GB609253A - Improvements in or relating to harvesting machines for root crops - Google Patents

Abstract

609,253. Root crop harvester. MURRAY, J. B. March 8, 1946, No. 7371. [Class 6(iii)] Relates to root crop harvesters of the kind in which the lifted roots are fed into internal pockets around the periphery of a large grid-like wheel, and are carried upwardly by rotation of said wheel for delivery to a receptacle. According to the invention, the large wheel forms the sole ground supporting-wheel of the machine. In the construction shown-a rear elevation with part of the wheel broken awaya pair of ploughs 22 lift the crops which are thrown by a rotary spinner 26 through the inner open side of an open mesh wheel 13 which serves both as a land wheel and elevator, its outer side being closed by a disc 17. Pockets in said wheel are formed by grids 18 extending inwardly from the rim of the wheel and when the crops are lifted above the horizontal plane of the grids 18 they fall into a hopper 38, lying within the wheel and secured to the main frame 10 at a point 41, and pass into a rotary lattice cleaning drum 32 the bars of which slope transversely across the machine and pass the crops into a second hopper 42 thence to a trough and finally to the ground. The frame is pivotally connected to the rear of a tractor the power take off shaft of which drives through suitable gearing the rotary spinner; the cleaning drum 32 is driven from the wheel 13. The harvester may be lifted off the ground for turning by means of a winch on the tractor actuating a chain and so pivoting the frame 10 about its pivotal attachment to the tractor. Modifications in which the cleaning drum is omitted and/or elevators provided are also described. Disc coulters and a topping device may be provided. Specification 609,254 is referred to. The Provisional Specification states the drum may be moved to vary the position of its axis with respect to the direction of travel of the machine.