1868 The complete Practical Distiller

THE BEET-RASP.

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On one of the extremities of the axis of the cylinder is an iron pinion, furnished with 16 teeth, working those of a wheel, also of iron, and having 120 teeth ; a handle of 18 inches is fixed on each extremity of the axis of this wheel. Under this cylinder is placed a kind of tank, in- clined in such a manner as to send the pulp obtained into a bucket filling the functions of a recipient ; on the same face of the frame, and before the circumference of the cylinder, is adjusted on a mobile centre a kind of wooden shutter, which receives, from the axis of the pinion and by the aid of swing-gates, a to-and-fro motion, in such a manner as alternately to open and close the interval left between the cylinder and that same shutter for the pas- sage of the beets or potatoes. Nevertheless, the opening is limited by means of a little bar, on which the shutter rests in its back motion. All the parts of this machine, exceeding the frame, are enve- loped in a box, surmounted by a hopper yielding about a quintal of potatoes or beets. From this kind of cage it results that the trituration is efi'ected, very properly, without splashing or loss of matter. 2500 kilogrammes* of beets or potatoes may be reduced in twelve hours by this rasp, worked by only two men. The pulp is then placed in bags, w^hich are to be pil- lared and submitted to the action of a screwing or hydrau- lical press : this kind of press is preferable to any other, because it possesses the greatest force. By these means a quantity of the juice is obtained proportionate to the energy of the machine made use of. With a cylindrical

* A kilogramme is about two pounds.