Patent GB-683284-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved machine for handling sugar beet and other root vegetables
IPC: A01D87/00
Filed: 1949-03-16
Abstract: 683,284. Hay-loaders. SHUKER, H. W. April 26, 1950 [March 16, 1949], No. 7130/49. Class 6(iii) [Also in Group XXX] A machine for picking up agricultural produce and delivering it into a vehicle comprises two separate wheeled frames on which are mounted respectively an inclined conveyer delivering the produce to the vehicle and elevating mechanism for picking up the produce and delivering it via a shoot on to the conveyer, detachable e means for r rigidly coupling together the two frames, and a power unit on the first frame arranged to drive the conveyer and elevating mechanism when the two frames s are coupled together, and also to be coupled to the road wheels of the first frame to propel the machine. A set of endless chains 18 are carried by sprockets 15, 16 and 17 mounted on a triangular frame 11. Sprocket 17 is eccentrically mounted for tensioning. Tines 21 are carried by cross-bars 20 fixed across the chains. Either the tines or the cross-bars are detachable for replacement or substitution. Frame 11 is secured to a chassis consisting of a pair of longitudinals 10 and bracing 22, 23 which supports a fluid-cylinder 24. A pair of wheels 26 are fixed to a piston working in the cylinder 24 and are steered by means of an arm 27 provided with a rod 28 which engages a fork on a sliding cross-bar 29 linked to a steering wheel 33. When fluid is passed to or from the cylinder, the height of the tines 21 is adjusted while rod 28 slides in the fork of bar 29, so allowing steering to take place at all elevations. Longitudinal frame members 35 are received in the longitudinals 10 and form a second frame on which is rigidly mounted a motor 51 while a boom 39 is pivoted to it .at 38. A pair of endless chains 36 pass around the boom and are driven by a pair of sprockets on shaft 38. The boom 39 is raised and lowered by a piston and cylinder 45 pivoted at 46 to members 35 and at its other end to a lever 47 pivoted at 48 on members 35 and engaging at its outer end a slot 49 in the boom. The boom is locked in position by a pair of telescopic struts 50 provided with clamping means. The rear end of the frame is provided with a pair of wheels 56 which are driven through gearing and a clutch from motor 51. The motor is also coupled to the driving sprockets on shaft 38, and the drive includes a pulley 64 on the motor shaft, a pulley 65 on a driven shaft, and a driving belt 63 which is tensioned by a pulley 66 on a pivoted lever 67 which is coupled to a brake shoe 68 so that when the tension is removed by a manual control, not shown, the brake is applied to pulley 65 so as to stop the conveyer or wheels 56. In operation, the complete machine is driven forwards into a pile of vegetables, and endless chains 36 and 18 are both driven, the latter through a belt drive 62, so that the vegetables are raised and deposited on a plate 49, which may be an oscillating grid for removing dirt or undersized vegetables, and are thereafter received by combs 42 on the endless chains 36 which convey them to a vehicle or to storage. The conveyer 36 may be used separately by disconnecting the members 10 and 35 from one another and fitting a pair of wheels at the front end of the members 35.