Patent ID: 8061704

Claim:
A pick mechanism, comprising: a drive transmission engageable with a drive shaft for receiving rotational force from the drive shaft; a pick axle having at least one pick wheel mounted thereon and being operatively connected to the drive transmission for rotating the at least one pick wheel; a transmission housing; a first stop extending from the transmission housing for limiting the rotation of the pick mechanism about the drive shaft and; a second stop extending from the transmission housing diametrically opposed to the first stop such that the first and second stops limit the downward and upward rotation, respectively, of the pick mechanism about the drive shaft, wherein the pick mechanism is installed adjacent to a stationary frame having an abutment such that when the pick mechanism rotates downward beyond a predetermined point, the first stop contacts the abutment thereby limiting the downward rotation of the pick mechanism and when the pick mechanism rotates upward beyond a predetermined point, the second stop contacts the abutment thereby limiting the upward rotation of the pick mechanism.