Harvesting method for leafy vegetables

Abstract

A mobile harvester of leafy produce has two harvesting sections with a cutter located forwardly for severing the produce from the ground. A continuous belt having a large number of openings moves in a closed path presenting an upwardly facing surface. A low pressure plenum underneath the belt provides a vacuum attraction to the belt upwardly facing for picking up severed produce. An enclosure over the belt protects against wind removal of produce leaves from the belt. The two harvesting sections are individually adjustable for proper height above the ground. .Iadd.A method for harvesting leafy produce using the mobile harvester is also disclosed..Iaddend.

What is claimed is: . .1. Apparatus for harvesting leafy produce, comprising: 
     
       drive means interconnected to the fan means and belt..!.. .2.  Apparatus as in claim 1, in which an enclosure is provided having a top wall located over the belt and having side walls secured to the frame, a portion of the top wall positioned adjacent the cutter means and having a plurality of openings therein..!.. .3. Apparatus as in claim 2, in which a hood is connected to the enclosure adjacent the cutter means, said hood having portions thereof extending over and forwardly of said cutter means..!.. .4. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which the belt openings are about 15% of the belt surface..!.. .5. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which the frame has at least two wheels spaced apart approximately 80 inches..!.. .6. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which the cutter means is a sickle-bar cutter..!.. .7. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which the belt upwardly directed surface moves a predetermined amount at a first angle with respect to the horizontal and then at a second lesser angle with respect to horizontal until it reaches the belt farthest to the rear 
     
     
        point..!..Iadd.8.  A method of harvesting leafy produce growing out of the ground comprising the steps of: severing a row of leafy produce closely adjacent an outwardly directed surface of a moving perforated endless transport member through use of a cutter means;   attracting and holding the severed leafy produce to the outwardly directed surface of the moving perforated endless transport member by generating a vacuum within an interior space enclosed by the perforated endless transport member;   transporting the severed leafy produce held on the perforated endless transport member upwardly away from the cutter means through movement of the perforated endless transport member; and   removing the severed produce from the outwardly directed surface of the perforated endless transport member by transporting the severed produce to a point where the severed produce is no longer attracted and held to the outwardly directed surface of the perforated endless transport member by the vacuum..Iaddend..Iadd.9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the severed produce is removed from the outwardly directed surface of the perforated endless transport member by confining the vacuum to a portion of the interior space..Iaddend..Iadd.10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the severed produce is transported towards a rearwardmost point of the perforated endless transport member relative to said cutter means while being transported upwardly away from the cutter   
     
     
        means..Iaddend..Iadd.1.  The method according to claim 10, wherein the severed produce is removed from the outwardly directed surface of the perforated endless transport member substantially when said severed produce reaches said rearwardmost point..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said vacuum is generated within the interior space enclosed by the perforated endless transport member through the operation of a fan positioned within said interior space..Iaddend.