IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATOE-PLANTING MACHINES.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to the George Wilson Murray of the Town and County of
Banff, North Britain Engineer and Agricultural Implement Maker for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATOE-PLANTING MACHINES.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Wilson Murray at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th February 1882.
GEORGE WILSON MURRAY of the Town and County of Banff, North-Britain,
Engineer and Agricultural Implement Maker, "IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATO
PLANTING MACHINES"
This Invention has reference to improvements in the construction of potato
planting machines, and in the combination or general arrangement of their parts;
being improvements upon the Invention for which Royal Letters Patent were
granted to Thomas Ferguson and the petitioner, and dated June 1st 1878, No. 2197;
which improvements will make the potato planting machines more perfect in their
construction and action, and suitable under varying circumstances for different soils
and width of planting.
First. One improvement consists in forming a large outer lip round the mouth
of each cup-link of the chain, for lifting the potato setts or tubers to be planted,
also widened by side feathers which will so nearly fill the inside of the down pipe
or guiding case, that it will retain and prevent the small potatoes from falling
down between the cups, and thus deliver and plant them regularly as each comes
to the bottom.
Another improvement consists in making the machine when running on flat or
ploughed land to open or cut a groove or furrow in the land, a little in front of
where the potato tubers drop, of sufficient depth to receive or plant the setts in,
and then have the separate earth or mould at the sides closed over the setts or
tubers again all automatically, this being effected by opening the furrow with a
peculiarly former coulter, with a sharp chilled cutting edge expanding or widening
behind to receive the mouth of the guide pipe from which the potatoes are dropped.
This coulter is secured above to a strong bar in front passing up at an obtuse

page_text: angle through a socket in the drawing pole of the one row machine, having a
movable collar above the socket capable of being secured at various positions on the
aforesaid angle bar by holes in it, and by a screw pin or bolt in the collar, or other
method, which thus regulates the depth of the furrow at which it may be wished
to have the potatoes planted. To the back wings of this coulter two kneed arius
are bolted, each carrying a small angled mould-board widest in front, narrowing
towards the rear which covers the potato and closes in the furrow in the usual way.
These two mould boards are so fitted to the back kneed arms by slot and screw
bolts that they can be set and screwed at any depth and angle required to properly
close up and shape the ridge or furrow over the seed. This coulter and mould-
boards are hinged from the axle or main frame and are fitted with a lever with a
spring, or other class of lever handle and catch, so that the driver or man following
the machine can easily pull the handle and raise the coulter and mould-boards clear
of the ground when turning at the ends of the field, or when removing the machine
from place to place, and can be fixed by the said catch, until the driver again
releases it for a fresh furrow. The forward action of the machine draws the
coulter and covering-in boards automatically to their proper acting positions in the
ground.
A tilting transverse rod or bar is jointed to a bracket on the drawing pole
having a hanging pointed bar set at any required distance out from the machine to
rest on and mark the ground as a guide for the next traverse of the machine,
capable of being tilted to the opposite side of the machine, on each return traverse,
or having one on each side that may be lifted up or lowered down as may be
desired owing to which side of the machine is towards the land that is not planted
where this rod (usually known as the "marker") is required.
Another improvement consists in making a larger carrying frame, with flat or
V shaped wheels, with a third wheel running in front, to which two hoppers,
planting chains, drill coulter and covering-in apparatus all as herein before described
may be attached, hinged in a similar way, and fixed in a manner to the main axle
and main frame of the machine, so that they can be set at any required distance
apart, to suit the width of the furrow, as may be desired; and corresponding slots
at different widths are formed in the front part of the main drawing frame for
inserting the front upward augled stem which regulates the depth of the furrow
opener. Or otherwise single shifting sockets only might be bolted to the front
parts of the drawing frame for receiving the angled stems of the lifting frame
carrying the furrow-forming and covering-in moulds plates.
This same machine may be used for planting only where the ridges or drills are
previously formed by a plough. The improvement of this is, that the wheels run
in the bottom of the furrow instead of running on the top of the ridges or drills, as
described in the Specification of the said former Patent No 2197
June 1
1878.
A further improvement is, that three hoppers with all their planting gear and
driving chains can be mounted on this same open frame machine when used for
planting only.
Another improvement consists in making the said separate carrying drawing
frame, of two open sides wide enough behind where they would be connected by
journal bearing brackets to the main shaft of the carrying and rolling side wheels,
so as to embrace and carry all the planting chains (one, two, or three) and their
cases and fittings between and over them; these two side frames being angled or
curved towards each other in front, to form a centre frame directly secured to the
drawing pole or shafts for the horses, or for carrying the front guiding and
swivelling supporting wheel and drawing chains and swingle trees of the heavier
class of machines; this new wide frame answering either for a two or a three row
planting machine."
Another improvement which makes the machine with the said improved con-
struction of wide frame, plant three rows of potatoes in the bottom of the ordinary
furrows, consists in making the main wheels flat or V shaped on the outer rin, to

page_text: Juno 1
1878
run in the bottom of the two outer furrows (instead of with a hollow curved or
inverted V (A) periphery for running on the ridges of the furrows, as described in
the Specification of the said former Patent No. 2197 1) and in mounting the
mounting the frames of, and the enclosing cases of the chain cup, and their hoppers,
for planting the two outer rows and furrows as close as possible up to the inside of
the carrying side frames and their wheels, with the bottom delivery part carried
close down behind these and their main shaft; while those for planting the central
row and furrow are passed down in front of, and with their hopper over the main
axle or shaft; all in three sets or frames of cup chains and their actuating top
shafts and chain wheels being bound together by transverse angled frames and
brackets at the top and below, where the whole oscillates by journal bearings, with
distance collars, on the main shaft working between them, which by a chain or
special formed wheel in the middle, and a chain carried up, drives the transverse
shaft of the upper wheels of the two back cup chains. This shaft by another
chain and sprocket wheel, drives the upper chain wheel of the front set of chain
cups. This frame (of three whole planting chins, and their hoppers and fittings)
is oscillated by a hand lever behind, oscill tel on the main shaft or other stationary
part of the frame and connecting links and lever with retaining notches, so as to
be set and retained at any suitable angle desired for the planting, and the weight
of potatoes in the hopper. The bottom delivery end of the conducting case or
spout of the two side chains of cups is bent or curved close to and behind the rim
of the side wheels, so as to deliver the tuber seed into the groove made by them,
while the central spout delivers its seed into the bottom of the middle furrow
behind the guiding wheels, and the frame would be fitted with scrapers or cleaners
to clean the running surface or rims of the wheels.
It will be understood that the two hoppers with their planting chains and
mechanism, might be mounted in line in front of the main axle, and the single
central one behind, instead of as in the converse arrangement hereinbefore
described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Wilson Murray in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th August 1882.
GEORGE WILSON MURRAY, of the Town and County of Banff North-Britain,
Engineer and Agricultural Implement Maker "IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATOE-
PLANTING MACHINES."
My said Invention has reference to improvements in the construction and
combination of parts of potato-planting machines, such improvements being
developments of the Invention for which Royal Letters Patent were granted to
Thomas Ferguson and myself and dated June 1st. 1878 No 2197.
In order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I have hereunto appended a Sheet of explanatory Drawings
to be hereinafter referred to, and representing several modifications of my
improvements.
In these Drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 is a plan of a modifi-
cation of an improved potato-planting machine provided with a single supply hopper
and feeding or delivery chain. Figure 3 is a plan and Figure 4 is a back view of a
modified arrangement of this single row planting machine. Figure 5 is a side
elevation, and, Figure 6 is a plan of a machine fitted with two hoppers and corre-
sponding parts for planting potatoes in two drills at a time. Figure 7 is a side
elevation, and Figure 8 is a plan of an arrangement of the machine shown in
Figures 5 and 6 in which three hoppers and mechanism, for planting three rows in
the drills at a time, are provided. Figure 9 is a detached side elevation of the
driving chain, wheel, or pulley, and part of the cup chain which lifts and delivers
the potatoes to be planted. Figure 10 is a vertical section, and Figures 11 and 12
are a side and a back elevation of one of the cups or links of which the feeding or
delivery chain is formed.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the Drawings, the improved machine comprises a
light open malleable iron framing A carried on running wheels B, B, and axle C,
and fitted with the usual trams or drawing poles and swingle trees D, to which the
horses are yoked. The hopper or hoppers E which carry the tubers or seed are
fitted over the axle C, and have connected to them tubular guiding cases or
spouts F, through which the seed is delivered by the endless chain of cup links G,
these chains being carried over driving and guide wheels or pulleys P, PL, and pass
through the hoppers E, and inclined spouts or shoots F, which are fitted in connection
with the hoppers.
According to one improvement of the present Invention, which is particularly
delineated in Figures 9 to 12, a large outer lip g is formed round the mouth of
each cup link G of the chain for lifting the potato sets or tubers to be planted, and
also widening the cup by side feathers g' to make it of a size to fill the inside of
the down shoot or guiding case F, so that small potatoes will be prevented from
falling down between the cups G. By means of these improvements in the form
or construction of the cup links G of the delivery chains of such planting machines,
a more regular delivery of the sets or tubers is secured.
By another improvement the machine, when running on flat or ploughed land
is made to open or cut a groove or furrow in the land, a little in front of the
position where the potato tubers drop, for the purpose of receiving the tubers, and
is also made to close the earth or mould at the sides over the sets or tubers. For
this purpose the machine is fitted with a peculiarly formed coulter H, with a sharp
chilled cutting edge in front, but expanding or widening behind at H¹ towards the

page_text: mouth of the guide pipe or shoot F, from which the potatoes are dropped. This
coulter H is secured above to a strong bar I in front, passing up at an obtuse angle
through a socket h, in the drawing pole or framing of the machine, a movable
collar h¹ being fitted above the socket h, through which and the bar I a pin or bolt
is passed to secure the bar I and coulter H, at any desired position, and thereby
regulate the depth of furrow to be cut by the coulter for planting the potatoes.
To the back wings H of this coulter H, two bent or kneed arms J are bolted, each
carrying a small mould board K, K³, so angled or inclined that the distance between
their forward ends is greater than between the rear ends, the one board K. being
by preference a little in advance of the other K¹, as is shown in the plan views.
These mould boards K, K¹, press inwards the loose earth to cover the potato plants
and close in the furrow. These two mould boards K, K₁, are so fitted to the back
kneed arms J by a slot and screw bolts that they can be set and screwed at any
depth and angle required to properly close up and shape the ridge or furrow over
the seed. The coulter H and mould boards K, K¹, are hung on a lever L jointed on
the axle C or to the main frame A and extending upwards as a hand lever L', to
enable the driver by pulling the handle to raise the coulter H and mould boards
K, K', clear of the ground when turning at the ends of the field, or when removing
the machine from place to place, a spring and catch device 7, being provided to
hold the hand lever, until the driver again releases it to begin planting in a fresh
furrow. The forward action of the machine against the grip of the earth draws
the coulter H and covering-in boards K, K', to their proper lowest acting positions
in the ground. The position of the coulter H and mould-boards K, K¹, when
raised out of action is indicated in Figures 1 and 5 by dotted lines.
A tilting transverse rod or bar M is jointed to a bracket M¹ on the drawing
pole D, or other part of the frame, having a hanging pointed bar m fitted to slide
on the rod M and set at any desired distance out from the centre of the machine,
so as to rest on and mark the ground as a guide for the next traverse of the
machine. This bar M is capable of being tilted to the opposite side of the machine
on each return traverse, or a bar (M) may be provided on each side that may be
lifted up or lowered down according to which side of the machine is towards the
land that is not planted where this rod or "marker" is required. The hopper E
and guide shoot F are hung at their lower end upon the axle C, in the case of the
single and double furrow machines shown in Figures 1 to 6, and the upper end of
the inclined delivery shoot F is held by jointed levers N connected to a hand
lever N¹ by means of which the inclination of the shoot F may be varied. When
set, the handle lever is fixed by a pin passed through holes in a quadrant n, as in
Figure 1, or by means of a notched lever n', as in Figures 5 and 7. The chain of
cups G is carried over a driving chain wheel or pulley P of the construction shown
in Figure 9, fixed on the spindle O, passing trausversely between the hopper and
the delivery shoot F above and at the lower end the chain passes round a guide
pulley P¹ fitted on the axle C or on a separate spindle or stud. The motion of the
chain of cups G is obtained from the rotating axle C, of the running wheels B, B, by
a chain or band Q passing over a pulley or sprocket wheel Q on it and over a
pulley or sprocket wheel Q on the spindle O of the upper cup chain pulley P.
As a means of tightening the cup chain when slack, or of adjusting the position
of the chain pulley P, when a cup link G may get broken and the chain may have
to get a new cup link inserted, the spindle O of the driving or guide chain pulley P,
is fitted in sliding arms carried by a bracket R and provided with a screw 7 and
hand wheel, which may be turned to raise or lower the bearings of the spindle O.
The cup links G are jointed together by pins g³, as indicated in Figures 9 to 12, so
that any one may be readily replaced.
In the modification of the single-furrow machine shown in Figures 3 and 4, one
of the running wheels B' is made larger than the other B, so that the machine
may follow the plough as it opens the ground, and the large wheel B' may run in
the furrow which is last made by the plough, while the smaller wheel B, runs on
the top of the ploughed land or ground turned over by the plough. The wheel B'
.

page_text: is made so large as to keep the axle as nearly as possible in the horizontal position,
while the difference of diameter of the wheels is not so great as to cause great
inclination of the axle C, when the machine is transported from place to place over
a level road. In the modification of single-row planter for one horse the trams D
are fitted a little to one side, so that the horse may walk in the newly formed
furrow, behind the plough. By means of these arrangements the machine is
guided in the straight line of the furrow, and the line of planting is more even, so
that the marking mechanism described in reference to Figures 1 and 2 is here
dispensed with.
By a further improvement, the larger class of machines, shown in Figures 5
and 6, the main frame A is made wide and open and carried on three narrow or
V-shaped wheels, the two rear ones on the axle Crunning in the two outer of three
furrows and the front guiding one in the centro furrow, or it might be all three on
the upper surface of the ploughed land. This machine is fitted with two hoppers,
with planting case F, chains G, drill coulter H, and covering in apparatus K, K¹,
all as before described in reference to the single row planters Figures 1 to 4. The
hoppers and delivery shoots are hinged or hung in a similar way to the main
axie C and main frame of the machine, and the driving pulleys of the cup chains G
are so fitted that they can be set at any required distance apart to suit the width
of the ridges or the furrows where the two rows of tubers are to be planted,
corresponding slots or sockets h at different widths being formed in the front part
of the main drawing frame A, for inserting the front upward angled stem I, which
regulates the depth of the furrow-opening coulter H; or otherwise, single shifting
sockets only might be bolted to the front parts of the drawing frame for
receiving the angled stems I of the lifting frane carrying the furrow-forming
coulter and covering-in moulds.
This same frame and machine may be used for planting three rows of tubers in
the furrows previously formed by the plough, in which case the coulters H, H¹, and
covering-in mould-boards K, K¹, may be dispensed with. In this case the wheels
run in the bottom of the furrow instead of running on the top of the ground or
drills, as described in the Specification of the said former Patent No. 2197 of
1878.
The carrying drawing frames A of the larger machines are made with two open
sides wide apart behind where they are connected by journal bearing brackets
at A', to the inain shaft C of the side wheels B, B, so as to embrace and carry all
the planting chains (one, two, or three) and their cases and fittings between them.
These two side frames A are angled or curved towards each other in front to form
a centre frame directly secured to the drawing pole or shafts or swingle-trees D
for the horses, and for carrying the front guiding and swivelling supporting
wheel B².
The modification of this machine shown in Figures 7 and 8 is made to plant
three rows of potatoes in the bottom of the ordinary furrows, the main wheels
being preferably made V-shaped on the outer rim, to run in the bottom of the two
outer furrows instead of with a hollow curved or inverted V periphery for running
on the ridges of the furrows, as described in the Specification of the said former
Patent No. 2197 of 1878. In this machine, the two rear hoppers E and delivery
casings F are hung on the main shaft or axle C by bearing brackets f, fitted nearly
midway up the delivery shoot, and neither of the cup chain carrying pulleys P¹, P¹,
is fitted on the axle C, the upper cup chain pulleys P being driven by a chain and
sprocket wheels Q, Q, Q, from the axle or main shaft C, while the upper cup chain
pulley of the front casing F is driven by a similar chain and sprocket wheels
Q3, QQ, from the tranverse spindle O of the rear planting chain pulleys. The
hoppers E and the enclosing cases F of the chain cups G for planting the two
outer rows or furrows, are fitted as close as possible up to the inside of the carrying
side frames A and their wheels B, B. With the bottom delivery shoot F carried close
down behind the wheels B, B, and their main shafts C, at F', while the casing F
and the cup chain G for planting the central row or furrow are passed down in

page_text: front of and with their hopper over the main axle or shaft C. The hoppers E and
casing F are bound together by transverse angled frames and brackets S at the top
and connected to the axle C below by a bracket f', where the whole oscillates by
the journal bearings f, with distance collars on the main shaft C working between
them. This frame (of the whole three planting chains G and their casings F and
hoppers E) is oscillated by a band lever N¹ behind, which may be centred on the
main shaft C, or other stationary part of the frame A, connecting links N and a
notched lever n¹ being provided, so that the casings F may be set and retained at
any angle to suit the planting, and the weight of the potatoes in the hopper. The
bottom delivery end of the conducting case or spout F of the two side chains of
cups G is bent or curved at F¹ close to and behind the rim of the side wheels B, B,
as shown by dotted lines in Figure 8, so as to deliver the tuber seed into the
groove made by these wheels while the central spout delivers the seed into the
bottom of the middle furrow behind the guiding wheel B. The casings F with
the cup chains G are covered in at the bottom in such a way as to prevent the
cups lifting up earth with them when passing round the lower pulley.
The main shaft or axle C may be connected to the wheels B B, in each case by
pawls and ratchets t, or by other similar means, so that the machine may be drawn
over roadways without actuating the planting chains and other working parts.
It will be understood that the two hoppers with their planting chains and
operating mechanism may be mounted in line in front of the main axle C, and the
single central hopper behind instead of as in the converse arrangement shown in
Figures 7 and 8.
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 precise
details herein described or delineated, but what I consider novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hercinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,
First. The arranging and combining of the parts of single, double, and triple row
potato-planting machines, suitable for being drawn by one or two horses, all
substantially in the improved manner herein described in reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Second. The forming or constructing of the cup links G, of the planting chains
of potato-planting machines with a large outer lip g and side feathers g¹, to fill the
inside of the delivery or guide case F, substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
Third. In single, double or triple row potato-planting machines, the arranging
and fitting of a coulter or coulters H for opening the furrow in front to receive the
potato tubers in combination with mould-boards K, K¹, behind, for covering them
and closing the furrow, such coulters and mould-boards being hung on the wheel
shaft, or on the machine frame, so that they can be raised out of action by a hand
lever, and made to regulate the depth of the furrow, substantially as herein set
forth.
Fourth. The arranging or fitting in combination with potato-planting machines
of an oscillating marking bar or marker M, m, substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Fifth. The forming of an open framed potato-planting machine, and combination
of the planting chains and fittings, so mounted on the main axle, or other axes,
that the machine can be made to furrow for, plant, and cover up a double row of
tubers in the drills, and also plant a triple row of tubers in three ploughed furrows,
the machine being fitted with the main wheels running in the outer furrows, and
the front guide wheel in the centre furrow, all substantially as herein described in
reference to and shown respectively in Figures 5, 6, and 7, 8, of the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth. The forming of an opened framed potato-planting machine, with the
planting hoppers E, close cases F, and chains G, all mounted and bound together, so
as to be simultaneously oscillated on the main axle C, or on other equivalent shafts

page_text: or centres on the frame A, to plant two or three rows of tubers, with the wheels
made to run on the surface of the ploughed land, or in the furrows, all substantially
as herein described, in reference to and shown in Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventh. In chain cup potato-planting machines, the raising and lowering of the
upper axes of the chain pulleys by a screw or other equivalent, so as to be able
to easily regulate the tightness of the chain, and take out and put in links, also
the driving of the one set of upper chain wheels from the other when required,
substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Wilson Murray, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Thirty first day of July, in the year of our Lord, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.