Patent ID: 8635845
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A harvesting apparatus for removing produce from espaliered trees, comprising: a. a mobile chassis having a tunnel; b. a first harvesting brush and a second harvesting brush, each harvesting brush having a substantially elongate cylindrical shape, a rotating central axial member, and flexible radiating members attached to and extending from said central axial member, wherein said first and second harvesting brushes are mounted on said chassis about parallel to each other on opposite lateral sides of said chassis and on opposite lateral sides of said tunnel, and are operable to engage opposite sides of a row of trees; c. at least one motor operable to actively rotate each of said harvesting brushes at variable rotational speeds; d. a first conveyor and a second conveyor, said first conveyor about parallel to said central axial member of said first harvesting brush and said second conveyor about parallel to said central axial member of said second harvesting brush; and e. at least one collection receptacle near an end of at least one of said first and second conveyors for receiving harvested produce.