Friend of mine has a beet lifter that's just about ready to go to the field. However, there's a few questions yet to be resolved... primarily involving the tongue. Here's a couple photos of the contraption being discussed:
The machine was taken apart by a previous owner, painted and put back together. Possibly incorrectly. Here's what I think I know about it:
I THINK that the square U-bolt under the front crosspiece should be above that crosspiece and not under it.
I THINK that the square U-bolt should allow the tongue some movement from side-to-side while the machine is in operation, to permit foot steering.
I THINK that when you are simply transporting the machine from point A to point B that the front steering wheels do not touch the ground - that they are only in contact when the beet lifting shares are sunk in the ground.
I THINK that the flat U-bracket under the second crosspiece should also be above the crosspiece and not under it.
I THINK that the flat U-bracket under the second crosspiece is where the tongue should pivot.
But what the heck is that extra L-shaped piece of iron that is rattling around in that U-bracket?
And what is the piece of plate with the V-shaped notch projecting down from the front crosspiece?
Was there supposed to be a draft rod of some sort?
We know that there are coulter wheels missing; we do have the mounting brackets for those.
Does anyone have any insight regarding this piece of equipment? Any photos we can refer to? The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow would of course be a manual from the manufacturer, but I'm not sure who that might be. Pretty sure it's not a J.D., despite the optimistic paint job. No casting marks that would indicate that it is a J.D.
It is very similar to a Cockshutt but there are several significant differences between this model and the lone photo I have found of a Cockshutt horse-drawn beet lifter.
Response by beet lifter......this is as close as I can find. at 2013-06-28 21:56:00
Just thin king out loud it looks like a front end on a disc. Doubletree right to the u bolt and if you want a tounge it can hook to the L. Just pondering.
never seen one of these before but you can't have solid tounge and make steering work. i'd hook on to the yoke and see happens.
