Improvements in Potato Diggers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 31st Mar., 1900
Improvements in Potato Diggers.
I, DELPHIS DENIS, of St. Benoit, County of Two Mountains, Province of
Quebec, Canada, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained, in and by the following statement:.
My invention relates to improvements in potato diggers.
The object of my invention is to provide a digger, which will during the
passage over the potato row, automatically remove the potatoes from the ground,
the removal including the ground within which the potatoes lie and the potatoes
including the potato stalks, the entire removed part being carried onto an
endless belt from where the stalks are automatically removed from the potatoes,
the ground automatically shaken from the potatoes, after which the potatoes
are automatically assorted and delivered into bags.
A further object is to provide a construction which is simple and efficient
in operation, durable in construction, and which can be made at a moderate cost.
With these and other objects in view, the nature of which will hereinafter
appear, my invention consists in the improved construction and combination of
parts hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out within the
appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in
which similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all of the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved digger.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is a central, vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same.
Figure 4 is a detail view of the digger and the mechanism for removing the
stalks from the potatoes.
Figure 5 is a vertical, sectional view showing the mounting for the digger
supporting wheel.
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the construction of the delivery passage-
way for the potato stalks.
Figure 8 is a detail of one of the buckets.
Figure 9 is a cross section through one of the rear elevators and the table.
In machines of this character, it is essential to the various operations which are
necessary to remove the potatoes without injuring them, that the work be done
in a careful manner, and inasmuch as the saving in the harvesting in a potato
crop, must necessarily depend upon the reduction of the number of persons
assisting, it will be readily understood that the working of the parts should be
done as automatically as possible. And, in order that such careful and auto-
matical operations may be obtained, I construct the device to operate in a manner
substantially similar to the digging of potatoes by hand.
In the construction hereinafter set forth, the general operation of the parts
is substantially as follows.-The device is passed over the row in which the
potatoes are located, and a digger passes into the ground to a point below the

page_text: level of the potatoes, the digger being formed substantially similar to a scoop.
The passage of this digger, causes the entire quantity of earth and potatoes to
be forced upwardly onto a travelling belt, which is moving rearwardly. During
this rearward passage, the stalks, which are retained on the upper surface of the
earth, are automatically passed between two rollers which serve to detach the
stalks from the potatoes, at the same time loosening up the dirt which is on the
potatoes, the stalks being passed outward through separate passage-ways to
the outer side of the digger and entirely away from any liability of the stalks
passing into the cleansing portion of the machine. The potatoes are carried
rearwardly, the shaking received by reason of the removal of the stalks, having
a tendency to remove a portion of the dirt, and are then passed into a series of
buckets, preferably perforated, formed on an inclined elevator, which serves to
carry the potatoes, and whatever dirt that may have remained on the potatoes,
upwardly, and drop the entire contents onto a suitable shaker and assortor, over
which they are passed, and during such passage become cleansed and assorted.
By the movement of the shaker and assorter, the potatoes are then carried
rearwardly and onto a series of grated supports, which serves to pass the potatoes
into suitable elevators, from which they are passed to the bags. During the
entire movement of the potatoes, they are placed in perforated or grated recep-
tacles or on tables having such form, so that each movement of the machine tends
to free the potatoes from the dirt, while the elimination of the stalks primarily,
by reason of their removal, is advantageous, as there is no liability of the parts
becoming choked up by the stalks, during the operation of the "machine. In
order that a thorough and complete understanding may be had of the construction
and the detailed operation of the various parts, I will now proceed to describe
the parts in detail and in combination, referring, for a clearer construction of
the description, to the accompanying drawings.
(1) designates the framework of my improved digger, mounted on the support-
ing wheels (2), the front pair of which are mounted on an axle (3). which is
pivotally connected, (see Figure 3), in order that the digger may be readily
turned, the frame (1) being provided at its front end with a goose-neck," to
enable the front wheel to turn to proper position. The frame (1), consists
essentially in the side pieces (+). extending from the front to the rear of the
machine or digger, the mechanism hereinafter described, being located generally
within the space formed between the two sides (4). In describing the mechanism,
I will do so as it is successively reached in its operation, by means of which the
passage of the potatoes and the stalks can be readily traced and the operation
better understood.
The mechanism first brought into operation, is that used for digging the
potatoes from the ground, and this mechanism is removably secured between the
side pieces (4), by suitable connecting bolts (5), passing through the sides of the
digger and the sides (4). this construction enabling the digger to have a pivotal
movement if, by reason of the rough surface of the ground, it is necessary that
such pivotal movement be obtained.
As shown in the drawings, the digger is formed of the sides (6), which extend
forwardly a suitable distance, from the front end of which extends the digging
nose (7), which is formed substantially as shown in the drawings, being formed
of the side and bottom, the bottom (8). having its forward end rounded as shown,
which enables it to pass forward through the ground without having a tendency
to pass deeper into the ground than is desirable. The front end of the side of the
digger nose as well as the bottom (8). are preferably brought to a thin edge,
in order that they may better pass through the ground, eliminating to a great
extent, the heavy pull which is placed on the draught animals. As it is necessary
that the digger nose pass into the ground below the level of the potatoes, and
as the potatoes lie at varying depths within the ground, it is essential that the
depth to which the nose may be passed, can be adjustably regulated, and this
is accomplished by placing the connecting bolts (5), forming the pivot point of

page_text: the digger, at a point near the rear end of the digger, and providing the digger,
at a suitable point in front of the bolts (5), with a pair of supporting wheels (9),
which are adjustably mounted on the side (6), by the mechanism shown in
Figures 5 and 6. This mounting consists essentially in forming within the sides,
and extending vertically therein, a dove-tail or tongue and groove recess (10)
within which is mounted a block (11), having its edges formed to fit the
recess (10). To the blocks (11), are secured laterally extending bearing pins (12).
upon which the wheels (9) are adapted to rotate. To regulate the position of the
block (11), I provide suitable screw-threaded pins (13), on both the upper and
lower sides of the blocks, said pins serving to adjust the height of the block (11)
as regards the side (6), and securely hold said blocks in their adjusted position.
In the rear of the digger nose (7) is mounted, on on suitable rolls (14), an
endless belt (15), formed of two bands (16) travelling on opposite sides, said bands
heing connected by suitable rods, said rods being placed a small distance apart,
in order that the ground, which is brought up by the digger nose may pass
therethrough, the ground being shaken from the potatoes during the removal of
the stalks as hereinafter described. This band is driven by suitable connection
from the rear wheels (2). in an obvious manner.
At a suitable point in the side (6), above the endless belt (15), I place a
roller (18), which is adapted to be driven by means of a suitable helt connected
with one of the rells (14). Above the roller (18), is provided a suitable
roller (19), which is mounted in bearings having a vertical movement, said
bearings being held in a downward position by means of a spring (20), thus
causing the roller (19) to normally come in contact with the roller (18). In rear
of the roller (18) and (19). is secured an attachment, best shown in Figure 7.
consisting of a top and bottom (21), between which is formed a vertical wall (22),
said wall extending from a point centrally of the rollers toward each side in a
curved direction, forming a passage-way which leads to and through the side (6),
through which passage-way the stalks are passed as they are received from
the rollers (18) and (19), the latter receiving the stalks as they are passed rear-
wardly with the potatoes and the earth as taken up by the digger nose.
From this construction it will be seen that as the digger nose carries the earth,
potatoes and stalks upward on the endless belt (15). the rollers (18) and (19)
grip the stalks and, in an obvious manner, break up the earth, and as it passes
rearwardly over the belt (15), a portion of the dirt is automatically removed.
In rear of the digger, is provided a suitable elevator (23), formed of a suitable
endless bucket chain (24). said chain being passed over suitable top and bottom
rolls (25), as best shown in Figure (3), said bucket chain being adapted to receive
the potatoes from the belt (15), and carry them upwardly, dropping them at the
upper end onto a suitable cleaner and assortor, constructed as hereinafter set
forth. The bucket is formed substantially as shown in Figure (8), comprising a
curved outer portion (25), the side (26), and the rods (27), extending along the
rear open face of the bucket. As shown, the curved portion (25) perforated,
which perforations, together with the spaces formed between the rods (27), allows
of the escape of earth from the potatoes during the upward movement of said
bucket.
The cleaner and assorter (28), on which the potatoes are dropped from the
elevator (23), consists of a frame (29), within which are removably secured the
grated screens (330) and (31), the bars of which extend lengthwise of the digger,
the bars of the upper screen being of less number than those of the lower
screens, thus making a greater distance between the bars in the upper screen
than in the lower. The frame (29) is given a vibrating motion, by reason of the
fact that its rear end is pivotally mounted on suitable arms (32). the free ends
of which are pivotally mounted in the sides (4), the front end of said frame
being connected to a suitable crank arm (33), which is rotated by a suitable
connection, this rotation serving to cause the front end to have a circular move-
ment, which movement serves to vibrate the cleaner and assorter, As shown in

page_text: the drawings, the screen (30) is of greater length than the screen (31), and
this serves the purpose of carrying the potatoes of the assorted sizes to different
positions in rear of the assorter, the potatoes being assorted by reason of the
smaller sized ones dropping through the interstices between the bars of the
upper screen, onto the lower set of bars.
As shown, the rear of the digger is provided with what may be termed a
grated table (34), which is divided into front and rear portions by a vertically
extending wall (35), located approximately at the centre of said table and
extending laterally of the digger. This forms substantially two compartments,
and to these compartments, the potatoes are passed from the screens (30) and (31),
the potatoes of smaller size from the screen (31) being passed onto the compart-
ment nearest the rear end of the digger, while the larger size potatoes coming
from the screen (30), are passed onto the rear portion of the table, forming the
rear compartment. The tables (34), are formed with bars, extending laterally of
the digger, and of a gradual incline, said bars leading to a suitable receptacle
which communicates with an elevator (36), formed substantially similar to the
elevator (23), said elevators serving to raise the potatoes to a height sufficient
to allow them to readily pass within suitable bags which are held under the
delivery spout, said bags being adapted to receive the potatoes in an obvious
manner. The elevators (36) are driven by suitable means, such as shown, although
other operating connections may be used, if desired, said elevators, being
arranged on opposite sides of the table (34), for a reason readily understood.
The digger is provided with a suitable platform (37), at the rear end thereof.
upon which the operator or operators stand, and on which the bags are supported
during the operation of filling.
From this construction, the operation of which will, it is thought, be clearly
apparent, it will be seen that during the passage of the potatoes rearward from
the point where they are dug up from the ground, to the point where they are
delivered into the bags, they are subjected at all times to the vibration of the
machine and of the parts, which have a tendency to shake off any dirt which
may be formed thereon, but with not sufficient force to injure the potatoes them-
selves. Another advantage in this construction, lies in the fact that there is no
labor required, excepting the driving of the digger and the attendance of the
operators on the back, who are attending to the bagging of the potatoes, all
intermediate steps being performed automatically.
As will be readily seen, the digger attachment, when not in use, can be
entirely removed, if desired, or may be raised to a position where the front of
the nose will be above the level of the ground, whereupon the entire implement
may be transported from one place to another.
The advantages of this construction are its simple and efficient operation, each
part forming its work automatically, the dispensing with any manual labour
between the point of digging of the potatoes and the bagging of them, its
durability of construction, and its low cost of manufacture.
To allow of the ready raising of the digger nose, when such raising is desirable,
I provide a suitable cross-rod (38), on which is mounted a series of segments (39).
the outer periphery of which is adapted to receive a chain connected to the digger
nose, in any suitable manner. The rod (38), extends outwardly through one of
the sides, and has at its outer edge, a suitable operating lever, which lever serves
as a means to rotate said shaft and raise said digger nose, the digger nose
being held in its raised position by means of the pawl and rack mechanism,
shown in Figure 1. Other means may be used for raising the digger nose,
the intention being to raise the nose to a position above the level of the
ground, in order that the digger may be readily moved from place to place, and
also preventing any tendency of the digger nose to pass to a depth below the
desired point when in operation.
While I have herein shown a preferred form of carrying my invention into
effect, yet I do not desire to limit myself to such referred details of construction,

page_text: but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will serve
to carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as
such modifications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of my said
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;-
1. A potato digger, comprising a frame; a digger nose pivotally and removably
secured within said frame; an independent rolling support adjustably secured to
said nose, whereby the point of the nose will be held at a substantially pre-
determined point in the ground relative to said support without varying the
position of said frame; means, mounted within said nose, for automatically
removing the stalks from the potatoes; a vibrating cleanser and assorter mounted
within said frame; means located at the rear end of said frame for delivering
the assorted potatoes to proper receptacles therefor; conveyors located within said
frame for automatically carrying the potatoes therethrough; and means operated
by the forward movement of the digger frame for imparting movement to the
stalk removing means and to said conveyors, substantially as described.
2. A potato digger, comprising a frame; a digger nose removably mounted
therein; an independent rolling support adjustably secured to said nose, whereby
the point of the nose will be held at a substantially predetermined point in the
ground relative to said support without varying the position of said frame; a
vibrating cleanser and assorter mounted within said frame; means for removing
the stalks from the potatoes, carried by said nose and operated automatically,
said means being located between the digger nose and said vibrating cleanser and
assorter; means for independently discharging said assorted potatoes; perforated
conveyors located within said frame, said conveyors being adapted to carry the
potatoes from said nose to said independent receptacles; and means for imparting
movement to said stalk removing means and the conveyor, said means being
operated by the forward movement of the digger frame, substantially as described.
3. A stalk remover for potato diggers, comprising a series of rells held in
yielding contact and having a rotary movement, said rolls moving at a point
above the path of movement of the dug potatoes; and delivery tubes mounted
in rear of said rolls to receive the stalks as they pass from said rolls, said tubes
being adapted to deliver the stalks at points independent from the delivery
portion of the potato conveying means, substantially as described.
4. In a potato digger of the kind described, a bucket for conveyors, comprising
end pieces; a concave perforated front and bottom piece; and a series of bars
extending between said end pieces, said bars being located at the rear of the
bucket, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of Door 1900
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.