Historical information

This American-designed digger raised potatoes from the ground to be manually picked up by workers. It was used by Emerald residents in the local area and was owned by the Latter family from the early to the mid-20th century. Potato growing was an important industry in the Emerald area as a source of income for farmers and recent migrants, particularly between the 1930s and 1970s.

Significance

This potato digger is a signifier of the importance of agricultural development in the development of the Emerald area. This is the only known example of the Hoover digger in Victoria.

Physical description

A horse-drawn potato raising machine which passed a share under the row of tubers, followed by both the earth and the potatoes being carried onto a revolving apron with crossbars arranged up and down alternately. The apron revolved, or agitated achieving a sifting action by means of elliptical sprockets. The earth passed through the bars and fell back into the furrow already dug and the tubers were passed over the back and deposited in a row on the loose earth. Two large driving wheels were equipped with lugs and provided power which was transmitted to the elevator by means of gears and shafts.

Inscriptions & markings

Embossed on side: 'MODEL 384 D802L 21 PATENTED SEPT 11 1906'