Patent GB-134442-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Mowing Machines.
Inventor: ANDRE PAUL
IPC: A01D34/08
Filed: 1919-01-17
Abstract: 134,442. Andre, P. Nov. 14, 1918, [Convention date]. Mowing-machines.-In a two-wheeled mowing- machine which has the cutting-apparatus in front and is controlled by an operator walking behind, the cutting-apparatus is operated by a rod or piston housed in the forward extension of the frame and reciprocated longitudinally by an engine. In the machine shown in Fig. 2, a single-cylinder engine with its axis at right-angles to the cutteroperating rod 10 is employed. The ground wheels 4, 5 are mounted on sleeves 2, 3 projecting from the crank case 1. The crank-shaft 6 rotates in the sleeves 2, 3 and carries fly-wheels 7. The balanced crank drives the rod 10 through a connecting-rod 9. A differential shaft 16 is mounted in a gear-box 15 and drives the wheel 4, 5 through spur-gearing 17, 18. It is connected tn the crank-shaft 6 by spur-gearing 19, 20 and a clutch 21 controlled by lever mechanism 40 mounted on the rearwardly projecting handlebars 24. A balance weight is adjusted longitudinally in a cylinder 27 by means of a link 28, a sliding block, and a catch 29. Beneath the cylinder 27 is a wheel which rests on the ground when the machine is tilted backwards. The balanceweight may be mounted on the sleeve 11 in which the rod 10 works and to which the frame 31 carrying the cutting-apparatus is attached. Brakes are operated through rods 42. They may be used singly for steering purposes. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, a two-stroke engine with its axis parallel to the cutter-operating rod 10 is employed. It is arranged on the side opposite to the cutting- apparatus for balancing purposes. The crank case is used for suction and discharge of gases, the radiator is ventilated by the ejection of the exhaust gases, and the cutter-operating rod 10 forms a piston acting as the pump piston. Fig. 5 shows one form of cutting-apparatus which may be employed. The finger-bar 32 has a shoe b at each end and its inclination is adjustable. Vertically adjustable rollers r, r<1> may be mounted on the shoes b or the frame 31; or a single roller may be placed under the frame 31. The cutter is reciprocated by a bell-crank lever 34 connected to it by a link 35 and a ball joint 36. A balanceweight is provided at c or at c<1>. The cutter may be in two parts operated towards and away from one another by two bell-crank levers as shown in Fig. 2. The bell-crank levers 34 are connected to the rod 10 by ball-and-socket joints or by connecting-rods. To ensure the cutting of the crop where the two cutters meet, a reversely bevelled blade is connected to one of the cutter-bars in such a way as to slide over the end blade of the other cutter and cut against the under surface of the upper part of the central fingers. Instead of the cutting-apparatus described, two superposed cutters co-operating with one another may be employed. The engine may be arranged to drive the cutting-apparatus only. In this case, the wheels would be provided with means for preventing skidding in the transverse but not in the longitudinal direction. Two swath-boards or track-clearers p, Fig. 2, are arranged as shown.