Abstract:
A harvest machine comprises a chassis (10) having wheels (15) attached to its sides. A vertical frame (11) is attached near the rear of the chassis. Slings (18) and a harness or body support (40) hang from the vertical frame to suspend workers (20) in prone positions over low plants (21). The slings allow the workers to easily move about to reach plants around them without bending, kneeling, or any posture that creates back strain. A packing box (19) placed adjacent the workers collect the produce. Alternatively, a conveyor belt (36) may be used to automatically carry produce from the workers into a large packing box (35). The distal end of an arm (14), which extends from the front of the chassis, is connected to the tow bar (23) of a towing vehicle. Alternatively, a motor (30) may be fitted to a nose wheel (33) at the front the chassis to provide self-propulsion. A "boat" (31) at the distal end of an arm (32) attached to the nose wheel rides in a furrow to guide the harvest machine.