IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING THE SOIL
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick William Turner, of Linslade Works,
Linslade, in the County of Bucks, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING THE SOIL."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS For CultivatiNG THE SOIL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick William Turner
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th July 1864.
I, FREDRICK WILLIAM TURNER, of Linslade Works, Linslade, in the
County of Bucks, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING THE SOIL," to be as.
follows:-
In double or two-way implements for ploughing or cultivating the soil
as heretofore constructed, one set of ploughs or instruments have balanced or-
nearly so the opposite set, which effect is objectionable when in work as the
set which is out of work tends to lift the opposite set also out of work, and
springs which have hitherto been used, and which exert a strain to lift the
ploughs when in work, have also the same objectionable tendency.
'
The object of these instruments is, first, to secure the set of ploughs or !
tilling instruments in work from lifting by suspending the frames or beams of
such ploughs or instruments to suitable links or levers connected to the framing_

page_text: so as to allow them a certain amount of motion horizontally while the framing
to which travelling wheels are attached remains stationary, or the ends of
the beams may slide in suitable horizontal guides formed in the framing. By
these means the set of instruments in work have a considerable preponderance
over the set which are out of work and so throw them completely out of balance,
moreover by securely fixing in position to the travelling framing the set of
ploughs which are in work the greater portion of the weight of the framing
and wheels is thrown upon that set of ploughs should they tend to lift when in
work.
Secondly, in disposing carrying wheels, four in number, in such manner that
the axis of leading wheel becomes the fulcrum should the ploughs or instru-
ments lift when in work, also in such manner that when in work four wheels
bear upon the ground, but when out of work two only of the four shall
bear upon the ground.
Thirdly, in facilitating the steerage of such implements, and in the mode of
lifting each set of ploughs separately and distinctly, by mounting three worms
or screws separately upon..onė spindle, which, spindle is made to clutch only
one of such worms at a time, and which it rotates when turned by, hand; one
of which worms are geared into a quadrant connected to axis. of travelling..
wheels, the other two are each separately geared into wheels which are
Diounted on spindles on which a lever works as on a fulcrum, to the opposite
end of which the after part of each set of ploughs are suspended, such
lever and worm wheels are arranged to be made fast or to be released from
turning with such spindle at the will of attendant so that by actuating the
worms and gearing by hand each or either set of ploughs can be separately
raised, and by releasing such lever or worm wheel from the spindle each or either
set can be lowered into work without the necessity of actuating worms or
gearing which saves much time and labour.
Fourthly, to ease the draught and save the rope from breaking when pro-
pelling such implements I use india-rubber or steel springs upon the draw bar
attached to implement. When single or one-way implements are desirable,
as essentially necessary when propelled by horses, I use an improved implement
which is convertible into a broad share for paring, a scarifier, or cultivator
having a number of tines according to the operation to be performed, or as a sub-
soil plough. I construct this implement with a new kind of jointed beam which
is. hinge jointed to the fore part of the body of the implement, and also con-
nected to a lever in the rear of the implement so that the tines of the imple-
ment can be lifted out of work at pleasure, or the points and shares set to
various inclinations to suit the different soils by simply depressing the said lever,

page_text: the whole being mounted upon three or more wheels which can be lowered or
raised to suit any required depth of work, and which are fixed in position by
an improved serrated lever formed by hinging upon the back of framing of the
implement a casting with a serrated or notched face bearing against a corres-
ponding serrated or notched face on wheel lever to which the hind wheels are
attached, and which are kept in contact by a simple bolt and nut; I make the
cross bars or beams of this implement. cylindrical and in one piece with a
feather or key cast thereon on which the pad is fixed or shifted which carries
the tines of the implement..
Fig. 1, of the annexed Drawings represents a partial side elevation of
double or two-way implements for ploughing or cultivating the soil. In this
Figure I have only represented one end of the implement with some of the parts
of the other half from which the whole will be readily understood, it is shown
with eight ploughs, that is, four at each end.
The plough frames p are supported on swinging rods q, q'; r, r¹, (r¹ not seen)
the one 9 hanging on a fixed fulcrum while r depends from the lever arm ³,
the rods q and q' are connected by a link, and swing to the positions indicated
according to the set of ploughs in action, lever s can either move freely on its
fulcrum t, or be fixed by, a friction brake to wheel u-by. hand wheel and screw
v, screw wheel u gears with endless screw w which holds wheel u firmly in any
position whether in or out of gear with actuating hand shaft x. The machine
is mounted on and steered by four swivel wheels (the large bearing wheels are
only seen dotted,) the bearings or axles of each being mounted on a vertical
axis, and all connected by rods to lever arms on a vertical shaft, which shaft
carries a screw wheel actuated by an endless screw y. on same hand. wheel.
shaft x.
When the machine is in work one of the large wheels (the one shown dotted),
runs in the furrow as indicated; this wheel when out of work and running on
the surface lifts the small wheels from the ground, the machine may be then.
readily moved from place to place. Instead of steering with four swivel wheels.
the small wheels only may swivel and be moved as described, in which case I
form them with projecting ribs on the middle of their periphery, which ribs
sink into. the ground and cause them to hold and guide the implement accor-
dingly as they are turned. Instead of the levers being fixed to wheel u. by
hand wheel and screw v, as before described the screw wheel u may be fixed
or released on its shaft by conical friction clutches actuated by a screw and hand
wheel, the shaft being furnished with a spur pinion taking into a stud pinion;
by communication motion to this gear the lever s with which it is in connection.
will be raised or lowered as desired.

page_text: Fig. 2 represents a side view of an implement consttucted according to the
other part of this Invention.
a, d, is the main body of the implement having fixed to it hollow transverse
bars or beams c, c¹, of cast-iron, they extend to the breadth required to be
covered by the machine, making the hinder one of the greatest extent, and
with facilities for fixing shares or tines at intervals, as may be required. The
fore part of the body a, is jointed to the beam d, d, at e, the fore end of this
beam, is carried by the leading wheel or wheels somewhat as in ordinary, and
may be elevated or depressed on the supporting stem, the rear end of the beam
is connected by a link f, to hand lever g mounted on a fulcrum h or standard
i, erected from the body a. In this part i there are pin holes and pins to fix
the tail end of the beam d; k is one of the hind wheels fixed with the serrated
face and lever; part is hinged on a pin at the extreme end of cross bar c¹, the
face of part is serrated or notched, and can be swung sideways while the lever
carrying the wheel is similarly notched and can be moved vertically on its
fuleruni when bolt m is released. Tightening the bolt and nut fixes the two
serrated parts securely together and the wheel in position, which position can
be regulated as required by slacking and moving the bolt, and with it the wheel
lever in the segmental slot shown, and so lowering or elevating the machine to
or from the ground. When used as a subsoil plough I remove the cross bars c, c¹,
together with all the tines and shares thereon, and only leave that one attached
to the body a and in the middle of the implement which is made stronger and
adapted for the work required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederick William Turner, in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 14th January 1865:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
WILLIAM TURNER, of Linslade Works, Linslade, in the County of Bucks,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One-
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Frederick William Turner, Her special licence that I, the said Frederick
William Turner, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Frederick William Turner, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times

page_text: 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 "In-
PROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING THE SOIL," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Frederick William Turner, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, 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 Frederick William Turner, 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 fol
lowing statement, reference being had to the three Sheets of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
In double or two-way implements for ploughing or cultivating the soil as
heretofore constructed one set of ploughs or instruments has balanced or
nearly so the opposite set, which effect is objectionable when in work, as the
set which is out of work tends to lift the opposite set also out of work; springs
which have hitherto been used always exert a strain to. lift the plough when in
work, and have also the same objectionable tendency.
The object of the present improvements is, first, to secure the set of ploughs
or tilling instruments in work from lifting by suspending the frames or beams
of such ploughs or instruments to suitable links or levers connected to the
framing in such manner as to allow them a certain amount of motion hori-
zontally and longitudinally while the framing to which the travelling wheels
are attached remains stationary; or the ends of the beams may slide in
suitable horizontal guides formed in the framing. By these means the set of
instruments in work have a considerable preponderance over the set which are
out of work, and so throws them completely out of balance; moreover by
securely fixing in position to the travelling framing the set of ploughs in
work the greater portion of the weight of the framing and wheels is thrown
upon that set of ploughs should they tend to lift when in working:
Secondly, in disposing carrying wheels, four in number, in such manner
that the axis of leading wheel becomes the fulcrum should the ploughs or
instruments lift when in work; also in such manner that when in work four.
wheels shall bear upon the grouud, but when out of work two only of the four
shall bear upon the ground.

page_text: Thirdly, in facilitating the steerage of such implements, and in the mode of
lifting each set of ploughs separately and distinctively by mounting three worms
or screws separately upon one spindle, which spindle is made to clutch only
one of such worms at a time, and which it rotates when turned by hand; one
of these worms are geared into a quadrant or wheel connected to the axis of
the travelling wheels; the other two are each separately geared into screw
wheels, each of which is mounted on a spindle forming the fulcrum of a lever,
from the after part of such lever a plough frame is suspended; such levers
and worm wheels are arranged to be made fast to or released from turning
with such spindle at the will of the attendant. Thus by actuating the worms
and gearing by hand each or either set of ploughs can be separately raised, and
by releasing such lever or worm wheel from the spindle each or either set can
be lowered into work without the necessity of actuating worms or gearing,
and so saves much time and labour.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in the introduction of india-rubber
or steel spring or springs in the draw bar of implements driven by steam
power in such manner that the traction or pull shall be transmitted through
such spring or springs. By this means the traction rope is less liable to brake
from severe strains, the elasticity in the tractive force tending to overcome
obstacles opposed to the progress of the implement, which might otherwise
cause the rope to break.
When single or one-way implements are desirable, as essentially necessary
when propelled by horses, I use an improved implement, which is convertible
into a broad share for paring, scarifier, or cultivator, having a number of tines
according to the operation to be performed, or as a subsoil plough. I construct
this implement with a new description of jointed beam, and which is hinged
or jointed to the fore part of the body of the implement, and also connected
to a lever in the rear of implement, so that the tines of the implement can be
lifted out of work, or the depth regulated at pleasure, or the points and shares
set to various inclinations to suit the different soils, by simply depressing the
said lever, the whole being mounted upon three or more wheels, which can be
lowered or raised to suit any required depth of work, and which are fixed in
position by an improved serrated lever fixing formed by hinging upon the back
of the framing of the implement a casting with a serrated or notched face on
the wheel lever, to which the hind wheels are attached, and which are kept
in contact by a simple bolt and nut. I make each of the cross bars or beams
of this implement cylindrical internally, and in one piece, with a feather or
key cast thereon, on which the pad or boss is fixed or shifted which carries the
tines of the implement.

page_text: Fig. 1 represents a plan, and Fig. 2. a side elevation of a double set of
ploughs or tilling implements arranged according to my Invention, the one set
of implements being disposed for operating while travelling in the one
direction, and another set for operating while; travelling in. the opposite
direction, as usual, but which are so arranged that the set which is lowered and
put into work. acquires at same time a considerable preponderance of weight
in the balance of the whole implement over that of the other set which is
raised out of work. Fig. 3 represents a transverse elevation of the implement
while in work, the lower wheel being represented as travelling in the furrow
made by the last traverse; this wheel is shown by a dotted, circle in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 represents a like view while it is altogether out of work, and as in
being moved from place to place; or, it may be in shifting for the next
traverse. The ploughs or tilling implements are omitted in these views, as
also some of the details of construction, but which is sufficiently represented
in Figs. 1 and 2.
A, A, is the framework of the machine, suitably stayed and braced together.
This framework is mounted on four wheels a, a, a, a, each of, whose axles
are fixed to vertical spindles, which are free to turn in their bearings, whereby,
all the wheels can be inclined to the direction of the machine's motion, as may
be required. A screw wheel B is fixed on the top of spindle b; this whee!
gears with an endless screw c mounted on the hand wheel shaft C; on spindle b
are also fixed three arms d, d, d, which are connected by rods e, e, e, to
arms f, ff, one fixed on each of the vertical axes 9, 9, 9, carrying the
wheels a, a, a, by which these wheels are all moved simultaneously. The
wheels are so moved for the purpose of steering the implement. D, D, are the
wrought-iron frames in which the ploughs E, E, or tilling implements are
fixed. The ends of the frames next the carriage are connected by joint pins
to levers F, F, suspended from fixed fulcra h, h, and connected with each
other by links k, k, the opposite ends of frames D, D¹, are suspended by
rods 1,, from double levers G, G¹, which levers are mounted on fixed fulcra
at m, m'. The fulcra of G, G', are formed by shafts H, H', on which shafts
are fixed friction discs or brakes I, I, each embraced between the two limbs
of each lever. These levers carry screw rods n, 'n¹, operated by hand
wheels O, O', by means of which pressure can be exerted on steel straps
encircling the peripheries of the discs I, I', whereby to bind the levers on the
discs and cause them to participate in any rotary motion imparted to the discs.
This rotation is communicated to discs I, I', by screw wheels, K, K³, fixed on

page_text: shafts H, H', taking into the endless screws L, L', mounted on hand wheel
shaft C, the effect being to rotate shaft H, and so elevate the ploughs, as seen
on the left hand in Fig. 2. To lower the implements it is simply necessary to
slacken-the.pressure of the screw rod n on friction wheel I by hand wheel O,
when the implements will come to the ground by their own gravity.
Fig. 5 represents a separate view of the hand wheel shaft C for operating
the lifting or lowering of the ploughs, as also the steering, the three endless
screws L, L, &c, being shown in section. These screws are each fitted
between two bearings 6, 6, fixed to the framework, while the shaft C is round
and free to slide through the screws in the direction of its length a certain
distance; when in the mid-position it is so arranged as to carry round with it
the middle screw c, and is then in position for steering or guiding the imple-
ment in its work by swivelling the wheels, as before explained; when pushed
to the extreme in one direction it disconnects the middle screw c, and operates
one of the end screws L, L', and on the contrary when slid to the extreme in
the opposite direction it operates the screw at the other end, the middle screw
being also disconnected. In operating either of the end screws L, L', the
object is to lift the ploughs as before explained. To permit of this action of
the shaft C; the central screw has a hollow cylindrical cavity near either end
communicating by slots or grooves (see cross section Fig. 6); these grooves
or slots receive a cross cotter 7 fixed in shaft C, which carries the screw c
round, while the shaft and cotter 7 is in the mid-position, but when traversed
in eitheir direction the cotter 7 rotates in the cylindrical cavities without
moving the screw c. The extreme screws are actuated by cotters or keys
fixed on the shaft taking into notches 8, 8, on the ends. of one or other of the
screws L, L', accordingly as the shaft may be pushed to its extreme position
in either direction by the attendant. These screws although released from the
shaft keep the screw. wheels K, K', rigidly in position, & this although the
weight of the ploughs may be hanging on them. The attendant stands on
either of the foot boards J, J, and effects all the operations of steering or
lifting the ploughs from such positions.
It will be unnecessary to give any detailed description of the construction
of plough frames D, D', which is sufficiently apparent in Drawings; the rear
end of each frame is carried by a wheel N when the ploughs. are in work,
and by which their depth in the soil is regulated, and which also prevents any
excessive strain on the levers G, G, and suspending rods 1, . When it is
desired to reverse the action of the machine, it is simply necessary to raise
the plough frame D¹ from the ground. by the screw operating wheel K¹ and
disc I, by rodn¹ and hand wheel o', as described, when the two sets of

page_text: implements will both be up. The implement is now steered and traversed
laterally the required distance, and the elevated frame D released by slacking
the pressure from the screw rod on disc I by hand wheel o and rod n, which
permits the friction band round I, together with the lever G, to slip; and
allows the plough frame D to descend to the ground.. The implement frame
is then put in motion, when the ploughs on the ground will enter and produce
strain thereon, throwing the levers F, F, into the position shown dotted &
the parts corrresponding therewith into their relative positions; to transfer the
preponderance of weight of the ploughs to that side of the implement on which
the set of ploughs are in work, as will be readily understood. The traction of
the rope P is applied to the frame A, A, of the machine, which communicates
it to the plough frames by the hook-like projections Q, Q', with which the
lower ends of levers F, F¹, come in contact when the strain is applied.
In fitting the plough shares to my ploughs I attach and joint them to the
implement with a joint or hinge whose axis is parallel with the upper face of
the share at its junction with the mould board, the motion on which joint is
such that more or less dip (incline downwards) may be given to the share,
and also inclination towards the land side by a single motion thereon. Fig. 7
represents a diagram showing this arrangement, and Fig. 8, a cross section
or view of the nose of the plough.. The foot or piece 19 on which the share
is fixed has a joint piece at 18 on which it moves, which is received in the
groo ves or hollows 9, 9, in the nose of the plough; the foot piece is cast on a
rod 10 extending to the rear of the plough, whereby the share is inclined and
fixed in position. This is operated by a vertical rod 11 reaching above the
ground and adjusted by screw collar nut 17, which enables the attendant to
vary the position of the share while the plough is in work. Fig. 9 represents
a transverse view of this part. Fig. 10 represents two views of parts by which
I connect the regulating wheels N, N¹, to the plough frames D, D'. 13 is a
square rod or bar fixed to the plough beam or frame D, which rod is connected
to another square rod 14 set at right angles to 13, and fixed thereto by à
double socket piece 15, the sockets are right angular, and embrace half of
the rectangular figure (the half section of each bar). The bars are held in
the sockets by hoops 16 surrounding them, terminating in stems with screw.
nuts, by which the bars are drawn into and fixed in the sockets. The vertical
stem 14 carries the wheel N which obviously can be shifted more or less side-
ways or up and down by loosening and shifting the bars 13 and 14 in the
socket piece 15 and hoops 16.
r
Fig. 10 is a partial plan and section of framework A and some of the
parts showing modifications of the arrangements before described, while

page_text: Fig. 11 is an end view of same. In this case, instead of steering the imple-
ment by moving all four of the wheels, -I. do so by the two small ones a¹, a¹,
only, and of which alone the axles or studs are mounted.. on vertical axes, to
which motion is transmitted by the quadrant arm R, the teeth of which. take
into the screw c, before' 'described; the arm R is fixed on an axis which
carries another arm S connected by rods T, T, to the arms extended from the
vertical axes of those wheels before-mentioned. In order to give the wheel
a, a¹, the steering power required, I form each with a projection or flange U,
which sinks into the ground, and controls the movement of the implement, as
desired:
י}
1*.
:
The sectional part of Fig: 10* represents an arrangement of gear which may
be-substituted for the disc I and parts connected therewith; K is the screw
wheel mounted on axis. H, and taking into screw L, as before. In this case
the screw wheel K has a double conical hole through the boss, such
being fitted between two cones r, r³, the one r fixed to the spindle, H, the
other loose on such spindle, but which can be pressed towards r by a hand
wheel s screwed on to the end of spindle H, and iso as to tighten and fix the
screw-wheel K on the spindle. On the other end of spindle H is: fitted a
pinion t gearing with a fixed stud pinion u, which gears into a quadrant v (see
Fig. 12) formed on the lever G, which it thereby raises or lowers as and for
the purposes before described.
.
ti
Fig. 13 represents a side view of an implement constructed according to
the second part of my Invention, and Fig. 14 a partial plan showing one-
half of the same: W; W; is the main body of the implement, having fixed
to it hollow transverse bars or beams V, V₁, of cast iron, which are of an
extent equal to the breadth required' to be covered by the machine, the hinder
bar being the longest. Each of these bars or beams are furnished with parts
for fixing shares or tinės a, a, at intervals and in any position required. The
fore part of the body of the implement W is jointed to the beam X, X, at y;
the fore end of this beam X is carried by the leading wheel z, and may be
elevated or depressed on the supporting stem of that wheel as usual. The
rear end of beam X is connected by a link I to hand lever Y mounted on a
fulcrum 2 on standard Zerected from body W: In the part Z are pin
holes and pins. to fix the tail end of the beam X. O is one of the hind
wheels supporting the implement by an arm 4 which is fixed to the beam V¹
by means of the serrated faces bolted together, as before mentioned. The
part 3 is hinged on a pin at the extreme end of cross bar V₁, the face of
which part is serrated or notched horizontally, and it can be swung sideways,
while the lever carrying the wheel is similarly notched, and is only movable

page_text: vertically on its fulcrum (a bolt in the end of V¹) when nut and bolt 5 is
released. The tightening of the nut and bolt 5 fixes the two parts securely
together and the wheel in position; it therefore can be adjusted in its position
on the implement, as desired, by simply slacking and moving the bolt in the
segmental slot, and so permitting the elevation from or lowering of the
machine to the ground.
The dotted lines show the position of the instruments when raised and out
of work. When this implement is to be used as a subsoil plough, I remove
the cross bars V and V, together with all the tines and shares thereon,
leaving only the one attached to body W in the middle of the implement,
which is made stronger, and adapted for the work required. By this arrange-
ment of cultivator the implements can easily be raised or lowered by the
attendant to regulate the depth in the ground while in motion and at work,
or raised altogether from the ground, the movement of the cultivating instru-
ments being simply a direct lift.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the general arrange-
ment and construction of the implements for cultivating the soil, as and for
the objects herein-before described, and as represented in the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick William Turner, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
W. CLARK,
Patent Agent,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
F. W. TURNER. (L.S.)