Kenneth Lloyd Mcelwain

US Patent:

42441650, Jan 13, 1981

Filed:

May 31, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/044007

Inventors:

Kenneth L. McElwain - Ruskin FL

Assignee:

Kennco Manufacturing, Inc. - Ruskin FL

International Classification:

A01D 4500

US Classification:

56327R

Abstract:

A harvester apparatus comprising a plurality of discrete stations disposed in operative communication relative to each other on a self-propelled mobile chassis to remove plants from the earth and separate the fruit or vegetable from the stem or vine including a cutting station comprising an adjustable cutter having an adjustable positioner station disposed adjacent thereto to engage the plants and orient the plants for cutting by the cutter, a first transport station comprising a diagonally disposed conveyor having a plurality of lateral positioned cross members or retainers formed thereon disposed to receive plants from the cutter station and a feed element to direct plants from the cutter station to the first conveyor, a stripper station adjacent the first transport station to receive the plants therefrom comprising at least one pair or set of counter-rotating separator members to separate the fruit or vegetables from the vine or stem, a culling station comprising at least one movable open mesh conveyor disposed adjacent and substantially perpendicular to the stripper station to receive fruit or vegetables therefrom to selectively retain fruit or vegetables and transport the fruit or vegetables to a second transport station comprising a side conveyor disposed substantially perpendicular and immediately adjacent and on the same plane as the culling station to receive fruit or vegetables therefrom and a cross conveyor disposed rearwardly and substantially perpendicular to the side conveyor to receive fruit and vegetables therefrom and a discharge station disposed adjacent the second transport station to receive fruit or vegetables therefrom and discharge them from the harvester apparatus.