The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-07
Important Invention in Agricultural 1mple-

ments.
DR.. H. r. Allen, of the Surgical Institute, it is
we'll known, is the inventor of all the ingenious
contrivances employed in that establishment for
the correction of deformities. and other opera
lions of mechanical surgery constantly conduct
ed there; but it is not so generally known that
his inventive genius is by no means confined to
professional appliances. He frequently makes
excursions into other fields, and with decided
success. At least he has done so with signal sue
cess in one recent instance, of which a Journal
reporter received a description the other day
from one of the most eminent scientists OF the
State, who is at the same time one of the most
extensive and successful farmers in the State.
He has made the construction and use of labor
saving agricultural machinery a lifelong study,
and been always prompt to employ on his farm
any invention that promised good results. Con-
sequently he understands this class of macbiD-
cry and implements, "as we'll as he that makes
Them" as Falstaff says. This invention of DR..
Aliens is a moving machine, presenting no less
than six distinct inventions for the economy of
time or labor. The general effect of all the i'm
prOvements Is discerned in the llghtness and
easy motion of the apparatus, reducing by more
than one-halt the power required to operate it;
but the special features, as perspicuously as the
reporter can describe them, are: "Rollers,"
| against and upon which the back of the sickle
bar runs, reducing the friction and force needed
for perfect action greatly. The difference of ia
cility of motion is precisely of the same nature
and extent as the difference between hauling q
load on a dry road with a sled ana hauling the
| same load on wheels. The sickle is made entire
ly of steel, the back being rolled from sheets so
| constructed as to secure the sections automatic
ally without rivets; 1t also makes it exceedingly
strong. The whole sickle, when completed,
weighs about half as much as those in ordinary
| use, The sections are very much thinner. DelD0
made of the finest quality of steel, cutting much
like the old scythe blade, and very much lessen
the danger of choking In wet grass. Besides,
they cut much more easily and freely at all
times. Every farmer experiences the delay and
vexation of removing The broken sections from
a knife, and especially of grinding them. This
inventions allows every section to be removed in
a moment, when they are all placed in a little
tool in such a manner that they may be all
ground at once by any ordinary boy; and there
Is no possibility of getting an improper beVel or
| ipjurlng a section by grinding. Damaged seq
tions may be, at the same time, replaced by good
ones. The sections are held more firmly by this
automatic arrangement than they can be by
rivets, and with less liability of their becoming
loosened by use. 1t is we'll known that the cut
ting portions of all moving machines operates
like a series of shears, and it is as important to
have one blade OF a pair of shears sharp as il is
the other. Hence the 'leger plates" which form
the lower blades of til shears in this invention,
are easily removed and made as sharp as the
sickle. In addition, they are so arranged that
when they are worn rounding, they are placed
in a die and the edges set Up against the sickle
closely.
Besides these, there are great improvements
in the cog wheels and driving parts Of the ma
cninery, such as an automatic 'lift," by which
the horses raise and lower the cutting bar, at
the will and without she aid of the driver. The
construction is very simple, requiring but a half
dozen bolts. The parts fit together and lock each
other automatically, without any necessity for
more boiling.
The reporter being no inventor, as Ericsson or
Allen is, may not have made the improvements
as clear to the general apprehension as they
might be, but he has probably indicated their
character plainly enough TO attract the attention
of those interested in such inventions and i'm
plements. 1t is a marked feature of DR.. Aliens
character, and the secret of his success, that he
is never satisfied with doing as well as others
have done, but persists in any effort till he sur
passes all rivalry. In his famous Institute, he
has taught Europe valuable lessons i'll mechan-
ical surgery by his admirable inventions, and in
the enterprise now undertaken of manufacture
ing agricultural machinery, he has given ample
assurance that he will equally excel all competi-
ton. He has had his mower examined and tried
by about 500 practical farmers, all of whom as
sert its superiority. Parties III Chicago are now
negotiating with DR.. Allen for the establishment
of an extensive mandatory specially or chiefly
for his inventions and improvements.