Patent ID: 6547034
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
A vehicle for simultaneously pruning trees oriented along two parallel rows of trees extending above ground in an orchard, the vehicle comprising in combination:a frame, said frame including a leading edge and a trailing edge with a long axis extending from said leading edge to said trailing edge and a mid-section between said leading edge and said trailing edge, wheels coupled to said frame and supporting said frame above ground, at least two platforms, each said platform moveably connected to said mid-section of said frame, means to move each said platform in a pure linear vertical direction and perpendicular with respect to the ground, and means to move each said platform in a pure linear horizontal direction perpendicular to said long axis independently of said means to move each said platform vertically; wherein two of said platforms include means to restrict platform motion so that said platforms are vertically adjustable along parallel offset axes lying in offset vertical planes perpendicularly intersecting the long axis of the frame wherein said horizontal platform movement means includes a rigid slide having a first end adjacent said means to move each said platform vertically and a second end opposite said first end coupled to a means to slideably support said slide, said slide support means coupled to said frame and a means to displace said slide horizontally relative to said frame.