Improvements relating to apparatus for thinning growing seedlings, and hoeing between plants, growing in rows

摘要

943,102. Soil working impliments. J. CRACKNELL, J. C. CRACKNELL, and D. N. COOPER. April 21, 1961 [Jan. 22, 1960; June 3, 1960], Nos. 2413/60 and 19709/60. Heading A1B. A tractor drawn machine for gapping seedlings comprises cutting blades 7 and rotary flails 8, for removing the chopped cut seedlings, which are moved into and out of contact with the seedlings and are retained in an inoperative position for a predetermined time and distance dependent upon the rate of travel of the machine. Trip arms 9 which are moved by a pointer held by an operator, each operate a switch 10 which by means of a solenoid controls a clutch 13 which engages to connect a drive from the tractor power shaft to a disc 17 which moves the cutters 7 and flails 8. The disc 17 has a cam 24 which co-acts with a hold-on switch 25 which retains the circuit closed after the switch 10 has been actuated. After one revolution of disc 17 the cam 24 opens switch 25 and the drive to disc 17 is disconnected.