Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1892-03-24
RAPID UNLOADING OF GRAIN.
A Stutsman County Farmer
DeviSes a Machine for
That Purpose.
Two Gentlemen Proposed for
the Office of Mayor
Next Term.
Interesting Lecture on Tenn.
peranCe by a London
Lady Of Repute.

As has been before mentioned in this
paper, Mr.. George Kurtz, practical
farmer OF Rio, this county, has devised q
machine for the rapid unloading of grain
from farm wagons into box cars standing
on railroad side tracks. The invention
consists of a frame on two skids with a
mast so constructed that the same can
be raised and lowered by means Of a
windlass. On the top OF the mast is fixed
a long swinging spout. On one end OF
this spout is attached box or magazine
of sufficient capacity to hold one wagon
load of grain. The magazine rests on
the frame work near the ground, and is
low enough to let the grain be sho yelled
into it from the wagon bed or emptled
from sacks. When the box is full, and
ready to be dumped into the car, the top
of the box Is closed by doors which are
fastened down to avoid all spilling Of
grain. On the other end OF the spout is
pulley with rope attachment running
through double block, which Is
fastened by grapple hook to the rail of
the track under the car intended to be
loaded. The rope which runs through
the pulleys is long enough to reach the
rear end of the wagon, where it's hooked
on to the hind axletree. By starting the
team ahead, the magazine rises, and the
other end of the spout descends until it
reaches hopper that rests on the grain
door Of the car. This hopper is provided
with a sliding shoot so that the grain
can be run into either end of the car
desired, thus avoiding re-shoveling of
grain after it is in the car.
The power required to raise the spout
when the magazine is filed, is about one
half what is required to draw the load
on level ground while on the wagon.
The machine is provided with two truss
rods and is otherwise ironed and braced
strong enough to hold 100 bushels of
grain.
The machine can be moved from one
car to the other without difficulty RS the
fastening of the frame to the ground Is
not necessary.
The advantages of this invention are
that the work of three men can be done
by one with the aid Of the team. The
of unloading is greater than is
afforded by the facilities Of the regular
grain elevators.
Another feature of the machine worthy
of notice, IS that the bottom of the
wagon bed Is high enough to lap over
the edge of the magazine, thus avoiding
the lifting of gram either loose or in
sacks into the car door as has been neces.
sary heretofore.
An automatic rachet is fastened on the
top of the mast, and holds the spout at
any elevation desired, thus avoiding any
sudden fall in case of accident, or break
age of harness. The machine Is simple,
strong and inexpensive. 1t gan be
retailed with profit at from $50 to 800.
1t is probable that the machine will be
put IN operation soon in this city.
The machine practically does away
with the necessity of building loading
platforms, or filling up bitches, 80 that
teams can drive to the car. 1t saves all
re.switching of cars to certain place, at
the track. This ought to be of great
advantage to railroad companies in the
saving of switching and expense of
building platforms, which the farmers of
North Dakota are every where anxious
to have.
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