An Improved Potato Digger and Collector.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1896
Co plete Specification Lef, 24th Mar., 897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Potato Digger and Collector.
I JOHN MULCAHY of Beasley Street Cork Merchant do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
An ordinary swing or other plough frame with one or more socks attatched to fore
part of frame to the rere of which stocks is an endless chain or belting fixed on two
revolving axels the foremost of which axels revolves behind the socks and the rere
revolving on the handle bars in such a position that from the fore axel to the rere axel
should be a plane inclined upwards from fore or rere on which revolves at a suitable
angle and on which revolves at a suitable angle a suitable endless perforated grating
this endless grating to carry the sod from front to rere on top and to be worked by
chain bands or otherwise from ordinary or suitable wheels of plough by sprocket
wheel or chain bands or other suitable attatchment, said combination being capable of
being adapted to ordinary plough.
Dated this Twenty-second day of June 1806
JOHN MULCAHY.
I JOHN MULCAHY of Beasley Street Cork, Ireland, Gentleman, 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: -
This invention relates to a new or improved machine for digging and collecting
potatoes and discharging same automatically into a basket or other receptacle
arranged for their reception.
The machine consists of an ordinary swing or other plough frame, with one or more
socks attached to a transverse sole plate arranged in the fore part of the frame.
To the rere of these socks is an endless chain. or belting fixed on two revolving
axles, the front one of which revolves immediately behind the socks and the rere one
on the handle frame, and both in such a position that a line drawn from front to
rere forms an inclined plane.
On these axles are mounted suitable pinions over which run endless chains which
carry a suitable perforated grating for the purpose presently described.
Travelling motion is imparted to this perforated grating by pinion gear taken from
the main driving axle of the machine.
By means of a vertical screw the socks may be raised or lowered according to
requirements.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried into.
practice I will proceed to describe the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. represents a plan of my improved potato digger complete, and
Fig. 2. a side elevation of same,

page_text: Fig. 3. a front view of the main driving wheels and axle and
Fig. 4. shews in perspective portion of the machine illustrating the frame for
adjusting the socks as hereinafter more fully described.
A. is the frame of the machine which as already stated may be of the character of
an ordinary swing or other suitable plough.
B. is the row of socks which are attached to a suitable transverse sole plate or
bar, a which latter is carried in side piates, b. b. suspended to a frame consisting of
four vertical rods, c c. connected by cross heads, d. and capable of vertical movement
in brackets, e. This vertical movement is operated by a vertical screw, f. working
in the crossbar, g. its free end resting on a stationary crossbar g', fixed to the
machine.
By means of this vertical screw the depth at which it is desired to have the socks
penetrate the ground may be accurately adjusted. and are front and rere axles
over which endless chains 2 run. Stretched over these chains is a continuons
flexible tray composed of wire netting or other flexible material which will allow
earth to pass through while carrying the potatoes towards the rere end.
Motion is imparted to this travelling grating by means of the spur wheel i, mounted
on the main driving shaft and gearing with the pinion on auxiliary shaft on which
is keyed pulley 3 communicating by chain with pulley and thus to the travelling
grating.
On the main driving axle are attached a number of prongs or breakers k, k, for the
purpose of breaking up the earth before passing on to the travelling grating.
The action of my invention is as follows:-
The socks having been adjusted to the required depth by the means already
described receive both earth and potatoes when the same are acted upon by the prongs
or breakers k. k. then passing on to the travelling grating (during the transit over
which) the earth passes through its meshes while the potatoes roll over the rere end
falling into a basket, or other receptacle carried for the purpose on the frame of the
machine.
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 :-
First. In machinery for digging and collecting potatoes, the arrangement of socks
operated by a vertical screw for the purpose and in the manner substantially as
herein specified.
Second. In machinery for digging and collecting potatoes, the use and application
of a travelling grating, arranged and operating in the manner substantially as herein
described:
Third. The combination of machinery for the purpose of digging and collecting
potatoes all constructed, arranged, and operating in the manner substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1807
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9 Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.