GB445463A - Improvements in or relating to machines for planting potatoes and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

445,463. Planting - machines. ROSS, A. F., Rosslea, Girvan, Ayrshire. Aug. 16, 1935, No. 24074. [Class 6 (i)] A machine for planting sprouted or budded tubers &c. comprises means for controlling the delivery of the tubers, dibbling-means adapted to drive the delivery-controlling means so that a delivery is made to each dibble hole, and supports for the usual sprouting or budding boxes in proximity to the delivery-controlling means so that the tubers can be transferred from the boxes by hand. The machine may be mounted on a front wheel 2 and two rear wheels 3 and may comprise three planting units. Each unit comprises a five-spoke dibbler 4 and an upwardly flanged circular member or disc 6 provided with an aperture 7 and guide fins 8. The dibblers are mounted on a crossshaft 5 and the members 6 are carried by cross-members 9. Within each member 6 is a rotary disc or wheel 10 provided with pairs of upward projections forming peripheral pockets 11, the bottom and outer walls of which are constituted by the member 6. The discs 10 are driven from the dibbler shaft 5 by bevel and chain gearing. The tubers are fed into the pockets 11 by hand and are carried round to the delivery aperture 7. Two or more inclined boxes 18 are supported in front of each member 6 on cross supports 19, 20. Boxes may be supported one upon another, and when the top box is empty it may be pushed over a bar until it tilts over and rests with its lower edge in a support. When the second box is empty it is tilted over the top edge of the third box. A transverse seat 21 and a footrest 22 are provided. In a modification the pockets 11 may comprise open-ended cylinders, the support member 6 being a flat disc.