An improved potato harvester or machine for separating potatoes and similar crops from stones and other materials

摘要

708,024. Separating solid materials. CAIRNS, W. R., and SOUTER, J. S. Jan. 12, 1953 [Oct. 19, 1951; Aug. 27, 1952], Nos. 24418/51 and 21519/52. Class 117. A machine, for use with a potato harvester, for separating potatoes 'from stones, earth &c., delivers the mixture to the upper surface of a resiliently-surfaced drug rotating in a direction opposite to that of the feed thereto. The mixture from the harvester arrives on conveyer 4 and is fed on to a travelling belt 5 running on rollers 6 ... 10, of which roller 9 is driven. The material is slowed down by a flexible tongued apron 16, the position of which may be adjusted by .moving the transverse rod 17 in guides 18. The material may then fall on a plurality of flexible fingers 24 on its way to the separating drum 11, any rebounding material being caught by further flexible angers 25 and dropped through the gap between the fingers. The position of fingers 25 may be adjusted by mechanism 27 ... 30. The drum 11 ds rotated clockwise and comprises spaced longitudinal slats 61 around which is stretched rubber sheeting 62. Stones &c. falling on the drum are carried round thereby to fall to the ground while potatoes, being lighter and smoother, roll over the drum in the opposite direction. In order to effect a final separation of any remaining stones with the potatoes, the latter after retardation by flexible tines 31 fall on a shelf 12 and thence to a rapidly rotating roller 13. Roller 13 is wound with rubber cord and potatoes falling on it roll over a rubber check strap 14 and fixed bar 15 to a lateral conveyer, while stones are discharged through the gap between the roller 13 and shelf 12. Various adjustments for the position of the operative members of the separator are provided, Fig. 1 (not shown).