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Method and apparatus for harvesting lettuce

  • US 8,272,200 B1
  • Filed: 06/02/2010
  • Issued: 09/25/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2009
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A lettuce harvester for harvesting one or more spaced apart rows of lettuce heads, comprising:

  • a) a harvester chassis that can travel along the rows of lettuce;

    b) one or more harvester modules that are supported upon the chassis, each module having a blade movably supported for movement between an open and a closed cutting position;

    c) the module having a lower end portion with a de-leafing member that pushes outer lettuce leaves away from the lettuce head;

    d) a powered linkage for moving the blade;

    e) the linkage including an actuator that moves the blade between the open and closed positions;

    f) wherein the blade is positioned to extend under a head of lettuce to be harvested when in the closed position; and

    g) wherein an actuator lifts the blade and a head of lettuce while in the closed position;

    h) wherein the actuator includes a sliding member and links that join the blade to the sliding member;

    i) wherein the sliding member moves the blade between inner and outer positions; and

    j) wherein the harvesting head has multiple fingers, at least a plurality of carrying blades, wherein the sliding member moves to the outer position, the fingers are moved to the open position.

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