Peanut Digger/Harvester?

[Dale Finch]

The weather was so nice today, that I hit the road to look at a '50 cub for sale, and...well...oh my...yes, I had a weak moment! I didn't actually bring it home...just too much to do to get it on the trailer I had brought. So I'm copping out and paying the guy to deliver it!!

But I digress from the current subject, and wanted to know if anyone has information on what I was told is a peanut digger or harvester? I have done a forum search (one hit, but photos are gone, and I don't think it was the same), and an internet search, and can't find it. (A potato plow is similar.)

I forgot to look for any markings on it. Maybe I'll get the seller to look for anything that might help me identify it. He said they also used it to harvest sweet potatoes. Meanwhile, let me know if you recognize this.

[Don McCombs]

Looks like a potato digger to me. But, I suppose that the same implement could serve both purposes.

[Stevetractor]

Well it it was mine I’d try it in the potatoes. I’m just a little too far north for peanuts. I wonder how you would keep it from plugging? Was there a seat on the top bracket at one time? Either way it looks pretty neat. Good find

[Slim140]

What do the gears/teeth on the wheels do?

[Eugene]

Grandfather had a potato digger, similar. The blade would move (more of a bounce) up and down. The motion shook most of the dirt off the potatoes and left the potatoes on the surface.

[Dale Finch]

What do the gears/teeth on the wheels do?

That is the big question! I was hoping someone here would be familiar with it, and maybe have a photo or drawing, or better yet a manual for it. C'mon guys...YOU are the experts!!

I suspect, having looked at other potato plow photos, that there may have been some sort of "conveyor" in the center area driven by the gears. I did notice the two wheel hubs were different, but didn't look closely. I'm hoping that when I get it home, there will be some sort of identifying tag or markings on it, so I can at least find out the manufacturer, and it's use. Thanks for any info you might find.

[Don McCombs]

Most other harvesters that I have seen had a moving metal mesh or wood slat belt that sifted the dirt away from the potatoes. This one may have also, at one time.

[tmays]

Most other harvesters that I have seen had a moving metal mesh or wood slat belt that sifted the dirt away from the potatoes. This one may have also, at one time.

And I’m thinking that’s what the gears were for in Dale’s pics

[Don McCombs]

Yep.

[ddlebail]

Also, one should consider that the wheels on Dale's pictures are smooth. Don's picture shows traction wheels. Not much traction to drive a sifting mechanism, unless of course peanuts are easier to harvest this way than potatoes, possibly the gears ran a bouncing sifting mechanism?

[Super A]

Wild guess---there was a conveyer/inverter/shaker of some kind in between the wheels. The digging part reminds me of modern peanut diggers with the fingers coming off the back. I don't think it was a potato digger.

I would also be it used to be horse drawn.

Fun fact: IH made some mounted peanut digging/inverting implements for the Super A, I can't remember if they did anything for the Cub or not.

Al

[Dale Finch]

I just texted the seller to look for anything that might go with it, like chains, or a "conveyor assembly". Also asked if he might have ANY manuals on this or the FH Cole Planter that came with it. We'll see!

[CubRepairMan]

I'd like to tell you that you have found a 1930's Horse Drawn Peanut Harvester, Only problem is it's missing parts. Frame and wheel gear but the middle might be there in that barn. Here is a picture of one. Hope this helps you out. Bruce

[Dale Finch]

I'd like to tell you that you have found a 1930's Horse Drawn Peanut Harvester, Only problem is it's missing parts. Frame and wheel gear but the middle might be there in that barn. Here is a picture of one. Hope this helps you out. Bruce

Thank you for the photo! It sure looks the same, and I will send it to the seller to show him what he might be looking for. Appreciate it!!

[Dale Finch]

Bruce, where did you find that photo? Did it say who made the harvester?