GB588662A - Improvements in potato planters - Google Patents

Abstract

588,662. Potato planters. PROUDLOCK, G. Aug. 11, 1944, No. 15322. [Class 6 (i)] A potato planting machine comprises a rotary distributor which is driven intermittently from the vehicle wheels in such manner that the pockets when arrested register with a downwardly directed feed shoot, sufficient time thereby being allowed for the largest potato to pass down the shoot before the pocket containing it moves out of register with the shoot. In the construction shown three distributors each having six pockets are mounted on a shaft 8 on the end of which are fitted six arms 6 which are engaged and moved by pins 4 mounted on a disc 3 connected to the ground wheel 1. At the other end of the disc is a hexagonal wheel on which bears a leaf spring 12. Thus as the machine moves over the ground the pins 4 will impart a step by step movement to shaft 8, each movement being completed by the leaf spring. At each step a pocket registers with a downwardly directed shoot 14 and discharges a potato. The number of pins 4 may be varied. Three ploughs 15 cover the planted potatoes, and manure is distributed over the ground by a hopper 16 fitted with a distributing shaft 17.