IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATOE RAISING OR LIFTING MACHINES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Sleep at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1880.
WILLIAM HENRY SLEEP, of Crofthole in the Parish of Sheviock, in the County
of Cornwall. "IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATOE RAISING OR LIFTING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to the construction of an improved machine for raising or
lifting potatoes, whereby the necessity of raising potatoes by manual labour is
obviated, and at the same time the efficiency of such machines for horse power is
increased. Means are also provided for cutting off the potatoe tops and weeds
overhanging the row.
In carrying out my Invention I construct a frame of a suitable shape provided
with a suitable number of propelling wheels and axles for the purpose of carrying
the machine.
Towards the front end of the frame is attached a cross piece, so arranged as to
carry two small wheels for the purpose hereinafter described. I also attach to the
back axle either a curved or straight piece, as may be most convenient, for the
purpose also of carrying two small wheels, and which with the two hercin-before
mentioned small wheels are so placed as to carry (without a main axle through) a
circular, elongated, conical, or bell mouthed screen, consisting of two hoops, which
are connected by a series of rods or round bars. The two hoop ends of this screen
towards the upper part of the circle on the inside rest and run on the said four
small wheels, and are rotated in the following manner.
Instead of the shaft or
axle passing through the centre of the screen, as is usual in such machines, a shaft
passes over the front end and in a transverse position to the screen, having a worm
or screw in the centre working between the screen bars, or in cogs in the hoop
end of the same. This shaft works in two bearings, one on either side of the
screen and fastened to the sides of the main frame; cog wheels fastened to the ends
of the shaft, and similar cog wheels fitted to the propelling wheel or wheels of
the machine cause the rotation of the screen at the desired speed.
By such arrangement the inside of the screen is perfectly free both from axle and
cross bar, which is of the utmost importance for the reception and delivery of the
soil and potatoes without opposition.
The screen in front is kept from rising by means of the aforesaid screw shaft, by
which it is rotated, and behind by a piece passing over the top of the hoop, and
suitably fastened to the frame or otherwise.

page_text: For the purpose of lifting the soil and potatoos into the revolving screen I use a
wide curved share attached to stems or uprights by means of bolts, rivets, or
welded in the same, and the stems or uprights are fastened to the sides of the
frame with clamps having set screws for regulating the pitch of the share. For
making the machine more effective, especially for working down hill, I attach to the
aforesaid stems or uprights of the share a shaft driven by spur wheels, and fitted
with revolving prongs or plates for conveying the lifted matter back into the screen,
and also for the better conduct of the soil and potatoes to the rear of the machine.
I attach to the inside of the screen a worm or screw flange, beginning at the front
and ending at the back, or, by preference I use a continuous chain band, running
on rollers suitably placed in front and at the back of the screen, while the chain
band is passing back through and over the top of the screen. The chain band is
provided with semi flanges placed at suitable distances apart, so that as the chain
band revolves the flanges shall work so close to the bottom of the screen as to
convey the potatoes back to the end of the screen, which otherwise might have a
tendency to run forward towards the mouth or front owing to the position of the
machine working down hill. By this means the potatoes are safely conveyed to
the back end and drop on the ground to be gathered, or are conducted to a basket
or other suitable receptacle by mechanical arrangement.
For the purpose of cutting off the potatoe tops and weeds overhanging the
ground, I attach by bolts to the front wheel or wheels circular knives or blades,
working in rotation with the said wheel or wheels. For flat cutting I use flat
knives attached to stems or uprights, and fixed at suitable angles to prevent
choking, and working so close to the ground as to take off all tops and weeds, and
for the removal of the same to the side and clear from the back of the machine I
provide a shaft running longitudinally with revolving prongs, driven by a transverse
shaft and gear wheel.
For steering the machine a rod is attached to the top of the front wheel spill and
continued back within reach of the driver, being regulated to the right or left, and
held by a notched cross bar suitably fastened to the frame.
For putting the machine in and out of the ground, a chain is provided attached
to the steering rod, close behind the front wheel spill, and passing down a suitable
distance is received by a small pulley and then continued back over the screen and
attached to a revolving bar for gathering up or letting out as required, being acted
upon by a handle held in place by a spring. In the centre of this chain is a screw
swivel for lengthening or shortening the chain as may be required for regulating
the depth of the machine.