HARVESTING APPARATUS USING PRESSURIZED AIR AND IMPROVED BLOWER FOR PROVIDING PRESSURIZED AIR

摘要

A machine for harvesting onions utilizes a blower which provides a stream of air through a duct, having an opening across which the onions pass and are topped. The blower has a bladed fan in a cylindrical housing open at both ends. The fan blades are supported by arms which, with the blades, define a support truss for each blade in the form of a triangular structure, having arms meeting at an apex connected approximately midway of the end of the cylindrical housing and a base provided by the blade to which the arms are connected. A rigid support is provided together with an enlarged and substantially unobstructed intake passageway for air along the axis of rotation of the fan which is pressurized and forced through the duct, using less horsepower and fuel than conventional fans of like size and air flow. The air flow is controllable in air pressure by a shear plate which is moveable into and out of the cylindrical housing and the air direction is adjustable by a vane provided by a sidewall of the duct adjacent to the outlet and may also be controlled in direction by vanes in a hood over the duct outlet.