An Improved Topping and Tailing Machine for Turnips.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1889-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Topping and Tailing Machine for Turnips.
I JOHN MCDONALD Blacksmith, Aberlour Strathspey in the County of Banff, N.B.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The machine is constructed by having an arched framework over the drill of
turnips, and the base of this frame, being provided with a sole or rest on each side
to slide along the drill, to this frame are attached stilts or handles for guiding similar
to that of a plough.
The topper or knives of the machine for cutting the tops from the turnips are
provided with feelors in advance, which raise the crops or heads of the turnips, and
act as guides in leading the said knives on to the center of the turnips, it has a
vertical, horizontal, and lateral motion, produced by the forward motion of the machine,
and contact with the turnips, and swings loosly upon central pivots which may be
raised or lowered to suit various sizes of drills or turnips. It is suspended in balance
by a chain from the top of the frame and has a handle attachement within easy
reach of the worker, to admit of its being worked manualy should it be likely to choke
from outlying turnips or excessive heads.
Above and behind the topping knives are a set of pronged guides, which deliver
the cut crops to one side of the drill. The Tailing Knife which is of the hedgebill
shape, is also attached to the frame of the machine, and extends backwards in an
oblique direction, leading across the drill and underneath the turnips. As the machine
moves forward the roots aro cut, and should decayed heads or weeds be taken up by
the knife, the oblique shape allows it to clear itself.
Attached to the tailer and in front of it is a scarifier which cuts the weeds, and
otherwise cleares the way for the tailer.
. ......
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Topping and Tailing Machine for Turnips.
I, JOHN MODONALD, Blacksmith Aberlour, Strathspey, in the County of Banff N.B.
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:
My invention has for its object the overcoming of certain drawbacks, which have
been found connected with the use of machines or implements hitherto employed for
this purpose, such as choking in working, and damaging the turnips. And, in order
that the nature novelty and mode of performing of my said invention may be properly
understood, I shall now proceed to describe two figures on the sheet of drawings, I
have hereto appended for that purpose the same reference letter, indicating the same
parts in the two figures. Figure 1 represents a plan of the said turnip topping and
tailing machine, Figure 2 an elevation.
Referring to these figures 1 and 2 the nature and novelty of my invention, designed
to remedy the said defects of former turnip topping and tailing machines, consists
under this arrangement to be as follows:-The machine is constructed by having an
arched framework A. A. wide enough to extend over the drill of turnips, and this
frame is provided with soles or rests B. B. on each side to slide along the space
between the drills.
To this frame are attached stilts or handles C..O. for guiding similar to a plough.
The topper or knives D. of the machine for cutting the tops from the turnips are

page_text: provided with feelers in advance E. E. which raise the crops or heads of the turnips,
and act as guides in leading the said knives on to the middle of the turnip.
The topper has a vertical longitudinal and lateral motion, produced by forward
motion of the machine, and contact with the turnips, and swings loosely upon the
central pivots F. F. which may be raised or lowered in the different holes to suit
the various sizes of drills or turnips. It is suspended in balance by a rod and
chain G. G. from the top of the frame, and has a handle H. within easy reach of the
worker to adinit of its being worked manually, should it be likely to. choke from
excess of heads or outlying turnips. Above and behind the topping knives are a set
of pronged guides I. I. which deliver the cut crops to one side of the drill. The
tailer knife J. which is of the hedgebill shape, is also attached to the frame of the
machine. It is adjustable and extends backwards in an oblique direction leading
across the drills, and underneath the turnips.
As the implement moves forward, the roots and tops are cut, and, should decayed
crops or weeds be taken up, by the tailing knife, the oblique inclination allows it to
clear itself.
Attached to the machine, and in front of the tailer is a scarifier K which cuts the
weods and otherwise clears the way for the tailer.
Having thus described the nature of my said invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state, that I do not confine myself to the preciso
detail herein described or delineated, but what I consider to bo novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent to be.
First. The general construction of an improved topping and tailing machine for
turnips, having the topper knives mounted on a frame, said knives having a vertical
longitudinal and latoral swinging motion, which motion is independent of the move-
ment of the framework of the machine.
Second. The tailing knife projects behind the machine, and not to the front.
Third. The scarifying and clearing knife in front of the tailer.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of June 1889.