AN IMPROVED STEAM MACHINE FOR AGRICULTURAL WORK AND LAND TRANSPORT OF EVERY KIND
Year: 1870

page_text: J
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th May 1870.-A communication to me from abroad by Jean
"Baptiste Honoré Petitpierre, of Mohon (Ardennes), France,
Contractor.
...
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son,
of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED STEAM MACHINE FOR AGRICULTURAL WORK AND LAND TRANSPORT OF
EVERY KIND," (a communication to me from abroad by Jean Baptiste
Honoré Petitpierre, of Mohon (Ardennes), France, Contractor, to be as
follows:-
This improved machine' is composed of a vertical, steam engine P
(Figs. 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1, of the accompanying two Sheets of Drawing)-
which sets in motion two inner toothed driving wheels X, the whole
enclosed in a moveable drum of considerable diameter I (Figs. 1, 2,
and 3), the two wheels rest and in advancing press upon this drum,
which in its turn moves forward carrying with it the entire machine,
which may thus travel over any road or land without inconvenience.

page_text: Two ploughs L (Figs. 1 and 2) are placed at the side of the machine at
each end, and are raised and lowered at pleasure, according to the
direction in which the machine is travelling, by means of a pulley N on
which winds a rope Q attached to the ploughs. The machine having
arrived at one end of the field it becomes necessary to shift it for making
the return furrows, and this is effected by the aid of two screw jacks R,
one at each end of the machine. These jacks are each provided with
an iron stem sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the entire machine,
and having a large base, which on screwing down the jacks comes on to
the ground and uplifts the machine. The machine being thus uplifted
a quarter turn is given to the fore and hind carriage wheels by means of
the fly wheels H to bring them to the position shewn Fig. 3; two wedges
T are then placed under these two wheels, the jacks are loosened, the
two wheels come on to the highest part of these wedges, and the machine
running down them places itself in position for resuming its work, and
so on at each turn. Spaces are reserved within the framing for fuel
and water, and two rollers V also placed within the framing keep the
drum steady while travelling. When the machine is descending a steep
incline breaks u (Fig. 3) are applied by means of a shoulder on the
stem of each jack, which on the jack being screwed up lifts the lever
of the break and applies it on the driving wheel.
เ
The ploughs may be readily removed and the machine be used for
other tillage, for drawing waggons laden with produce or manure, and
for other agricultural purposes.
This machine may also be modified to form a carriage or omnibus
for carrying labourers to and from their work, and passengers. between
villages and country towns destitute of railways, by placing seats one
above the other to the summit of the drum, with interior accommodation,
as illustrated Sheet II. of the accompanying Drawings.