GB646136A - Improvements in or relating to beet harvesters - Google Patents

Abstract

646,136. Endless conveyers. FERGUSON, Inc., H. April 14, 1947, No. 9824. Convention date, April 19, 1946. [Class 78 (i)] [Also in Group I] A beet-harvesting apparatus comprises the combination of a tractor having power-lift links with a beet-topping unit (Figs. 2 and 3) and the combination also includes a conveyer 160 for removing the beet-tops. The tractor carries pillars 28, 30 bolted to the rear axle and supporting a laterally-slidable frame 40 (Fig. 6). This frame carries shafts 41, 42, over which is entrained an endless belt 43, the belt being driven from either end by one of a pair of belts 66, 68. The whole frame is slidable between rollers 45, 46 to extend laterally on either side of the vehicle and is maintained thus by latches 51, 52, the appropriate belt 66 or 68 being then driven from a sheave 69, itself driven from the power take-off. The tops which have been cut off by the topping unit are removed by an elevator 160 (Fig. 2) which comprises endless chains 173 carrying slats 175 to which are secured flexible flaps 176. The elevator cooperates with a rake 177 and deposits the tops on the conveyer belt 43 for transfer laterally to a wagon. The beet-topping unit (Fig. 3) includes a rectangular tool-bar 80 connected by brackets 81, 83 to power-lift links 21, 26, on the tractor. The bar is integral with a sleeve 84 which swivelly supports a parallel linkwork 85-88-93-90. This linkwork carries gauging runners 100 which ride along the ridge and engage the beets, thus centring the topping knife. The knife 134 is carried by a further system of links 124, 125 and is preceded by a feeler disc 121 which rides over the beets. The supporting links 120, 131, 124 and 125 for the feeler and knife are interconnected so that, as the feeler rides over a beet, the knife rises, and is also moved backwards, by a predetermined amount depending on the size of the beet. Specification 470,069 is referred to. According to the Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91, means are also provided for digging up the topped beets, so that after the topping operation, the topping unit and elevator are replaced by a digging unit, Fig. 3 (Cancelled), comprising a pair of ploughs 212, which prise the beets from the ground, the beets then being impaled on the circumferential spikes 221 of wheels 220 which are driven at approximately the same linear speed as the machine. Fingers 222 and 223 detach the beets from the spikes and deflect them on to an elevator 229 which discharges on to the conveyer 43. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.