An Improved Potato Digger.
Year: 1890

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Potato Digger.
I, JAMES GOHM of Newport, in the County of Newport, and State of Rhode
Island, United States of America, Gardener, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a potato digger, and the object of my invention is to
provide a machine which will unearth, screen, and deliver the potatoes at the rear
end of the machine without damaging them.
The invention consists essentially in the combination of a scoop, constructed as
hereafter described, a revolving drum provided with radial arms or beaters, and a
sieve or screen; the whole being mounted in a wheeled frame supported at its
front end on a small pair of leading wheels and provided at its rear end with
handles by which the work of the machine is regulated.
The franc consists of two side bars inclined toward each other at the front and
connected by a cross bar, each side bar at its rear extremity being preferably
provided with an extension so that its rear portion of much greater width than
its forward portion. The machine is supported on a pair of travelling wheels
mounted loosely on a cranked axle journaled in bearings in the frame. The small
wheels at the forward portion of the frame are placed outside of each side bar
and they are each journaled upon the lower end of an upright axle bar, the lower
end of each axle bar being provided with a spindle attached at a right angle
thereto upon which the front wheels revolve. The upper end of the axle bar is
provided with a series of apertures and the axle bars are fitted in recesses in the
frame in such manner that they have an upward and rearward inclination. The
axle bars are usually secured to the frame by means of bolts, and as they are
apertured they may be adjusted upon the frame to support the latter at any desired
point from the ground. The frame is provided at its front end with a clevis or
draught bar and near the forward end of each side bar, there is a stock capable
of vertical adjustment to which is secured a plough of any approved construction.
The plows and stocks may be set at any depth or angle of the rows so as to throw
to one side all the surplus soil and weeds without disturbing the potatoes. When
the soil is much crusted, cultivator blades, having attached shanks, are preferably
substituted for the ploughs and stocks.
The rear end of the scoop is secured to the bow portion of the axle of the
travelling wheels. Said scoop is preferably made of greater width at its rear, than
at its forward, end and the said forward end is of triangular form and has at the
central portion of the front contracted end of the scoop a cutter or point which is
also preferably triangular. This cutter or point is attached by means of bolts or
otherwise to the forward end of a brace bar secured longitudinally and centrally to
the under face of the scoop and likewise to the axle. The point of the scoop may
be removed at any time for purposes of sharpening, or replacement when worn out,
and in order to strengthen the bottom of the scoop diagonal brace bars are
attached to the central brace bar one at each side and also to the axle.
The screen or sieve is pivoted to the rear end of the scoop, preferably to the

page_text: upturned sides thereof, the screen or sieve being preferably made to consist of the
vertical side pieces and front and rear connecting bars. The front connecting bar
is preferably made to extend a slight distance under the wide rear end of the scoop.
The bottom of the screen or sieve consists of a series of spaced rods having their
ends carried downward through apertures in the front and rear connecting bars and
upon the downwardly-extending ends of each rod a nut is usually screwed bearing
against the under side of the sieve or screen frame. The rear connecting bar of
the sieve has a V-shaped cut or recess in the central portion of its outer or rear
edge and an upright flange attached to, or forming a portion of, the walls of said
recess whereby an outlet is provided for the sieve or screen at each side and the
material delivered upon the rods or bars of the screen or sieve is guided from the
centre to the outlets. The handles are attached to the rear ends of the side bars
of the frame and are connected by a horizontal brace rod. The side piece of the
screen or sieve is provided with pivoted hooks adapted for engagement with the
brace rod or bar of the handles whereby the rear end of the screen or sieve, which,
when the implement is in operation, rests upon the ground, may be elevated when
not in operation.
In order to steady the forward or reduced end of the scoop and to retain it in a
downwardly-inclined position so that it will contact with the ground, bolts are
passed through the scoop and through the side pieces of the frame. The attach-
ment of the scoop to the axle may be such that the scoop at its forward end may
be slightly elevated to clear the ground in which event a series of apertures is
produced in the side pieces of the scoop through either of which a bar may be
passed.
The drum is journalled near the rear end of the scoop in the side pieces thereof,
the journals carrying sprocket wheels by means of which the drum is rotated by
chains or belts passing round similar sprocket wheels upon the axle of the travelling
wheels. There are pallets or fingers at intervals in the length of the drum, the
pallets or fingers being so placed that they will each project from a different
portion of the drum whereby no two of the fingers are in alignment. These fingers
have their inner ends curved to the contour of the periphery of the drum and are
attached to the drum at their curved ends by bolts. The drum is provided with a
number of apertures, in order that the fingers may be shifted when found desirable.
The frame is provided at one side with a bracket strap adapted to receive a device
for cleaning the scoop and likewise the screen, when necessary.
In operation, as the implement is drawn forward, the soil is upturned by the
ploughs or the cultivators and the scoop entering the ground at the rear of the
ploughs or cultivators receives the potatoes which are unearthed as the implement
advances, and the fingers of the revolving drum deliver the potatoes to the sieve or
screen. As the potatoes pass down the screen the earth drops through the bars
and the potatoes finally pass through the outlets of the screen to the ground at each
side of the implement.
It is evident that, by bearing down upon the handles, the front of the implement
may be conveniently elevated, thus greatly facilitating the turning of corners.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1890.
JAMES GOHM.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Potato Digger.
I, JAMES GOHM, of Newport in the County of Newport, and State of Rhode
Island, United States of America, Gardener, 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 :-
5
My invention relates to an improvement in potato diggers; and has for its object 5

page_text: screen to the ground at the rear of the machine.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of the implement.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on line 2-2 Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of a cultivator blade adapted for use in connection
with the implement.
Figure 4 is a side view of the same; and
Figure 5 is a plan view of a paddle adapted for cleaning the implement.
Similar figures and letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the
views.
The frame 10 consists of two side bars a inclined toward each other at the front
and connected by a cross-bar a', cach side bar at its rear extremity being preferably
provided with an essentially L-shaped extension a² whereby the rear portion of the
frame is of much greater width than the forward portion. In the rear wider portion
of the frame a yoke axle 11 is journaled, the body of the said axle being bowed
downward, and within the frame upon said axle, near each end, a drive wheel 12 is
loosely mounted, which wheels are preferably made quite large and heavy, and to
the inner face of each wheel 12 a sprocket wheel 13 is attached. At the forward
portion of the frame, small wheels 14 are located, one of said wheels being placed
outside of each side bar a of the frame, and the said wheels are each journaled upon
the lower end of an upright axle bar 15, the lower end of each axle bar being
provided with a spindle, attached at a right angle thereto, upon which spindles the
front wheels 14 revolve. The upper end of the axle bar is provided with a series
of apertures 16 and the axle bars are fitted in recesses produced in the frame, as
best shewn in Figure 1, in such manner that they have an upward and rearward
inclination, as illustrated in Figure 2. The axle bars are usually secured to the
frame by means of suitable bolts, and as the said bars are apertured they may be
adjusted upon the frame to support the latter at any desired point from the ground.
Upon the front cross-bar a¹ of the frame, a clevis or draft-bar 17 is attached and
near the forward end of each side bar of the frame a stock 18 is attached capable
of vertical adjustment and to the lower ends of said stocks, ploughs 19 of any
approved construction are secured. The ploughs and stocks may be set at any
depth or angle of the rows, so as to throw to one side all surplus soil and weeds
without disturbing the potatoes. When the soil is much crusted, instead of the
ploughs and the stocks, the cultivator blades 20, having attached shanks 21 and
illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, are preferably substituted for the ploughs and the
stocks. Upon the bow portion of the axle 11 the rear end of a scoop 22 is secured.
The scoop 22 is preferably made of greater width at its rear than at its forward
end and the said forward end is essentially triangular, as illustrated at 23 in
Figure 1. At the central portion of the front contracted end of the scoop a cutter
or point 24 is secured which cutter or point is preferably triangular in general
contour. This cutter or point is attached by means of bolts or otherwise to the
forward end of a brace bar 25 secured longitudinally and centrally to the under
face of the scoop and likewise to the axle 11. The point 24 of the scoop may be
removed at any time for the purposes of sharpening or for replacement when worn
out, and in order to strengthen the bottom of the scoop, diagonal brace bars 26,
shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1, are attached to the central brace bar, one at
each side and also to the axle. To the rear end of the scoop, preferably to the
upturned sides thereof, the forward ends of the vertical side pieces of a screen or
sieve 27 are pivoted, the said screen or sieve being preferably made to consist of
the vertical side pieces 6 referred to, a front connecting bar 6', and a rear con-
necting bar 6. The front connecting bar, as shewn in Figure 2, is preferably

page_text: made to extend a slight distance under the wide rear end of the scoop. The bottom
of the screen or sieve consists of a series of spaced rods 3 having their ends carried
downward through suitable apertures in the front and rear connecting bars band (2
and upon the downwardly-extending ends of each rod a nut 28 is usually screwed,
bearing against the under side of the sieve or screen frame. The rear connecting
bar of the sieve has an essentially V-shaped cut or recess 29 in the central
portion of its outer or rear edge and an upright flange 30 attached to, or forming a
portion of, the walls of said recess, whereby an outlet is provided for the sieve or
screen at each side and the material delivered upon the rods or bars of the screen
or sieve is guided from the centre to the outlets. To the rear ends of the side bars
of the frame the handles 31 of the implement are attached, which handles are con-
nected by a horizontal brace rod 32 and upon the side pieces b of the screen or
sieve, hooks 33 are pivoted adapted for engagement with the brace rod or bar 32 of
the handles, whereby the rear end of the screen or sieve, which, when the implement
is in operation, rests upon the ground, may be elevated when not in operation. In
order to steady the forward or reduced end of the scoop and to retain it in a
downwardly-inclined position so that it will contact with the ground, bolts 34 are
passed through the scoop and through the side pieces a of the frame. The attach-
ment of the scoop to the axle may be such that the scoop at its forward end may
be slightly elevated to clear the ground, in which event a series of apertures 35 is
produced in the side pieces of the scoop through either of which a bar 34 may be
passed. Near the rear end of the scoop, in the side pieces thereof, the trunnions
of the drum 36 are journaled, which trunnions are each provided with an attached
sprocket wheel 37, the said sprocket wheels being connected by a suitable belt with
the sprocket wheels 13 upon the axle. Upon the drum 36, at intervals in the
length of the same, fingers 36ª are attached in such manner as to radiate therefrom,
and the said fingers are preferably so placed that they will cach project from a
different portion of the drum, whereby no two of the fingers are in alignment.
These fingers have their inner ends curved to the contour of the periphery of the
drum and are attached to the drum at their curved ends by a suitable bolt or bolts.
The drum is provided with a number of apertures 38 in order that the fingers
may be shifted when found desirable. Upon one side of the frame a bracket strap 39
is secured adapted to receive a paddle 40, which paddle is used, when occasion may
demand, to clean the scoop and likewise the screen.
In operation, as the implement is drawn forward the soil is upturned by the ploughs
or the cultivators, whichever may be employed, and the scoop entering the ground
at the rear of the ploughs or cultivators, receives the potatoes which are unearthed
as the implement advances and the fingers of the revolving drum deliver the potatoes
to the sieve or screen. As the potatoes pass down the screen, the earth drops
through the bars and the potatoes finally pass through the outlets &² of the screen
to the ground, at each side of the implement. It is evident that by bearing down
upon the handles 31, the front of the implement may be conveniently elevated, thus
greatly facilitating the turning of corners.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1. In an implement of the character described, the combination, with a frame, an
axle attached thereto and drive wheels loosely mounted upon the axle, of a scoop
sustained by the axle, a sieve or screen pivoted to the rear end of the scoop, a
drum journaled upon the scoop near the screen and provided with a series of radial
fingers, and means substantially as shewn and described, for revolving said drum, as
and for the purpose specified.
2. In an implement of the character described, the combination, with a frame, an
axle secured to the frame, drive wheels loosely mounted upon the axle and ploughs
attached to the forward portion of the frame, of a scoop having a contracted lower
end and supported by the axle, a screen pivoted to the rear wider end of the scoop,

page_text: a drum journaled upon the scoop near the screen, fingers radiating from the drum
and a connection between the said drum and the drive wheels, substantially as
shewn and described.
3. In an implement of the character described, the combination, with a frame
narrower at its front than at its rear end, vertically-adjustable supporting wheels
located at the front end of the frame, an axle secured near the rear end of the
frame, drive wheels loosely mounted upon said axles, larger than the forward wheels,
and ploughs adjustably secured in the forward portion of the frame, of a scoop
supported from the axle within the frame having a forward and downward
inclination and an attached cutting point, a screen pivoted to the rear end of the
scoop, a drum journaled upon the side pieces of the scoop, fingers radiating from
said drum, and a connection, substantially as described, between the drum and the
drive wheels.
4. In an implement of the character described, the combination, with a frame
narrower at its front than at its rear end, vertically-adjustable supporting wheels
located at the front end of the frame, a cranked axle secured near the rear end of
the frame, drive wheels loosely mounted upon the said axles, larger than the
forward wheels, and ploughs adjustably secured in the forward portion of the frame,
of a scoop supported upon the axle, narrower at its front than at its rear end and
provided at its forward end with a central attached point, a screen or sieve pivoted
to the rear end of the scoop having an outlet at its rear end at each side of the
centre, a drum journaled upon the side pieces of the scoop near the screen or sieve,
a belt connection between the trunnions of the drum and the drive wheels, and
means, substantially as described, for elevating the rear end of the screen, as and
for the purpose specified.
Dated this 22nd dox of Mov 1801