Patent GB-682411-A (GB)
Title: Planting machine
IPC: A01C11/02
Filed: 1950-03-06
Abstract: 682,411. Planting-machines. PETTERSEN, G. N. March 6, 1950 [May 31, 1949; Oct. 11, 1949], No. 5633/50. Class 6(i) A planting-machine is provided with a pair of belts between which the plants are placed and carried round a planting wheel with the foliage of the plant projecting into the wheel before deposition in the furrow formed by a bow-shaped member, a pair of packing wheels being arranged to press the soil inwards around the plant in the furrow. The machine has a rectangular frame provided with coupling means 2 for attachment to a tractor and a lateral bracket 3 carrying a support wheel 4 axially aligned with the pivots of packing Wheels 7, 8 having part frusto-conical, part cylindrical rims, the frusto-conical portions converging towards each other. From seats 9, 9<SP>1</SP> and 9" there is easy access to the top of the machine, the seats being so arranged that the weight of the operators increases the consolidating action of the wheels 7, 8. Pivoted frame portions 11, 12 are connected forwardly by a bolt 13 and carry a bowshaped member 15. The frame portions 11, 12, 13 are supported forwardly by links 16, 17 connected to arms 18, 19 fixed on a shaft 20 journalled in the main frame 1. Fixed on the .shaft 20 is a manipulating arm 21 carrying a pin engaging a locking :arm 22 pivoted within the frame 1 to adjust the depth of the furrow. The member 15 has wing-shaped extensions 23, 24 extending between the packing wheels. Above the share 15 is journalled a shaft 25 on which is rotatably mounted a sprocket wheel 26. connected by a chain 27 to a sprocket 28 on the packing wheel 7. Fixed on the shaft 25 is a planting wheel comprising plane wheel discs 29, 30 driven through the sprocket wheel 26 when the machine is rolling on the wheels 7, 8. The sprocket 26 is so coupled to the frame 1 that when the support frame 11-13 is lifted by means of the arm 21 the shaft 25 becomes disengaged, automatic reengagement taking place when the support frame is lowered. Extending longitudinally of the machine is a member 37 passing between the planting discs 29, 30 and ending in a bearing sleeve 38 surrounding the shaft 25. Rearwardly the member has a branch 39 ending in a handle 40 guided between the legs 41, 42 of a U-shaped frame member between which the branch can be supported at various levels. The plants are held between belts 46, 47 passing over freely rotating rollers 48, 49 and 50, 51 respectively and over the planting discs 29, 30. The rollers are mounted on projections adjustable along the member 37, 39. The belt tracks of the planting discs are pieces 57, 58 (not shown) rockably mounted on equally spaced pivots set in from the edge of the discs. On reaching the rearmost point of their path the pieces abut a projection on the member 37 and are turned to extend along the discs. After a quarter revolution they are again turned inwards by arcuate guiding members 60, 61 attached to the support frame 11, 12. The support pieces may be secured in position by springs on spring washers. The chain drive is so arranged that the speed of the belt tracks is the same as the speed of the machine and the two tracks run edgeto-edge to and from the planting wheel. The belts are tensioned by adjusting the positions of the rollers. The plants are inserted upside down between the belts at the roller 48, a shield 62 for guiding them into position being mounted on a rod 63 fixed to the stud supporting roller 48 and supported forwardly in an arm 64 of the guide 60. Mounted on the rod 63 is a peinter 65 determining the spacing of the plants. To adjust the space between the belts, the roller 50 is moved by means of a hand wheel 66. The plants are guided into the space between the discs 29, 30 by shields 67, 68 and arrive at the bottom of the planting wheel in an upright position. The plants then enter the space within the share, ploughed-up soil moving inwards over the roots. A guide screen 69 deflects the plants into the space between the roller 49 and the packing wheel 8. The racking wheels compress the soil and a further guide screen 72 tilts the plants to clear the roller 51. Should a stone or the like come under the belts, the. mounting member 37, 39 rocks freely about' the shaft 25 thereby passing over the protuberance. For transportthe arm 21 isplaced in a lifted position so that the share 15 is clear of the ground, the drive to the planting wheel is thereby disconnected. The mounting member with attached rollers may also be lifted by raising the handle 40. The machine may be constructed to plant two furrows simultaneously.