Improved Potato-digger.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 8th Oct., 1890-Accepted 8th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Potato-digger.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of London,
Patent Agent, (a communication to me from abroad by Albert Lauridtzen of Gowen,
Michigan, U.S.A. Inventor,) do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention comprises a U-shaped bail, the opposite arms of which are pivoted
in a draft beam and provided with rearwardly curved depending spring teeth forming
a rake. In the upper part of the frame of the machine is a hand lever mounted in
opposite bell-cranks which are pivoted to the frame. A bar connects these bell cranks
with the rake, and a chain connects them to opposite pivotally-connected adjustable
supporting wheels in such manner that by the movement of the hand-lever the wheels
and the rake can be uniformly adjusted. The invention also comprises a series of
endless chains each of which consists of a series of detachable links consisting of
opposite end-bars which are provided with end-shoulders and projecting hooks.
Side bars are connected to the end-bars and the rear ends thereof are cut away to
enable the locking shoulders to pass in the act of connecting the end-bar with the
hook of the next adjacent link, the inner side-bar of each link being provided with a
loop which provides for its connection with the end-bars. By these chains motion is
transmitted from the driving shafts to suitable screens.
The digging forks or screens-which are operated by levers-are mounted upon a
rear shaft driven by a pinion thereon which engages with the teeth of a large wheel
forming part of one of the ground wheels of which there is one on each side of the
machine.
Dated this 01st das
SM1000
J. P. BAYLY,
Applicant
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Potato-digger.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18, Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of London,
Patent Agent, (a communication to me from abroad by Albert Lauridtzen, of Gowen,
Michigan, U.S.A. Inventor,) do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has relation to potato-diggers; and the objects in view are to provide
an excessively strong and durable machine having the usual potato digging, cleaning,
and delivering adjuncts, each of which is adjustable by agents under the direct control
of the operator, and this in a manner both simple and effective.
With these general objects in view the invention consists in certain features of
construction, hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a potato digger constructed in accordance with this
invention and embodying numerous improvements.
Fig. 2 is a plan view, the driver's seat, its support, and certain controlling mechanism
removed.
Fig. 3 is a bottom plan of the frame-work.
Fig. 4 is a detail in end view of one side of the front of the machine.
Fig. 5 is a detail in front elevation of the top rake and shovel-adjusting lever.
Fig. 6 is a detail in side elevation of the mechanism for throwing the shaking
delivery-screen into and out of gear.

page_text: Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of one of the links composing the sprocket-chain,
and
Fig. 8 is a detail of two of such links in the act of assembling.
Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
In practising this invention the main frame is constructed of two opposite metal
beams 1, said beams being spaced apart and maintained in relative position by means
of angle-braces 2, arranged at suitable distances apart and provided with suitable
binding nuts. The plates 52 are channelled as at 3, (see Fig. 4), upon their upper
faces, and in the same is mounted a T-rib 53 which is bolted to the beam by means of
binding-bolts 5, and upon said rib, and also connected to the beams 1 by means of the
bolts 5, are angle-arms 6, supporting side plates 7, to which the inner ends of the arms
are bolted. Journaled in bearings 5, 7, secured to the under surface of the beams, is
the usual traction-shaft 10, carrying at its outer ends traction-wheels 11 and inter-
mediate said wheels and the beams large master-gears 12. From the shaft 10 at each
side of the frame there project opposite half U-shaped hounds 13, the adjacent ends of
which are bent at an angle, at at 14, and bolted to the draft-beam 15 at its opposite
sides, and are braced by diagonal braces 16, extending from the bolts 17, for securing
the hounds to the draft-beam, and thence rearwardly and connected to the hounds.
From the rear end of the draft-beam 15 there projects an upwardly-inclined spring
seat-supporting bar 18, carrying at its rear extremity a seat 19. Pivoted in the
bar 18 by means of a transverse bolt 20 is a bell-crank lever 21, arranged at each side
of the bar 18 and supporting in its upper ends a hand-lever 22, provided with a
spring-bolt 23, engaging a sector 24, mounted between the bell-cranks 21 and upon
the beam 18. The two forward ends of the bell-cranks support a transverse rod 25,
the ends of which are bent, as at 26, and are braced to the bell-cranks by diagonal
braces 27. In the draft-beam in front of its hounds there is pivoted upon a U-shaped
bail 28 opposite depending curved spring rake-teeth 29, designed to rake the tops of
the plant, said arms being divergent and curved for the purpose, whereby the entire
number of stems or sprouts are gathered' or concentrated, and the action of the shovel
following is accordingly efficiently increased. A rod 30 connects the lower ends of
the U-shaped bails with the forward ends of the bell-crank 21, so that by a proper
manipulation of the hand-lever 22 the rakes 29 may be raised and lowered and
maintained in the desired adjusted position.
Bolted to the side bars or beams 1 and near the forward end are plates 31, which
project around in front of the machine, and in rear of their bent portion are provided
with bearing-ears 32, perforated to receive a bolt 33, upon which is pivoted upwardly-
inclined arms 34, the upper ends of which are connected with or terminate in plates 35,
longitudinally slotted, as at 36, for the reception of the spindles 37 of the wheels 38,
which support the front end of the machine. Diagonal braces 39 extend from the
upper ends of the arms 34 to the side beams 1. Opposite chains 40 connect the outer
ends of the bell-cranks 21 or, rather, the bent portions 26 of the bars 25, with the
plates 35, whereby the lever 22 serves the additional function of regulating the depth
of penetration of the shovel.
41 represents the inclined shovel, the opposite sides of which are cut away, forming
the usual entering-point, and to the sides of the shovel are bolted opposite jointers or
mould-boards 42 by means of bolts 43, upon which said boards are adjustable by reason
of the bolt-holes 44 being elongated. These boards serve the purpose of casting the
dirt to one side and away from the pivotal connection of the arms 34, which are further
preserved against injury by means of a guide-bar 45, terminating in bent arms 46,
which pass through blocks 47, said arms being arranged underneath the frame, as
shown in Fig. 3.
Upon each of the hounds 13 are mounted foot plates or rests 48, the same being
adjusted by means of set-screws 49 upon the hounds for the accommodation of the
driver.
50) represents the opposite sections or cone-shaped bottom of the machine, by which
the dirt adhering to the potatoes may be shed at each side of the machine, said bottom

page_text: being perforated, as at 51, for the passage therethrough of the numerous shafts for
supporting the mechanism before and to be described.
In suitable bearing-blocks 52, secured to a bearing-plate 53, bolted to the beams 1,
is journaled a counter-shaft 54, said bearing being adjustable or movably connected
upon a plate 53. At the outer end of the counter-shafts are mounted small gears 55,
and intermediate the gears and also the side bars 1 are mounted sprockets 56. In the
rear of the hearing 52 is mounted a second bearing 57, the same being rigid with
the plate I, and in the same is journaled the shaft 10, that carries the traction-wheels,
and also a shaft 58, provided with opposite lugs 59 and 60. The lug 59 is a socket
lug, and is provided with a hand-lever 61, carrying a spring-bolt 62, intermeshing
with a sector 63, arranged at one side of the lever 61. The opposite lug 60 is by a
threaded rod 64 adjustably connected to lug 65, formed on the lower face of the
sliding bearing-block 52. At the side of each of the beams 1 are provided pivoted
agitating-arms 66, the same being pivoted to said beams upon lateral bolts 67 and
terminating in angularly-disposed short arms 68. Cams, as 69, are mounted at each
side of the plates 1 upon the shaft 54 and directly under the arms 66, so that as said
shaft 54 is revolved the arms 66 are vibrated vertically upon their pivots.
Pivoted in the lugs 70 at the rear of the machine is the usual vibrating screen 71,
the outer end of the same being supported by the angularly-disposed arms 68. The
gear 55, it will be understood, mesh and are driven by the master-gears 12, and
consequently, taking the lever 61 in the position shown in Fig. 6, the gear 55 and its
actuating mechanisin will be in a position to receive motion by the rotation of the
wheels 11. By reversing the lever 61 the bearing-block 52 and the mechanisin it
carries will be slid to the rear and the gears 55 and 12 unmeshed. If desired, the
gear 12 may be keyed to the shaft 10, or the wheel 11 may be keyed to the shaft and
the gear 12 mounted loosely thereon, and by any suitable pawl-and-ratchet mechanism
be thrown into and out of connection with the wheel, all as is well understood by those
conversant with the construction of this class of machines.
72 represents sprocket-chains, which are ranged over the sprocket-wheels 56 and
run through the channels 73, formed by the angle-arms 6 at each side of the machine
and at the forward end of the machine over pulleys or sleeves 74, mounted on bolts 93,
journaled in guide-plates 75, formed at the ends of the sides of the shovel and the
beams 1. The chain is formed of links 76, each of which comprises front and rear end
bars 77 and 77, respectively, and opposite end-connecting side bars 77b. The front end
bar is cut away between its ends, as at 77°, leaving opposite lugs or shoulders 77d, and
extending forwardly from the bar is a hook 79. The rear ends of each of the side bars
upon their upper faces are cut away, as at 77°, so that in the act of assembling two of
such links the same are brought together so as to form an acute angle, (see Fig. 8,)
the rear bar 77 being inserted into the hook 79, which is permitted by reason of
cut-away portion 77° of the front bar, the lugs or shoulders 77d passing by the cut-away
portion 77, and when the links lie in the same plane said lugs or shoulders abut against
the rear bar 77 and prevent a separation. Loops 80 are formed upon the inner one
of the side bars 77b of each link, and metal straps 81, having their ends turned, as
at 82, for connection with the loops 80, (see Fig. 4,) connect the chain at intervals, the
whole forming an endless carrier.
It will be noticed, also, that the arms 68 are provided with perforations 83 at their
upper ends, whereby they are designed to be adjustably connected with the outer ends
of the screen-vibrating arms 66. Perforations 84 are also provided in each of the
outer tines of the screen for adjustable connection with the lower ends of the arms 68.
By this it will be seen that the screen may be raised and lowered, as will hereinafter
be apparent, and also adjusted. For the purpose of raising and lowering the screen
or shaker we provide a small foot-lever 85, pivoted in a bearing 86, secured to
the sill 1, and from the lever extends a rod 87, the rear end of which is connected
to a bell crank 88, pivoted at the end of the beam 1, the free end of the bell-crank
being bent, as at 89, and taking under the arm 66.
91 represents the usual tool-chest, which is mounted at any convenient point and
preferably at the rear end of the draft beam 15,

page_text: :
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a potato-digger, the combination, with a U-shaped bail the opposite arms of
which are pivoted in a draft-beam and provided with rearwardly-curved depending
spring-teeth, of a hand-lever and a rod connecting the hand-lever with the lower
end of a U-shaped bail, substantially as specified.
2. The combination, with the pivotal top rake herein described and its connecting-
rod 30, of the hand-lever 22, mounted in the opposite bell-cranks 21, pivoted to the..
frame and provided with the bar 25, connected with the connecting bar of the rake,
and of opposite pivotally-connected adjustable supporting-wheels, and chains connecting
said wheels and bell-cranks, whereby by a movement of the lever 22 the wheels and
rake are uniformly adjusted, substantially as specified.
3. In a potato-digger, the combination, with the endless chains, each consisting of a
series of links, the inner side bars of which are provided with inwardly disposed loops,
of a series of transverse connecting-bars the ends of which are bent to form hooks and
engage the loops of opposite links, substantially as specified.
4. The combination, with herein-described endless chains, each comprising a series
of detachable links, each of which consists of opposite end bars 77 and 77 the latter
reduced, as at 77, and provided with end shoulders 77ª, projecting hook 79, and the
end bar connecting side bars 77b, the rear ends of which are cut away, as at 77°, to
enable the locking-shoulders 77d to pass in the act of connecting the end bar 77"
with the hook 79 of the next adjacent link, the inner side bar of each link being
provided with the loop 80, of the connecting-bars 81, connected with loops, substantially
as specified.
5. The combination, with the traction-shaft having opposite forwardly-disposed
hounds, of foot supports, as 48, mounted on each of the hounds and adjustable thereon
by means of nuts 49, substantially as specified.
6. The combination, with the beams 1, of opposite plates provided with bearings,
arms pivoted in the bearings and terminating in slotted plates, and of opposite wheels
the spindles of which are mounted in slots, substantially as specified.
7. The combination, with the beams 1, of opposite plates provided with bearings,
arms pivoted in the bearings and terminating in slotted plates and on opposite wheels,
the spindles of which are mounted in the slots, and of guards, as 45, arranged in front
of the bolts 33, substantially as specified.
8. In a potato-digger, the combination, with a sliding-bearing-block provided with
a counter-shaft operated by the main driving-wheel, of a screen pivotally connected with
the sliding-block, and of a hand-lever connected with the block and adapted to slide
the same, substantially as specified.
9. The combination, with a sliding bearing-block, of a counter-shaft mounted in the
same and adapted to mesh with the master-gear of the digger, a shaking screen
connected to the block, a lever pivoted in rear of the same, and an adjustable rod
connecting the block and lever, substantially as specified.
10. The combination, with a counter-shaft adapted to be rotated by the ground
wheels and provided with a cam, of a pivoted arm arranged above the cam and adapted
to be thrown thereby, and of a potato-screen pivoted at its rear end and loosely
connected near its opposite end with the vibratory arm, substantially as specified.
11. The combination, with the shaking screen 71, pivoted, as at 70, and its opposite
arms having the perforations 84, of the arm 66, pivoted, as at 67, and having the
depending arm 68, taking in the perforations 84, and perforated, as at 83, for adjustable
connection with the arm 66, and of the counter-shaft 54, mounted in the bearing 52
and provided with a cam 69, substantially as specified.
12. The combination, with the lever 85, pivoted in the block 86, and having the
rods 87, connected with the bell-crank 88, of a screen 71, the pivoted arms 66, and the
connecting-rod 68, the arm 66 being loosely connected with the bell-crank 88, which
is bent, as at 89, for that purpose, substantially as specified,

page_text: 13. The plates 52, having the recesses 3, in combination with the ribs 53 and the
angle-arms 6, carrying the sides 7, the arms, ribs, and beams being bound together
by the bolts 8 and forming the channel 73 for the reception of the sprocket-chains,
said channel being further provided with the guides 75 and pulleys 74, mounted on
binding-bolts 93, over which run the sprocket-chains 72, substantially as specified.
Dated this 8th day of October 1890.
J. P. BAYLY,
Applicant.