GB303607A - Improvements in or relating to planting and manure distributing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

303,607. Dubbeldan, P. Nov. 9, 1927. Manure distributers; planting- machines.-In potato and like planting machines in which the potatoes are fed by hand on to an endless band moving across the machine and then vertically downwards to the furrow made by a share, a large transverse hopper provided with endless-conveyer feeding-mechanism is arranged to deliver a quantity of manure or fertilizer at the same point as the potato &c., or adjacent thereto. The hopper b extends nearly across the machine and is bevelled off to clear the planting mechanism. The manure is delivered to an adjustable, shoot y near the potato shoot g by an endless chain or belt k at the bottom of the hopper h. The belt runs over rollers on shafts i, j one of which is driven from the potato feeding mechanism by interchangeable chain gearing. The driving-chain m bears against an adjustable jockey pulley or roller m<1>. The delivery from the hopper is controlled by sliding doors n, o one in front of the other. The door n has a straight bottom edge and is adjusted by means of a pivoted spring-controlled lever provided with a projection to engage one or other of several holes p<3> in a segment p<2> The door o is formed with a gap o<1> in the bottom edge and is adjustably secured by a thumb screw o<3> passing through a slot o<2>. The belt k may be of cotton balata, &c. and may be provided with upstanding spikes or projections. An inclined scraper bears on the top of the lower run of the belt and delivers manure scraped off to an outlet orifice in the hopper. A brush bears on the roller i<1> and a scraper on the roller j<1>. Spikes on the roller a<1> may engage the belt k, or a chain on the inside of the belt may mesh with sprocket wheels on the shafts i, j. Instead of the belt an endless chain may be used the links of which are provided with vertical or inclined spikes or projections. Two chains carrying lateral projections may be employed. The upper run of the belt is supported by a platform u and its edges run under inclined metal flanges v in the hopper. The bearings of the shaft j may be adjustable to tension the belt k, or a jockey roller may be provided. The shaft j is journaled in sliding plates w movable by screwing up a nut w<2>. The spout y may be dispensed with, the outlet of the hopper h then being arranged directly over the furrow above or in front of the furrow-closing discs. The belt k may be driven by interchangeable gearing from the axle b instead of from the potato feeding mechanism. The manuring apparatus may form a separate fitting for attachment to existing planters.