摘要 |
An apparatus is described herein for gathering vegetables such as potatoes and other root vegetables from a plurality of rows into a central region for subsequent harvesting. The apparatus includes a support frame structure adapted to be secured to a tractor. A pair of wings are secured to the frame and they are adapted to extend, when in use, laterally outwardly relative to the forward direction of travel of the tractor. Each of these wings includes an endless flexible tine carrier mounted thereon for travel in an endless path, such path of travel including an upper run and a lower run. A plurality of tines are secured to and project outwardly in spaced relationship to each other from the flexible tine carrier for movement along the above-noted path of travel. Thus, during use, the tines located along the lower run of the path of travel are capable of engaging the vegetables lying on or in the earth, Suitable drive means are connected to the endless tine carriers for moving them along their associated paths of travel in opposed directions. Thus, the vegetables so engaged by the tines are gathered together toward a region between the above-noted wings for subsequent harvesting. |