US Patent 9510507 Overhanging tines for orienting bast stalks

An apparatus for harvesting bast stalks includes a cutting device and a first moving belt. The cutting device is configured to receive bast stalks includes at least one cutter at a front end of the apparatus, where the cutter is configured to cut bast stalks from bast plants. The first moving belt has a first end for receiving the cut bast stalks from the cutter, a second end, and a top surface configured to move the cut bast stalks between the first end and the second end. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced tines extending toward the top surface of the first belt to orient a substantial majority of the bast stalks generally parallel to each other and generally along the direction the first moving belt is configured to move.