A one row low clearance mechanical tobacco harvester designed to operate as a last-over machine was mounted on the right-hand side of a small tractor. The harvester consisted of a knife defoliator and a conveyor on each side of the row. Harvested leaf was delivered to a trailer towed behind the harvester. Hydraulic motors, synchronized with ground speed, drove the defoliators and an outboard wheel which supported the overhung weight of the harvester. Ground synchrony was provided by a rotary displacement valve driven by frictional contact with the right rear tractor tire. The harvester was supported by means of a frame attached to the tractor's three point hitch. Tests over three years indicated that field losses varied from about 1% to 5%, typical of other machines. The machine operated well at field speeds of about 4.8 Km/hr (3 mph). A supplement to hand harvesting the machine would be profitable on a 10 ha (25A) operation. If the machine allows the farm size to be appreciably increased savings of over $100/ha ($40/A) are possible.

(Full article published with kind permission from "Tobacco International")