Vehicle and method of tending to an elevated agriculture

Abstract

A vehicle and method of tending to an elevated agriculture includes a base extending from a forward base portion to a rearward base portion, a support frame, an elevated platform, a guide rail, and a drive unit. The elevated platform is connected to the support frame such that the elevated platform is positioned vertically above the base and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions. The elevated platform is configured to selectively, vertically raise upward from a lower height toward a higher height. The guide rail extends vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally surrounds at least a portion of the elevated platform for bounding an operator atop the elevated platform. The drive unit is configured to selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon for supporting the operator on the elevated platform while moving the elevated platform within the agriculture facility.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle for tending to an elevated agriculture within an agriculture facility, comprising:
 a base horizontally extending from a forward base portion to a rearward base portion;   a support frame extending vertically upward from the base;   an elevated platform connected to the support frame such that the elevated platform is positioned vertically above the base and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions, the elevated platform configured to selectively, vertically raise upward relative to the base from a lower height toward a higher height;   a guide rail extending vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally surrounding at least a portion of the elevated platform for bounding an operator atop the elevated platform; and   a drive unit operatively attached to the base and configured to selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon for supporting the operator on the elevated platform while moving the elevated platform within the agriculture facility.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated platform has a periphery, and wherein the guide rail surrounds the periphery of the elevated platform. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the guide rail further includes a movable portion configured to selectively move relative to a remainder of the guide rail from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the movable portion of the guide rail in the closed position surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the elevated platform, and wherein the movable portion of the guide rail in the open position is configured to provide the operator with access to the elevated platform. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rail further includes a movable portion configured to selectively move relative to a remainder of the guide rail from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rail is configured to selectively, vertically raise upward relative to the base with the elevated platform as the elevated platform respectively moves from the lower height toward the higher height. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rail is positioned vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller operatively connected to the drive unit and positioned vertically above the elevated platform, and wherein the controller is configured to be manipulated by the operator and thereby selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit includes a forward drive portion and a rearward drive portion, wherein the forward and rearward drive portions are respectively connected to the forward and rearward base portions such that the forward and rearward drive portions extend respectively downward from the forward and rearward base portions for supporting the base thereon, and wherein at least one of the forward or rearward drive portions is configured to move relative to the base for driving movement of the base within the agricultural facility. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the forward or rearward drive portions includes at least one wheel. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the forward drive portion includes a first plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the rearward drive portion includes a second plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal cross member secured relative to the base and positioned above the rearward base portion. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame further includes a lifting device positioned horizontally between the elevated platform and the base, and wherein the lifting device is configured to drive upward movement of the elevated platform from the lower position toward the higher position. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the lifting device includes a screw jack. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated platform further includes a waste passage vertically extending therethrough, and wherein the waste passage is further configured to communicate with a waste container. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle for tending to an elevated agriculture within an agriculture facility, comprising:
 a base horizontally extending from a forward base portion to a rearward base portion;   a support frame extending vertically upward from the base;   an elevated platform connected to the support frame such that the elevated platform is positioned vertically above the base and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions, the elevated platform configured to selectively, vertically raise upward relative to the base from a lower height toward a higher height;   a guide rail extending vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally surrounding at least a portion of the elevated platform for bounding an operator atop the elevated platform; and   a drive unit operatively attached to the base and configured to selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon for supporting the operator on the elevated platform while moving the elevated platform within the agriculture facility,   wherein the elevated platform has a periphery, and wherein the guide rail surrounds the periphery of the elevated platform, and   wherein the guide rail is positioned vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , further comprising a controller operatively connected to the drive unit and positioned vertically above the elevated platform, and wherein the controller is configured to be manipulated by the operator and thereby selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the drive unit includes a forward drive portion and a rearward drive portion, wherein the forward and rearward drive portions are respectively connected to the forward and rearward base portions such that the forward and rearward drive portions extend respectively downward from the forward and rearward base portions for supporting the base thereon, and wherein at least one of the forward or rearward drive portions is configured to move relative to the base for driving movement of the base within the agricultural facility. 
     
     
         20 . A method of tending to an elevated agriculture within an agriculture facility with a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a base; a support frame extending vertically upward from the base; an elevated platform connected to the support frame such that the elevated platform is positioned vertically above the base, the elevated platform configured to selectively, vertically raise upward relative to the base from a lower height toward a higher height; and a drive unit operatively attached to the base and configured to selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon for supporting an operator on the elevated platform while moving the elevated platform within the agriculture facility, the method comprising:
 moving the elevated platform from the lower position toward the higher position in order to move the operator atop the elevated platform upward within the agriculture facility such that the operator accesses and tends to the elevated agriculture above a floor of the agriculture facility from atop the elevated platform.