IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR GATHERING AND COLLECTING TWITCH, WEEDS, OR OTHER SUBSTANCES FROM THE SURFACE OF THE LAND
Year: 1884

page_text: I, DECIMUS PRIME, of Clavering, in the County of Essex, Farmer, do hereby
declare the nature of said Invention for " IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR
GATHERING AND COLLECTING TWITCH, WEEDS, OR OTHER SUBSTANCES FROM THE
SURFACE OF THE LAND," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This Invention has for its object an improved apparatus for gathering and
collecting twitch, weeds, or other substances from the surface of the land, and is
specially adapted for use preparatory to sowing, whereby the land is also effectually
scarified.
According to my Invention I arrange a series of tines at a suitable angle,
extending outwards, and arranged advantageously transversely, or it may be at an
angle, to the direction of its travel. The tines are adjustable so as to penetrate
the earth the desired distance, and scarify it, in order to bring all twitch and
weeds on to the tines, and elevate them, by suitable elevating rakes connected to
chains, or their equivalents, for depositing the rubbish in a suitable receptacle at
the back. This receptacle can be emptied at the will, and under the control of
the driver or attendant.
The tines are interposed by the elevating rakes, so that they serve to guide the
rubbish in its upward travel, before being deposited in the receiver.
In some cases, the tendency of the twitch would be to bind itself on the
elevating rakes, and to clear them I propose to use, in some cases, a rotating drum
provided with prongs, to interpose those of the rakes, and to facilitate the delivery.
of the material into the receptacle.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will now proceed to describe the same, with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
•
Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a section through the same. Fig. 3 a plan,
and Fig. 4 a front elevation.
A, A are the tines which are capable of being raised by the hand wheel a
which is provided with a worm b gearing with a worm wheel c mounted on the
one end of the transverse shaft d. This latter is provided with toothed wheels e, e,
gearing with racks f, f, on the framing carrying the tines.
B is the elevator of any well-known construction provided with gathering
rakes B¹, connected to the side bands or chains, which pass over the pulleys C

page_text: and D respectively, and deliver the twitch at A.
The drum F with its teeth Fi
serve to clean the gathering rakes B', and deliver the rubbish into the receiving
box E. The latter is capable of being turned so as to empty its contents at the
headland or any other part that may be desired at the will or under the control of
the driver. For this purpose I have shewn a band lever g for effecting this object,
which by a cord or chain, or other device, will cause the hopper to be turned on
its axis.
The angle of the elevator can be be adjusted relatively to that of the tines, or as
may be desired, by the handle h passing through and forming a bearing for the
lever g. It is provided with a drum, i, over-which a chain passes, and a ratchet
wheel on the one side, to determine the angle of the elevator.
The machine is advantageously worked by two horses, or by cable from an
engine drum, and in some cases may be provided with three or four wheels
according to size or requirements..
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,
First. The arrangement of a series of tines, connected transversely to the
framework of the machine, for the purpose of scarifying, and collecting the
twitch or rubbish from the surface of the land, in combination with
elevating rakes or collectors for delivering the same at the back into a
suitable receptacle; substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
Second. The general arrangement and construction of parts constituting my
improved twitch and weed collector, or any mere modification thereof, as
⚫ herein set forth and illustrated.