Patent GB-191012728-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Mowing and Reaping Machines.
IPC: A01D34/24
Filed: 1910-05-25
Granted: 1910-10-20
Abstract: 12,728. Fahr, J. G., [Firm of]. March 31, [Convention date]. Reaping and mowing machines. - Relates to reaping and mowing machines in which the raising of the cutter-bar and the simultaneous connexion or disconnexion of the driving- mechanism for the cutter-bar is effected by power derived from the main axle in the forward movement of the machine. The usual lifting-lever 1 is connected by a chain 4 to a drum 30 on a shaft 6 mounted at one end in a bearing 7 so shaped as to allow a certain amount of tilting movement to the shaft 6. A pinion 9 is mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 6 and can be thrown into or out of engagement with a gear-wheel 10 on the axle of the main wheels by tilting the shaft 6; this is effected by means of an arm 15 on a shaft 13 operated by a pedal 12, which engages a movable bearing 17 carrying the end of the shaft 6 near the pinion 9. When the pinion 9 is in engagement with the wheel 10, the shaft 6 is rotated, and the chain 4 operates the lifting-lever 1 to raise the cutter-bar. The rotation of the shaft 6 simultaneously effects the discorinexion of the driving-mechanism by means of a cam 31 on the shaft 6 actuating a spring-controlled lever 33 on a shaft 34, which is mounted above the shaft 13 and provided with an arm 47; this, by means of a link 60, throws the driving-mechanism out of gear in any known way. Provision is made for lifting the cutterbar to some extent without employing the power-actuated mechanism described above; this is effected by means of a pedal lever 46 pivoted on the lifting-lever 1 and also engaging a stop 48 on the same lever, Means are provided for throwing the driving-mechanism out of gear when the cutter-bar is raised by means of the lever 46, and consist of a cam-wheel 28 mounted loosely on the shaft 13 to actuate the lever 33 on the shaft 34, the wheel 28 being actuated by a link 29 connected to the lifting-lever 1. The lifting-lever 1 may be locked in one of three positions by means of a spring-controlled catch 39 and a segment on the main frame 8 having three notches 49, 50, 51, Figs. 1 and 6. A weighted cam lever 38 is pivoted on the segment eccentrically in such a way that, when the cutting-apparatus is being raised, the catch 39 pushes the lever 38 in front of it so that the catch can enter the notch 50 and lock the lever in the intermediate position, while, when the cutting-apparatus falls by its own weight on the release of the catch 39 from the notch 51, the catch rides over the end of the lever 38, which, in this position, rests against a stop 42, thus missing the notch 50, and the cutting-apparatus continues without interruption to fall to its lowest position, in which the catch 39 is in engagement with the notch 49. The catch 39 is released by a pedal lever 41. In order to avoid strains which would be caused by the drag-bar 37 falling to the ground before the cutter-bar reaches the horizontal position, a swinging hook 35 is provided to retain the drag-bar 37 for an interval in its descent. The hook 35 has an extension 53, which is engaged by a projection 54 on the link 36 connected to the lifting-lever 1 and the lifting-spring 55, so that, at the. desired moment, the hook 35 is moved to release the drag-bar 37, which then falls to the ground.