The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-08-21
Removing Metallic Substances from Grain.

chimes employing iron wire to bind the
sheaves very quickly led to the discover
ing that the bits of wire, cut off each time
a shief was bound, caused great dea of
trouble in the after process OF grinding.
The ends OF the wire mixed with tho
grain reached the mill only to break and
scratch the stones and machinery, and
to produce friction and heating that
sometimes results in setting fire to the
mill. So serious became this matter that
the millers objected to receiving any
grain bound in machines using wire. For
tudately the difficulty has been surmount-
ed by the introduction Of appliances for
removing the bits of iron fiom the grain
before passing 1t to the mill. Expert.
mcnts showed that common magnet
hung in a grain-spout would catch and
retain particles Of metallic substances
mixed with the grain. Several methodist
accomplishing the same results are now
in use in Western mills, and they may
be divided into two classes; those using
permanent magnets, and those using
electro magnets. 1t has been found that
dozen "machinc' magnets (preferable
to ''hOrsc- shoe on account of their Shapc)
hung Ill II gfain-sp0ut dro sufficient to ar
rest every particle Of magnet metal, from
pieces of wire several centimeters long,
down to iron filings and metallic dust.
The usual plan is to saw off a portion of
the top Of the spout and to divide it into
three pieces and cut holes in each piece
for the legs Of the magnets placed directly
or diagonally across the stream Of grai.,
the diagonal position being considered
the best as the grain is driven
from side to side passlug, and
brought into close contact with the
magnets. The magnets may be l'f,ed
out Of the spout in groups OF tour by TAX
ing off one Of the covers, and may then
be cleaned and put back without disturb
ing the others Another method of hang
ing the magnets is to cut three slots
across the spout, and hang the magnets
on rod with bloc.s between them 10
keep them in position. BY this arrange
ment, the may be removed one at time,
or in groups Of three or four, as most
convenient. By taking out only a por-
| ton Of the magnets at one time, enough
of them remain to keep up the work
while the others are being cleaned. The
metal adhering to the magnets is easily
| brushed of, two c1carings in day be-
ing found sufficient. By employing bars
of soft iron in connection with coils OF
wire and battery. electro magnets may
be used, and IN lifting out the magnets
it will only be necessary tc break the cir
cult, when the metal adhcring to them
will instantly drop off. Anotbes form of
apparatus employs horseshoe magnets,
having paper or wooden filling between
the legs, set upright on the ends of arms
revolving horizontally in a circular tank
very much after the manner of some forms
Of mixing machines The grain is deiv.
cred at the edge of the tank, and IS push,
ed by the revolving magnets toward the
center, when it escapes through an open.
ing in the bottom of the tank. Anothe,
device employs a series of permanent
magnets and travelling apron for convey
ing the grain asay after it has passed
over the magnets. The only advantage
of the use of electro magnets is the facility
of cleaning them by breaking the circuit
and demagnetizing the iron. BY suitable
clock-work this can be done automatical
ly, provided there are appliances for shut
ting of the grain and for catching {
metallic dust when the magnets are
thrown out of action. The first and mos>
simple of these grain cleaning appliances
was brought out by persons interested il
mill property, and has been wisely giver
to the public without patent restrictions
| The other appliances are patented