AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING OR DIGGING UP AND COLLECTING POTATOES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hunter Henry Murdoch, of No. 7, Staple Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING OR DIGGING UP AND COLLECTING
POTATOES." A communication from abroad by Frederic Sevrin, of Isle le Pré,
in the Kingdom of Belgium, Agriculturalist.
aled the 13th November 1877, and dated the 18th May 1877.
:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hunter Henry Murdoch at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1877.
HUNTER HENRY MURDOCH, of No. 7, Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING OR DIGGING
UP AND COLLECTING POTATOES." A communication from abroad by Frederic
Sevrin, of Isle le Pré, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Agriculturalist.
This Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for digging up potatoes and
collecting them in baskets or other receptacles, and it consists in the combination,
adaptation, and arrangement of parts herein-after described.
A frame consisting by preference of two longitudinal wooden beams, connected
together at suitable intervals by iron cross ties or bars, is supported on three wheels,
two large side bearing wheels, and a smaller central front wheel.
The front wheel which guides the motion of the machine and regulates the
elevation of the front end of the frame above the ground is mounted on one end of
a forked lever situated below the frame, the other end of the said forked lever being
jointed to a swivel carried by the frame, and the said lever extends by an arm above
the frame, when by a suitable rod it is connected to a lever or handle within reach
of the driver, by which lever or handle the position of the said wheel and the
elevation or depression of the front of the machine may be regulated, and the said
handle or lever may be fixed in position by means of a stop or pawl engaging with
ratchet teeth on a semicircular disc or plate.
The two side wheels are by preference made of cast iron, and on the said wheels
are formed or affixed toothed wheels, one a spur wheel, the other a bevil wheel, by

page_text: which toothed wheels motion is communicated to the acting parts of the machine
herein-after described.
Behind the fore wheel of the machine is mounted, so that its height may be
regulated at pleasure, a rotating cutter, composed by preference of angular cutting
teeth working between stationary fingers of similar shape, which preserve the said
cutter from injury, and catch the stems of the potatoes or weeds as the machine
travels over the field. Above the said cutter and fingers projects the free part of
an angular V shaped box or chest, so as with the cutter to throw aside the stems
which have been severed.
Behind the cutter and fixed in an inclined position is a long sharp spade or scoop
of angular shape in front, and extending from one side of the frame to the other,
being slightly concave at bottom. The said spade or scoop which projects into the
ground when the fore wheel of the machine is raised forins the front part of an
inclined plane or duct, closed at the sides by iron plates, and extending to the upper
surface of the frame where it terminates just above the end of an inclined metal
basket or receiver made of a grating of bars or other suitable open work, to which
is imparted a sharp reciprocating horizontal motion from a suitable crank actuated
from one of the side wheels of the machine. Behind the said spade or scoop the
bottom of the inclined plane or duct is formed by an endless travelling apron made
of a grating of bars or other open work mounted upon two rotatory rollers, to
which motion is communicated from the spur wheel above mentioned.
Above and on the sides of the spade or scoop herein-before described are
mounted two socks or shares somewhat similar to plough shares, which socks or
shares turn up and break the earth upon the said spade or scoop, so as to throw
off a part thereof previously to its passing into the inclined plane or duct.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The machine having been brought to
the potato field, the driver by acting on the handle above described lifts the front
wheel to the required extent, so as to allow of the spade or scoop entering the
ground to the required depth. The machine is then drawn forward, and motion
being given to the rotatory cutter, which has been previously adjusted to the
required height, the stems of the potatoes and weeds engaging between the fingers
are severed and cast aside, at the same time the spade or scoop having entered the
ground raises the earth and the potatoes it contains, and the earth being turned up
and broken by the socks or shares passes with the potatoes on to the inclined plane
and endless travelling apron of bars or open work, through which a portion of the
earth adhering to the potatoes falls to the ground, whilst the potatoes with the
remaining earth adhering to them are carried up to the top of the inclined plane and
fall into the open work basket at the back of the machine, where the shaking
motion imparted to the said basket detaches the remaining earth from the potatoes
which roll to the bottom of the basket, where they accumulate, and may be imme-
diately removed.
The action of the machine is continuous.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Hunter Henry Murdoch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th November 1877.
HUNTER HENRY MURDOCH, of No. 7, Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING OR DIGGING
UP AND COLLECTING POTATOES." A communication from abroad by Frederic
Sevrin, of Isle le Pré, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Agriculturalist.
This Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for digging up potatoes and
collecting them in baskets or other receptacles, and it consists in the combination,
adaptation, and arrangement of parts herein-after described.
A frame consisting by preference of two longitudinal wooden beams, connected
together at suitable intervals by iron cross ties or bars, is supported on three wheels,
two large side bearing wheels, and a smaller central front wheel.
The front wheel which guides the motion of the machine, and regulates the
elevation of the front end of the frame above the ground, is mounted on one end of
a forked lever situated below the frame, the other end of the said forked lever being
jointed to a swivel carried by the frame, and the said lever extends by an arm above
the frame, where by a suitable rod it is connected to a lever or handle within reach
of the driver, by which lever or handle the position of the said wheel, and the
elevation or depression of the front of the machine may be regulated, and the said
handle or lever may be fixed in position by means of a stop or pawl engaging with
ratchet teeth on a semicircular disc or plate.
The two side wheels are by preference made of cast iron, and on the said wheels
are formed or affixed toothed wheels, one a spur wheel, the other a bevil wheel, by
which toothed wheels motion is communicated to the acting parts of the machine
herein-after described.
Behind the fore wheel of the machine is mounted, so that its height may be
regulated at pleasure, a rotatory cutter, composed by preference of angular cutting
teeth working between stationary fingers of similar shape, which preserve the said
cutter from injury and catch the stems of the potatoes or weeds as the machine
travels over the field. Above the said cutter and fingers projects the fore part of an
angular V shaped box or chest, so as with the cutter to throw aside the stems which
have been severed.
Behind the cutter and fixed in an inclined position is a long sharp spade or scoop
of angular shape in front, and extending from one side of the frame to the other,
being slightly concave at bottom. The said spade or scoop which projects into the
ground when the fore wheel of the machine is raised, forms the front part of an
inclined plane or duct, closed at the sides by iron plates, and extending to the upper
surface of the frame, where it terminates just above the end of an inclined metal
basket or receiver made of a grating of bars or other suitable open work, to which
is imparted a sharp reciprocating horizontal motion from a suitable crank actuated
from one of the side wheels of the machine. Behind the said spade or scoop the
bottom of the inclined plane or duct is formed by an endless travelling apron
made of a grating of bars or other open work mounted upon two rotatory rollers
to which motion is communicated from the spur wheel above mentioned.
Above and on the sides of the spade or scoop herein-before described are mounted
two socks or shares, somewhat similar to plough shares, which socks or shares turn
up and break the earth upon the said spade or scoop, so as to throw off a part
thereof previously to its passing into the inclined plane or duct.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The machine having been brought to
the potato field, the driver by acting on the handle above described lifts the front
wheel to the required extent, so as to allow of the spade or scoop entering the ground
to the required depth. The machine is then drawn forward, and motion being
given to the rotatory cutter, which has been previously adjusted to the required
height, the stems of the potatoes and weeds engaging between the fingers are severed

page_text: and cast aside, at the same time the spade or scoop having entered the ground raises
the earth and the potatoes it contains, and the carth being turned up and broken
by the socks or shares passes with the potatoes on to the inclined plane and endless
travelling apron of bars or open work, through which a portion of the earth adhering
to the potatoes falls to the ground, whilst the potatoes with the remaining earth
adhering to them are carried up to the top of the inclined plane, and fall into the
open work basket at the back of the machine, where the shaking motion imparted
to the said basket detaches the remaining carth from the potatoes, which roll to the
bottom of the basket, where they accumulate, and whence they may be immediately
removed.
The action of the machine is continuous.
Having thus explained the nature of the Invention, I will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same may be
performed.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents in side elevation a machine or apparatus for raising
or digging up and collecting potatoes constructed according to this Invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, some of the parts shown in Figure 1 being
omitted in Figure 2.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts where they occur in Figures 1
and 2.
a, a, is the frame of the machine which is supported by two side bearing
wheels b, b, and a smaller central front wheel c. Upon the bearing wheel b is
formed or affixed a spur wheel 6, and upon the bearing wheel b¹ is formed or
affixed a bevil wheel 63, by which wheels 62, 63, motion is communicated to the
acting parts of the machine. The front guide wheel c is mounted in the forked
arm c² of the lever c², which is jointed at c to a swivel c' carried by the frame, and
the lever c extends above the frame, where by a rod d it is connected to a lever or
handle within reach of the driver, and jointed by its lower arm de to the frame a,
as shewn in Figure 1. By the said lever or handle d' the position of the wheel c,
and the elevation or depression of the front part of the machine may be regulated,
and the said lever or handle d is fixed in position by means of the spring
stop or pawl e engaging with the ratchet teeth of the semicircular disc or plate c
Behind the guiding wheel c is mounted the rotatory cutter f working between
the stationary fingers f¹, the said cutter is mounted upon the lower end of the shaft
or spindle f carried by the frame, and receiving rotatory motion from the bevil
wheel 63 through the bevil wheels f³, f, f, and shaft f; g is the spade or scoop,
the front part of which is sharp and of angular shape, as seen in Figure 2. Above
and on each side of the said spade or scoop g is a sock or share i, shown in Figure 1,
somewhat similar to a plough share affixed to the frame a; the said socks or shares i
turn up and break the earth upon the spade or scoop g, so as to throw off a part of
it previously to its passing on to the inclined plane or duct ; the said inclined plane
or duct is forined by an endless travelling apron made of a grating of bars mounted
upon the rollers ', . The axis of the roller is carried by two brackets j
attached to the frame, and the axis 3 of the roller is supported by the frame a,
and the said axis 3 projects beyond the frame on one side, and has affixed upon it
a pinion which gears with the spur wheel and receives motion therefrom,
thereby actuating the travelling apron . The two sides of the said travelling
apron are closed by the plates %; m is the inclined inctal basket or receiver made
of bars or open work, and suspended to the frame a in front by the chain m¹, and
at the back by the link m². The front part of the said basket m is connected by a
rod o to the crank p¹ of a shaft 2, upon which shaft p is a bevil wheel 22 which
gears with and receives rotatory motion from the bevil wheel 63. The rotatory
motion of the wheel 22 communicates rotatory motion to the crank p and a
reciprocating motion to the basket m, which shakes the potatoes it contains and
detaches the earth that may still adhere to them.
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings represent a modification
of the said Invention. According to this modification of the Invention the rotatory

page_text: cutters and the apparatus for shaking the basket m are dispensed with, and tho
matters upon the spade or scoop aro separated, and swept on to the travelling
endless apron by arms radiating from a nave or centre to which rotatory motion is
imparted.
Figure 1, Sheot 2, represents in side elevation a machine or apparatus for raising
or digging up and collecting potatoes, constructed according to the said modification
of the Invention; Figure 2, Sheet 2, represents in plan parts of the same.
The same letters of reference indicate like parts where they occur in the said
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2.
a is the frame of the machine consisting by preference of two longitudinal iron
bars of section, about twenty inches apart, and connected together at suitable
intervals by cross ties or bars; b, 6', are the bearing wheels, and c is the smaller
front guiding wheel mounted in the forked end c¹ of the vertical bar c², which
traverses so as to be capable of vertical motion therein, a tubular boss or socket a²
formed upon the cross bar a¹. Upon the upper part of the bar c² is a hook c³ to
which is attached one end of a chain d, which passing under the pulley d¹ is fixed
by its other end to the rod or link d, which connects the chain d to the lever or
handle d³ jointed by its lower arm d' to the frame a.
By means of the said handle or lever d³ the front part of the frame a may be
raised or lowered as required; e is the spring stop or pawl, which by engaging with
the ratchet teeth of the disc or plate e fixes the handle d³ in position; f is the spade
or scoop connected to the frame a by two arms f¹1; the edges of the said spade or
scoop are turned downwards at fƒ
Above the said spade or scoop f is mounted a distributor consisting of a series of
arms g radiating from a nave or centre y affixed upon the axis carried by the
frame, and provided at their ends with heads or beaters g², which when the dis-
tributor rotates separate and sweep off the earth, potatoes, and other matters upon
the spade or scoop on to the inclined travelling endless apron of bars i which is
mounted upon two rollers 1, 2, the axis of the roller being carried by two
brackets j, and the axis of the roller being supported in bearings affixed to the
frame a.
Upon the axis of the roller is affixed a toothed pinion which gears
with and receives rotatory motion from the teeth of a spur wheel upon the bearing
wheel bl. The said wheel also communicates rotatory motion to the distributor g
by means of the intermediate wheel ', which gears both with the wheel and the
wheel upon the axis of the distributor; m is a basket made of bars or open
work supported by brackets m¹ affixed to the frame a.
The matters raised upon the spade or scoop are by the action of the distributor
divided and swept on to the travelling apron i through which a portion of the earth
falls to the ground, whilst the potatoes by the rapid motion imparted to the apron i
are carried up to the top of the inclined plane i, and are thrown over the empty space n
into the basket m, nearly all the remaining earth carried up the inclined plane
falling to the ground through the said empty space n.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and the manner in which
the same may be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details herein-before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature
of the said Invention, but I claim as the said Invention of an improved machine or
apparatus for raising or digging up and collecting potatoes,―
The combination and arrangement of parts herein-before described and illustrated
in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, a rotatory cutter combined
with an adjustable spade or scoop leading to an endless travelling apron of open
work by which the potatoes and the earth adhering to them are conveyed to a
basket or other receiver, to which a shaking motion is imparted, the passage of the
matters from the spade or scoop to the endless travelling apron being facilitated by
socks or shares on each side of the said spade or scoop.
Also the modification of the Invention herein-before described and illustrated in
Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, in which the cutters and shaking mechanisin

page_text: are dispensed with, and the passage of the matters from the spade or scoop is
further facilitated by the action of revolving arms provided with heads essentially
as described and represented.
ܐ܂
In witness whereof, I, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, havo hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
H. H. MURDOCH. (L.S.)