John Travis Matthews

US Patent:

51252236, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

Aug 23, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/572153

Inventors:

Frank J. McKenna - Shaker Heights OH
Richard K. Horst - Orville OH
James F. Horst - Orville OH
Charles S. Wright - Leesburg FL
John D. Matthews - Melbourne FL

Assignee:

Harvesting Systems, Ltd. - Mayfield Hts. OH

International Classification:

A01D 4624

US Classification:

563281

Abstract:

A harvesting apparatus and method includes a vehicle designed for operation along aisles between rows of low density young citrus trees for collecting, storing and transporting citrus fruit harvested by multiple workers moving along in front of the vehicle. The apparatus and method is more efficient and cost effective for harvesting citrus fruit from low density young citrus trees and eliminates pallet tubs and the vehicle boom required to empty and replace the tubs as used in the "conventional harvesting method". The machine and method includes a large semi-circular tray preferably mounted at a level about two feet above the ground on the front of a self-propelled vehicle carrying a hopper. The tray is selectively removable to allow a tray of different size to be mounted on the vehicle to meet the harvesting conditions involved at given citrus groves. The bottom wall of the tray is sloped downwardly to gravity feed the picked fruit to the front end of the duct system, which pneumatically conveys the picked fruit to the hopper.

US Patent:

51879280, Feb 23, 1993

Filed:

Jun 29, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/906060

Inventors:

Frank J. McKenna - Shaker Heights OH
Richard K. Horst - Orrville OH
James F. Horst - Orrville OH
Charles S. Wright - Leesburg FL
John D. Matthews - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

A01D 4624

US Classification:

563281

Abstract:

A harvesting apparatus and method includes a vehicle designed for operation along aisles between rows of low density young citrus trees for collecting, storing and transporting citrus fruit harvested by multiple workers moving along in front of the vehicle. The apparatus and method is more efficient and cost effective for harvesting citrus fruit from low density young citrus trees and eliminates pallet tubs and the vehicle boom required to empty and replace the tubs as used in the "conventional harvesting method". The machine and method includes a large semi-circular tray preferably mounted at a level about two feet above the ground on the front of a self-propelled vehicle carrying a hopper. The tray is selectively removable to allow a tray of different size to be mounted on the vehicle to meet the harvesting conditions involved at given citrus groves. The bottom wall of the tray is sloped downwardly to gravity feed the picked fruit to the front end of the duct system, which pneumatically conveys the picked fruit to the hopper.

Address:

17518 Judson Dr, Cleveland, OH 44128

Phone:

216-751-5241

VIN:

WDDGF8BB5CR228978

Make:

MERCEDES-BENZ

Model:

C-CLASS

Year:

2012

Address:

6025 Ruple Pkwy, Brook Park, OH 44142

VIN:

1HD1GV4177K322583

Make:

Cadillac

Model:

Escalade ESV AWD 4dr

Year:

2007