Orchard Machinery Corporation

Other

Donald Paul Mayo

Duane Needham

Brian Michael Andersen

Tyler Calvin Niday

An improved system and method for sensing the location of a tree trunk relative to an orchard harvester machine that generally includes a distance sensor, a vegetation pushing device that functions to displace vegetation, such as low-hanging tree branches, grass or other upward-growing vegetation which may obscure the sensor's detection of the tree trunk, and a controller in communication with the distance sensor, which system may be incorporated into existing tree harvesters such as those with mechanized tree shakers, and may also be incorporated into a catching frame vehicle or a nut sweeping vehicle.

Tree location sensing system and process for agricultural tree harvesting

A system for sensing the location of a tree trunk relative to an orchard harvester, which includes a body, including a distance sensor mounted on the body, a boom movably connected to the body, a tree shaker head having two opposed jaws and rotatably connected to the boom and a programmable controller in communication with the distance sensor, the controller programmed to manipulate the angle at which the distance sensor measures distance as determined by a measured height at which the shaker head jaws will clamp a proximate tree.

Tree location sensing system for agricultural tree harvesters

An automatically operated agricultural tree harvesting machine having systems for automatically steering, propelling and stopping the harvester machine to shake each tree, eliminating the need for the operator to steer or manually engage the shaker head. The system comprises a series of sensors to determine the location of each tree and a system for controlling the steering of the harvester and to determine the distance moved.

Agricultural harvester having automated tree sensing and shaking device and method

A tree harvester including an automated tree sensing and shaking control system. The control system includes a tree sensing device, such as an ultrasonic sensor that is mounted upon the harvester. Predetermined tree distance values and other shaker head control parameters are input into a programmable logic control (PLC) device of the control system. When the harvester is located next to a tree, the operator initiates an automated tree shaking cycle in which the tree sensor provides distance values to the tree as input signals to the controller. The shaker head automatically moves outward towards the tree until the inputted distance values to the tree are equal to or less than the predetermined tree distance values. The control system then causes the shaker head to clamp the tree, to shake the tree, to unclamp the tree and to move the shaker head back to the harvester.

A new automatic aluminum can crusher for compacting aluminum cans for disposal includes an upper housing comprised of a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has an open upper end with a lid hingedly coupled thereto. The first compartment has an opening through a bottom thereof. A crushing mechanism is disposed within the upper housing. An activation system is disposed interiorly of the upper housing and is in communication with the crushing mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Live Oak, CA, United States of America

Donald Paul Mayo