초록 ▼

In a field harvester and trimmer for root crops having foliage tops growing from the crowns of the crop to be harvested and trimmed, such as large bulbous onions, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, consisting of a movable vehicle having at least a forward mounted severing and lifting mechanism and tri

In a field harvester and trimmer for root crops having foliage tops growing from the crowns of the crop to be harvested and trimmed, such as large bulbous onions, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, consisting of a movable vehicle having at least a forward mounted severing and lifting mechanism and trimmer, the improvement comprising a series of rotating and caged flail drum sub-assemblies for trimming the foliage tops and roots of the gathered crop the results of which is a surprisingly enhanced trimmed state. In accordance with the invention, the series of caged, rotating flail drum sub-assemblies of the invention each includes independently rotating dissectable cylindrical cage circumferenential of a series of transverse knives mounted on a central, independently driven shaft. The cylindrical cage includes a side wall preferably provided with a plurality of slots defining major axes of symmetry substantially transverse to axis of rotation of the central driven shaft. When tops or roots of the gathered crop penetrate the slots, only the tip portions of the knives are adapted to contact such tops or roots thereby defining a maximum cutting solid of rotation centered at a selected, constant radial distance from the axis of rotation of the central shaft. Result: a surprising rapid harvesting and trim rate.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A harvester for root vegetables comprising:(i) a body, (ii) means for supporting and moving said body in a pre-selected travel direction, (iii) a severing and lifting mechanism provided on said body for severing and picking up root vegetables, (iv) a trimmer in operational contact with said sever

1. A harvester for root vegetables comprising:(i) a body, (ii) means for supporting and moving said body in a pre-selected travel direction, (iii) a severing and lifting mechanism provided on said body for severing and picking up root vegetables, (iv) a trimmer in operational contact with said severing and lifting mechanism for trimming off both foliage tops and roots of said root vegetables by application of non-vibratory tumbling action to said root vegetables, comprising at least a rotating and caged flail drum sub-assembly comprising an independently rotating cylindrical cage circumferential of a series of transverse knives mounted on a central, independently driven shaft substantially normal to said pres-selected travel direction of said body.