Crop thinning apparatus and method

Harvesters – Cutting – Hedge or plant-row trimmers

Reexamination Certificate

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C172S006000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07032369

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for mechanically thinning crops, particularly those planted in rows. One or more crop thinning units are connected to the back of a tractor or other vehicle. Each of the units has the ability to sense plants and activate an arm which has a blade disposed thereon. An electronic control system enables data from several sensors to be evaluated such that plants may be selectively removed based on pre-established criteria. Sensors differentiate between weeds and plants, and maintain the cutting units above the crop rows.

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