A new or improved separating mechanism for use with conveyors, particularly in root harvesters

摘要

670,706. Potato harvesters. WHITSED, W. J. Jan. 16, 1950 [Feb. 5, 1949], No. 3245/49. Class 6(iii) [Also in Group II] A potato or beet harvester has an endless conveyer 1 of the chain web type by which the roots together with attached haulm and rubbish are discharged on to a travelling riddle 2 encircling at least the top lap of transverse horizontal conveyer 3. The riddle comprises two endless side chains 4 mounted on rollers 5, 6, 7, 8 and driving sprockets 9, the chains being connected by cross-bars 10. The cross-bars 10 comprise rods 11 fixed to the chains and tubes 13 mounted freely on the rods carrying rigid arched tines 14 sufficiently long to overlap the next succeeding bar 10. Thus the upper lap of the riddle is more or less rigid while as the bars 10 pass around the upper rollers 7 the tines 14 rotate to hang downwardly on the lower run, thereby discharging any material clinging to them. As the tines enter the horizontal lap they pass over a horizontal frame member 15 which removes any remaining material. An inclined screen 16, which may be slotted or reticulated is placed beneath the upper lap of the riddle to guide potatoes falling through the riddle. The tines instead of being mounted to pivot simultaneously, e.g. by welding to the tubes 13, may be individually pivoted.