GB191311155A - Potato Planting Machine. - Google Patents

Abstract

11,155. Anderson, T. B. May 13. Potato planters. - The hopper T is provided with iron, wooden, or composition feed-rollers H, which may be covered with rubber, canvas, or other flexible material and filled with air, gas, springs, or packing, to feed the potatoes to a chamber B having an inclined bottom formed by a hinged platform C and provided with grooves E, Fig. 2, for the reception of endless chains E<1> carrying cups E<2>. Each cup E<2>, Fig. 3, is provided with a projection K which, just before the cup passes through an opening E<3> in the wall of the chamber B, enters an opening in the preceding cup and ejects surplus potatoes; these are returned to the chamber B by an elevator L over a platform C<2>. The chains E<1> are operated from the axle H<4> by spur-wheels G<1>, which may be put out of gear by a clutch J operated by a lever J<1> and a hand-lever J<2>. The chains E<1> .are kept in position in the grooves E by side guards or rollers at each end, and are tensioned by spring plates N. The platform C is hinged at C<1> and is kept normally raised by a cord F<2> connected to a shutter W controlled by a spring W<1>. When the feed becomes excessive and the platform C is depressed, the shutter W is moved to regulate or cut off the supply from the hopper T. An endless band A operated by one roller H may be provided to help the feed, which is also assisted by an horizontally-reciprocating slide S provided with spars S<1> which coact with grooves on cams S<2> on the shaft S<3> carrying the other roller H. Pivoted spars F, vibrated by a lever I<1> actuated by projections I<2> on the roller H, prevent clogging in the chamber B. Spring-controlled hinged wings I, Fig. 2, prevent potatoes from being deposited in the recesses Z in the grooves E. The potatoes from the cups E<2> pass down the tube D into a furrow formed by a disk roller V. The rollers H may have plain or fluted surfaces and one of them may be of worm shape. The hopper T may be pivoted at one side and may have a riddle in it. According to the Provisional Specification, the grooves E are adjustable in width, and a groove running in the contrary direction to the grooves E may be provided.