Abstract:
Apparatus and method for harvesting biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby, preferably, at least one guide float is configured to float below the water surface. At least one support structure is configured to be coupled to the bottom beneath water, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within the dead zone. A main funnel is coupled to (i) the at least one guide float and (ii) the substantially rigid frame within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is disposed adjacent the lower funnel and is configured to store the descending biomass. Hauling structure is coupled to the guide float and is configured to haul the collection canister from the lower funnel to the surface.
Abstract:
A portable handheld edge cutter (1) has a cutterhead (2) fixed to a guide tube (4). Two wheels (6, 7) are attached to the cutterhead (2). The cutterhead (2) includes a gear unit mounted in a gear housing (8). A first wheel (7) is rotatably journalled on a first end (27) of the gear housing (8). On the opposite-lying end (28) of the gear housing (8), a cutting knife (9) is mounted and is rotatably driven by the output shaft (18) of the gear unit. In order to achieve a simple assembly of the edge cutter (1) and to protect the gear housing (8) against wear, the second wheel (6) is mounted between the gear housing (8) and the cutting knife (9) and that the two wheels (6, 7) are journalled coaxially to the output shaft (18).
Abstract:
A potato or other root crop harvester having a shock absorbing primary bed is disclosed. The primary bed is held in normal digging position by high pressure fluid cylinders. A shock to the shovels attached to the forward edge of the primary bed causes the fluid pressure to rise within the cylinders, thereby exceeding a relief valve setting and allowing the fluid to discharge from the cylinders to permit the primary bed to move rearwardly, absorbing the shock and preventing damage to the harvester. A further unique feature of the potato harvester is the presence of three shovels attached to the primary bed to harvest three rows simultaneously. The primary bed discharges tubers onto a secondary bed which transports them to lateral transport means to discharge them into trucks or other carriers. A devining chain encompasses the secondary bed, allowing potatoes to fall through onto the secondary bed while carrying vines to the rear of the harvester to discharge them.
Abstract:
A power cutting tool includes a housing, a motor accommodated in the housing, a cutting assembly optionally operated in a trimming mode or in an edging mode and being driven by the motor to rotate around a first axis, a handle assembly, an elongated shaft connecting the cutting assembly and the handle assembly, a guard mounted to the cutting assembly, and a wheel assembly including a wheel. The wheel assembly is optionally mounted at least a first mounting position and a second mounting position. The central axis of the wheel is substantially perpendicular to the first axis when the wheel assembly is mounted at the first mounting position and is substantially parallel to the first axis when the wheel assembly is mounted at the second mounting position.
Abstract:
A conventional two row potato combine basic frame and conveyor structure having removably mounted thereon a four row potato digger apron supported by a removable outboard and inboard frame and support members and having removably mounted onto said frame structure a pair of spaced angularly disposed conveyors converging crop from said multi-row digger apron onto a single elevating conveyor of said basic frame structure.
Abstract:
A trimmer comprises a cutting head (1) housing a cutter (5), and a shaft (2) for supporting the cutting head. A large diameter wheel (8) is rotatably mounted with respect to the cutting head (1), and a motor is provided for driving the cutter (5) via an output shaft (7). The cutting head (1) is connected to the shaft (2) by a joint (3) permitting the cutting head (1) to be positioned with its cutter (5) either substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. The wheel (8) is sized to contact the ground when the cutter (5) is substantially vertical and to circumscribed the axis of the output shaft (7). The arrangement is such that the cutter (5) extends beyond the circumference of the wheel (8).
Abstract:
A potato harvester having cooperative elements serving the functions of prividing an overall frame for the harvester with wheels for locomotion. A de-vining system utilizing a de-vining chain running between large top roller and a smaller bottom roller a pallet and worker stand, a sorting area to sort potatoes three ways and an area and system for discharge of filled pallets which cooperate in an assembly line process allowing for the intervention and participation of field workers with an automated process. The chief inventive portions being a pallet stand with an unloading forklift; Separation or sorting of potatoes onto conveyors which load the potatoes into the appropriate pallets depending on size while allowing for separation by hand of large and small potatoes from the average sized into three distinct areas by hand with waste disposal finished by hand; a refined digging and de-vining system designed to clear vines from the potatoes and carrier chain in a assembly line process.
Abstract:
The apparatus for cleaning tuberous plants of this invention comprises a frame, a plurality of digging wheels fastened on the lowermost side of a suitable horizontal framing member at the forwardmost terminal end of the frame, a disk-renk, a belt-renk subassembly, and a discharging subassembly. The disk-renk may include a multiplicity of pentagonally shaped plates fastened on a suitable shaft. The belt-renk subassembly may include a elevating conveyer operable to elevate and to move rearwardly tubers discharged from the disk-renk and a belt-renk disposed parallel to, and substantially beneath, the elevating conveyer, and a upwardly inclined chain conveyer-like belt inclined from its forwardmost terminal end to its rearwardmost terminal end. The chain conveyer-like belt is driven in an upwardly inclined, rearward direction. The discharging subassembly is operable to take plant tubers from the lowermost forwardmost terminal end of the belt-renk and to convey the tubers to a suitable transporting vehicle or similar containing apparatus.
Abstract:
A turf edger is attached to a traction unit in the form of a self-propelled turf grooming or working vehicle. The turf edger has a narrow U-shaped edging blade carried on an edger frame. The edging blade oscillates to cut and free a strip of material along a boundary between a turf surface and a non-turf surface. When this strip of material is brushed away, a clean edge is provided along the boundary without the need for any manual hoeing. Side walls of the edging blade at least partially nest around a ground engaging roller on the edger frame to more easily cut horizontal grass runners in the turf surface. The edger frame is selectively movable between a lowered edging position and a raised transport position by the operator. Limited ground following action is provided for the edger frame when the edger frame is in the edging position.