IM- PROVEMENTS IN POTATO-HARVESTERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Kesseler of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire
of Germany, Civil Engineer and Patent Solicitor, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN POTATO-HARVESTERS." A communication from Wilhelm
Helm, of Stettin, in Prussia, Empire of Germany.
Sealed the 23rd May 1879, and dated the 30th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Kesseler at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1878.
1
"
"
CARL KESSELER, of 63, Mohren-strasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany,
Civil Engineer and Patent Solicitor. IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATO-HARVESTERS.'
[A communication from Wilhelm Helm, of Stettin, in Prussia, Empire of Germany.]
The object of the above named machine is to dig, to collect, to clean, and to
convey potatoes into appropriate receptacles. While the machine advances the tops
and leaves are pressed down to both sides by means of the arrangement o, Fig. 1,
2, 3, which serves to turn the leaves and which is fixed to the plough beam. The
wheels c, c', get hold of the leaves and tops, while at the same time the plough a
digs the potatoes, takes the earth off of them, and throws it to the right and left
by means of the cleansing board b. The broad wheels c, c¹, of the machine are
placed close to the cleansing board on both sides of the plough beam, the spokes of
which end in rake like shovels i, i¹, as shown in Fig. 5, and divide each wheel into
ten compartments, as shown in Fig. 1, 2, and 3. The shovels i do not quite reach the
circumference of the wheels. An annular space is therefore left between them and
the spokes, in which space a half cylindrical sieve d, e, d', e¹, (Fig. 1 and 2) is
suspended at the points f, g, h, and f, g, h, of the frame and machine.
By means of the cleansing board 6 the earth and the potatoes are thrown into
the sieves d, e, and d¹, e¹, and are raised by means of the shovels, ¹, as the

page_text: wheels c, c¹, revolve. The sieves being constantly kept in a vibrating motion by
means of a mechanism to be described hereafter, the earth consequently falls
through, while the potatoes are kept back. As soon as they reach the point k
respectively, Fig. 2, they fall into another vibrating sieve l, m, or l', m', Fig. 2,
3, and 4, by passing over the leaves-bridge r, p, r¹, p¹, Fig. 2 and 3. The object of
this bridge is to catch hold of the leaves or tops which might have been tossed up
with the potatoes. The rods of this bridge are therefore plated sufficiently apart to
allow the potatoes to fall through, but to keep back the leaves and tops; the latter
are taken further away by means of the shovels i, while the comb q-q', Fig. 1
and 2, fixed to the sieve takes it off at the points d, d', where it falls to the bottom.
The potatoes roll over the shuttel sieve, and being well freed from all earth and
properly cleaned fall into the baskets x, x, respectively x, x¹, Fig. 3 and 4, which
are attached to both sides of the machine. sieve like cover is provided on the
inside and outside of the wheels and fixed to the frame of the machine, preventing
the earth from falling on either side of the large-wheels.
Those covers reach the side of the plough from n to s respectively n³, 81, Fig. 1,
and on the outside from t to u and t¹ to u¹, as shown in Fig. 2. They form there-
fore a sieve like drum with the sieve d, e, respectively d, e, in which the shovels
i, i, rotate. The wheels c and c¹ are provided on their outside flanges, as shown in
Fig. 2 and 5, with a kind of rolling path consisting of flat iron rivetted on. Their
object is to give to the sieves l, m, and l', m', also to d, e, and d¹, e¹, a vibrating
motion. As Fig. 2 and 3 show, a roller fixed to the lever v, v¹, runs on the
outer path and puts the lever in a vibrating motion, as it is always pressed by
means of a spiral spring against the path, while the rod w, w¹, communicates this
motion to the sieve l, m, respectively U, m'. The sieves d, e, and d', el, as shown
in Fig. 3 and 4, are moved in the same manner on the inside of the roller path. In
front of each bottom edge of each sieve is placed in an inclined position a plate y, y',
as shown in Fig. 4, to prevent the falling of the stones into the baskets. The pro-
jection of falling stones being more curved than that of a potatoe, which is speci-
fically lighter, it will be seen that the latter passes over the plates and falls into
the baskets, while the stones are kept back and are deviated sideways. Each out-
fall sieve is provided with a plate z, z¹, Fig. 3, which revolves round a pivot forming
an inclined plan for the potatoes, and compels them, according to the bend, to fall
alternately into one or the other basket. The earth which falls through is carried
sideways of the machine. The platforms on both sides of the machine receiving the
baskets or receptacles x, x, and a¹³, x, are moveable, and can be folded over as soon
as the machine is at stillstand, therefore not hindering anything.
The change of position of the plough is effected through its revolving round the
point and can be put in any position, being kept therein by means of bolts or
rods fixed to the frame. Besides, a small front carriage supports the front part of
the machine and connects the plough with the shaft.
The arrangement, as shown in the Drawing, is simple and practical, and does
not interefere with the easy handling and turning of the plough.
"
The improvements upon which the claims are principally based consist
therefore,―
1. In the whole design of the potatoe harvesting machine, as hereinbefore
described, and as represented in the Drawings.
2. In the construction of the wheels provided with shovel like rakes, serving to
convey the potatoes, as herein-before described, and as represented in the adjoined
Drawings.
3. In the particular shape of the plough and the cleansing board, as well as in the
manner of fixing the same by bolts, pins, or rods.
4. In the design, shape, and in the manner of fixing the sieves, as well as in the
arrangement of moving the same.
·
5. In the design of the leaves or tops bridge, serving to clear the potatoe from it,
as represented in the Drawing.

page_text: 6, In the application and arrangement of the plates serving to separate the stones
from the potatoes (stone-cleaner).
7. In the application and arrangement of the comb 9 used to discard the tops
and leaves.
8. In the application of the apparatus for turning the lever o, as above
described.
9. In the particular connection of the front carriage with the plough and the
traction arrangement respectively, the shaft or pole.
The whole, as explained in the manner herein described, and as represented in
the adjoined Drawings, without taking into consideration the choiced shapes or
forms, nor the dimensions.

page_text: *
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Carl Kesseler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th May
1879. :
CARL KESSELER, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany,
Civil Engineer and Patent Agent. IMPROVEMENTS IN POTATO-HARVESTERS."
A communication from Wilhelm Helm, of Stettin, in Prussia, Empire of Germany.
The object of the above named machine is to digg, to collect, to clean, aud to
convey potatoes into appropriate receptacles. While the machine advances, the
tops and leaves are pressed down to both sides by means of the arrangement o,
Fig. 1, 2, and 3, which serves to turn the leaves, and which is fixed to the plough
beam. The wheels c, c', get hold of the leaves and tops, while at the same time the
plough a digs the potatoes, takes the earth off of them, and throws it to the right
and left by means of the cleansing board b. The broad wheels c, c', of the machine
are placed close to the cleansing board on both sides of the plough beam, the spokes
of which end in rake like shovels i, i, as shown in Fig. 5, and divide each wheel
into ten, or in respectively more or less compartments, as shown in Fig. 1, 2, and 3.
The shovels i do not quite reach the circumference of the wheels. An annular
space is therefore left between them and the spokes, in which space a half
cylindrical sieve d, e, d', e', Fig. 1 and 2, is suspended at the points f, g, h, and
f, g, h, of the frame and the machine.
The
By means of the cleansing board b the earth and the potatoes are thrown into
the sieves d, e, and d¹, e¹, and are raised by means of the shovels i, i¹, as the wheels
c, c', revolve. The sieves being constantly kept in a vibrating motion by means of
a mechanism to be described hereafter, the earth consequently falls through while
the potatoes are kept back. As soon as they reach the point k respectively k¹,
Fig. 2, they fall into another vibrating sieve l, m, or l¹, m³, Fig. 2, 3, and 4, by
passing over the leaves-bridge r, p, r,p', Fig. 2 and 3. The object of this bridge is to
catch hold of the leaves or tops, which might have been tossed up with the potatoes.
The rods of this bridge are therefore placed sufficiently apart to allow to allow
the potatoes to fall through, but to keep back the leaves and tops; the latter are
taken further away by means of the shovels i, while the combq-q', Fig. 1 and 2, fixed
to the sieve, takes it off at the points d, d¹, where it falls to the bottom.
potatoes roll over the shuttelsieve, and being well freed from all earth and properly
cleaned fall into the baskets x-x¹, respectively x-x¹, Fig. 3 and 4, which are
attached to both sides of the machine. A sieve like cover is provided on the inside
and outside of the wheels and fixed to the frame of the machine, preventing the
earth from falling on either side of the large wheels. Those covers reach the side of
the plough from n to 8, respectively n', s¹, Fig. 1, and on the outside from t to u
and t¹ to u', as shown in Fig. 2. They forin therefore a sievelike drum with the
sieve d, e, respectively d, e, in which the shovels i-i, rotate. The wheels cand c¹
are on their outside flanges provided, as shown in Fig. 2 and 5, with a kind of
rolling path, consisting of pieces of flat iron rivetted on. Their object is to give to
the sieves l, m, and l, m, also to d, e, and d¹, el, a vibrating motion. As Fig. 2
and 3 show, a roller fixed to the lever v, v², runs on the outer path and puts the
lever in a vibrating motion, as it is always pressed by means of a spiral spring
against the path, while the rod w, w¹, communicates this motion to the sieve l, m,
respectively, m¹. The sieves d, e, and d', e', as shown in Fig. 3 and 4, are moved in
the same manner on the inside of the roller path. It is hereby nevertheless understood
that the sieves can also be moved by means of gearing, cranks, connecting rods, or
other mechanical contrivances. In front of each bottom edge of each sieve is
placed in an inclined position a plate y-y, as shown in Fig. 4, to prevent the
falling of the stones into the baskets. The projection of falling stones being more
curved than that of a potatoe, which is specifically lighter, it will be seen that the
latter passes over the plates and falls into the baskets, while the stones are kept

page_text: back and are deviated sideways. Each outfall sieve is provided with a plate z-z',
Fig. 3, which revolves round a pivot, forming an inclined plan for the potatoes, and
compells them, according to the bend, to fall alternately into the one or the other of
the baskets. The earth which falls through is carried sideways of the machine.
The plate forms on both sides of the machine, receiving the baskets or receptacles
x, x, and x, x, are moveable, and can be folded over as soon as the machine is at
stillstand, therefore not hindering anything. The change of position of the plough
is effected through its revolving round the point x and can be put in any position,
being kept therein by means of bolts or rods fixed to the frame. Besides a small
front carriage supports the front part of the machine, and connects the plough with
the shaft. The arrangements, as shown in the Drawing,. are simple and practical,
and do not interfere with the easy handling and turning of the plough.
Having thus herein described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, it will be understood that the improvements upon which
the claims are principally based consist therefore,-
1. In the whole design of the potatoe harvesting machine, as herein before
described and represented in the Drawings.
2. In the construction of the wheels provided with shovels like rakes, serving
to convey the potatoes, as herein before described and as represented in the
Drawing.
3. In the particular shape of the plough and the cleansing board, as well as in the
manner of fixing the same by bolts, pins, or rods.
4. In the design, shape, and in the manner of fixing the sieves, as well as in the
arrangement of moving the same.
5. In the designs of the leaves or tops-bridge, serving to clear the potatoe from
it, as represented in the Drawing.
6. In the application and arrangement of the plates serving to separate the
stones from the potatoes.
7. In the application and arrangement of the comb q, used to discard the tops
and leaves.
8. In the application of the apparatus for turning the leaves o, as above
described.
9. In the particular connection of the front carriage with the plough and the
traction arrangement, respectively the shaft or pole. The whole as explained in
the manner herein described, and as represented in the adjoined Drawings, without
taking into consideration the choiced shapes or forms nor the dimensions.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Kesseler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
CARL
KESSEL ED
Gol