GB564020A - Improvements in or relating to machines for digging and bagging potatoes and like bulbous root crops - Google Patents

Abstract

564,020. Potato harvesters. SMITH, A. V., TREVIS, C. A., and SPAREY, A. F. May 25, 1943, No. 8310. [Class 6 (iii)] ; A machine for digging and bagging potatoes and like crops comprises a digging device 7 co-operating with a lifting conveyer 17 which discharges the potatoes, haulm and soil on to a separating device consisting of a number of rotating spaced rollers 26 between which the potatoes fall into a hopper 22, the hopper discharging through one or more delivery shoots 24, into a bag or bags. The machine shown comprises a main frame 1 having brackets 2 upon which the conveyer frame 6 is pivotally supported, adjustment of the frame and of the digging device secured thereto being effected by a handle 9 adjacent an operator's platform 4. The handle drives a drum on which is wound a cable 11, the latter being connected to a quadrant whose shaft carries levers 8 fitted with rods 10 connected to the lower end of frame 6. The conveyer is vibrated by an eccentric 19 to free the potatoes or the like from earth and haulms and is driven by shafting 16 from the power shaft 13 of a tractor. The conveyer discharges on to a delivery belt 25 which feeds the haulms and potatoes or the like to the rollers 26, and a further belt 27 is provided to. discharge the haulms over the rear end of the machine. The bottom of the hopper is in the form of a grill which is mechanically shaken to remove dirt and which slopes towards the side delivery shoots 24. The rollers 26 may be equally spaced, or, alternatively, the spaces between them may differ so that the potatoes are graded. In the latter event the hopper is divided by partitions into compartments.