The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-08-20
Removing Metallic Substances from Grain.

The introduction of grain binding ma
chimes employing iron wire to bind the
sheaves very quickly led to the discover
ing tnat the bits Of wire, cut off each time
sh1e1 was bound, caused great deal of
u, 1rouole IN the after process Of grinding.
Ihe ends OF the wire mixed with the
gram 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. 50 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 from the grain
before passing 1t to the mill. Expert
ments showed that a common magnet
hung IN 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
electromagnetic. It has been found that
dozen machine" magnets (prefe-able
to "horse- shoe" on account Of their shape)
hung IN graln-spout are sufficient to az
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 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 grais,
the diagonal position being considered
the best as the grain is driven
from side to side passing. and
brought into close contact with the
magnets. The magnets may be lifted
out of the spout in groups of four by tax
ing of one Of the covers, and NAV 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 blocks between them 70
keep them in position. By this arrange
ment, the may be removed one at a time.
or IN groups Of three or four, as most
convenient. By taking out only 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 clearings in day BE-
ing found sufficient. By employing bars
OF soft iron in connection with coils Of
wire and battery, electromagnetic may
be used, and IN lifting out the magnets
it will only be necessary tc break the cir
cult, when the metal adhering to them
will instantly drop of, Anothes forn, Of
apparatus employs horseshoe magnets,
having paper OF wooden filling between
the legs, set upright on the ends of arms
revolving horizontally in circular tank,
very much after the manner Of some forms
of miXing-machines- The gram is deli7-
cred at the edge of the tank, and IS push
ed by the revolving magnets toward the
center, when it escapes through an oper-
ing IN the bottom Of the tank. Another
device employs a series of permanent
magnets and travelling apron for convey
ing the grain away after it has passed
over the magnets. The only advantage
of the use of electromagnetic 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 the
metallic dust when the magnets are
thrown out Of action. The first and most
simple Of these grain cleaning appliances
was brought out by persons interested in
mill property, and has been wisely given
to the public without patent restrict1ons
The other appliances are patented.