IMPROVE An Angining on DramaNING OR CHEMITZAMING LAND
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Austin, of Millisle Mills, Donaghadee, in the
County of Down, Ireland, Book-keeper, for the Invention of "IMPROVE
An
Angining on DramaNING OR CHEMITZAMING LAND "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Austin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th January 1858.
I, JAMES AUSTIN, of Millisle Mills, Donaghadee, in the County of Down,
Ireland, Book-keeper, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
'IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PLOUGHING OR CULTIVATING
LAND," to be as follows, that is to say:
This Invention relates to certain mechanical arrangements for ploughing or
working land by the agency of steam or other mechanical power. Under one
modification the machinery consists of a triangular open frame, supported upon
suitable running and driving wheels, and having at the forward end an upright
steam engine and boiler. The overhead crank shaft of this engine is con
nected by an arrangement of toothed and belt or chain gearing with the main
forward ground wheel, which is ribbed or furnished with projections to enable
it to take a firm hold of the soil. The belt connection between the engine
and this wheel is contrived so that the movements shall always work in proper
gear independently of the working of the frame upon its supporting springs.

page_text: This wheel is also the steerer, the vertical spindle having at its upper end a
horizontal worm wheel, in which is geared a worm worked by a train of
gearing from a hand or steering wheel disposed in the back portion of the
frame. The extreme back of the framing consists of a pair of ploughing guides
extending out transversely, as regards the path of the machine, to a distance
sufficient to cover the extent of ground to be ploughed at once in the lengths
of the furrows which run across the field's breadth. This portion of the framing
carries a set of four large wheels or chain pulleys over which are passed two
distinct endless chains or ploughing belts. The two contiguous chain pulleys
near the centre of the machine are actuated in reverse directions from the
same engine which drives the front ground or travelling wheel, so that the
forward traverse of the machine at right angles to the lines of furrows bears
a determined relation to the rate of the ploughing chains at right angles with
this forward traverse. Each chain or ploughing belt is fitted with suitable
ploughs or cultivators, which, as the machine works, continually enter the
ground to plough it up in their bottom traverse, and emerge from the
ground to return free in their upper back traverse. Each plough is kept
steady in its action by a suitable wing piece fitting guides in the framing.
The cross ploughing frames are not set at an accurate angle with the forward
framing, but slightly off that line, to such an extent as will just allow for the
forward traverse of the whole machine, and result in the formation of accurate
transverse furrows across the field. This plough always works with its ground
wheel or wheels upon the unploughed ground as it moves constantly forward,
leaving the ploughed ground behind it. When it is to be conveyed from
field to field, the two ploughing frames are folded back, so as to form in the
whole one long running frame easily portable. Instead of this different
ploughing action, whereby the relations existing between the direct forward
'traverse of the implement and the actual ploughing traverse, the same or a
similar result may be secured by so arranging the parts and the gearing that
after each transverse length has been ploughed the whole implement is moved
forward to the necessary distance for another furrow. In this way the direct
forward traverse of the implement and the ploughing action are two indepen-
dent motions, the two, however, working in regular concert. In this latter
arrangement, of course, the ploughing frames are disposed exactly at right
'angles with the line of forward traverse. Two or more rows or lines of ploughs
may be used instead of one where necessary.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Austin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
July 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
AUSTIN, of Millisle Mills, Donaghadee, in the County of Down, Ireland, Book
keeper, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Austin, Her special license that I, the said James
Austin, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said James Austin, my executors, administrators, or assigns; should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there
after 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 "IMPROVE
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PLOUGHING OR CULTIVATING LAND," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Austin, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, 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 James Austin, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention relates to certain mechanical arrangements for ploughing
or working land by the agency of steam or other mechanical power. Under
one modification the machinery consists of a triangular open frame supported
upon suitable running and driving wheels, and having at the forward end an
upright steam engine and boiler. The overhead crank shaft of this engine is
connected by an arrangement of toothed and belt or chain gearing with the
main forward ground wheel, which is ribbed or furnished with projections to
enable it to take a firm hold of the soil. The belt connection between the
engine and this wheel is contrived so that the movements shall always work in

page_text: proper gear independently of the working of the frame upon its supporting
springs. This wheel is also the steerer, its vertical spindle having at its upper
end a horizontal worm wheel, in which is geared a worm worked by a train of
gearing from a hand or steering wheel disposed in the back portion of the
frame. The extreme back of the framing consists of a pair of ploughing
guides extending out transversely as regards the path of the machine to a
distance sufficient to cover the extent of ground to be ploughed at once in the
lengths of the furrows which run, across the field's breadth. This portion of
the framing.carries a set of four large wheels or chain pulleys, over which are
passed, two distinct endless chains or ploughing belts. The two contiguous
chain pulleys near the centre of the machine are actuated in reverse directions
from the same engine which drives the front ground or travelling wheel, so
that: the forward traverse of the machine at right angles to the lines of furrows
bears a determined relation to the rate of the ploughing chains at right angles
with this forward traverse. Each chain or ploughing belt is fitted with
suitable ploughs or cultivators, which, as the machine works, continually enter
the ground to plough it up in their bottom traverse, and emerge from the
ground to return free in their upper back traverse. Each plough is kept
steady in its action by a suitable wing piece fitting guides in the framing:
The cross ploughing frames are not set at an accurate right angle with the
forward framing, but slightly off that line, to such an extent as will just allow
for the forward traverse of the whole machine, and result in the formation of
accurate transverse furrows across the field.
This plough always works with its ground wheel or wheels upon the
unploughed ground as it moves constantly forward, leaving the ploughed
ground behind it.
When it is to be conveyed from field to field the two
ploughing frames are folded; back, so as to form in the whole one long running
frame, easily portable. Instead of this differential ploughing action, whereby
the relations existing between the direct forward traverse of the implement
and the actual ploughing traverse, the same or a similar result may be secured
by so arranging the parts and the gearing that after each transverse length has
been ploughed the whole implement is moved forward to the necessary
distance for another furrow. In this way the direct forward traverse of the
implement and the ploughing action are two independent motions, the two;
however, working in regular concert. In this latter arrangement of course
the ploughing frames are disposed exactly at right angles with, the line of
forward traverse. Two or more rows or lines of ploughs may be used instead
of one, where necessary.
3
And in order that my said Invention may be properly-understood, I shall

page_text: now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures upon the explanatory.
Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which my improvements may be judi-
ciously carried out in practice.
Figure 1 on my. Sheet of Drawings is an end elevation of one modification
of my improved steam ploughing machine'; Figure 2 is a plan corresponding
to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the details.detached
from the machine, showing the main driving and guiding wheel, with the
mechanical details connected therewith; Figure 4 is an end view corresponding
to Figure 3. In this modification of my Invention, the main framing of the
machine consists of a rectangular frame A, made of wood or iron, and some:
what narrower towards the front part where the guiding wheel is placed:
Upon each of the parallel sides of the main frame A is fixed a vertical frame
B, which serves to support the mechanical arrangements connected with the
ploughs and other parts of the machine. The horizontal beams C, which
form the upper parts of the vertical side frames B, project beyond and over-
hang the main framing. A of the machine; it is to these overhanging ends,
that the frames or guides upon which the ploughs traverse are attached. The
weight of the machine is principally borne by the two broad bearing wheels D
and the front guiding or driving wheel E; the machine rests upon the upwardly
curved ends of plate springs, which are bolted to the axles of the wheels;
these springs by their elasticity lessen the jolting of the machine as it travels
over rough ground. The front wheel E is driven by means of one or two
steam engines placed immediately behind it. The boiler F of the engine is
of the upright or vertical class, and is supported upon transverse stays or
brackets, which are bolted to the sides of the framing A. The steam 'cylinders
G are placed beliind the boiler and low down; their position is indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 1 of my Drawing. The piston rods are attached by
means of the forked connecting rods H to the crank shaft I, upon one extre.
mity of which is keyed the fly wheel J. A bevel wheel K is keyed or held by
a friction cone to the opposite or right-hand extremity of the shaft I; this
wlieel I gears with a corresponding wheel L, that is fast to a horizontal shaft M ;
the position of this shaft is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2. on my
Drawing. The bearings of the horizontal shaft M are fitted in the uprights of
the right-hand vertical frame B, its backward extremity being supported in a
bracket pendent from the outer end of the beam C. The shaft M. has keyed
chain gives motion to a
to it a pitch wheel N, which by means of an endless
pitch wheel O, that is fast to the horizontal shaft P, which shaft is carried in
bracket bearings that are bolted to the main framing A.
The shaft P has

page_text: near its front extremity a worm Q, which is in gear with the worm-wheel R.
The arrangement. of the parts connected with the worm wheel are more
clearly shown in the detail views, Figures 3 and 4, on my illustrative Drawing.
The worm wheel R is made with a deep rim upon its under side and a bevel
wheel S in the centre; the worm wheel R rotates upon a stud, which is
carried by the grooved disc T, which disc is supported upon flanged, plates U;
which are bolted to the framing A. In this manner the worm wheel R and
the grooved disc T rotate independently of each other, the worm wheel serving
to impart motion to the driving wheel E, and the disc to turn the said wheel
upon its axis when it is required to turn the machine either to the right or
left. The bevel wheel S gears with a corresponding wheel V, the upper
portion of which passes through an opening made for the purpose. in the
grooved disc T. The shaft W to which the wheel V is keyed is carried in
bearings which are.fast to the under side of the disc T. Upon the opposite
extremity of the shaft W is a pitch wheel X, which gives motion by means of
the endless.chain Y to a corresponding wheel on the end of the shaft Z.. .The
upper portion of the chain wheel X passes through an opening in the grooved
disc T, as well as the bevel wheel S. The bearings of the shaft Z are carried
in a pair of slotted brackets a, which are pendent from the disc T. The shaft
Z has upon its other extremity a pitch wheel b, which actuates the endless
chain c, and thereby gives motion to the wheel d on the axle of the driving
wheel E. This axle passes through slots made in the cheek plates e, and
bears upwards against the springs fin bearings; the ends of these springs press
against the hollow rectangular parts g, which form a part of the two side
plates e, and are bolted to the disc T, the wheel E being between them. The
slots in the plates.e admit of. the shaft Z and axle of the driving wheel E
rising and falling as the machine passes over the inequalities of the ground,
the shaking motion being lessened by the interposition of the springs f, and
those placed above the bearing wheels D. The worm wheel R being put in
action by the worm Q, its rotatory motion is communicated to the driving
wheel E by the bevel wheels and endless chains, thus impelling the machine
forward, but at a slow rate, to correspond to the ploughing action. The turning
of the machine to the right or left is effected by means of the steering wheel h,
which is caused to actuate the disc T, and thereby turn the wheel E.as
desired. The shaft of the steering wheel his carried in one of the uprights
of the frame B, and it has attached to it the two ends of the cord i, which is
passed round the groove of the disc T, its course being directed and its action
facilitated by the pulleys J, as shown in the plan, Figure 2, on my Drawing.
The shaft of the steering wheel h has fast to it a ratchet wheel 'k, above

page_text: which a pawl is fitted, so as to retain the wheel. in a fixed position when not
in use. The effect of turning the steering wheel will be to cause the disc T to
rotate partially, and as the parts connected with the driving wheel are attached
thereto, a corresponding amount of motion, either to the right or left, is
imparted to it. The worm Q may be taken out of gear with the worm wheel
R by means of the lever 1, which is centred upon the front part of the
framing A; this lever is attached to the front bearing of the shaft P, which
bearing is made to slide to and fro in a grooved plate, so that by moving the
backward end of the lever inwards the worm Q is thrown out of gear with the
wheel R. The object of this arrangement is to admit of horses being
harnessed to the machine to impel it at a quicker rate than can be obtained
by the motion of the worm wheel; since the forward motion of the machine
is designedly reduced so that it may not move faster than the furrows can be
ploughed up, or round the deep rim which is under the worm wheel R may be
passed a band or strap, and motion imparted to it by the engine so as to attain
the same result as by horses. The periphery of the driving wheel E is madė
partly plain and partly with projecting teeth, as shown in the side and end views,
Figures 3 and 4, on my Drawing. The wheel is constructed in this manner in
order to give it a firm hold of the ground when passing over loose soil. The
space above the wheel R is intended to receive a water tank for the supply of
the boiler, and the space behind the engine is fitted as a receptacle for coal,
sufficient room being left for the engineer to attend to the engine and steering
wheel: These arrangements are, however, not shown in my Drawing, in order
to avoid confusing the other parts of the Figures. The overhanging ends of
the beams C have pulleys fitted thereto, over which the chains m are carried;
one end of each chain is made fast to a winding barrel, the spindle of which
is carried in the uprights of the frames B. Each winding barrel is actuated
by a winch handle, and is fixed when not in use by a sliding catch or a pawl,
which falls into the teeth of a ratchet wheel fast to the barrel. The other
ends of the chains m are each attached to a sling or rectangular frame of
metal n, which serves to support one end of the guides o, round which the
ploughs traverse; these guides are also keyed to the projecting stays n¹, which
serve to hold them steady during the traverse of the ploughs. There are two
of these guides o, corresponding to each other in construction; in this modifi-
cation they are made of wood and metal, and consist of an open framework
of wood having rounded ends, in which are fitted the pitch wheels p, round
which traverse the endless chains 7. It is to the chains 9 that the ploughs ŕ
are attached, by means of a bolt, which passes through the slots that are made
in the guide plates 8 and t; these plates and t are bolted to the horizontal,

page_text: portion u of the plough; the plates extends from end to end of the part ; the
other plate t is bolted to the central part of this horizontal portion. In bolting
the plate s to the hinder, end; a packing is placed between it and the part u, of
such a thickness that the ploughshare may be at a right angle with the main
framing. A when placed in the guides o, o. The extremity of the part u
extends over the front of the ploughshare, and at this point a stud is fixed
therein, on which is carried a pulley v; at the back part of the plough above
the share is another pulley w. A third pulley or antifriction roller x is
carried upon a spindle which passes through the upwardly 'projecting parts of
the ploughshare, in one of which the stud of the pulley w is fixed. As
the plough traverses round with the chains 9, it rests upon the pulleys v, w,
and a, which serve to facilitate its progress. The coulter of the plough
is fitted into a socket made for the purpose in the horizontal part u; this part
of the implement does not differ from those in ordinary use. The remaining
parts connected with the guides o consist of the curved guide. bars Y, the per-
forated or plain metal guides z, the springs 1, and the adjustable diagonal
stays 2. The office of the curved guide bars y is to direct the plough so that
it enters the ground fairly and at the proper angle to do its work effectually.
As the plough travels along the upper surface of the guide o.when it reaches
the position in which the upper plough is shown to the right of Figure 1,
the pulley a rolls up the inclined surface of the guide bar y; the pulley w
also rolls up an inclined guide of less height and curve, which is not shown on
the Drawing. The pulley a as it follows the ascent of the guide bar lifts the
hind end of the plough with it, and as it descends the curve of the incline
the point of the ploughshare is directed downwards in an angular direction in
the best position for entering the ground. The front pulley now comes
into contact with the guidez, and when the ploughshare is fairly in the
ground, the other pulley w is likewise resting on the guide y; the plough
being kept in its proper position by, the plate s as it travels along behind the
open metal plate o¹. As the endless chains 9 pass round the wheels P, the
plough cuts the furrow to the predetermined depth, and as the plough rises
out of the ground and passes round the outer wheel
the dirt that may
adhere thereto falls on to the angular ends of the guides z, which are per-
forated so that the greater portion of it may fall through. As the plough
continues its upward course and turns over the upper part of the wheel P, it
would fall with a sudden and injurious shock upon the guide o, but this is
prevented by the interposition of the curved blade spring 1. The pulley v of
the plough falls upon the spring 1, which by its flexibility gives way and
prevents any injury to the guide o. The inner part of the spring 1 is hinged
P,

page_text: to allow of the pulley x passing under it after the pulley has passed, pre-
paratory to its ascending the inclined guide bar y. There are two or more
ploughs fitted to each guide, so that while two of them are cutting the furrow
in opposite directions, the other two ploughs are traversing the upper parts of
the guides, to be in readiness to enter the ground when the others are drawn
out. The guides o are arranged so that the ploughs as they traverse over the
peripheries of the inner wheels p, enter the ground in such manner as to
slightly overlap each other, and thus form a complete and unbroken furrow.
The guides o are stayel at their outer ends by the diagonal stays 2, which in
this modification are long spars of wood, the front ends of which are fastened
in metal sockets that are bolted to the front part of the framing A. The
backward ends of the stays 2 are fitted to slide in the sockets 3, which are
bolted to the front of the guides o; the stays are held therein by the latéral
pinching screws 4; this arrangement admits of 'the adjustment of the angle
of the guides o, and releasing them altogether, when required. In my Drawing
the guides o are shown at right angles to the parallel sides of the framing A;
but in practice this would not be the case, the guides would need to be
arranged at obtuse angles, in order that as the machine moved forward the
ploughs should cut a straight furrow. The arrangement for- lengthening the
stays 2 admits of this adjustment of the angle of the guides o, so that if the
machine is moved forward a space of nine inches during the cutting of a
furrow, the ploughs will be moved backwards an equal space as they travel
along the angle. given to the guides, and thus a straight furrow will be cut:
The sockets 3 have connected to them a pair of bearing wheels 5, which serve
to support the outer ends of the guides o. These wheels are each carried in
the forked ends of an adjustable spindle, which slides within a socket that
projects from the under side of the sockets 3. The lengthening or shortening
of the spindles is regulated by the adjusting screws shown on the upper part
of the sockets 3. By this means the depth of the furrow is increased or
diminished at pleasure, for by lengthening the spindles which carry the wheels
the outer ends of the guides are raised, the inner ends being raised in like
manner by winding up the chains on their respective barrels; the furrow
will be proportionately shallow, and vice versa. I have now to show in what
manner the motion of the engine is imparted to the endless chains q, so as to
give motion to the ploughs. The horizontal shaft M, which is driven by the
bevel wheel K on the crank shaft I, has running loosely upon it a pitch wheel;
which by means of the endless chain 6 gives motion to the pitch wheel 7:
This wheel 7 is fast to the shaft of the wheel p on the inner end of the left-
hand guide o; the rotatory motion of the wheel 7, when coupled to the shaft M

page_text: consequently drives the wheel p. and its endless chain q at a corresponding
rate of speed. The pitch wheel on the shaft M is connected to the shaft by
means of a coupling, which is actuated by means of a band lever; the upper
extremity of this lever is secured to the under side of the beam C, and the
lower end hangs free and within convenient reach of the engineer or attendant.
The endless chain 6, which gives motion to the pitch wheel 7, is kept suffi-
ciently tight by the pressure of the weighted lever 8; this is a bell crank lever,
which is carried loosely upon the shaft M; the vertical arm of the lever has a
stud fitted to it on which is a pulley 9 that presses against the chain 6. The
longer arm of the lever carries a counterweight 10, by which the pressure of
the lever against the chain 6 is regulated, so as to maintain the requisite
tension and secure effective working. The ploughs which traverse round the
right-hand guide o are actuated by means of a pitch wheel 11, which runs
loosely upon the shaft M, and is put into and thrown out of gear by means of
a coupling and hand lever, as herein-before described. The pitch wheel 11
gives motion to the endless chain 12 and pitch wheel 13; the shaft of this
wheel has keyed to it a toothed wheel 14, which drives a corresponding wheel
15, that is fast to the shaft of the pitch wheel p on the inner end of the right-
hand guide o.
This arrangement reverses the direction of the ploughs on the
right-hand side as compared with the left, so that there may be no lateral
strain of any consequence. The requisite tensional pressure upon the chain
12 is obtained by means of the weighted lever 16, which is centred upon a
stud projecting from the pendent bracket in which the outer extremity of the
shaft M is carried.
When the implement is put into operation the duplex ploughs cut a furrow
equal to the width or range of the pair of guides, commencing from the centre
and extending outwards, or, if so arranged, commence from the outer end and
move towards the centre. During the traverse of one pair of ploughs in
cutting up the furrow the engine propels the machine forward a distance equal
to the breadth of the furrow, so that when the ploughs have completed the
traverse the second pair of ploughs are in a proper position to enter the ground
and form a furrow parallel to the first. In this manner the operation of
ploughing is effected in a speedy and effective way, and a-large extent of land
may be ploughed up during an ordinary day's work. To render the machine
easily portable along ordinary roads the plough guides o swing round upon
their supporting slings n, which are shackled to the chains m, so that when the
guides are released from the stays 2 they may be placed in a line with the
framing A; in this manner the whole of the details of the machine lie within
the breadth occupied by the bearing wheels D; this enables it to be moved along

page_text: lanes and through the gateways of fields which are of the average width; or
they may be furnished with wheels or castors and be drawn by horses. Instead
of a constant moving forward during the traverse of the ploughs; the guides
0, 0, may be set at perfect right angles to the main framing, when two on each
guide would be used, and an arrangement of gearing employed, such a as that by
which timber is taken forward to an upright saw, to take the whole machine
forward at once the breadth of the furrow when the ploughs were passing over
:the pitch wheels.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion
to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for ploughing or cultivating land by means of steam power, as herein-before
described.
.
Second, the system or mode of ploughing or cultivating land by means of
steam machinery, in which the ploughs are caused to traverse in opposite
directions from the centre of the machine outwards, or in the reverse direction
from the outer part of the guides towards the centre of the machine, as herein-
before described.
Third, the system or mode of ploughing land by means of machinery, in
which the ploughs are caused to traverse along suitable guides placed at right
angles or nearly so to the main framing of the machine, and in which two or
more ploughs are caused to act simultaneously in cutting the furrow, whilst
two or more ploughs are traversing along the upper parts of the guides
preparatory to their being brought into operation, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of ploughing land by means of machinery, in
which sets of ploughs are alternately brought into action, as herein-before
described.
Fifth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing the mechanical
details in connection with the engine or propelling power of ploughing
machines, so that the implement is propelled forward a distance equal to the
width of a furrow at each traverse of the ploughs, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of guiding or steering ploughing machines by

page_text: means of the mechanical arrangement herein-before described, or any mere
equivalent therefor.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Austin, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-eight.
JAS AUSTIN. (L.S.)