US672150A - Machine for topping beets. - Google Patents

Description

No. 672,|5o. Patented Apr. F6, |901. .1. H. Lunas.

MACHINE FOB TOPPING BEETS,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUs HEINRICH LUHRs, OF FRUITA, COLORADO.

MACHINE FOR TOPPING BEETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 672,150, dated April 16, 1901.

Application iiled J'nly 31, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUs HEINRICH LUHRS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Fruita, in the county of Mesa and State of Colorado, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Topping Beets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

One purpose of the invention is to so construct a machine for topping beets that the cutters will remove practically the same amount of crown from the beets, whether the crowns be justV above the surface of the ground or extend some distance above said surface.

Another purpose of the invention is to construct a machine for topping beets vwhich will be light and strong and to provide means whereby the cutting-section of the machine will automatically adj ust itself to the exposed portions of the beets in its path and cut the crowns at a uniform depth.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the severalV parts, as will he hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a planview of the machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken practically on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

A represents the axle of the machine, upon which axle two ground-wheels 10 are vkeyed or otherwise secured and also a crown-gear 11. In connection with the axle A an inner frame B and an outer frame B' are employed, both of which frames are of skeleton construction and their forward portions are more or less curved. Both of the frames B and B" are pivoted at their rear portions on the axle A, and the movements of the two frames B and B are independent one of the other. The Outer frame B at each side, near the front, is provided with suitable bearings, inwhich the Shanks of caster-wheels 12 are adapted tO turn, and these caster-wheels support the forward portion of the machine and regulate the depth to which the cutter C will act to Serial No. 25,395. KNO model.)

cut the beets from the crowns under ordinary circumstances-that is, when the crowns of the beets are not more than about two inches above the surface of the ground. This cutter will be hereinafter described in detail. The inner frame B normally rests at its front portion upon a cross-bar 13, ext-ending from side to side of the outer frame B' at the rear of the cutter C. The cutter C is carried by the inner frame B and is mounted tO revolve in a gage D. This gage is usuall y constructed as shown in Fig. 2, being substantially in the form of an upright skeleton frame, comprising a rear vertical member 14, an upper hori zontal member 15, a forward vertical member 15a, and the actual gage member 16, which extendsdownward and rearward from the bottom portion of the forward vertical member 15a. This actual gage member 16 will engage with the outer surface of the crown of a beet in its path, provided the crown extends more than the usual distance above the surface of the ground, and the said gage member will thereupon raise the inner frame B, carrying the cutter O, and as the blades of the cutter pass a certain distance beneath the gage member 16 it is evident that no matter whether the crowns of the beets are two, four, or m'ore inches above the surface of the ground said crowns will be Cut from the beets in the path of the cutter at a uniform depth.

The cutter C is secured upon a shaft 17, journaled at its forward end in the forward portion of the inner frame B, from which portion of the inner frame the gage D extends.

with the gear 11, which is secured to the axle,

so that no matter how high or how low the 'main frames of the machine may be placed relative to the ground the driving action from the axle will remain the same and uninterrupted.

The cutter C consists of a spider-like body 21, connected with a suitable hub 22, the hub being secured to the forward end of the shaft 17, which end extends beyond the forward portion of the inner frame B, the members of the said spider-like body being provided IOO with blades 23, extending outward from the said members or arms approximatelyat right angles thereto, so that when in the cutting position they will be approximately parallel to the plane of the ground, as is particularly shown in Fig. 3.

In placing the cutter in position the blades 23 when in their lower position will be about two inches below the gage member 16 of the gage device D, thus gaging the depth to which the beets are to be topped that have grown.,

more than two inches, for example, above the ground.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A machine for topping beets and other plants, said machine comprising an inner and an outer frame pivotally mounted and wheelsupported, one frame being independent of the other, a cutter carried by one of the frames, a gage carried by the same frame, arranged to regulate the distance of the cutters from the ground by the said gage engaging with the upper surface of the beet to be topped, and a driving mechanism for the cutter, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for topping beets and other plants, a cutter capable of free movement to and from the ground, means for supporting the cutter normally at a distance above the ground, and a gage having a member extendingr a certain distance above a blade of the cutter when in cutting position, the said member being adapted for engagement with the upper surface of a beet to be topped when the said beet extends more than the usual distance above the surface of the ground.

3. In a machine for topping beets and other plants, the combination, with a wheel-supported axle, an inner and an outer frame pivoted on the said axle, and caster-supports for the outer frame, of a shaft journaled at its forward end in the forward portion of the inner frame, a bearing for the rear Yend of the shaft pivoted on the said axle, a cutter secured to the forward portion of the said shaft, a gage supported by the inner frame, in which the said cutter turns, the gage having a directing member which extends downward and rearward, and beneath which member the blades of the cutter pass when in their lower position, and a driving connection between the said axle and 'the said shaft.

4. In a machine for topping beets and other plants, the combination, with an inner and an outer frame, pivotal supports for the rear ends of said frames, a caster-support for the forward portion of the outer frame, and a wheeled support for the rear portions of said frames, of a shaft having its forward end journaled in the inner frame, a rear bearing for the shaft having theV pivoted supports, a cutter secured to the forward end of the shaft, consisting of a spider-like body having blades extended outward from the ends thereof approximately at right angles thereto, and a gage supported by the forward portion of the inner frame, in which gage the cutter revolves, the forward and lower member of the gage being given a downward and rearward inclination and a location atagiven distance above a lower blade of the cutter, and means 'for driving the said shaft, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

J ULIUS HEINRICH LUHRS.

Witnesses:

EDWIN M. SLocoMB, H. J. WHEELER.

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