GB2028084A - Machine for harvesting from fruit trees - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for harvesting fruit trees has shaker and collector devices and a draw tube 3 displaceably and rotatably mounted on a base frame 6 in a guide tube 4. Two individually movable pivot wheels 7 are situated on the rear part of the base frame, guide bars 11 having a working carriage 12 moved on guide rollers by a working cylinder 13 being arranged on the base frame. A seat 15 and control elements 16 are fixed on the working carriage, there being a collector screen a shaker respectively adjustable and articulatedly associated with the working carriage, the shaker being placed on the forward part. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Machine for harvesting from fruit trees The invention relates to a machine for harvesting from fruit trees, especially in intensive cultivations, which can be used for harvesting from fruit trees with either large or small crowns.

In practice, machines are known which are formed as self-propelled or tractor-mounted machines. These work by the parallel method, where shakers and collector canvases are used. The Balkan Ill, Perry-Charvester or Chysholm-Ryder fruit harvesting machines may be named as representative of these. The disadvantage of these machines consists in that they are technically very expensive, possess poor operability and do not conform, or conform only partially, with the requirements of practical operation for use in intensive cultivations both with large-crowned and with small-crowned trees. The device for harvesting fruit as described in German Publ. Spec. No.

23 49 103 possesses an analogous disadvantage. This machine consists of a frame which is secured laterally to the tractor. This frame is made in principle in U-form and travels over the plantations to be harvested. Mechanical harvesting is made possible by means of one or more shakers accommodated in the frame, collector canvases and conveyor elements used to transport the fruit away. One special disadvantage of this machine consists in that use is hardly possible in the case of largecrowned trees, or the machine must be of especially large design, with high material expense.

It is the aim of the invention, in comparison with the conventional machines, to increase the work output, to improve the working conditions for the operator and to render possible safe use on sloping terrain.

The invention is based upon the problem of producing a machine for harvesting fruit trees which can be used both in intensive cultivations with large-crowned plantations in wide rows and in small-crowned plantations with narrow rows, which requires relatively low technical expense for design and materials and works in a trouble-free manner in use.

In accordance with the invention the problem is solved in that a machine for harvesting fruit trees is produced which can be attached as semi-mounted machine to any tractor. This machine consists of a base frame on the rear part of which there are arranged two separately operable pivot wheels for the adjustment of the horizontal position of the base frame during working on sloping terrain. On the forward part of the base frame a guide tube is arranged in which the draw tube is rotatably and displaceably mounted. The draw tube possesses at one end a rail pivotable about a joint bar for the articulation of the machine to the tractor and at the other end a hydraulic working cylinder, the rear joint head of which is secured to the base frame.By means of this arrangement there are achieved an adjustment of length and angle of the draw tube and an angle adjustment of the base frame, including the units situated thereon, in relation to the tractor, in accordance with the requirements in use. Two guide bars, firmly connected with the base frame, are arranged on the base frame transversely of the direction of travel. A working carriage movable on rollers is mounted in these guide bars. The movement of the working carriage in the direction towards the fruit tree and back is effected by means of a hydraulic working cylinder articulated to the working carriage and to the base frame.

An operator position, a collector screen and a shaker are fixedly arranged on the working carriage. In this case the shaker is movably secured on the forward part of the working carriage. During the procedure of working, or at its beginning, the horizontal position and working position of the base frame are set from the operator position by modification of the position of the pivot wheels, the fine longitudinal adjustment of the shaker in relation to the tree to be harvested is effected by displacement of the base frame in relation to the draw tube, the working carriage is driven towards the tree until the claw of the shaker abuts on the tree, the shaking operation is initiated and subsequently the working carriage is moved away from the harvested tree.

The collector screen is of such configuration that an enlargement of the screen for harvesting larger trees becomes possible by means of attachable parts on the sides. The fruits which have dropped on to the collector screen roll by reason of its inclination on to a collector device of known type situated in the neighbouring gangway. With the aid of this machine it is possible mechanically to harvest fruit trees on any terrain, quickly and in clearly visible manner, with low technical expense.

The invention is to be explained in greater detail below by reference to an example of embodiment, the preferred variant of solution of which is shown by the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a lateral elevation in the working position, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the machine in the working position, Figure 3 shows a working position in inclined terrain, Figure 4 shows a section through the mounting and securing of the draw tube.

As may be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, a draw tube 3 is articulated to the lower links 1 of the tractor 2. The draw tube 3 is guided in a guide tube 4 and secured at the rear end to the hydraulic cyliner 5. The guide tube 4 is firmly connected with the base frame 6, on which the opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder 5 is also movably arranged. At the rear end of the base frame 6 there are the pivot wheels 7 which can be moved individually about the mounting 9 by means of the working cylinders 8. On top of the base frame 6 there are arranged two guide bars 10 in which the guide bars 11 of the working carriage 1 2 run. For the transverse displacement of the working carriage 12 a further working cylinder 1 3 is secured pivotably on the base frame 6 and working carriage 12.

The collector screen 14, the seat 1 5 and the central elements 1 6 are fixed on the working carriage 12.

As may be seen from Fig. 3, the shaker 1 7 is articulated to the forward part of the working carriage 1 2. The collector screen 14 consists of the main surface 18, the forward screen flap 1 9 and the laterally attachable extra surface 20. The screen flap 19 can be raised or lowered by means of fixedly fitted hydraulic cylinders 21. The purpose of the movement is to render possible transference of the fruit with low losses on to known collector machines or collector canvases 22 and to prevent the loss of remaining fruit.

The drive of the machine according to the invention takes place through a hydraulic unit 23 fixed mounted on the draw tube 3 and driven by the tractor 2 by means of a Cardan shaft.

Claims (7)

1. A machine with shaker and collector devices for harvesting from fruit trees, wherein a draw tube is displaceably and rotatably mounted on a base frame in a guide tube, two individually movable pivot wheels are situated on the rear part of the base frame, guide bars with a working carriage moved on guide rollers by a working cylinder are arranged on the base frame, a seat and control elements are fixed on the working carriage, a collector screen is adjustably, and a shaker is articulatedly, associated with the working carriage, the shaker being placed on the forward part.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the draw tube is provided at one end with a rail pivotable about a joint bolt.

3. A machine claimed in claim 1, in which the axles of the pivot wheels are rotatably mounted in mountings.

4. A machine as claimed in claims 1 and 3, in which the pivot wheels are connected with the base frame for movement by a working cylinder.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the collector screen consists of a main surface, a screen flap and extra surfaces.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which a hydraulic unit is arranged on the draw tube.

7. A machine with shaker and collector devices for harvesting fruit trees substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.