Improvements in Machines Used for Topping, Tailing, and Lifting Turnips.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 1st Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines Used for Topping, Tailing, and Lifting
Turnips.
JAMES ALLAN, Blacksmith and Implement Maker, Garbity Orton, Fochabers,
Scotland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The general outline of the machine may be of the usual construction. My
iuvention consists in an improved form of tailer, it being capable of universal
adjustment and being easily detached from the machine for sharpening. It can
also be made to raise and shake the turnips and put them aside. The topper is
hung with an adjustable attachment to a spiral spring, which allows it to rise or
fall to the different sizes of turnips. It has also a universal motion. The draught
bar is also of an improved construction, it being made so that the horse can walk
in the drill on either side of that which is being lifted, as may be required.
By the general outline of the machine being of the usual construction, I mean
that it consists of a rectangular frame, of oblong shape, upon the sides of which
the machine slides along the drills in similar manner to a sledge.
There are projecting spring prongs in front, on either side of the drill to be
lifted, which raise and guide the crops into the cropping knives, or topper.
The tailer is a steel blade, the front, or cutting edge of which may be a hollow
curve, sloping upward towards the rear edge, upon which there is fixed prongs.
These prongs raise the turnips and shake them free of soil, and by being arranged
upon a slope deliver them to one side.
Dated this 30th day of March 1894.
JAMES ALLAN.
Improvements in Machines Used for Topping, Tailing, and Lifting
Turnips.
I, JAMES ALLAN of Garbity Orton Fochabers, in the County of Elgin,
Blacksmith and Implement Maker 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 :—
The object of my invention for improvement in turnip lifting and tailing
machines, is to devise a machine baving a cutter for tailing and lifting which can
be easily adjusted to the depth of the turnips and which will at the same time act
upon roots which may be considerably out of the centre of drills.
The tailer I employ accomplishes this and by prongs attached in rear of it the
turnips may be shaken free from soil, and laid to one side.
In my invention I use a more sensitive arrangement for topping the turnips than
has been in use hitherto.
It is hung from a spiral spring which is adjusted to balance the weight of topper.
As it can rise and fall by the chain and spring, and by the attachment at front,
also swing sideways, it accommodates itself to the height of the turnips without
cutting more off than the top.

page_text: The two front horns of my machine have springs ii which allow them to yield
to any inequalities in the drill. The foregoing will be better understood by
reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2
a ground plan of the machine. a a is the rectangular frame of wrought iron,
having iron bars at base for sliding upon. 6 is the cutter for tailing and lifting
as described, and c is the rod upon which it is carried and from which it can be
detached in the same manner as plough sock. The cutting edge of this tailing
knife is preferably of an OG curve as shown upon drawing, but may be made
with more or less of an acute angle, and it will thus include more of the drill than
the knives hitherto used. d, d are plates & screws, of the nature of ordinary
clamp plates and bolts, by which it can be adjusted vertically and horizontally.
e, e is the topper frame, hung with spiral spring at rear end, and attached by chain,
and at the front f, f, it can adjust itself vertically by these joints sliding in slots
in the uprights of frame, and sideways by space provided in the knuckle joints for
that purpose, as shown at ff on Figure 2. To prevent the sides of topper injuring
the turnips, they may be made flat iron set on edge in front, and presenting the
flat surface to the turnip, with a gradual quarter turn towards the knives at y
where they would be almost on flat, or they may be made of tube or round iron.
The sides may be varied in width or in curve at front of e. e. to suit different
requirements.
The topper being allowed to swing freely, the knives at g follow the irregularities
of the turnips without cutting more than the tops. h. h. are the feelers or horus
for raising the tops and allowing the knives to get under and cut them close to the
turnip.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is,
Firstly. The particular shape of cutter or knife for tailing and lifting turnips,
and its being adjustable horizontally and vertically as shown on Figs. 1 and 2.
Secondly. The form and method of hanging with chain and spring at rear, and
with sliding joints at front the topper frame e. e. having knives as shown on
F. 1 and 2.
Thirdly. The feelers with springs as shown at h. h. i. i. all substantially as set
forth in accompanying drawings.
TAMI
ATT AN
JAMES ALLAN
Applicant.