GB872740A - Improvements in or relating to machines for use in topping beet and like root crops - Google Patents

Abstract

872,740. Root-crop harvesters. STANDEN & SONS Ltd., F.A. and STANDEN, P. Oct. 2 1958 [Oct. 2, 1957 June 27, 1958] Nos. 30915/57 and 20642/58. Class 6(3). A beetroot topping and top-collecting apparatus includes a topping knife 59, the height of which above the ground is controlled by a rotary feeler 30, a top-elevator 15 and means for supporting the severed tops in their passage from the knife to the elevator, the topping assembly being capable of movement independently of, and relatively to the elevator, as the machine advances. The apparatus is attached to the harvesting machine described in Specification 662,804 and the topping mechanism is similar to that described in Specification 842,423 and consists of a pivoted frame 24 carrying the feeler-wheels 30 and a frame 61 pivoted at 62 to brackets 63 depending from the frame 24. The frame 61 is linked to the frame 24 by a member 66 and carries the knife 59 having rearwardly-extending tines 65 which support the cut-tops in their passage to the elevator 15. The elevator is fixed on the main frame 1 of the harvester and has a chain-link floor and rigid side-walls 16, a grid 53 of bars 54 presses tops down on to the upper chain-run. Rotary cleaning discs 44 interleave with the feelerwheels. The elevator 15 discharges at its upper end on to an endless transverse conveyer 79 which delivers to a shoot 91 adjustably mounted on the harvester frame. A thrashing mechanism 98 of the type described in Specification 662,804 follows the topping mechanism which is preceded by vertical disc-coulters 72 to cut off loosely-spreading beet-foliage. The topping mechanism, elevator and disc-coulters are, laterally adjustable on cross-members 12, 76 of the harvester frame. Specifications 710,657 and 657,174 also are referred to.