Method of mechanically harvesting tomatoes

摘要

In a tomato field in which the tomato plants are grown in a plurality of substantially parallel rows an apparatus is advanced along a predetermined one of the rows. The apparatus cuts the tomato plants in the row, carries the cut plants rearwardly and discharges them onto a transverse conveyor. The transverse conveyor transfers and deposits the cut plants laterally onto a parallel row of uncut plants in a row located at a predetermined distance from the row being cut, thereby uniting two rows of plants for subsequent harvesting by a mechanical tomato harvester. PPBy advancing the apparatus to and fro across the field in a predetermined pattern, an unobstructed avenue is provided for the movement of a bulk trailer accompanying the mechanical tomato harvester in the subsequent harvesting process.PPThe method and apparatus are also used to advantage in the mechanical harvesting of other row crops, such as melons and the like. Thus, both in the title and elsewhere in the application, wherever the words tomato or tomatoes are used, it is to be understood that the method and apparatus are equally applicable for use with other compatible field crops.