Air pickup system for strawberry pickers

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pickup head for strawberry harvesters, and the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a strawberry harvester pickup head which will move the fruit inward and upward so that an associated cutting device and related lever belt can perform their functions with very little damage to the berries.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pickup head adaptable for use with conventional harvesting machines.
These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a pickup head having: a frame, a severing assembly mounted on the frame for cutting a crop in a crop row from a plant associated with the crop; and a lifting arrangement arranged adjacent the severing assembly for directing a fluid stream beneath the crop and lifting same into communication with the severing assembly for permitting cutting of the crop.
The lifting arrangement advantageously includes two pneumatic ducts arranged for directing a gas under pressure toward a surface associated with the crop.
In this manner the gas is deflected upwardly on striking the surface and thereby brings the crop into communication with the severing assembly.
Preferably, the pair of pneumatic ducts is each connected to a common fan and terminates in a damper arranged flanking the severing assembly adjacent the supporting surface.
Provision of each damper with an adjustable damper permits variation of the amount of gas discharged from the damper.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.