Improvements in Potato Ploughs.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 14th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 27th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Potato Ploughs.
I, JOHN PERKINS, of the firm of John Perkins & Sons of Lichfield in the
County of Stafford, Agricultural Implement Makers, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in potatoe ploughs by which such
ploughs are made more effective in their action without adding to their cost the
potatoes being more thoroughly cleaned in the raising or lifting while few or none
are left in the ground after the plough has passed. By my improvements the
potatoe tops are also cleared away to each side thus leaving the potatoes clear of
the tops.
In carrying my invention into effect I use the frame of an ordinary ridging
plough to which I attach a shield or breast plate above the share which raises or
lifts the potatoes as it passes through the ground. Behind the share and bolted or
otherwise attached to the frame are two eyes or brackets carrying a horizontal cross
bar upon which the ends of a number of prongs or bars are mounted so as to allow
the other ends of the prongs to rise and fall independantly of each other. The
potatoes are raised or lifted by the afore-mentioned breast plate on to the prongs
which by their independant movement thoroughly shake the potatoes clean and
drop them on the ground the prongs being curved down at the end to assist this.
Above the prongs and attached to the beam I attach a guide or shield which
spreads out fan-shaped from the front so as to throw the potatoe tops on one side
and leave the course of the potatoes clear.
I may attach revolving spike wheels in the end of each or several of the prongs
so as to increase their movement when shaking the potatoes.
Dated this 13th day of June 1892.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Potato Ploughs.
I JOHN PERKINS, of the firm of John Perkins & Sons of Lichfield in the
County of Stafford, Agricultural Implement Makers, do hereby declare the nature
of my said 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 improvements in potato ploughs by which such
ploughs are made more effective in their action without adding to their cost the
potatoes being more thoroughly cleaned in the raising or lifting while few or none
are left in the ground after the plough has passed. By my improvements the
potato tops are also cleared away to each side thus leaving the potatoes clear of
the tops.
In carrying my invention into effect I use the frame of an ordinary
ridging plough to which I attach a shield or breast plate above the share which
raises or lifts the potatoes as it passes through the ground. Behind the share and
bolted or otherwise attached to the frame are two eyes or brackets carrying a
horizontal cross bar upon which the ends of a number of prongs or bars are
mounted so as to allow the other ends of the prongs to rise and fall independantly
of each other. The potatoes are raised or lifted by the aforementioned breast
plate on to the prongs which by their independant movement thoroughly shake the
DO1

page_text: potatoes clean and drop them on the ground the prongs being curved down at the
end to assist.this.
Above the prongs and attached to the beam I attach a guide or shield which
spreads out fanshaped from the front so as to throw the potato tops on one side
and leave the course of the potatoes clear.
I may attach revolving spike wheels in the end of each or several of the prongs
so as to increase their movement while shaking the potatoes.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practise I have appended hereunto a double sized sheet of drawings upon
which I have fully illustrated the nature of my said improvements.
Figure 1 is a view of the potato plough complete.
Figure 2 is a plan of the share & prongs detached from the main part of the
plough.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the share & prongs detached from the main
frame.
In carrying my invention into effect use the frame F of an ordinary ridging
plough to which I attach the beam E carrying the shield or breast plate B' above
the share B which raises or lifts the potatoes as it passes through the ground.
Behind the share B and bolted or otherwise attached to the frame of it are two
eyes or brackets and 3 carrying a horizontal cross bar upon which the ends of
a number of prongs or bars A are mounted so as to allow the other ends to rise
and fall independantly of each other. The potatoes are raised or lifted by the
afore-mentioned breast plate B₁ on to the prongs A which by their independent
movement, thoroughly shape the potatoes clean and drops them on the ground the
prongs A being curved round to assist this. Above the prongs A and attached to
the beam E are the guides or shields H which spread out fanshaped from the
front so as to throw the potatoe tops on one side and leave the course of the
potatoes clear.
I may attach revolving spike wheels in the end of each or several of the prongs
so as to increase their movement when shaking the potatoes.
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 :-
1st. In potato ploughs the pivotted prongs A mounted to act independently of
each other substantially as & for the purpose herein set forth and shown upon
the accompanying drawing.
2nd. In potato ploughs the guides or shields H substantially as & for the purpose
herein set forth and shewn upon the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of March 1893
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent.