Processor for rhizomes and the like

摘要

A method and apparatus for processing harvested miscanthus or other rhizomes to condition them for replanting to grow new miscanthus plants are disclosed. Bulk quantities of clusters of rhizomes are supplied to a first inclined ramp conveyor, the clusters of rhizomes are caught on a mechanism that pushes the clusters of rhizomes to a location where the clusters of rhizomes encounter obstructers that cooperate with the mechanism to cut and reduce the size of the clusters. The reduced size clusters are vibrated to loosen and separate soil from the reduced size cluster of rhizomes, washed to wash dirt from the clusters, and collected for supply to a planter.

主权项

1. An apparatus for processing clusters of rhizomes to condition the clusters of rhizomes for replanting to grow miscanthus plants comprising:
a hopper for receiving quantities of clusters of rhizomes, a first inclined ramp conveyor positioned to receive the clusters of rhizomes from the hopper and having a live bottom mounted to move the clusters of rhizomes up the first inclined ramp conveyor, including upright posts that move with the live bottom to catch and push the clusters of rhizomes up the first inclined ramp conveyor, the first inclined ramp conveyor provided with superstructure bars extending above the live bottom and having obstructers extending downward from the superstructure bars toward the live bottom, so the upright posts on the live bottom catch and push clusters of rhizomes and soil up the first inclined ramp conveyor and as the clusters of rhizomes encounter the obstructers, the clusters of rhizomes are reduced in size and soil is loosened from the clusters of rhizomes, a second inclined ramp conveyor positioned to receive reduced-size clusters of rhizomes from the first inclined ramp conveyor and having a vibrator to impart vibration to the reduced-size clusters of rhizomes to shake soil from the reduced-size clusters of rhizomes, a washer conveyor downstream of the second inclined ramp conveyor to receive the reduced-size clusters of rhizomes and having a liquid supply apparatus to apply liquid to the reduced-size clusters of rhizomes to wash soil from the reduced-size clusters of rhizomes, and a collector to receive the washed, reduced-size clusters of rhizomes to supply the reduced-size clusters of rhizomes to a planter.