358, 5,220,775 and 5,421 ,149. All of them are based on a similar concept: along a self-propelled machine that has at least one or two vertical axles, carrying "fingers" or rods radially arranged onto the axle, thus altogether defining a sort of vertical "brush" propelled by an engine in the machine that causes it to turn. This moving "brush" gets closer to the plant causing the fingers to softly knock the branches, orderly shaking those branches without breaking them so as to make the fruits fall off onto the ground. Since these machines are designed for trees that are very different from olive trees, they have certain characteristics that are inappropriate for this kind of plant. A different group of patents worth mentioning are United States Patents

5,661,963, 5,904,034, 5,921,074, 6,003,294, 6,158,203, 6,070,402, 5,666,796, 5,660,033, 5,027,593, 5,010,719, 4,982,558 and 4,750,322. Many of them disclose harvesting machines that treat fruit trees in a very similar way to that referred to herein, with elastic-rod rollers that allow for an adequate shaking intended to cause the fruit to fall off. However, none of them involves the combination of the devices described here, which not only allows for the treatment of large frees, but also combines this with a mechanism that enables the width of the machine to vary, thus making it uniquely versatile.

Summary of the Invention: This invention involves the development of a technique and an experimental system of mechanical harvesting that is particularly applicable to the olive free, using a machine developed to include the following fundamental features: A mounting or bridge-structure machine, i.e. the chassis forming an arch traveling over harvesting line. This fulfills the object of being more efficient at the time of collection of the fruits and having a more efficient close-capture system which prevents losses, as compared to a lateral operation machine, and reduces time and cost since both sides of the tree are harvested in a single pass instead of needing two passes(one for each side of the tree). The size of the machine enables it work on frees having a maximum width 4.5 m and a maximum height 4.6 m.

- The machine can be transported in special carts, respecting applicable legal provisions, of no more than 3.9 m wide and 4.5 m high.

- The harvesting headers are designed in such a way so as to allow for harvesting and avoid harm to plants and trunks, thus preventing damage to the fruit. - Headers are designed so as to adapt themselves to the top of the tree and work inside the top. - The machine is adapted to the different forms of agronomic operation in trees, according to the kind of pruning: for example, cup-like, cone-like, free type, or in the various types of densities in plants, whether it be in intensive cultivation (200 to 400 plants per ha.) or superintensive (more than 400 plants per ha.). The collection system is arranged in such a way so as to adapt to the closure on the trees, thus allowing for the collection of fruits, avoiding losses of more than 3%, the knocking of the fruits, and cause, by means of a system of belts and norias, the placing of the fruits in boxes, cases, hoppers or bulk carts. - At the same time, the closure has a system that will make the lower branches move in a certain direction and protect conveyor belts.

- As an accessory to this invention, the machine may also have a pruning and spraying device. The invention resides in an olive harvesting machine having the following features: a chassis with four wheels and an internal combustion engine that not only propels the machine but also supplies power to the several pumps included therein. A bodywork is mounted onto the chassis and includes -on the left-hand side- an elevated cab where the operating devices and two seats for the operators are located. Further- more, centred in front, it has a frame that supports the first pair of opposite rollers and two projecting lower paddles. Each of those rollers has several "hairs" or radial fingers that define parallel surfaces of radial fingers among one another. Each of those fingers is associated with a central axle in the brush in such a way that each of them, when turning, also shakes thus creating a combined rotovibration effect. In the lower part, close to the ground and below the said rollers, the machine includes internal trays for collecting the fruits falling off during the operation in the moment the branches are shaken when knocked by the turning fingers. Moreover, a barred lateral surface is provided for preventing the fruits from getting out of reach of the machine during operation, as explained hereinbelow. Brief Description of Drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective overview of the olive harvesting machine according to the invention, illustrating in particular the harvesting rollers, the cab and the front paddles. Figure 2 is an overhead lateral view, showing the arrangement of the rollers and the operation means. Figure 3 is an overhead lateral view showing the barred surface and the rollers. Figure 4 shows a detail of a roller, as well as the connection of each "hair" to its central axle.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Mode of Operation of the Invention: As illustrated hererein, the machine, indicated by reference I, comprises a chassis 2 with an operating cab having room for two persons, the operator and the person in charge of the harvesting system, and with four wheels 3. The wheel supports are telescopic, enabling the elevation or lowering of the machine. The wheels 3 are turning wheels, the two at the front being the steering ones and the two at the back the correcting ones, having independent operation, thus centring and correcting the movement of the machine, as well as reducing the turning angle at the headland. An internal combustion engine 4, providing power to the several pumps that start the movable parts in the machine (hydraulic motors and cylinders) by means of a steering box. On top of the chassis 2 is mounted bodywork 5 that includes, in an elevated manner and on its right-hand side, a cab 6 similar to those found in harvesting machines existing in the state of the art. This cab 6, because it is of traditional design, includes controls 7 in the machine and seats 8 for the operators. As an integral part of the chassis 2, in agreement with its central front part, the machine has two paddles 9 that help the machine lead the plant within the harvesting area, as is explained below. This chassis, in turn, consists of a frame 10 supporting rollers 11 arranged in opposition to one another at the front of the machine. Each of these rollers 1 1 has a vertical central axle 12, the ends of which are connected to drives 13 which cause it to turn when harvesting. This axle has several "hairs" or radial fingers 14, each of which is connected to the said axle by means of (see figure 4) two hair- pressing plates 15-16 among which these hairs are "pressed" by the joint of the plates caused by bolts 17, with nuts 18 and washers 19. In this way, each "hair" is pressed between plates 15-16, although not touching each other. Therefore, each of the said hairs can, because of their extension, oscillate while turning, defining a double action on the branches: not only does the machine knock them when turning, but it also shakes them with its vibration, remarkably improving yield. This is a feature that is not necessary when harvesting, for example, fruits, and this is the reason why the machine proposed is especially adequate for olive harvesting; it clearly surpasses coffee harvesting machines that are commonly used for this purpose. The axle referred to above turns because of its connection to steering controls propelled by the hydraulic engine. In the lower part close to the ground, below rollers 1 1 , the machine includes internal trays 21 for collection of the fruits falling off during operation, when the branches are shaken by the knocking of turning fingers. Furthermore, it presents a lateral wrapping barred surface 22 that prevents the fruits from escaping out of reach of the machine during operation due to the fact that, while the machine gets in contact with the plant, many fruits tend to escape from its reach. In order to avoid this from being detrimental to yield, this surface retains inside the machine the fruits falling on the ground on frays 21 described above. In the lower part, and this is known in the state of the art in other harvesting machines, it includes fruit-collection devices which will not be described in detail as they are not an essential part to this invention. Finally, it should further be noted that the chassis in the machine includes height 23 adjustment means for adapting the height of the machine to the average height of the plants to be harvested. Thus, the machine works in the following way: the operator, once on cab 6, starts the engine 20 that propels the machine and provides power to the pumps and controls that, among other functions, cause axles 12 to turn, thus causing rollers 1 1 to turn as well. The width of the said frame 10 may be regulated so as to adapt the machine to the characteristics of the plants to be harvested. This is achieved by hydraulic cylinders 24 that enable lineal movement of positions 10a and 10b of frame 10, moving them apart or bringing them closer together, as may be necessary, and thus increase or decrease the width of the frame. Obviously, when the width is adjusted, the rollers also move and this depends upon how big and leafy the plants to be harvested may be. By using the "mouth" defined by the said frame 10, the operator steers the machine so as to place it in front of the first plant, thus placing the latter between both rollers 1 1. When rollers 1 1 get in contact with the machine, its "hairs" or fingers 12 hit the branches while turning and, in knocking them, the oscillatory movement of each hair causes an additional shaking movement that sensibly improves yield. Improved yield is to be understood as the capacity of the machine to reap off a larger number of fruits from the plant and keep them at a reachable distance, thus avoiding the possibility of losing the ones falling on the ground. The combined effect of the hairs when turning and oscillating on the branches causes the fruits to fall off due to gravitational force. Below the rollers, collecting trays 21 prevent the fruits from reaching the ground and, because of their pitch, they carry them to the lower part of the machine where additional collecting devices are found for later treatment.

Structure, Headers and Collection System

Structure Two kinds of structures are disclosed herein, basically differing from each other in the width and height of the trees to be treated and in the arrangement of the wheels, which are four in number in both cases. While in one of them there is a symmetrical distribution of wheels, in the other there is an asymmetrical distribution with a leading wheel, a fixed wheel and a beam. The structure is of a telescopic kind, the two lateral sides joined by telescopic girders at the upper part of the machine. It is sufficiently reinforced both in the upper and lateral sides so as to prevent the paddling of a lateral side as compared to the other. Furthermore, the structure is capable of carrying all the weight of the girders on two points. The machine has a hydraulic movement. It has a hydrostatic transmission with low-speed and high-torque motors in the four wheels. Moreover, the structure has a balancing system by means of hydraulic cylinders that makes it possible for the machine to adapt itself to the different types of surfaces, whether with or without edges. The system is supplemented by the use of pneumatic lungs that, on one hand, assure the damping of the machine and, on the other, make it possible for the machine to adapt itself to the irregularity of the land, thus constant transmission is guaranteed and the structure is prevented from adapting itself to variable torsion components. The operation post has a joystick-like steering grip, which is intended to: control the machine to move forwards and backwards, move the rear wheels in a certain direction, . offer a sensor-operated position of straight movement and alignment; it has a wheel-blocking system intended to be used in case of emergency, a sensor system that allows the machine to position itself as required by the type of tree-trunk. Moreover, it controls the opening and closure of structure gauge and it has a system of automatic or hand-operated raising and lowering of the individual hydraulic operation by means of wheels, as well as a velocity of transfer selector. The operator's post has two joysticks that control the headers, the purpose of which is to operate the opening and closure of brushes, having a placing device intended to enable operation when using only one of them; the said operation post has a sym- metrical or asymmetrical opening system. Furthermore, it regulates the speed in the rotors and the breaking force, as well as the operation of belts, wheels and blowers. Power consists of a diesel motor that starts the steering box that provides the necessary mechanical force for the operation of three hydraulic pumps. One of them corresponds to the hydrostatic transmission system, another one to the general operation of hydraulic motors and cylinders and the third one controls a double pump that operates the harvesting headers.

Headers Two kinds of headers are disclosed and one of them offers three alternatives:

Rotovibrating Brushes They consist in a movement system, a braking control system and a group of rods that work directly on the tree, the movement of which is caused by eccentric masses in relation to a central point (inertial non-equilibrium of masses). Differences are based on the anchoring system and weight of the masses, thus achieving important inertia that allows for low-turn functioning with great inertial force. Rods are arranged in a radial manner and there are two alternatives for such an arrangement: one of them is tangential in the front or back and applies to a knocking system that may require greater penetration or collection speed in superintensive systems. A mechanical breaking system is disclosed for the rotovibrating brushes

(hydraulically operated breaking discs) that allow for the control of the knocks of the rods and the brush-rotation system. The brush headers are located in a structure that slides on rails that enable the brushes to run perpendicular to the movement of the machine. This is an innovative design in two respects. On one hand, it allows for adaptation to the canopying of the trees and, on the other, it makes it possible to place the brushes within the branches without causing any damage due to the fact that the agronomic shape of the tree is respected. This system, together with the possibility of changing the gauge, allows for this machine to be used on different types of crops. Rods are made with a polyamide 6 centre, covered by rubber so as to avoid harm to the olives. The rods are arranged in a radial manner every 15 degrees at a horizontal level, thus amounting to a total of 24 rods per level, affixed to an aluminum structure in contact with the main axle. The different levels of the rods may be spaced apart from one another between 7 cm and 15 cm, according to the density of rods required by the various kinds of crops. The aluminum plates holding the rods may be affixed to an adapter that allows for a tangential distribution of the rods up to a total of 18 per level. Vibrating Plates This system had been developed for use in a lateral manner in Spanish conduction-type trees, where the mechanical knocking down of the rods is made more difficult in their lower part. It consists of 6 columns arranged in parallel lines, having a distance from one another of 25 cm, which tilt over an axis, with a distribution of rods in contact with each column at a distance of 7 cm from one another. The operation involves moving odd columns to the right and even columns to the left, and vice versa. This process simulates the crossing of the rods that cause the fruits to fall off. It has also been designed for use in replacement of rotovibrating brushes.

Collection System This system consists of two conveyor belts in the front, horizontally placed along the machine, thus leaving an open space between each other. This space may be adapted according to the movement of the upper telescopic girders so that, when the structure is closed, the belts touch one another and, when they move, the distance between internal tips in the belt reaches from 180 cm to 140 cm in accordance with the two designs referred to above. This belt places the fruit collected in some other rear belts that are horizontally placed 90 degrees from the abovementioned ones. These belts place the fruit in two norias arranged at 45 degrees, which place the fruit in boxes, bins or carts. The norias are of a balancing type so that they may be folded on the chassis and, thus, the external dimensions are not altered in the event of cart transportation. When the structure of the machine is open, a polycarbon plate device is placed, joined to a tube by means of rubber tips, which makes them tilt. This is so because the paddles, due to their distribution and geometry, provide a veiy tight closure against the trunk of the trees and, when the machine moves forward, these paddles move away from the trunks, thus allowing for the closure to be maintained on one side and, on the other, the paddles are affixed with a pitch of 23 degrees in relation to the horizontal line so as to make the fruit roll and to place it on the front belts. Below the structure a device is placed 20 cm from the inside of the belts, which work as a banister and offer protection to the belts. Above the paddles, bars are also placed to lead the movement of the lower branches of the tree so that the brushes can work on them. In front of the belts two oscillating pontoons are placed. The system is supplemented by two front doors and two rear doors that prevent the fruit from being ejected through the front or back sides. The velocities in the belts and norias may be regulated and they are mainly dependent upon the varieties of plants to be harvested. The machine has a pre-cleaning system that makes it possible to separate the leaves and boughs from the fruit. This system consists in two fans that control the air between the front and rear belts and in the lower movement of the norias. It also comprises a system of two rollers arranged on back belts that separate the fruit from the boughs. Below the belt protectors a constant sensor has been placed, which is intended to monitor the position of the machine at all times so as to keep it centred in relation to the position of the trunks. It involves two tap-rooted bars at the ends and a sensor for angle- position that transmits the information to the operator's cab so as to enable the correction, automatically or by hand operation, of the position in the correcting wheels.

Pruning System This system consist in the simultaneous or alternative placing of cutting bars with circular saws of 45 cm in diameter, mounted on the space where the rotovibrating carts run. It is possible to control cutting angles of the bars and to adapt them, when using the positioning cylinders, to the various needs of the crop concerned. Bars are useful not only for the top but also for the lateral sides of the tree. A simple olive-harvesting machine is disclosed, offering a high level of yield, adequate costs and simple maintenance. Other crops arranged in lines with trees or bushes of a width of about 4.5 m and a height of about 4.6, e.g. fruits, citrus fruits, coffee plants, vine, tea or mate, m may use the invention as a harvesting system, whether it be by knocking-down, collection, cleaning collection, storage or pruning, and collection and storage.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A harvesting machine including a chassis with four wheels, a power engine, and control and transmission devices; said chassis carrying a cab for at least one operator and a frame holding rollers arranged in opposition to one another, each roller having a driven vertical axle with which several hairs are in contact; said hairs adapted to physically contact the branches of the plant; characterized in that that each of these hairs is in connection with the vertical axle in such a way so as to produce, apart from a turning movement, an oscillation in the free end relative to the end attached to the axle.

2. A harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the con- nection between the vertical axle and each of the hairs comprises two paddles in contact with the vertical axle by means of bolts with nuts and washer that define an adjustment by pressure of the said hair.

3. A harvesting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each axle has several series of hairs in a radial or tangential distribution, its centre being made of polyamide 6 or hyfrel of about 16 mm in diameter and covered by a rubber of about 19-24 mm in internal and external diameter.

4. A harvesting machine according to claim 3, characterized by further including, between each series of hairs, at the same height, a variable separating bushing allowing for an equidistant position among all the series is placed.

5. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by further including in that the machine is adapted to harvest olive trees.

6. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by further including exchangeable headers for selecting between olive harvesting and for use of the machine in other fruit and citric trees, as well as spraying and pruning devices..

7. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized in that the chassis comprises an arch structure with variable gauge.

8. A harvesting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the arch structure has an internal width adapted to work on trees of a size of up to 4.5 m wide and 4.6 m high.

9. A harvesting machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that structure is retractile making the lateral levels get closer to one another so that it can be transported by road.

10. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized jn that the cab and hydraulic pumps are located on the sides of the machine.

1 1. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by comprising two steering wheels and correcting wheels system having a wide turning angle with a centering device in the machine.

12. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by further including a telescopic elevation system in the machine including square rails and hydraulic cylinders that, together with the use of gas accumulators, enable adaptation to the shape of the land assuring constant drive in the four wheels.

13. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by comprising an assembly of collection headers movable in directions perpendicular and horizontal to the movement of the machine, enabling the machine to reach the centre of the tree.

14. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by frirther including an affixing system of the rotovibrating system located in a structure that runs along fixing rails to prevent vibration from affecting the structure.

15. A harvesting machine according to a preceding claim, characterized by further including a fruit collection system, paddles, a tree-position sensor, belts and norias control, a system of separation of leaves by air and a box or bin carrying device.