Hoover Combined Potato Digging and Picking Machine

This machine was extensively used in the large potato-growing districts where late potatoes were grown, and hence no heavy roller is deemed necessary to crush the vines in front of the plow, because the vines of late potatoes are almost always allowed to die before they are harvested. This machine is meant for operation in heavy soils and to be pulled by four horses, but, of course, it can also be operated in lighter soils. The separating device in this case consists of a long chain apron (a) running up under the driver’s seat. The tubers are well separated from the dirt and fairly well separated from the vines during the ascent of this chain apron. At the top of the chain apron the tubers fall into the box (b), which is the main part of the picking attachment, and the vines are carried over the top on small endless chains (c) and dropped off at the rear. The tubers fall onto the small endless chain apron (d) at the bottom of the picking attachment and are carried up and dropped into the sheet-iron box (e); the part (f) helps to guide the tubers into the box (e) to prevent them from being thrown to the ground. The bottom of the box (e) is made in two sections; the box holds about 1 bushel, and when it is filled it may be dumped by operating the small lever (g), which drops the doors and the potatoes are deposited in a heap on the ground. If desired the box (e) may be removed and a wooden bushel crate set on the small platform (h); as soon as this crate is filled it can be pulled off at the rear end, dropped on the ground, and another crate substituted in its place; this is advisable if the soil is particularly clean and no rubbish gets into the crates, as it then saves considerable labor in picking. The operation of the picker was meant to save labor. It had its limitations, however. In stony soil or in soil that is filled with clods, the potatoes would be so mixed with stones and clods that much sorting would have to be done in the piles deposited by the machine, and the saving in labor would be less. In such unfavorable soil, the picking attachment could be removed from the machine and a shaker with tines.

To operate to best advantage, all elevator diggers should be drawn along at a comparatively slow but steady speed. To avoid breakdowns, plenty of grease and oil should be applied every little while.

Editor’s Note: This is one implement I have never actually seen. Or perhaps when I saw it it didn’t register in my feeble brain. It fascinates me just how complex some of these ground drive implements became and makes me wonder if there isn’t something we ought to return to. LRM