Method and apparatus for cleaning roots, tubers, bulbs, and the like

Abstract

There is disclosed method and apparatus for cleaning roots, tubers, bulbs, and the like, for example, sugar beets, chicory, Jerusalem artichokes, dahlia, potato, and onions (hereinafter 'articles'). In the apparatus, spaced horizontal rollers have helices on their cylindrical surfaces which scroll the articles laterally to the ends of the rollers where they are deposited on a slide that removes them from the cleaner, or, optionally, returns the articles to the cleaner at strategically located lower positions for stalk removal and/or leaf stripping, or for other desired cleaning. The first sets of rollers are designed to separate small chips, small stones and loose soil from the articles. The next sets of rollers are designed to remove adhering soil and/or mud, weeds, and larger stones. Strategic placement sizing, rotational speed, and direction of rotation of the helices on the rollers are instrumental in removing leaves, stalks, weeds, breaking up dirt clods and mud balls, and cleaning of the articles. A collector for stones and chips is located at the ends, and between pairs, of all rollers. The stone and chip collectors have an adjustable opening for receiving stones and chips, but rejecting the articles. Separation of rocks or stools from the articles is accomplished by increasing the slope of the cleaning apparatus to where the rocks and stools go straight down the screen and the articles are carried to the sides of the cleaning apparatus.