GB191208252A - Improvements in Apparatus for Planting Canes, such as Sugar Canes. - Google Patents

Abstract

8252. Altson, J. L., and Clark, J. L. April 4. Cane planters; ploughs. - In a machine for planting canes, endless-band conveyers are employed to deliver the lengths of cane to the trench. In the one-way machine shown, the body 1 is divided into four cane-receptacles 2 and one or two wells 3 for the operators to stand in. The frame 7 has a steering and compacting roller 8, a seat 19, and a draughthook 9 at each end, and two central wheels 8<a>. There are two ploughs 10 and trench fillers 11, which are brought into operation alternately as the machine travels to-and-fro. Each plough 10 is carried by a pivoted arm 12 and is raised and lowered by means of a rack-bar 14 engaging a pinion driven by spur gearing and a crankhandle 21. A ratchet-wheel 24 and pawl 25 hold the plough in its adjusted position. Each trench filler 11 consists of an inclined and curved sheet of metal which is connected to the machine by a chain 31 and raised and lowered by lever mechanism 27, 28, 32. A locking-rack 34 is provided so that the metal sheet may be adjusted so as only partly to fill the trench. Between the two wells 3 and separated by a partition 6, Fig. 4, are two casings 36, in each of which work two conveyer chains 40 provided with projecting loops 41 to receive the pieces of cane and deliver them to the trench below. The lower conveyer shafts 43 are geared together and are driven from one of the wheels 8<a> by reversible bevel - gearing and a clutch actuated by means of a lever 56. The two pairs of chains deliver the canes alternately, and the sprocket-wheels carrying them may be adjusted along the shafts 38, 43. A single pair of chains may be employed. The machine may be adapted to plant canes so that they overlap, and to plant several rows simultaneously. It may be adapted to turn round at the ends of the rows; or the plough, trench filler, seat, and roller may be changeable end for end. Wheels may be substituted for the rollers 8, and the soil compacted by hinged appliances. A disintegrator may break up the soil thrown up by the plough The projections 41 may be differently shaped, and the partition 6 dispensed with. For convenience in loading, the canes may be placed in slings or other receptacles.