Leaf extractor for a row of plants, particularly a row of vines

Abstract

The invention relates to a leaf extractor (1) for a plant row and in particular a vine row comprising a frame (2) suitable for being hitched to traction means in a direction of advance F, said frame (2) carrying defoliation means. According to the invention, the defoliation means comprise at least two defoliation rollers, with at least one left-hand defoliation roller (20G) and at least one right-hand defoliation roller (20D), at least one defoliation roller (20G, 20D) being intended to be placed on each side of said row of plants, each defoliation roller (20G, 20D) comprising a post (21) and brushes (26) extending radially from said post (21) and along the length of said post (21), and the defoliation means also comprise means for rotating each post (21) about its own axis (R). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Leaf extractor for a row of plants, and in particular a row of vines

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of leaf extractors for a plant row and in particular a row of vines.

[0002] In the above-mentioned field, it is known to remove the leaves from a row of plants. For a row of vines, removing the leaves around the grape bunches improves grape quality and offers several important advantages for grape quality and the overall health of the vine. Removing the leaves promotes the fruit's exposure to sunlight and leads to better grape ripening. Removing the leaves also increases air circulation around the bunches, thus reducing humidity and therefore the development of fungal diseases such as downy mildew. This prevents diseases from taking hold on these leaves and spreading up the row, thus also reducing the use of plant protection products to combat these diseases.

[0003] Various techniques exist for removing leaves from a row of plants.

[0004] Suction or vacuum defoliators use a powerful suction system to remove leaves from the row. A fan or compressor creates an airflow that sucks up the leaves, while the fruit remains intact. Such defoliators are suitable for farms with dense foliage, but there is a risk of severely damaging the fruit if the machine is not properly adjusted.

[0005] Rotary blade defoliators operate with rotating blades or discs that cut or tear off the leaves. The blades rotate rapidly and cut the leaves around the fruit without damaging them. Such defoliators have the disadvantage of leaving some leaves partially cut.

[0006] Blower-type defoliators project a strong jet of air to loosen and detach leaves. Unlike suction-type defoliators, they do not use a vacuum but a powerful blast of air. Working along a row of plants is gentler but less efficient, leaving some leaves behind. Such defoliators are generally mounted on agricultural machinery and require a supply of compressed air provided by a compressor mounted on the machine.

[0007] Compressed air must be used in different directions to cover the entire surface of the plant and several defoliating heads must be implemented coupled with a suction system in order to recover the blown leaves in all directions.

[0008] To work on a complete trellising of a plant row such as a row of vines, this requires a significant energy requirement and also generates a very high level of noise.

[0009] Opposing roller defoliators are based on the principle of defoliation by friction. Two parallel, counter-rotating rollers are mounted on a movable arm, and their opposing rotation pulls on the leaves to remove them. While more precise, this solution is slower than other defoliators and only removes leaves from one side of the row of plants.

[0010] There are also defoliators that combine several mechanisms such as suction, rotating blades, and a blower. Such defoliators are expensive and require an experienced operator.

[0011] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and proposes a leaf extractor that is simple to implement, inexpensive and very effective over the entire surface of a row of plants.

[0012] For the purposes of the invention, "plant row" means an alley or line of a plant crop planted in rows, such as a row of vines. A plant row therefore comprises two sides.

[0013] The invention relates to a leaf extractor for a plant row and in particular a vine row comprising a frame suitable for being hitched to traction means in a direction of advancement F, said frame carrying defoliation means.

[0014] Thus, a straddle tractor or inter-row tractor positions the leaf extractor at the beginning of the row of plants and advances along the direction of travel F, thereby driving the leaf extractor, which is capable of working along said row of plants. Other embodiments of traction means are compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0015] According to the invention, the defoliation means comprise at least two defoliation rollers with at least one left defoliation roller and at least one right defoliation roller, at least one defoliation roller being intended to be placed on each side of said plant row, each defoliation roller comprising a post and brushes extending radially from said post and along the length of said post and the defoliation means comprise means for rotating each post around its own axis.

[0016] A working position is defined for the leaf extractor according to the invention when the defoliating means are placed on each side of the plant row to remove its leaves, thus allowing complete work on said plant row in a single pass.

[0017] Furthermore, the use of such defoliating rollers according to the invention makes it possible to remove the leaves along the entire height of the row by the successive passage of the arranged brushes along the pole, animated by a rotational movement around its own axis, without damaging the branches or the fruit.

[0018] The leaf extractor according to the invention has the advantage of low energy requirements for the defoliation means. For example, a consumption of 301 / min at 140 bar was observed for the use of two defoliation rollers on a row of average-sized vines.

[0019] The leaf extractor according to the invention advantageously eliminates costly devices inherent in leaf blowing, cutting and suction systems and offers a simple and effective solution.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the leaf extractor includes means for positioning the defoliating means on the frame.

[0021] Adjusting the position of the defoliating means and in particular the defoliating rollers on the frame allows the position of the defoliating rollers to be adjusted in relation to the plant row in working position and thus to adapt said defoliating means to the width, height or even the profile of the plant row in working position.

[0022] The defoliation means are positioned at the beginning of the row to place the defoliation rollers as close as possible to the left and right profiles of the plant row. The defoliation rollers then precisely follow these left and right profiles in working position as they advance along the row, thus increasing the quality of the defoliation.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises at least one modular gantry intended to span said plant row in working position, said modular gantry comprising an upper bar which extends along a transverse axis Y and two left and right support bars intended to be placed respectively to the left and right of said plant row in working position and the left and right support bars each carrying at least one defoliating roller.

[0024] The implementation of at least one such modular gantry for the defoliation means facilitates the positioning of the defoliation means and in particular the defoliation rollers on the frame in order to place them as close as possible to the profile of the plant row in working position.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the modular gantry is capable of a translational movement along the transverse axis Y in the frame and the modular gantry is capable of a rotational movement around a horizontal axis X, the horizontal axis X being substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of advancement F in the working position.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, the sheet extractor includes means for centering said at least one modular gantry on the chassis.

[0027] A chassis according to the invention comprises a tubular structure on which at least one modular gantry is mounted. In the working position, the chassis is towed along the row of plants in the direction of travel F along a reference axis. The implementation of centering means for said at least one modular gantry allows adjustment of the alignment of the modular gantry with the reference axis. For example, to facilitate the deployment of the leaf extractor in the working position, the chassis may deviate from said reference axis as it advances along the row of plants.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper bar of said at least one modular gantry is mounted on a horizontal tube along a horizontal axis X, said horizontal tube being mounted on a slide along the transverse axis Y and connected to the chassis by means of a centering cylinder extending along the transverse axis Y, the horizontal axis X being substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of advancement F in the working position.

[0029] Thanks to the combination of the slide and the centering cylinder, it is possible to move the modular gantry along the transverse Y-axis. The combination of the centering cylinder and the slide ensures a reliable system, where the risks of misalignment are minimized by the precise guidance provided by the slide and the control power supplied by the centering cylinder. Furthermore, such a centering system can easily be integrated into an automated process, allowing for repetitive adjustments and centering without human intervention.

[0030] According to one feature of the invention, the modular gantry is pendulum-like with respect to the frame, the upper bar being mounted pivotally about a horizontal axis X, the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of advancement F in the working position.

[0031] The use of a pendulum gantry allows the modular gantry to be made more flexible in order to adapt to different terrain configurations. For example, such a pendulum gantry allows the operator to maintain a good working position on a row of plants planted on sloping ground. Even when the frame is tilted over the row of plants due to the terrain, the pendulum gantry remains in a suitable working position.

[0032] According to one feature of the invention, the two left and right support bars are mounted in translation and pivot about a horizontal axis X on the upper bar, the horizontal axis X being substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of advancement F in the working position.

[0033] Translating the left and right support bars along the upper bar allows for easy adjustment of the distance between the stripping rollers on each side of the plant row. The rotation of the left and right support bars around the horizontal axis X substantially parallel to the direction of advancement F in working position allows the inclination of the defoliating rollers to be adjusted and thus adapted to the profile of the plant row.

[0034] According to another feature of the invention, at least one stripping roller is mounted in translation on the left or right support bar carrying it.

[0035] Such a translational movement along the left or right support bar allows the height of the defoliating roller to be adjusted according to the height of the plant row, thus optimizing the work over the entire height of the plant row.

[0036] According to yet another feature of the invention, at least one stripping roller is mounted pivotally around the transverse axis Y on the left or right support bar carrying it.

[0037] Such a pivot joint allows at least one defoliating roller to be individually tilted relative to the left or right support bar carrying it. This adjustment adds a new level of precision for positioning each of the defoliating rollers relative to the profile of the plant row.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the means for rotating each post around its own axis comprise a motor directly coupled to the axis of said post. Using one motor per stripping roller allows them to be controlled independently. Positioning the motor in line with the post results in very high efficiency while reducing the overall size of the stripping roller.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the means for positioning the defoliating means on the frame and the means for rotating each post around its own axis are controlled. This eliminates the need for manual steps to position and activate the defoliating rollers according to the left and right profiles of the plant row. A control unit can also process information relating to the left and right profiles of the plant row, obtained, for example, by mapping or from sensors located on the leaf extractor, in order to automate the positioning and rotation of the defoliating rollers. This also has the advantage of being able to adapt, in real time according to the progress along the row, the position and activation as well as the rotational power of the defoliating rollers when changing left or right profiles or, for example, to avoid obstacles.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least two defoliating rollers are intended to be placed on the same side of said row of plants. The use of two defoliating rollers on the same side of the row of plants allows one of said defoliating rollers to be placed at a greater height than the other, thereby increasing The working height of the leaf extractor is adjusted for a tall row of plants. This configuration offers the advantage of adapting the leaf extractor to different row heights by activating, if necessary, the second defoliating roller located on the same side of the row. For a smaller row, the same leaf extractor can be used without activating this second defoliating roller, thus saving energy.

[0041] According to one feature of the invention, the leaf extractor includes leaf recovery means comprising a partition arranged to retain the leaves removed by at least one defoliating roller and / or a conveyor belt disposed under at least one defoliating roller leading to at least one storage bin.

[0042] Installing a partition opposite a leaf-removing roller allows the leaves removed by said roller to be contained. Positioning a conveyor belt under a leaf-removing roller allows the leaves removed by said roller to be collected directly onto the belt for subsequent retrieval from the storage bin. These two solutions can be combined. Each has the advantage of eliminating the need for a costly and energy-intensive system for vacuuming the leaves to a collection bin.

[0043] According to one feature of the invention, the leaf extractor includes means for correcting any tilt of the leaf extractor frame in the working position. Such means for correcting the frame's tilt allow the frame to be repositioned on the plant row in case of deviation from the direction of travel F. The frame's position thus adapts to soil irregularities during advancement along the plant row.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the leaf extractor includes means for correcting the tilt of the leaf extractor frame in the working position.

[0045] Slope, or the inclination of the ground, is common in agricultural plantations or vineyards, which are often planted on slopes to improve drainage and sun exposure. There may also be uneven terrain and obstacles present within a row of plants. Slope correction devices help maintain the frame horizontally stable and also keep it aligned with the direction of travel F.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis is mounted on two wheels, each wheel being intended to be placed on each side of said plant row in working position and a lifting jack is interposed between each of the wheels and the chassis allowing to correct the tilt of the chassis perpendicular to the direction of movement F on each side of the plant row in working position.

[0047] According to another embodiment of the invention, the chassis is connected to a drawbar suitable for being fixed to the traction means and a ground jack is interposed between the drawbar and the chassis allowing the tilt of the chassis to be corrected according to the direction of movement F in the working position.

[0048] The cylinders used in the invention are advantageously of the hydraulic type. The hydraulic power can come from the traction means, such as a tractor to which the chassis is attached.

[0049] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0050] In addition, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0051] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a leaf extractor according to the invention,

[0052] [Fig.2] is a side view of the example embodiment of [Fig.1],

[0053] [Fig.3] is a bottom view of the example embodiment of [Fig.1],

[0054] [Fig.4] is a front view of the example embodiment of [Fig.1],

[0055] [Fig.5] is a view of a detail of [Fig.2],

[0056] [Fig.6] is a view of a detail of [Fig.4], and

[0057] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a second example of an embodiment of leaf extractor according to the invention in which the defoliation means are transparent.

[0058] It should be noted that in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same reference numerals. The orthogonal coordinate system (X,Y,Z) is used relative to the chassis of the sheet extractor according to the invention for each figure and for the description.

[0059] The invention aims to provide a solution for removing leaves from an entire row of plants. To this end, the invention relates to a leaf extractor designated by reference numeral 1 and illustrated in particular in Figures 1 to 4.

[0060] The sheet extractor 1 according to the invention comprises a chassis 2 suitable for being hitched to traction means (not shown) in a direction of advancement F illustrated by an arrow F on the [Fig.1].

[0061] The frame 2 according to the invention carries the defoliating means. In the working position, the frame 2 allows the defoliating means to be placed on each left and right side of the row of plants (not shown). According to the illustrated embodiment, the frame 2 is able to span the row of plants.

[0062] The terms "front," "top," "back," "bottom," "left," and "right" are defined with respect to the orthogonal (X,Y,Z) reference frame of the frame 2 of the leaf extractor 1, with a horizontal axis X, a vertical axis Z, and a transverse axis Y. In the working position, the horizontal axis X tends to align with the direction of travel F. The direction F defines the direction of travel of the leaf extractor 1 along the row of plants, thus defining a left and a right side of the row of plants used in the figures and the description. The row of plants includes a reference axis passing through the middle of the row.

[0063] According to the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 2 comprises a tubular structure mounted on two wheels, a left wheel 3G and a right wheel 3D intended to be placed on each side of the plant row in working position.

[0064] According to the illustrated embodiment, the sheet extractor 1 includes means for correcting the tilt of the frame 2.

[0065] The leaf extractor 1 thus comprises two rolling arms, a left rolling arm 4G and a right rolling arm 4D. The left wheels 3G and right wheels 3D are attached respectively to each of said left rolling arms 4G and right rolling arms 4D. A left lifting cylinder 5G and a right lifting cylinder 5D are respectively interposed between each of said left rolling arms 4G and right rolling arms 4D and the frame 2 substantially in the X,Z plane, thus allowing the tilt of the frame 2 to be corrected on each left and right side of the plant row in the working position, perpendicular to the direction of travel F.

[0066] The illustrated leaf extractor 1 also includes a drawbar 6 extended along the horizontal axis X and suitable for coupling to the traction means. The frame 2 is mounted on the drawbar 6, and a lifting cylinder 7 is interposed between the frame 2 and the drawbar 6 substantially in the X,Y plane, thus allowing the cant of the frame 2 to be corrected along the direction of travel F in the working position.

[0067] The chassis 2 comprises a tubular structure supporting a modular gantry designed to span the row of plants in working position.

[0068] The modular gantry illustrated in figures 1 to 4 consists of an upper bar 11 and two support bars, left 12G and right 12D. The upper bar 11 extends along the transverse axis Y. The two support bars, left 12G and right 12D, are intended to be positioned on each respective left and right side of the plant row in the working position.

[0069] According to the illustrated embodiment, the modular gantry is also pendulum-like with respect to the frame 2. The upper bar 11 of the modular gantry is thus pivotally mounted on a gantry plate 13 around the horizontal axis X at the level of a gantry inclination point 14. A locking lever 15 allows the position of the upper bar 11 to be locked on the gantry plate 13.

[0070] According to an embodiment not illustrated, a pendulum jack connects the upper bar 11 to the gantry plate 13 so as to be able to adjust and adapt the inclination of the upper bar 11 in the moving frame 2.

[0071] The gantry plate 13 is fixed to an upper tube 16 of the chassis 2 which extends along the horizontal axis X.

[0072] The upper tube 16 is, on the one hand, mounted to at least one slide 17, two slides 17 according to the illustrated embodiment example, which extends along the transverse axis Y, and on the other hand to a centering cylinder 18 which extends along the transverse axis Y and fixed to the frame 2.

[0073] The defoliation means as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 comprise four defoliation rollers with two left-hand defoliation rollers 20G intended to be placed on the left side of the plant row in the working position and two right-hand defoliation rollers 20D intended to be placed on the right side of the plant row in the working position. Other configurations of the arrangement of the defoliation rollers 20G, 20D are compatible within the scope of the invention with a greater or lesser number of defoliation rollers, provided that at least one left-hand defoliation roller 20G and at least one right-hand defoliation roller 20D are included.

[0074] According to the illustrated embodiment, the left support bar 12G carries two left-hand stripping rollers 20G and the right support bar 12D carries two right-hand stripping rollers 20D. Particularly visible in [Fig. 2], the two left-hand stripping rollers 20G and right-hand stripping rollers 20D are respectively located at different heights on the left support bar 12G and right support bar 12D.

[0075] The stripping roller 20G,20D according to the illustrated embodiment comprises a longitudinal post 21 mounted between two upper structures 22 and lower structures 23 so as to leave the post 21 free to rotate about its own axis R between the upper structures 22 and lower structures 23. The upper structures 22 and lower structures 23 are fixed to an intermediate bar 24 parallel to the post 21.

[0076] According to the illustrated embodiment, a motor 25 is mounted on the upper structure 22 of the defoliating roller 20G,20D and coupled directly to the proper axis R of the post 21.

[0077] Different types of motors are compatible with the invention such as a hydraulic or electric motor.

[0078] Other forms of motion transmission are compatible with the invention, for example by moving the motor from the proper axis of the post 21.

[0079] Other types of motor such as an electric motor are also compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0080] The left 20G or right 20D defoliating roller according to the invention comprises brushes 26 extending radially from the post 21 and along the length of the post 21. Different configurations for the type, dimensions and arrangement of the brushes 26 on the post 21 are compatible with the invention and can be combined with each other.

[0081] According to the illustrated embodiment, brush trains 26 of substantially identical dimensions and hardness are arranged longitudinally on the post and spaced so as to form twelve brush trains 26 extending radially and perpendicularly from the post 21.

[0082] According to other configurations not shown, the brushes 26 are arranged in a spiral around the post 21 or in a free-form arrangement. Similarly, several sizes of brushes 26 can alternate along the post 21. For example, short, rigid brushes and longer, flexible brushes.

[0083] Brushes 26 compatible with the invention comprise different materials such as nylon or rubber giving them flexibility or include fibers providing them with advantageous mechanical properties.

[0084] According to the illustrated embodiment, each left-hand stripping roller 20G or right-hand stripping roller 20D is mounted pivotally around the transverse axis Y on a left-hand support bar 12G or right-hand support bar 12D. The intermediate bar 24 is thus mounted on an indexing plate 30 comprising several increments 31 defining degrees of inclination of the left-hand stripping roller 20G or right-hand stripping roller 20D around the transverse axis Y.

[0085] The indexing plate 30 illustrated in particular in [Fig.5] is itself mounted in translation on the left support bar 12G or right support bar 12D.

[0086] According to the illustrated embodiment, the two left support bars 12G and right support bars 12D are respectively pivotally mounted about the horizontal axis X on two left adjustment plates 35G and right adjustment plates 35D. And, the left adjustment plates 35G and right adjustment plates 35D are respectively translationally mounted about the transverse axis Y on each left and right side of the upper bar 11.

[0087] According to an embodiment not visible in the figures, the left adjustment plates 35G and right adjustment plates 35D are mounted on a sliding rail of the upper bar 11 and respectively a set of connecting rods associated with a left and right width cylinder allows the respective sliding of the left adjustment plates 35G and right adjustment plates 35D along the upper bar 11.

[0088] The left adjustment plate 35G implemented in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is notably visible in [Fig. 6]. A left tilt bar 36G connects the left support bar 12G to the left adjustment plate 35G, allowing the left support bar 12G to rotate around the horizontal axis X at a left tilt point 37G.

[0089] This architecture is similar for the right side. A right tilt bar 36D connects the right support bar 12D to the right adjustment plate 35D allowing the rotation of the right support bar 12D around the horizontal X axis at the level of a right bar tilt point 37D.

[0090] According to another embodiment not illustrated, two left and right tilt cylinders respectively replace the left tilt bars 36G and right tilt bars 36D so as to independently control the respective pivot movement of each of the left support bars 12G and right support bars 12D relative to the upper bar 11.

[0091] Thus, the left adjustment plates 35G and right adjustment plates 35D allow the left support bars 12G and right support bars 12D to be positioned respectively according to the profile of the plant row in the working position, thus allowing the leaf extractor 1 to adapt to different widths and profiles of plant rows.

[0092] Such an architecture allows independent control of the positioning means of the stripping rollers 20G,20D on the left and right side of the chassis 2 of the leaf extractor 1.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the invention, the leaf extractor 1 includes means for recovering the removed leaves. An example of such recovery means is illustrated in [Fig. 7].

[0094] Two partitions, a left partition 50G and a right partition 50D, are thus arranged on the frame 2 and extend along the horizontal axis X on each side of the frame 2 in order to retain the leaves removed by the defoliation means (not shown in [Fig.7]).

[0095] Two mats, a left mat 5IG and a right mat 51D, are mounted on the lower part of the chassis 2 in order to position them under the stripping means.

[0096] Finally, according to the illustrated embodiment, two storage bins, namely a left storage bin 52G and a right storage bin 52D, are mounted at the rear of the chassis 2 and behind respectively the two left conveyors 51G and right conveyors 51D.

[0097] According to the illustrated embodiment, the left storage bins 52G and right storage bins 52D are mounted on a lifting system and are shown in the raised position.

[0098] To implement a leaf extractor 1 according to the invention, in particular the leaf extractor 1 illustrated in figures 1 to 4, the drawbar 6 is hitched to a tractor or other vehicle suitable for placing the leaf extractor 1 at the beginning of a plant row, for example a vine.

[0099] The means of defoliation are then adapted to the left and right profile and to the height of the vine.

[0100] According to this illustrated embodiment, a control unit (not shown) allows the means for defoliating and the means for positioning the defoliating means on the frame 2 of the leaf extractor 1 to be controlled.

[0101] For a very tall vine, the second left rollers 20G and right rollers 20D, supported by the left support bar 12G and right support bar 12D, are used. For a medium-sized row, the second left rollers 20G and right rollers 20D, supported by the left support bar 12G and right support bar 12D, are either removed from the gantry or simply not activated.

[0102] To adapt the left rollers 20G and right rollers 20D to the width of the vine, the left and right width cylinders are activated and controlled to place the two left support bars 12G and right support bars 12D on each side of the vine.

[0103] The left tilt bars 36G and right tilt bars 36D are manually adjusted to set the left and right tilt angle of the left defoliation rollers 20G and right defoliation rollers 20D according to the left and right profiles of the vine.

[0104] According to the embodiment comprising left tilt cylinders 36G and right tilt cylinders 36D, these are also controlled to tilt the left support bars 12G and right support bars 12D and thus adapt the left leaf removal rollers 20G and right leaf removal rollers 20D to the left and right profiles of the vine.

[0105] Each left support bar 12G and right support bar 12D is also adjusted by changing the indexing of each indexing plate 30 in order to independently determine the desired forward inclination of each of the left 20G and right 20D stripping rollers.

[0106] The leaf extractor 1 is thus in the working position at the beginning of the vine and the defoliation means are activated. Each useful motor 25 is controlled to drive in rotation each of the posts 21 of the left 20G and right 20D defoliation rollers.

[0107] The torque and rotational speed of each of the left 20G and right 20D stripping rollers are determined and controlled.

[0108] It has been observed that a system allowing a different direction of rotation between the left-hand defoliating roller(s) 20G and the right-hand defoliating roller(s) 20D optimizes defoliation. Thus, a clockwise rotation of a left-hand defoliating roller 20G and a counter-clockwise rotation of a right-hand defoliating roller 20D result in optimal defoliation of the vine.

[0109] The leaf extractor 1 in working position with the defoliating means activated is pulled along the vine in the direction of advancement F.

[0110] If the horizontal axis X of the chassis 2 deviates in the direction F, the floor jack 7 is activated so as to correct the horizontal tilt of the chassis 2.

[0111] If the horizontal axis X of the chassis 2 deviates perpendicularly to the direction F, each left lifting cylinder 5G and right lifting cylinder 5D are controlled so as to correct the vertical tilt of the chassis 2.

[0112] If the chassis 2 deviates from the reference axis of the vine, the centering cylinder 18 is activated so as to place the gantry along the reference axis of the vine.

[0113] If the frame 2 of the leaf extractor 1 ends up in an inclined position during its advance on the vine, the upper bar 11 of the modular gantry can be inclined relative to the frame 2 in order to maintain a good working position. The upper bar 11 is pivoted relative to the gantry plate 13 around the gantry tilt point 14. The locking lever 15 secures the position of the upper bar 11 on the gantry plate 13.

[0114] For the embodiment comprising a pendulum jack connecting the upper bar 11 to the gantry plate 13, the pendulum movement of the modular gantry can also be controlled.

[0115] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Leaf extractor (1) for a plant row and in particular a vine row comprising a frame (2) suitable for being hitched to traction means in a direction of advancement F, said frame (2) carrying defoliation means, characterized in that the defoliation means comprise at least two defoliation rollers with at least one left defoliation roller (20G) and at least one right defoliation roller (20D), at least one defoliation roller (20G,20D) being intended to be placed on each side of said plant row, each defoliation roller (20G,20D) comprising a post (21) and brushes (26) extending radially from said post (21) and along the length of said post (21) and the defoliation means also comprise means for rotating each post (21) around its own axis (R).

2. Leaf extractor (1) according to the preceding claim comprising means for positioning the leaf-removal means on the frame (2).

3. Leaf extractor (1) according to the preceding claim in which the frame (2) comprises at least one modular gantry intended to span said plant row in working position, said modular gantry comprising an upper bar (11) which extends along a transverse axis Y and two left (12G) and right (12D) support bars intended to be placed respectively to the left and right of said plant row in working position and the left (12G) and right (12D) support bars each carrying at least one defoliating roller (20G,20D) of said at least one modular gantry on the frame (2).

4. Sheet extractor (1) according to the preceding claim in which the upper bar (11) of said at least one modular gantry is mounted to an upper tube (16) along a horizontal axis X, said upper tube (16) being mounted on at least one slide (17) along the transverse axis Y and connected to the frame (2) by means of a centering cylinder (18) extending along the transverse axis Y, the horizontal axis X being substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of travel F in the working position.

5. Sheet extractor (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4 wherein the modular gantry is pendulum-like with respect to the frame (2), the upper bar (11) being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis X, the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of travel F in the working position.

6. Sheet extractor (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the two left (12G) and right (12D) support bars are mounted in translation and pivot about a horizontal axis X on the upper bar (11), the horizontal axis X being substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and the horizontal axis X being intended to align with the direction of travel F in the working position.

7. Leaf extractor (1) according to the preceding claim in which at least one defoliating roller (20D,20G) is mounted in translation on the left (12G) or right (12D) support bar carrying it.

8. Leaf extractor (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 in which at least one stripping roller (20D,20G) is pivotally mounted about the transverse axis Y on the left (12G) or right (12D) support bar carrying it.

9. Leaf extractor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for rotating each post (21) about its own axis (R) comprise a motor (25) coupled directly to the own axis (R) of said post (21).

10. Leaf extractor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least two defoliating rollers (20G,20D) are intended to be placed on the same side of said plant row.

11. Leaf extractor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising leaf recovery means having at least one partition (50G,50D) arranged to retain leaves removed by at least one defoliating roller (20G,20D) and / or a conveyor belt (51G,51D) disposed under at least one defoliating roller (20G,20D) leading to at least one storage bin (52).

12. Leaf extractor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means for correcting tilt of the frame (2) of the leaf extractor (1) in working position.

13. A sheet extractor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis (2) is mounted on two wheels (3G, 3D), each wheel (3G,3D) being intended to be placed on each side of said plant row in working position and a lifting cylinder (7) is interposed between each of the wheels (3G,3D) and the chassis (2) allowing to correct the tilt of the chassis (2) perpendicular to the direction of movement F on each side of the plant row in working position.

14. Leaf extractor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the frame (2) is connected to a drawbar (6) suitable for being fixed to the traction means and a lifting cylinder (7) is interposed between the drawbar (6) and the frame (2) allowing the tilt of the frame (2) to be corrected according to the direction of movement F in the working position.

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