Improvements in Harvesters for Potatoes and like Root Crops.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 15th Jan.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harvesters for Potatoes and like Root Crops.
I, ADOLF TARNOW, of Katharinendorf, near Runowo, district Wirsitz, in the
Empire of Germany, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The present invention refers to a machine for harvesting potatoes and like root
crops, and consists in having the row of plants with their roots undercut by a
plough-share as it travels and in having the roots unearthed by means of a drum
provided with ribs and delivered to an elevator which conveys the roots into a
suitable collecting receptacle.
The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings in which :-
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of the machine.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a part front elevation.
Figure 4 is a cross-section through the elevator on line - of Figure 1, on all
enlarged scale.
or'
The frame which carries the machine is provided with four wheels. In the
front part of this frame the plough share a is situated, which is tapered towards
the front so that it attains a nearly triangular shape (ride Figure 2). The plough
The
share a is supported by stays b b fastened to the main frame of the harvester.
curved ones are for supporting the plough share and are fastened to each side
of the same, the others 61 are bent to right angles and fastened to the rear of the
share. The plough beam c is adjustably fastened to the front frame in the ordinary
manner so as to allow the share to be raised or lowered as required. The side
edges d of the share are preferably bent upwards. Behind the share a, a drum e is
rotatably mounted. This drum is provided with ribs, projecting sheet iron pieces,
or with tines or spikes arranged in series or rows on the drum. The number of
these projections varies according to the nature of the ground; a smaller number
of them will be sufficient for easy ground such as sand, than for heavy
ground. The drum e receives its motion from the transmission disc
wheel arranged on the axle carrying the front wheels and is rotated
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. The speed at which
the drum rotates will also vary according to the nature of the ground. The
ribs or projections on the drum e unearth the roots. Behind the drum the elevator
is situated which is arranged in an inclined plane which consists of bars with
spaces between them or of metal, or other plates provided with perforations. Above
this inclined plane an endless elevator-chain is mounted, which consists of flat
iron pieces fastened to pitch chains. These flat iron pieces & will remove all
the remaining earth from the roots when conveying them to the collecting recep-
tacle, so that the earth or sand may fall through the perforations or spaces in the
A basket 7, or any other
inclined plane, arranged underneath the elevator chain.
suitable receptacle, situated on the rear of the main frame by hanging up or other-
wise supporting, serves for the reception of the roots which fall from the elevator
chain into it. The pitch chains ii engage with corresponding sprocket wheels m m¹
by which they are driven. The sprocket wheels m are provided with teeth

page_text: which engage with corresponding teeth provided on the hind wheel of the
harvester, from which the wheels m receive their motion. The speed of the
elevator chain is preferably less than that of the drum e. The slope of the elevator
may be altered by raising or lowering its frame n so as to be suitable to the nature
of the ground. A special frame may be provided for the reception of the collecting
basket or receptacle.
By means of this improved potato harvester no roots will remain in the ground
and even small-sized roots will be harvested.
By having the drum driven independently from the elevator the speed may easily
be varied according to the nature of the respective ground whereby a thorough
cleaning of the soil from the roots is attained without damaging them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a machine for harvesting potatoes and other root crops, the combination of
a share for the reception of the roots from the ground, a cleaning drum provided
with ribs or tines, and an elevator for conveying the cleaned roots to the collecting
receptacle, said drum and elevator being preferably driven independently from
each other, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. In a machine for harvesting potatoes and other root crops, an elevator con-
sisting in an inclined perforated plane or one of bars with spaces between them,
and an elevator chain consisting of flat iron pieces connected on both sides to pitch
chains running above it and over corresponding sprocket wheels, substantially as
described and illustrated.
3. In a machine for harvesting potatoes and other root crops the plough share
fastened to the main frame by means of stays or bars, one pair of which supports
the share on both sides of it, the other pair the back of the share to which they
are likewise fastened substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated the 14th day of December 1897
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.