Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.

Whit Frans

Stephen C Jens

Terry Young

Serafin Albarran

Frank Edward Davis

Richard L Bascou

Manuel Maldonado Magana

Dennis Johnny Castillo

Ignacio Barajas

Maximino Corral

Carlos Uribe Meza

Gabriel Fuentes Villasenor

Raul Machuca

Daniel Albarran

Jorge Alejo

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester

Produce with a core planted in a field can be harvested and decored using a mechanical harvester. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The method includes moving the mechanical harvester through the row in the field; positioning the produce in the ground using the positioning apparatus; severing a substantial portion of the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground using the decoring device; lifting the produce from the ground; and transporting the produce to a processing unit or a storage unit using the transport assembly.

Method of harvesting and decoring produce using a mechanical harvester

Growing community of inventors

Yuma, AZ, United States of America

Whit Frans