Delbert D Williams

US Patent:

54211476, Jun 6, 1995

Filed:

Jul 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/099120

Inventors:

Gary R. Holden - Manteca CA
Delbert L. Williams - Valley Springs CA
Lloyd F. Hay - Oakdale CA

Assignee:

FR Mfg. Corporation - Stockton CA

International Classification:

A01D 5100

US Classification:

563281

Abstract:

A nut harvester includes a frame drawn by a tractor over nut and debris windrows on the ground of a nut orchard. The nut harvester collects the nuts from the windrows and separates the debris collected therewith while minimizing the dust emissions and airborne pollutants generated by the nut harvester. The nut harvester includes three primary sections: a pick-up section, a stationary grid section, and a conveyor/fan section. The pick-up section includes finger assemblies which engage the ground to propel the nuts and debris forwardly and upwardly into a rotating feed reel which in turn deposits the nuts onto a stationary grid. The stationary grid includes a number of parallel bars which are spaced to prevent the nuts from falling therebetween. Wipers extend transversely across the grid and advance the nuts therealong. The wipers include downwardly projecting teeth which are inserted between the bars to separate dirt clumps, sand-like soil and other debris for return directly to the ground, thereby minimizing dust emissions.