Improvements in Machines for Digging Potatoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 30th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Digging Potatoes.
I JAMES HOLT of Dunham Massey in the County of Chester Joiner do hereby
declare the nature of this invontion to be as follows :-
=
There is first the main frame of the machine from the back end of which
fall in different directions and at different angles to one another three
revolving shafts at the end of each of which there is a table with fingers sur-
mounted by a removable cone, and also an arm which projects over and is then
carried down and underneath the tables; and to this arm is attached a body
rounded on the upper surface and lying between the tables and having at the rear
a guard and at the front an adjustable spade of one or more parts which spade
commencing in a point gradually widens on each side as with wings as it approaches
the tables in front of and between which it lies and which it is shaped to suit. By
the spade the soil and potatoes are raised and thrown upon the tables, which
sieve the soil and throw the potatoes on one side clear of the machine. The body
and guard and the special shape and position of the spade and the combination and
positions of the arm and tables are additions to or improvements of the invention
for improvements in machines for digging potatoes for which Letters Patent were
granted to me dated 28th August 1890 and numbered 13513.
Dated this 31st day of January 180A
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Digging Potatoes.
I, JAMES HOLT, of Dunham Massey, Cheshire, Builder, do horeby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to bo performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to machines for digging up potatoes, and my improvements
therein aro shewn in the accompanying drawings, whorein
Fig. 1 is alevation of a potato digging machine, and Fig. 2 a plan view
of same.
A represents the framework mounted upon rollers B, and C is a lifting blade or
spade attached to the arm D secured to the framowork of the machino as will be
seen in the view Fig. 3. The spade C stretches across and beneath the machine,
the sides of the said spade being shaped with a sweep or radius of the separating
fingers E, of which there are three sets, while the front of the said spade is pointed
at F to assist in the digging or ploughing operation. The revolving fingers E are
attached to discs or plates H made secure on the end of the shafts I all of which
are driven by bevel gearing J receiving their rotary motion from the main axle K
of the machine. The vertical shaft Ľ carries a finger M which is used for the
purpose of removing tops and to break up any accumulation of soil. The mode of
operation is as follows:-The horse or other motive power draws the machine
forward in the direction of the arrows N care being taken that the machine is in a
line with the ridge containing the potatoes to be lifted. The spade C penetrates
into the soil and raises tho potatoes. The soil and potatoes fall onto the revolving
fingora E which disintegrate and sieve the soil from the potatoes and cause the
potatoes to alight on the ground at one side clear of the machine. The spade C
can be regulated to dig at any depth or it can be raised to clear the ground, and
this is effected by means of the frame A which is mounted loosely on the axlo K.

page_text: To one end of the frame is an anti-friction bowl O resting underneath the foot of
the lever P, therefore on the said lever being raised or lowered the position of the
spade is regulated accordingly. The machine herein described will rapidly raise
potatoes whilst the three sets of revolving fingers freely screen or remove the soil
from the potatoes dug up by the spade.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what mander the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
olaim is :-
Firstly. In a potato digging machine, the use and employment of three sets of
revolving fingers E employed in the manner and for purposes described.
Secondly. In a potato digging machine, the use and employment of three sets of
revolving fingers E, in combination with a spade C as shewn and described.
Thirdly. In a potato digging machine having revolving fingers E, the coin-
bination therewith of a spade raised and lowered by the means and in the manner
described and shown.
Fourthly. The general arrangement and combination of parts fording my
improved potato digging machine.
Dated this 20th day of November 1893.