AN IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND FOR SOWING SEED
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Levi Lemon Sovereign, of 88, Pentonville Road,
Islington, Engineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL
IMPLEMENT FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND FOR SOWING SEED."
Sealed the 17th November 1864, and dated the 17th May 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Levi Lemon Sovereign at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th May 1864.
I, LEVI LEMON SOVEREIGN, of 88, Pentonville Road, Islington, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND FOR SOWING SEED," to be
as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention has for its object an improved implement for agricultural
purposes to be worked by animal or steam power, in which improved imple-
ment a plough, drill, and harrow are combined, so as to operate in the manner
herein-after described. The ploughs in one form are placed upon a parallel
motion beam, which is capable of being raised and lowered by a lever or
levers. In another form I propose to dispense with the ordinary plough

page_text: handles for steering, and in lieu thereof fix a steering pole, which extends
from the fore part of the plough and is attached to a triangular-shaped frame,
The frame is
upon which it is moveable, and can be fixed as desired.
supported upon wheels, one of which is in advance of the others, connected
by an angular beam to which the ploughs are fixed. The drill box is attached
to the plough frame, and is formed with a cylinder or cylinders at the bottom,
and in the said cylinder or cylinders an internal screw works for delivering
the seed from the hopper or box above into drill spouts or tubes which branch
downwards, and have their lower orifices closed with revolving discs, in which
one or more openings are formed for allowing and regulating the delivery of
the seed; motion is given to the screws in the drill box and to the discs by
chain or other gearing. In addition to the rising and falling motion by the
parallel beam before mentioned at the front of the plough (at each side), I
fix a hand screw for raising and lowering the head of the beam as required,
so as to set the plough to work at a greater or less depth, and at the back of
the plough frame for the same purpose I fix a castor wheel upon a lever arm,
which upon being moved from an inclined towards a vertical position raises
the frame. When working by steam power I use two of these implements,
and fit a reel upon each, round which a loose length of cord is wound. This
reel is free to turn for winding in and letting out the cord or chain as required,
connect the two implements
and is fixed by a ratchet and foot spring pawl;
by the reel cord, which passes round the anchor pulley at one side of the field,
and at the opposite side I place and work the engine, and attach the two ends
of the hauling cord or rope passing round the engine drum to the said imple
ments respectively. When commencing work I place these implements
midway along the field. For raising the implements at the headlands I attach
a clip rope to the hauling rope and cord, this clip rope or chain upon being
drawn then lifts the implement out of work.
Another improvement which I introduce in the plough consists in fixing the
shares upon an arm or shaft, which has a radial and partial rotary motion, so
that the point of the share can be dipped and the feather of the share increased
to any pitch required. This arm or shaft is placed in the stock of the plough,
and is fixed and held in position by a nut and screw on one side, and collar
and ratchet on the other. The harrow is attached to the back of the plough
frame. Any barrow may be used, but the one I prefer is formed and operates
in the following manner :-Upon a shaft I mount a number of loose bosses,
which turn thereon, and are fitted with teeth which are formed to a curve in
side elevation, and stand at an angle in plan. The harrows operate in the
following, manner As one set of prongs or tines is in work the following set

page_text: rest upon the ground and act as the stop, and in case the tines in work strike
a stone, or are otherwise moved, the stop tine is thus forced into the ground,
and so one tine takes the place of another, and in this way the harrow con-
be lifted fan that nuenece
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Levi Lemon Sovereign in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th November 1864.
.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LEVI
LEMON SOVEREIGN, of 88, Pentonville Road, Islington, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Levi Lemon Sovereign, Her special license that I, the said
Levi Lemon Sovereign, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Levi Lemon Sovereign, my executors, administrators, or
assigns should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "AN IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND FOR
SOWING SEED," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Levi
Lemon Sovereign, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Levi Lemon Sovereign, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My Invention relates to the construction and arrangement of the parts of a
combined agricultural implement, designed both for animal and steam power;
by which I am enabled to perform the operations of ploughing, drilling, and

page_text: harrowing; and also to perform other operations in the tillage of land by a
simple change of parts.
And my Invention consists, first, in the peculiar mode of raising and
lowering the implement, which is supported on wheels.
Second, in the relative position of the wheels employed.
Third, in the modes adopted for guiding or steering the implement.
Fourth, in the device for delivering the seed from the drill box.
Fifth, in the device for regulating the deposit of the seed in the ground.
Sixth, in the use of the centre swivel wheel fixed at the rear of the frame of
the implement.
Seventh, in the manner of constructing the ploughs, and regulating the
depth of the points or shares.
Eighth, in the nevel construction of the harrowing device.
And, ninth, in the novel arrangement of the different parts of my combined
implement.
I will now proceed to more particularly describe the nature of my
Invention, and the mode of operating the same, reference being made to the
accompanying Drawings forming a part of this Specification, in which
Figure 1, Sheet One, is a plane view of the combined implement fitted for
ploughing and drilling, showing the interior of the seed box; Figure 2, an
elevation of the same; Figure 3 is a rear view of the drill tube and revolving
disc for regulating the deposit of the seed in the ground; Figure 4, a side
view of the same; Figure 5 is an interior view of the regulating disc;
Figure 6 is a rear view of the plough stock; Figure 7, a front view of the
same; Figure 8 is an elevation of the stock, showing the device for securing
and adjusting the plough share or point; Figure 9 is an elevation of a device
for winding the rope when the implement is drawn by steam power; Figure 10,
a plane view of the same.
Figure 1, Sheet Two, is a plane view of a two-wheel cultivator, designed
for animal power; Figure 2, an elevation of the same; Figure 3 and 4 are
views in detail of the lever and stop employed for adjusting the implement;
Figure 5, an elevation of said lever; Figure 6 is a central section of the
wheel and crank lever; Figure 7 is a plane view of a notched quadrant for
retaining the crank lever; Figure 8, an elevation of the same; Figure 9 is a
plane view of the combined plough and cultivator designed for use either with
animal or steam power; Figure 10, an elevation of the same.
Figure 1, Sheet Three, is an elevation of the combined plough and drill,
especially designed for steam power; Figure 2, a plan view of the same,
showing the reel in the centre of the frame.

page_text: Figure 1, Sheet Four, is an elevation of a carriage for steam ploughing, to
which the implement shown in Figures 9 and 10, "Sheet Two," may be
attached; Figure 2, a plan view of the same, showing a device for raising and
retaining the implement when being drawn backward.
In Sheet One of the Drawings, a is the frame of the implement supported
by the two large and the two small wheels b. One of the large wheels b,
which are placed at the front of the implement, runs in the furrow and the
other on the land; one of the small ones which are placed at the back, is a
castor or swivel wheel for turning the implement, and the other is a hand
wheel for regulating the depth of the ploughing or cultivating. The screws c,
for adjusting the front part of the implement, are supported by the brackets d,
as clearly shown in Figure 2. These screws are provided with universal nuts e,
so as to adjust one wheel independant of the other, and by this means the
depth of the ploughs may be regulated. The shaft f is supported by the
nuts e, to which shaft is attached two crank levers g, on which front wheels b
revolve. To the nut è is attached the pinion h, which works in a slot formed
in the bracket d, said pinion receiving its motion from a spur wheel k placed
on the boss of the front furrow wheel b. At the rear of the pinion h is a
pulley, to which a chain is attached working the wheels n, which wheels
convey motion to the screws o, shewn in Figure 1. These screws are placed
in the drill box p to regulate the discharge of seed through the tubes q into
the discs placed behind the ploughs, as shown in Figure 2, said disc being also
shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6. These discs regulate the deposit of the seed in
the furrows, and they receive the requisite motion by means of a cord or belt
passing around the screw shaft in the drill box, which enables the discs to
deposit the seed at short intervals, the latter being regulated by the size of the
wheels n, which receive their motion from the gearing connected with the
wheels 6 through the chain m. The lever t is provided with a stop working
in the quadrant ; the rod v passes from the lever t to the crank w placed on
the shaft f, as clearly shown in Figure 1; by this means the operator is enabled
to lift the front part of the frame a. By raising this part of the frame it puts
the pinion h out of gear with the pinion k, and thus stops the motion of the
screws o, by which the seed is delivered from the box p. A similar lever t¹ is
placed opposite the lever t, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and this is also provided
with a stop working in a quadrant u. The lower end of the lever t¹ is coupled
to the land, and coster or swivel wheels by means of the boss and the
fulcrum y, as shown in Figure 2, so as to enable the attendant to raise the
back part of the frame a. In Figure 8 is shown a rod or shaft a working.in
the stock 61; at the front end of the rod or shaft a' the plough point or share c

page_text: is secured. At the rear end of this shaft a¹ is placed a toothed collar d
which is fastened to said shaft by means of a cone and nut for the purpose of
regulating the dip or angle of the plough point or share.
In Sheet Two of the Drawings, Figure 1 and 2 are views of a wheel
plough and cultivator designed for animal power. The frame a, of irregular
shape, is supported by two wheels b. These wheels are coupled to the frame a
by means of swivel joints c, which joints are attached to bars d, the latter being
connected at their ends by the cross bar e, as clearly shown in Figure 1.
Near the front end of the frame a is placed a cross bar f, on which the pole g
swivels, the rear end of the pole 9 working in the cross-bar e. By this means
the animals assist in guiding the implement, while by the working of the
pole g, in the cross bar e, the operator to a certain extent has the power of
steering the implement independant of the motion of said pole by means of
the handles h. The wheels 6 are attached to the bars d by means of crank
levers and quadrants, clearly shown in Figure 1 and 2. The raising of the
implement is accomplished by these levers, and it is sustained at the desired
level by stops working in quadrants secured to the sides of the bars d. The
points or shares j are placed in front of the stock k, as more clearly shown in
Sheet One of the Drawings. When the implement is used as a paring plough
or cultivator the steel shares are placed at the bottom of the stock k. The
lever and stop for raising and retaining the frame a at the desired height are
shown separately in Figure 3 and 4. In Figures 9 and 10 is shown a form
of plough or cultivator adapted for either animal or steam power. The frame
as is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and 2 of the first Sheet of Drawings,
with two brackets b attached, as clearly shown in Figure 9. Each of these
brackets receive an extra stock k. When, however, this form of implement
is used with steam power, the handles d with castor and land wheels which
sustain the rear of the frame are removed, and the carriage, Figure 1 and 2,
in the fourth Sheet of the Drawings is substituted. The handles dare bolted
to the frame a, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The levers are constructed
and operated in the same manner as there shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the
first Sheet of Drawings. The tines or prongs are designed for cultivating or
scarifying.
In Sheet Three of the Drawings, a, Figure 1 and 2, is the frame, which is
similar to that shown in Figure 1 and 2 of the first Sheet. The rear carriage
shown in both Figures contains the lifting and steering apparatus when steam
power is employed. The frame b of this carriage is secured to the rear end
of the frame a, so as to be easily detached for the purpose of substituting the
handles d, Figures 9 and 10 of the second Sheet of Drawings. The wheel c

page_text: hand wheel m, and to
runs in the furrow, and is fastened to the rear carriage by means of brackets
or jaws d. The wheel e runs on the lands, and with the wheel c forms the
support of the rear carriage when in work. When the implement is raised
the support is thrown upon the furrow wheel c, the wheel e being raised from
the ground. The wheel e is attached to the shaft f by means of the crank
lever g with a nut and cone, which allow the wheel e to be set at any desired
angle. For the purpose of conveniently raising and steering the implement
I employ the hollow tube h, on which is formed the worm ; working into the
quadrant k, the latter being secured to the shaft f and bracket d. To the
tube his fixed the hand wheel l, by which said tube is turned, thereby moving
the quadrant k and raising the rear of the frame a. Within the tube h is a
second hollow tube, to one end of which is fixed the
the other end the bevel wheel n, gearing into another bevel wheel o. The
shaft p is cast with the wheel o, and supported in the rear carriage, as shown
in Figure 1. On the shaft P is a boss to which the chain g is attached
for steering purposes. On one end of the shaft s, which is inserted in the
second hollow tube, is fixed the hand wheel r, and on the other end is formed
the worm t working in a quadrant u, the latter being fixed to the shaft v.
On the end of the shaft is placed a lever w, coupled to a rod x by means of
jaw y. The rod is attached to the front of frame a by means by lever w'.
and shaft f, as shown in Figure 1 and 2 of the first Sheet of Drawings. By.
turning the hand wheel v motion is given to the worm t and quadrant u, and
lifts the front of the frame a. The apparatus for delivering seed from the
drill box is the same shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the first Sheet of Drawings.
The seat y on which the man sits when guiding the steam plough is fixed on
the back part of the frame b.
In Sheet Four of the Drawings, different inethods of lifting and steering
the implement are shown. The frame a is similar to that shown in Figure 1.
and Two of the first Sheet of the Drawing. The rear carriage b furnishes
support for the seat c. The furrow and land wheels are similar in construction
to these shewn in Figure 1 and 2 of the third Sheet of Drawings. The hand
wheel d is placed upon the shaft e. At the lower end a boss and a chain is
placed for steering purposes. Another hand wheel q is placed on the hollow
shaft f, which gives motion to a spur wheel h working into a pinion, which
is attached to the drum k. On the drum k a light cord e is placed, passing
round the pulley on an anchor, and attached to a drum on another carriage or
implement. The stop clutch m is attached by means of a cord n to the lever o,
working by means of a stop p in the quadrant q. When the stop p is placed
on the rope e the drum is thrown out of gear by means of a clutch box mand

page_text: the stop v binding on the rope e holding it and enabling the operator by the
aid of the engine to raise the implement when moving backward. A stay S is
bolted on each side of the back carriage to support the shaft f. A foot
plate t is fixed to the quadrant q, and in its side I place a stop or pawl, which
drops into the holes made in the spur wheel h, keeping them stationary when
the implement is at work.
In constructing the part of my machine designed for harrowing, I mount a
number of loose bosses on a spindle or shaft, said bosses being fitted with
teeth, which are of a hooked or curved form, and are so arranged on the shaft
that as one set of prongs or teeth is in work another is sliding on the ground
in front, while a third is above the shaft. Should the tooth in work
strike a stone or other hard substance it is thrown back, the bosses being so
placed on the shaft as to revolve and the next tooth is brought into work. By
this means the teeth never clog, and one of each set is always working. This
apparatus may be made as a part of my combined implement, or attached
thereto by any suitable means, as may be desired.
Having thus fully described and illustrated my improvements, and shown
how the same may be conveniently carried into effect, I wish it understood
that I do not confine myself to the exact details set forth, as these may be
conveniently changed without departing from the spirit of my Invention ;
but I claim,
First, the mode of raising and lowering the implement, substantially as
illustrated in the first Sheet of the Drawings, and also the mode herein
described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the fourth Sheet of the
Drawings.
Second, I claim placing one travelling wheel in advance of the other, for
the purpose of more perfectly balancing and easily steering the implement,
substantially as herein described and shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the second
Sheet of the Drawings.
Third, the modes of guiding or steering the implement when either animal
or steam power is employed, substantially as set forth.
Fourth, I claim delivering seed from the drill box by means of screws
constructed and operated substantially in the manner set forth.
Fifth, the use of discs for depositing seed at intervals, constructed and
operating substantially as herein described and illustrated in the first Sheet of
Drawings.
Sixth, I claim the centre swivel wheel 6 fixed at the rear of the implement
for the purpose, and operated substantially as set forth.
Seventh, constructing ploughs for the purpose and substantially in the

page_text: manner here described and illustrated in Figure 8 of the first Sheet of the
Drawings.
Eighth, I claim the revolving teeth of a harrow constructed and arranged
on a shaft, substantially described.
Ninth, I claim a combined implement for performing simultaneously two
or more operations, constructed and operating substantially as here described
and illustrated in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-four.
LEVI LEMON SOVEREIGN. (L.S.)