GB570628A - Improvements in or relating to potato harvesting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

570,628. Potato harvesters. AVELING-BARFORD, Ltd., and HENDERSON, W. M. Oct. 19, 1943, Nos. 17169/43 and 21063/44. [Class 6 (iii)] A potato harvesting machine of the kind including a circulatory endless combined main conveyor and screen apron 12 is provided with potato - drill - undercutting means in the form of a supplementary conveyor, comprising a pair at least of rotary disc members 13 or turntables mounted abreast at the front end of the apron and arranged for rotation substantially in a rearwardly ascending plane, containing the upper flight of the apron. The discs shown are mounted on inclined shafts 17, which are driven stepwise in opposite directions by ratchet and pawl gearing 19, links 20, lever 21, crank 22, and shaft 23, the latter being driven by an engine mounted on the machine. The discs co-operate with a curved plough member 11 to lift the potatoes, the latter being transferred by the discs to the conveyor 12, which is vibrated by vibrators 16. An abutment member may be fitted between and to the rear of the discs to break up the soil as it passes on to the conveyor. One or more brushes 24, 25 mounted on links 26, 27 pivoted to the chassis 10 may be' arranged above the upper run of the conveyor, each brush being rotated by its contact with the conveyor and serving to assist the ,movement of the potatoes up the conveyor. The machine has a drawbar 31 whereby it may be towed by a tractor; alternatively it may be selfpropelled.