US2083128A - Beet harvester - Google Patents

Description

H. O. SPARKS BEET HARVESTER June 8, 1937.

Filed March 3, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l u INVENTOR. Aim R) 0' 63 4/2/16 ATTORNEY.

H. O. SPARKS BEET HARVESTER June 8, 1937.

Filed March s, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

H. O. SPARKS June 8, 1937.

BEET HARYESTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 3, 1936 INVENTOR.

W ATTORNEY.

o. SPARKS June 1937.

BEET HARVESTER Filed March 5, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY. I

H. O. SPARKS BEET HARVESTER June 8, 1937.

Filed March 3, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

fl. l-

. 1 ATTORNEY:

Patented June 8, 1937 'UNlTED STATES ATEQNT OFFICE This invention relates to a combined beet digging and topping machine and has for its principal object the provision of a highly eificient machine which can be drawn along a row of beets 5 in the field and which will dig the beets; cut the tops from thedug beets'; and pile the cut tops in spaced-apart-piles along the rows.

Another "object of the invention is to provide a'machine of this type in which all of the op- 10 erations will be under instant and accurateco'ntrol of the operator; which can be accurately guided along the row of beets; and which canv be accurately regulated both as to the depth of plowing and the thickness of the cut tops.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency.

These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which forma part hereof. Like numerals-refer, to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawingsz- V Fig. 1 is a left side elevation of the improved beet diggingand topping machine.

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation thereof.

Fig-'3 is a longitudinal section therethrough;

s taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 4. V

Fig. 4 is a front view. V Fig. 5 is a detail section through the beet elevator, illustrating the cushioned beet rolls. 7 Fig. 6 is a similar detail section taken on the 35 line 6-8, Fig. 5; v u v Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section illustrating the construction of the beet clamping drums.

' Fig. 8 is adetailplan' View of the'bee't elevator. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the construction of the beet elevator.

the side of the beet elevator, partially broken away to show the interior construction. The

broken away portion of this view is taken on the Fig. '11 is a detail section through one of the.

elevator compression springs taken on the line H- -H,Fig-. 9.

a Fig. 12 is a detail plan view ofthe beet lifting:

Fig. is a fragmentary View illustrating The guiding can be accomplished in any desired manner. As illustrated, steering arms M are projected forwardly from the posts 13 and connected together by means of a tie rod ii. A lever I6 is pivotallyiconnected to the rod l5. The 5 lever 16 is actuated by means of a steering mechanism l 7 which in turn is operated froma steer? ing frame l8. The frame l8 can berocked'froml side to side by the operator to guide the machine accurately along a'row of beets. Thesteer- 10 ing frame can be easily reached from an opera: tors seat l9. s l

The front of the frame I'll can be raised and lowered with reference to the wheels l2. This is accomplished by meansof jack screws 20 which act to raise and lower the forward extremity "of the frame [0 on the steering posits l3.

Between the wheels I 2, a. pair of digging or lifting plows '2! is carried on the l'ower'extremities of curved plow beams 22. The plow b eam's 22 project downwardly and forwardly from a suspended frame 23 which can be raised and lowered to and from the frame ID. The forward extremity of the suspended frame 23 is provided with rollers 24 which travelin verticaliguides 25 at the front 'of the machine as the frame 23' is raised and lowered to prevent horizontal movement'of the suspended frame 23. v

The front of the suspended frame 23 may b raised'from the operators position by means of a first hand le'ver26. The rear of the frame 23 can be raised and lowered by means of a second hand lever 21'.

Thus, by adjusting thepos'ition of the hand levers 2 6 and 27, the operator can, not only con- 3 trol'the depth at which the lifting plows 2| travel, but can also- 'contro'l theangle or .suction of these lows SO that they will maintaihthhlslve s at the desired level with'arm imufniof drag. When the machine is beingtransported and is 2g not in use, both levers 26 and 21 can be operated to lift the plowsjcompletely above the ground.

A spring 28 assists in carrying the weight of the frame 23 to reduce the 'ei'rertion requires in op erating the lovers 26 and 21. v, I 4

Immediately ahead of the plows 21, two rolling 7 discs 29 are positioned. The discs 29 are carried on rotatable bracket arms from the suspended frame'23 so that their angle can be'adj'usted an so that they will raise and lower with the sus 5o pended frame 23.

A beet elevator extends 'rearwardly enact. wardly from a position to the rear of the plows 21. The beet elevator consists of two cooperating endless belt-chains 3B, which engage opposite sides of the beet leaves or tops and elevate the beets to the rear of the machine suspended by their tops. The belt-chains preferably comprise endless sprocket chains 30w, the outer faces of which are covered by means of canvas or fabric pads 36b riveted or otherwise secured to the chains 30a. The belt-chains 3B are suspended between power sprockets 3! at the upper rear of the machine and front idler sprockets 32 positione-d immediately behind the plows 2|.

The inner reaches of the belt-chains 30 are constantly pressed toward each other by means of compression springs 33 which act against a series of overlapped angle bars 34 which form a flexible track to press the angle bars against the belt-chains. This track is supported upon a series of slides 35, there being one slide positioned adjacent each of the springs 33. The slides 35 rigidly project from a chain frame member 36 which extends parallel to the run of the beltchains 36. The rearward extremities of the chain frame members 36 are suspended, by means of a suitable hanging frame 37, from a cross shaft 38.

The cross shaft 38 is mounted in suitable bearings upon an L-shaped lever 39 pivoted to the top of the frame ID at 40, so that the shaft may be raised or lowered as desired. The levers 39 at the opposite sides of the machine are connected to a common crank shaft 4! by means of connecting bars 42 so that the levers 39 at the opposite sides will move in unison. These levers can be swung by means of a hand lever 43 through the medium of a connecting rod 44 so that the rear extremity of the beet elevator can be raised and lowered as desired.

The forward extremity of the elevator is supported from a bracket 45 which in turn is suspended by means of a hanger bar 46 from a crank arm 41 operated by means of a hand lever 48. Thus, by operation of the hand levers 43 and 48 the height of either or both extremities of the elevator and the incline thereof can be changed at will.

The power sprockets 3| are mounted upon sprocket shafts 49 which terminate at their upper extremities in bevel gears 50 driven from the cross shaft 38. Power is supplied to the cross shaft 38 through the medium of a sprocket chain 5| from a power shaft 52 which extends across the frame lllabove the beet elevator. The power shaft 52 is driven from a suitable engine 53 which delivers its power through a series of chains and sprockets conveniently shown at 54, which serve as speed reducers, to the shaft 52.

Below the belt-chains 30 and adjacent the rear of their travel, are two vertically-inclined, cushioned drums 55. The cushioned drums 55 are secured on angle shafts 56 driven from a. lateral gear shaft 51, which in'turn is driven from the shaft 52 by means of a sprocket chain 58.

The detail construction of the drums 55 is illustrated in Fig. 7. Each comprises a bottom ring band 59 from which flexible leaves or staves 60 of spring steel or similar material extend upwardly to form a flexible cylindrical skirt. The staves 60 are preferably covered by means of a'flexible canvas cover 6| forming a complete cylindrical roller or drum of exceeding flexibility. It is pre ferred to provide slats 62 upon the exterior of the drums 55 to give them greater gripping qualities.

A bracket 63 extends downwardly within each drum. A pair of roller arms 64 is hinged to the bracket 63 within each of the drums 55. Each of the roller arms terminates in an internal roller 65.

The rollers 65 are constantly pressed against the inner surface of the cushioned drum 55 by means of compression springs 66. The two drums 55 are positioned opposite each other on opposite sides of, and below, the belt-chains. The internal rollers are positioned opposite the adjacent sides of the two cushioned drums 55.

A reciprocating knife blade 61 extends laterally across the frame l0 between the belt chains 30 and the cushion drums 55. The knife blade is carried in oppositely positioned guides 69 so that it is maintained in a fixed position but is free to reciprocate longitudinally. The reciprocation is imparted by a crank 69 which is connected through a connecting rod ill with the knife blade 61. The crank 69 is driven through miter gears H from a sprocket shaft 12 which in turn is driven by means of a chain 13 from the power shaft 52.

Immediately behind the cushion drums 55 is a beet receiving compartment 74, in the bottom of which a beet conveyer I5 is positioned. The conveyer 15 is driven through a drive chain 16, bevel gears 11, and a sprocket chain 18 from the power shaft 52.

A top receiving compartment 19 is positioned immediately back of the upper and rearward extremity of the belt chains 30. A top conveyor is positioned in the top receiving compartment 19 and extends laterally of the machine. The conveyer 80 is driven from a shaft 8| extending to a sprocket 82 which meshes with the chain 16. The beet conveyer l5 and the top conveyer 80, bothextend outwardly to one side of the machine and both are preferably inclined upwardly so as to elevate the beets and tops to that side.

The top conveyer 80 terminates over a receiving hopper 83 provided with a hinged bottom 84 which is held in the closed position by means of a dump lever 85 connected through to the bottom 84 by means of a connecting rod 86.

The device may be connected to any suitable traction means such as a team or tractor by means of a suitable draw bar 81.

Operation The machine is driven over a row of beets, the jack screws 20 are adjusted to properly level the machine. The plow adjusting levers 26 and 21 are adjusted to place the plows 2| the proper distance below the ground so that they will travel along each side of the beets to loosen and lift them from their positions, as shown in Fig. 3. These plows are designed to lift the beets straight upwardly from the ground, allowing them to remain in a loose elevated position. The discs break the ground at each side of the row and throw the dirt and clods outward to prevent piling over the plows.

The plows are followed by the belt-chains 30 which roll inwardly and engage and squeeze the beet tops or leaves and stalks between them. This grip is maintained throughout the length of the beet elevator. The angle or incline of the elevator lifts the suspended beets until they reach the cushioned drums 55. The rotation of these drums rolls the beets tightly between them and the action of the spring staves 60 and the compression springs 66 of the drums maintains a tight grip on the beet as it passes. It is desired to call attention to the fact that the beet is gripped rigidly, first by its top stems and leaves which are between the belt-chains 30 and also by its body which is practically surrounded by the cushioned surface of the drums 55. The four inof the lever 48.

1 construction of the digging plows 2|.

a sence:

ner rollers 65 clamp the. flexible roll surface about the two sideso-f thebeet as shown in Fig. 6. 1m this rigidly; held condition, the beet passes the rapidly reciprocating knife blade 6l which severs the topfrom the beet as it passes.

The rotation ofxthe drums 55.snaps the gripped beet from the grip of the inner rollers. 65' and. throws: it into the beet compartment 14. The.

conveyer 151 then carries thetopped beet to one side of the machine and deposits it in the clear space. between the rows. retained, between the belt-chains 30xand carried upwardly whereit is thrown from between the.

belts into-the top compartments 19 and upon the conveyerciifl. to the side and'piles them in the hopper 83. At desired intervals the operator operates the dump lever 85: to discharge theaccumulated tops into piles alongthe beet row which can be later loaded:

and stored for feed.

The point at which the belt-chains 30 grip thetops can be quickly and easily adjusted to the most satisfactory position by adjusting the height of thefront extremity of the belt-chain by means Should it still be found that the knife is not cutting the proper depth of top from the beets, the rear extremity of the chain belt can be accurately raised or lowered by means of the lever 43 so as to vary the vertical position of the beet at the point where it enters the cushion drums 55. Therefore an accurate control of both; the digging and the. topping is within reach of the operator at all times.

It is desired to call particular attention to the It has been found that the most satisfactory plows for the purpose of this machine are two relatively flat' bars lying in a common, substantially horizontal plane. The forward extremities of the bars are ,fiared outwardly, as-shown in Fig. 12, and the rearward extremities approach each other on a more gradual wedging angle. This construction passes readily through the ground and wedges the beets upwardly therein in substantially a vertical l position. To assist in the wedging action, and to reduce the drag upon the plows, the forward flared extremities of the bars are beveled on their inner surfaces, as indicated at 88.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from'the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent 1s:-

1. A beet digging and topping machine comprising: a wheeled frame; beet lifting plows suspended below the forward extremity of said frame; a pair of endless clamping belts extending from a position to the rear of and above said lifting plows and extending upwardly and rearwardly in said frame; resilient -means for forcing said clamping belts against each other so that they will engage and hold a beet top after the beet has been lifted by said plows; and a knife for severing the tops from the suspended beets as the latter are carried along by said clamping belts; and. means for raising or lowering the rearward extremities of said clamping belts.

2. A beet digging and topping machine comprising: a wheeled frame; beet lifting plows sus pended below the forward extremity of said The severed top-is still The conveyer' 89: carries. the: tops.

frame; a pair of endless' clamping belts extending-from a position to-therear. of and abovesaid. liftingplowsand extending upwardly and rear wardly in said frame; resilient meansfor forcing said clamping belts against each other sothat they will engage and hold: a beet top after the beet has been lifted b-y'said plows; and a knifefor severing the topsfrom the suspended beets as the latter are carried along by said; clamping belts; and means for independently raising or lowering eithen extremity of said clamping belts.

3. 'A' beet topping device for'beetl diggers of the typehavingn beet lifting. plows comprising; a pair of adjacent endless belt-like membersextending rearwardly, and upwardly from said. plows; means for forcing one face of each mem ber toward the adjacentv face of the opposite member; means for causing said adjacentfaces to travel rearwardly so that they will clamp a beet top and carry. a beet suspended by said top;,and means for severing the suspended beets I from said top as they travel; a pair of cushioned rotary members positioned below said belt-like members so as to engage the opposite sides of a suspendedzbeet at a. predetermined point in its.

a travel; and a knife member positioned between ering the suspended beets from said'top as they travel, a pair of cushioned rotary members positioned below said belt-like members so asto enage the opposite sides of a suspended beet at a predetermined point in its travel; a reciprocating knife positioned. between. said belt-like members and said rotary members; and means for reciprocating said knife so that it will sever the top from a beet while the latter is clamped between said rotary members.

5. Means for elevating loosened beets from the ground and conveying said beets to a topping mechanism comprising: two similar, longitudinally extending, endless, belt-like members extending parallel to and adjacent each other; springs positioned between the sides of each of said members and acting to urge the adjacent sides of both against each other so that said members will engage the opposite sides of the stalks and leaves of a beet top and carry the beet suspended by its top upwardly to a topping mechanism; and rotary means for engaging the opposite sides of a beet when the latter has reached said topping mechanism to hold it in the proper position for topping.

6. Means for elevating loosened beets from the ground and conveying said beets to a topping mechanism comprising: two similar, longitudinally extending, endless, belt-like members extending parallel to and adjacent each other; springs positioned between the sides of each of said members and acting to urge the adjacent sides of both against each other so that said members will engage the opposite sides of the stalks and leaves of a beet top and carry the beet suspended by its topupwardly to a topping mechanlsm; and rotary means for engaging the opposite sides of a beet when the latter has reachedv said topping mechanism to hold it in the proper position for topping; each of said rotary members' comprising: a flexible, cylindrical drum; and a shaft extending through and connected to said drum to rotate the latter.

'7. Means for elevating loosened beets from the ground and conveying said beets to a topping mechanism comprising: two similar, longitudinally extending, endless, belt-like members extending parallel to and adjacent each other; springs positionedvbetween the sides of each of said members and acting to urge the adjacent sides of both against each other so that said members will engage the opposite sides of the stalks and leaves of a beet top and carry the beet suspended by its top upwardly to a topping mechanism; and a pair of rotary members for engaging the opposite sides of a beet when the latter has reached said topping mechanism to hold it in the proper position for topping, each of said rotary members comprising: a flexible, cylindrical drum; and a shaft extending through and connected to said drum to rotate the latter; and means within each drum for forcing the adjacent flexible sides of both drums toward each other.

8. A combined beet digging and topping machine comprising: a supporting frame; wheels supporting said frame; a beet digging plow suspended from the forward extremity of said frame; a pair of clamping belts extending upwardly and rearwardly from said plows so as to engage the tops of the beets as they are dug by said plows and carry said beets upwardly and rearwardly suspended by their tops; a topping knife positioned in the path of travel of said beets to sever the tops therefrom; and cushioned rotary means for successively engaging the beets as they reach said knife.

9. A combined beet digging and topping machine comprising: a supporting frame; wheels supporting said frame; a beet digging plow suspended from the forwardextremity of said frame; a pair of clamping belts extending upwardly and rearwardly from said plows so as to engage the tops of the beets as they are dug by said plows and carry said beets upwardly and rearwardly suspended by their tops; a topping knife positioned in the path of travel of said beets to sever the tops therefrom; cushioned rotary means for successively engaging the beets as they reach said knife; and holding the beets after they have been severed from their tops; a beet compartment for receiving the beets from said rotary means; and means for conveying the beets from said beet compartment.

10. A combined beet digging and topping machine comprising: a supporting frame; wheels supporting said frame; a beet digging plow suspended from the forward extremity of said frame; a pair of clamping belts extending upwardly and rearwardly from said plows so as to engage the tops of the beets as they are dug by said plows and carry said beets upwardly and rearwardly suspended by their tops; a topping knife positioned in the path of travel of said beets to sever the tops therefrom; cushioned rotary means for successively engaging the beets as they reach said knife; and holding the beets after they have been severed from their tops; a beet compartment for receiving the beets from said rotary means; means for conveying the beets from said beet compartment; a top compartment for receiving the tops; conveying means for carrying the tops from said top compartment; a hopper for receiving the tops from said conveying means; and means for dumping said hopper at desired intervals to pile said tops in spaced apart piles.

HENRY O. SPARKS.

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