IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING LAND BY STEAM POWER
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Allin Williams, of Baydon, in the County of
Wilts, Farmer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING LAND BY STEAM POWER."
Sealed the 31st August 1859, and dated the 9th March 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Allin Williams
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th March 1859.
I, JOHN ALLIN WILLIAMS, of Baydon, in the County of Wilts, Farmer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING LAND BY STEAM POWER," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrangements of
ploughs, scarifiers or grubbers, and drags or. harrows.
The ploughing implement which I propose to use by the aid of steam power
is composed of a suitable frame supported at the middle on a pair of central
running wheels, and provided with a small wheel at or near each extremity,
capable of adjustment by means of a crank handle, for the purpose of main-
taining the frame as nearly as possible in a horizontal position, and of carrying
the additional weight caused by the second set of ploughs with which the
implement is fitted when elevated or out of ground.
Two or more ploughs are carried at each end of the machine, the two sets
of ploughs being respectively right and left handed, one set being raised out of

page_text: the ground whilst the other is in work; and as the two sets are used alter-
nately, the machine never requires turning at the headlands.
The axle of the land central running wheel is slotted to allow of its vertical
action by means of a screw or rack and pinion, and is extended beyond the
linch pin for the purpose of carrying a pulley for running the slack rope upon,
if necessary. The steerage of the plough may be effected by lever handles at
each end of the frame, or a peculiar mode of locking the axle by the aid of
adjustable wedges, actuated or not by a lever as herein-after described in
reference to my improved scarifyer or grubber. In this latter case the vertical
adjustment of the land central wheel is dispensed with.
Each plough has a separate beam of its own, which is jointed at its head to
a vertically adjustable block or blocks, working by means of a screw along
vertical standards which are rigidly fixed to the frame, whilst the rear end of
each beam is raised or lowered by one or moro overhead windlasses, which
actuate both sets of ploughs, taking up one set whilst the other is being let
down. The power of the engine is transmitted through the hauling rope or
ropes to a wippletree fixed under cach set of ploughs, and fastened to the axle
or frame by means of a hook and chain. From the body of each plough a wire
rope is taken and passed through a hole or slot in the main axle, and
connected to the wippletree by means of a set screw. By this arrangement
when power is applied to the rope, the wippletree draws the whole of the
ploughs into the ground, and when shifting at the end of the furrow, the ropes
taking against the holes in the axle prevent any side pull on the plough.
beams, which might otherwise damage them. When an endless rope is used,
1 purpose placing two capstans attached to the framework for taking up or
giving out the slack. For the purpose of travelling, a pair of shafts may be
placed at one end of the machine and a swivel wheel at the other end.
The improved scarifier or grubber consists of a suitable carriage or frame
supported by a pair of large central running wheels and small guide or
steering wheels in front, working on a vertical guide shaft or spindle. The
axle of the large running wheels is made to work in two slotted boxes
attached to the frame, and working at one end on a fixed contro or pin, whilst
the other end is allowed to slide horizontally, and fastened to any desired angle
by means of wedges, for the purpose of facilitating the steerage of the imple-
ment. In the front of the framework are a suitable number of vertical
standards, to which are attached a similar number of blocks, which are rigidly
fixed to each other by means of a lifting bar, so that the whole can be lifted
up and set at any required depth by means of a long lever working on a
fulcrum on the top of the frame and actuated from the rear of the machine..

page_text: This framework contains any convenient number of tines or cultivating instru-
ments, which are bolted or otherwise secured to suitable lever frames working
vertically on centres in the blocks at the front end, and, if required, on one or
more single beams placed between the lever frames, each working, as before
mentioned, from the blocks in the front. I prefer to use 7 or 5 tines or culti-
vators; when seven are used, three are placed in each of the lever frames, and
one on the single beam in the centre. These lever frames are so constructed
by ramping or bending, that the outside tines or cultivators sball follow the
large running wheel, so that after the wheel shall have travelled over the un-
cultivated land, the soil shall be perfectly broken up, thereby showing no wheel
tracts on the cultivated soil. If 5 tines are used, three in one frame and two
in the other can be placed, or two in each of the frames, and a single one in
the centre, if found desirable. These several lever beams and frames are pre-
vented from spreading laterally by means of connecting chains and links.
In addition to the above lever frames and beams carrying tines and culti-
vators within the framework, I purpose to place in the rear of the machine a
lever frame carrying two or more broadshares. In this caso I use chisel
points or grubbers on the front tines (which are capable of carrying either
chisels or broadshares); these, by breaking up the ground, more easily admit
the broadshares to follow, thereby performing two operations at once. The
hauling ropes can be applied either to the vertical spindle or shaft, or to the
head, or any other suitable part of the frame; but in either case I so construct
the attachments to the front wheels, that by means of suitable rods and chains
a fork or slot shall precede the wheels through which the hauling rope shall
work, allowing sufficient play for steering them, but securing the proper'
traction of the said wheels when turning and at work. The steerage is still
further assisted by means of a cross bar on the top of the vertical shaft or
spindle of the front wheels, actuated from the rear by means of an ordinary
pair of plough reins. The whole of the lever frames, beams, and broadshare
frame are lifted in the rear by means of a windlass placed on the top of the
frame, two pullies being elevated above the frame for the purpose of facilitating
the lift of the broadshares. The broadshare beams are fixed by means of a
bolt at each side of the frame, and, having several holes, can be put at any
required depth. When using an endless rope, two capstans can be placed in
the frame for the purpose of giving out or taking up the slack, suitable guide
pulleys being employed for obtaining a central draught. A pulley is placed on
each end of the axle or attached to the side of the frame for the purpose of
running the slack rope upon, if required.
On each side of the front part of the frame is placed a hook and chain for

page_text: the purpose of locking the pivot wheel when turning by placing the hook in
one of the spokes of that wheel.
The improved drag and harrow consists of the same frame as the scarifier
or grubber herein-before described; the lever frames and beams being
removed, and a suitable frame or frames substituted, extending in width to a
greater extent in the rear of the wheels, if found desirable, to which frame are
attached drag tines, the said frames being actuated by means of the lever and
windlass, as before described in reference to the scarifier; or the grubbers or
chisel points can-remain to form the drag. I then substitute for the broad-
share before described one or more harrows, working on a lever frame
centred at the end in a similar manner to the broadshare, cach harrow being
capable of being lifted separately for the purpose of cleaning, and the whole
being lifted together by means of the windlass on the frame; or a separate
rectangular frame on the same principle as the scarifier may be constructed,
and the drag placed inside, with suitable appliances for working the drag, the
harrows following in the rear.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Allin Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th September 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
ALLIN WILLIAMS, of Baydon, in the County of Wilts, Farmer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
.said Johu Allin Williams, Her special license that I, the said John Allin
Williams, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I. the
said John Allin Williams, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at 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 Chaunel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING LAND BY STEAM
POWER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Allin
Williams, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in

page_text: 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 John Allin Williams, 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, 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 peculiar constructions and arrange-
ments of ploughs, scarifiers or grubbers, and drags or harrows.
The ploughing implement which I propose to use by the aid of steam power
is composed of a suitable frame supported at the middle on a pair of central
running wheels, and provided with a small wheel at or near each extremity,
capable of adjustment by means of a crank handle, for the purpose of main-
taining the frame as nearly as possible in a horizontal position, and of carrying
the additional weight caused by the second set of ploughs with which the
implement is fitted when such ploughs are elevated or out of the ground.
Two or more ploughs are carried at each end of the machine, the two sets
of ploughs being respectively right and left handed, one set being raised out
of the ground whilst the other is in work; and as the two sets are used
alternately, the machine never requires turning at the headlands.
rope
The axle of the land central running wheel is slotted to allow of its vertical
adjustment by means of a screw or rack and pinion, and is extended beyond
the linch pins for the purpose of carrying a pulley. for running the slack
upon, if necessary. The steerage of the plough may be effected by lever
handles at each end of the frame, or by a peculiar mode of locking the axle
by the aid of adjustable wedges actuated or not by a lever, as herein-after
described in reference to my improved scarifier or grubber. In this latter
case the vertical adjustment of the land central wheel is dispensed with..
Each plough has a separate beam of its own, which is jointed at its head to
a vertically adjustable block or blocks working by means of a screw along
vertical standards, which are rigidly fixed to the frame, whilst the rear end of
cach beam is raised or lowered by one or more overhead windlasses, which
actuate both sets of ploughs, taking up one set whilst the other is being let
down. The power of the engine is transmitted througli the hauling rope or
ropes to a wippletree fixed under each set of ploughs, and fastened to the
axle or frame by means of hooks and chains. From the body of each plough
a.wire rope or chain is taken and passed through a hole or slot in the main
axle, and connected to the wippletree by means of a set screw. By this

page_text: arrangement, when power is applied to the rope, the wippletree draws the
whole of the ploughs into the ground, and when shifting at the end of the
furrow, the ropes taking against the holes in the axle prevent any side pull
on the plough beams, which might otherwise damage them. When an
endless rope is used, I propose placing two capstans attached to the frame-
work for taking up or giving out the slack. For the purpose of travelling, a
pair of shafts may be placed at one end of the machine.
The improved scarifier or grubber consists of a suitable carriage or fraine.
supported by a pair of large central running wheels and small guide or steering
wheels in front, working on a vertical guide shaft or spindle. The axle of 1
the large running wheels is made to work in two slotted boxes attached to the
frame, and works at one end on a fixed centre or pin, whilst the other end is:
allowed to slide horizontally, and fastened at any desired angle by means of.
wedges, for the purpose of facilitating the steerage of the implement. In the
front of the framework are a suitable number of vertical standards, to which
are attached a similar number of blocks, which are rigidly connected to each
other by means of a lifting bar, so that the whole can be lifted up and set at.
any required depth by means of a long lever working on a fulcrum on the
top of the frame, and actuated from the rear of the machine. This frame-
work contains any convenient number of tines or cultivating instruments, which
are bolted or otherwise secured to suitable lever frames working vertically on:
centres in the blocks at the front end, and, if required, on one or more single
beams placed between the lever frames, each working, as before mentioned,
from the blocks in the front. I prefer to use seven or five tines or cultivators;
when soven are used, three are placed in each of the lever frames, and one on
the single beam in the centre. These lever frames are so constructed by
ramping or bending, that the outside tines or cultivators shall follow the large
running wheels, so that after the wheels shall have travelled over the uncul-
tivated land, the soil shall be perfectly broken up, thereby shewing no wheel
tracts on the cultivated soil. If five times are used, three can be placed in
one frame and two in the other, or two in each of the frames, and a single.
one in the centre, if found desirable. These several lever beams and frames
are prevented from spreading laterally by means of connecting chains and
links.
In addition to the above lever frames and beams carrying tines and culti-
vators within the framework, I purpose to place in the rear of the machine a
ever frame carrying two or more broadshares. In this case I use chisel.
points or grubbers on the front tines (which are capable of carrying either
chisels or broadshares); these, by breaking up the ground more easily, admit

page_text: the broadshares to follow, thereby performing two operations at once. The
hauling ropes can be applied either to the vertical spindle or shaft, or to the.
head or any other suitable part of the frame; but in either case I so construct
the attachments to the front wheels, that by means of suitable rods and chains
a fork or slot shall precede the wheels through which the hauling rope shall
work, allowing sufficient play for steering them, but securing the proper action
of the said wheels when turning and at work. The steerage is still further
assisted by means, of a cross-bar on the top of the vertical shaft or spindle of
the front wheels, actuated from the rear by means of an ordinary pair of
plough reins. The whole of the lever frames, beams, and broadshare frame
are lifted in the rear by means of a windlass placed on the top of the frame,:
two pullies being elevated above the frame for the purpose of facilitating the
lift of the broadshares. The broadshare beams are fixed, by means of a bolt
at each side of the frame, and, having several holes, can be put at any required
depth. When using an endless rope, two capstans can be placed on the
frame for the purpose of giving out or taking up the slack, suitable means
being employed for obtaining a central draught. A pulley is placed on each
end of the axle or attached to the side of the frame for the purpose of running
the slack rope upon, if required.
On each side of the front part of the frame is placed a hook and chain for
the purpose of locking the pivot wheel when turning by placing the hook in
one of the spokes of that wheel.
The improved drag and harrow consists of the same frame as the scarifier
or grubber herein-before described; the lever frames and beams being removed,
and a suitable frame or frames substituted, extending in width to a greater
extent in the rear of the wheels, if found desirable, to which frame are
attached drag tines, the said frames being actuated by means of the lever and
windlass, as before described in reference to the scarifier; or the grubbers or
chisel points can remain to form the drag. I then substitute for the broad-
share before described one or more harrows working on a lever frame, centered
at the end in a similar manner to the broadshare, each harrow being capable
of being lifted separately for the purpose of cleansing, and the whole being
lifted together by means of the windlass on the frame; or a separate rect-
angular frame on the same principle as the scarifier may be constructed, and
the drag placed inside with suitable appliances for working the drags,. the
barrows following in the rear.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, the

page_text: same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 (on Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a side elevation of my
ploughing machine; Figure 2 (Sheet 2) is a plan of the same; Figure 3
(Sheet 3) is a transverse vertical section of the machine taken along the
line 12 in Figure 2.
.
The main framing of the machine, which may be composed of wood or
metal, consists of a long straight beam A, connected by the transverse beams.
B, B, to the two beams C, C, which latter are considerably inclined horizon-
tally to the beam A, so that the ploughs D, D, which are fitted thereto, may
assume such a position as to enable each plough to make a separate and
distinct furrow when hauled over the ground. The distance between each
plough is equal to the width of furrow to be produced. E, E', are a pair of
main supporting or carrying wheels, the wheel E being fitted loosely upon the
stationery axle F, and the wheel E' carried by the adjustable axle G, the height
of which above the wheel E being regulated according to the depth and incli-
nation of furrow, this wheel E¹ running on the top of the unploughed land;
whilst the wheel E runs in the bottom of the last made furrow. The vertical
adjustment of the wheel E' is effected by means of the rack H and pinion I,
the axis of the latter being provided with a small ratchet wheel K, governed
by a detent L (Figure 3), for the purpose of supporting the machine at any
desired elevation. The adjustable axle G is guided vertically by the two
uprights M, M, forged in one piece with the main crank axle N, as will be
seen more clearly in Figure 3. Each of the plough beams, which are all of
the same length, is jointed at O to a metal slide P, capable of vertical adjust-
ment along the guide rods or standards Q, Q, which are fixed at their upper
and lower extremities into the wrought-iron angular bars R, R'. The upper.
ouc R of these bars is let into the under surface of the beams C, C, whilst
the lower one R¹ is supported by the guide rods Q, and by being bolted to
the under surfaces of a block S at each end of the machine, one of these
blocks being shewn in Figure 1. To each of the metal slides P is fitted a
vertical screw spindle T, passing through an adjusting nut U, carried by the
beams C; it thus follows that by turning the nuts more or less the height of
any individual plough may be regulated with facility. To the outer or free
end of each plough beam is attached a rod and chain V, passing thence to the
windlasses W, W¹, carried in bearings in the uprights X, and actuated sepa-
rately by their respective cross arms Y, Y. In this machine two sets of four
ploughs each are shewn arranged at opposite ends of the machine, and having.
their points directed towards each other, so that the machine when in use will

page_text: never require turning, as one set of ploughs is let down into action whilst the
other set is being hauled up out of the ground by means of the before-
mentioned windlasses and cross arms.
When I use four ploughs in a set, I prefer to use two separate windlasses,
and to connect two ploughs of each set to each windlass, so that the raising of
the ploughs out of the land will be effected in pairs, as it would require too
much power to raise the entire four at one operation. Whilst one pair of
ploughs is being elevated, the corresponding pair of the opposite set or series
is being lowered into action. Z, Z, are detents taking into corresponding
ratchet wheels a, a, fitted on to each end of each drum or windlass, the two
ratchet wheels of each drum having their teeth in reverse directions, so that
by engaging the proper detents with the ratchets, either set of ploughs may be
retained elevated, as shown in Figure 1, where the right-hand set are raised
out of action, whilst the left-hand series is down ready for use; b, b, are
weights hung on to each plough beam for the purpose of keeping them
individually well down in the land when ploughing. The frame is main-
tained, as nearly as practicable, in a horizontal position when at work by the
two small running wheels c, c', placed within the framing at or near each end
thereof, and these wheels are connected to the upright bent lever handles d, it';
which work on centres at e, e', and are capable of being adjusted in any
desired position, so as to raise or lower the wheels, and retain them fixed by
cross pins f inserted on each side of the levers through the perforated slotted
guide bar g, g'. The tractive force is applied to each individual plough
beam in each set or series through the ropes or chains h, h, which are secured.
to each beam at i, i, just over the plough body, and after passing in opposite
directions through guide holes in the cross bar j secured to the main cranked
axle, the two sets of ropes or chains are attached to separate wippletrees
,, (shewn more clearly in the detail plan, Figure 4, Sheet 3). Theso
whippletrees are each supported or held up from the ground being con-
nected loosely to a rod 1, l, along which rod they are free to slide; m, m', are
chains for connecting the whippletrees to the cross bar j, the lengths of these
connections being so regulated that when the full strain is on the ropes or
chains h or h', the connections will be tightened, but not to such an extent as
to transmit any predominating pull to the cross bar itself. Each individual
rope or chain of the series h, h', may be more or less tightened up by means
of the adjusting thumb nuts n, n, by which arrangement all the ploughs in
each set will bear an equal strain or tractive force. To the front of each
whippletree is attached an intermediate rope or chain o, o³, provided with an
eye at its opposite end, which is hooked on to the end of the main hauling or

page_text: windlass rope p, and when not required for action, that is, when being used
solely to draw out the slack or tail rope p' from the windlass in readiness for
the next back travel, this ring, with the hook of the main rope still engaged
in it, is hooked on to one or other of the carrier hooks 9, 9', according to the
direction in which the ploughs are being hauled, as will be seen on referring
to Figure 1 of my Drawings. These carrier hooks are bolted on to opposite
ends of the machine, and take the entire strain of the tail rope. The steering
of the machine during ploughing may be effected by the lever handles 7, 2º¹²,
fitted rigidly in sockets at each end of the machine, but shewn partly broken
away in the Drawings. I do not confine or restrict myself to this particular
mode of steering, as many well-known devices may be applied for this purpose
to my machine. By the peculiar system or mode of dragging each plough
beam separately through the intervention of a whippletree, and passing the
whippletree ropes through guide holes in a cross bar in the centre of tho
machine, I obtain not only a better action of the ploughs by causing them
more effectually to dig into the soil, but I have a more perfect command of
the machine when adjusting it in position at each land's end for taking a
fresh set of furrows. This I accomplish by simply swinging round the
machine, which is balanced on its central wheels E, E, in such a manner as
to bring its head over the next cut of unploughed land. This partial turning
or angling of the machine causes the whippletree ropes h or h³, as the case
may be, to bear laterally upon the sides of the guide holes in the bar j.
Now on a signal being given, the hauling rope is drawn up slightly, and by
pulling at an angle to the machine, it transmits its action for the time being
(that is, so long as the pull is against the sides of the holes in the bar j,) to that
bar, and not altogether to the plough beams, the friction and angle of the rope
through the holes being too great to allow of the beams being affected, and
consequently the machine is instantly pulled over into the new position ready
for a fresh set of furrows.
Figure 1 on Sheet 4 of my Drawings represents a complete side elevation
of my improved scarifier or grubber; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the
same; and Figure 3 is a front elevation of the implement. A, A, is the main
framing of the implement supported by the running wheels B, B', and front
pair of guide wheels C, C. The main wheels B, B', are carried by the axle D,
which works in two slotted cast-iron boxes E, E', bolted to the opposite sides
of the main framing. F is a bolt passing vertically through the framing and
main axle, and serving as a pivot or working centre for the axle to turn or
lock round upon, as shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 2, which represent
the axle in its two extreme positions. This angular adjustment of the main

page_text: "
axle facilitates the steerage of the implement, and when perfectly adjusted to.
suit the draught or line of haulage, the axle is retained in position by wedges G
inserted into the slot in the box E. The guide wheels C, C, are fast on a
short axle H turning loosely in a cast-iron boss, which is secured centrally to
the bottom of the vertical steering rod I. This rod is supported in the main
framing by the collar bearings at J and K, and is provided at its upper end
with laterally projecting horizontal arms L, L, to which is connected a pair.
of steering ropes or reins M, carried in the hand of the attendant at the back
of the implement. It is thus obvious that by pulling one or other of the
reins M the machine may be steered or guided in any direction required.
N, N, are two arms working freely on the steering axle H, and meeting in
front so as to form a forked guide, through which the traction or hauling rope
O is passed. This fork is raised or lowered to suit the height of the hauling
rope by taking up or letting out the short chain P, which connects the forked
arms N with a loose collar Q on the vertical steering rod I. This implement
is represented as being provided with two drums or windlasses R, R', fitted:
loosely upon the cross shaft S, carried in suitable supports T, T, on the beams
of the main framing. These windlasses are only intended to be used when
what is known as the "endless rope system of haulage is employed, their
object being to give out or take up the slack of the rope as circumstances
require. U, U', are detents carried by the bridge or curved bar U", and
taking into notches cut in the peripheries of the windlasses to prevent them
from being rotated by the pull of the ropes. One end V of the hauling rope
is secured to and wound round the windlass R, passes thence from the under.
side thereof through the guide eye W, and through the fork on the arms N,
to the main hauling drum at the engine, or round the pulley of the anchor, as
the case may be. The other end V₁ of the rope is wound round and secured
to the windlass R', passes thence through the other side of the guide eye W,
and round the end of the casting X, constituting the fore part of the framing..
The end of this casting is grooved or channelled in order the better to retain
the rope in its place. This rope then passes over the lateral hook Y, which.
keeps it clear of the running wheels, and proceeds direct either to the free
hauling drum or to the horizontal pulley in the anchor, as the case may be.
This last-mentioned portion of the rope is the tail rope, which is drawn or
unwound from off its hauling drum by the progress of the implement over the
land. The return or slack rope V" of the endless system travels over the
grooved antifriction pulley Z, Z', one of which is provided at each side of the
implement, so that on the latter being turned round at the land's end, the
Vi may be slipped into the opposite pulley Z. This turning of the
rope

page_text: implement is effected by means of the tail rope V', upon hauling which it is
obvious that, the strain being applied laterally across the head of the frame-
work, the implement will be instantly reversed, and the ropes O and V₁ will
change their positions and functions, that is to say, the rope O will assume the
position shown by the rope V', and will become the tail rope, while the rope V'
will assume the position shown by the rope O, and will become the traction rope.
Z (Fig. 1) is a hook suspended to a chain from the side of the framing,
by which I make fast or lock the main wheel E preparatory to turning the
implement, by which means this wheel becomes a fixed pivot or centre for
the implement to turn upon; and consequently by the time the turning is
accomplished, the implement will have taken up a correct position for the next
traverse without further adjustment. When the windlasses R, R', are not
used, the hauling rope is hooked on to a chain connected with the central beam
of the framing, and passing through the guide eye before referred to.
Having thus described the essential features of the framing or body of the
implement, which may be provided with any suitable description of tines or
instruments for loosening and disentegrating the soil, I shall now proceed to
describe the peculiar mode I adopt for arranging these instruments. At the
front end of the framing are fitted four vertical standards or spindles a, a,"
(Figure 3), bolted at the top and bottom to the wrought-iron cross bars b and
c respectively. On each of these standards slides a metal block d, and these
four metal blocks are attached to a transverse lifting bar c', connected by the
links to the overhead lever e, working on an adjustable centre at f. To
these blocks d are jointed the two lever frames g, g, a long pin or bolt h being
passed through the joints of each frame. These lever frames consist each of
two or more beams, three being represented in my Drawings, and to these
beams are bolted the tines or other cultivating instruments i, i. Each frame
works independently and separately upon its centres, and between these two
lever frames is a single beam or lever g', also working on an adjustable centro of
its own at k, the front end of the lever being forked for that purpose, and the
joint is formed by the same pins h, which constitute the centres of the lever
frames. As the whole of these centres are connected rigidly with the lifting
bar, it follows that by simply depressing the back end of the long lever e, the
depth of the instruments in the soil may be regulated according to-circum-
stances. The free or back ends of the lever frames 9 are connected by s
chains 1, 1, to the windlasses m, m, on one common axis, by turning which
through the cross handles n, the after ends of the lever frames and central
beam g¹ are clevated to any required position, suitable detents and ratchet
wheels o, o, keeping them elevated at any height desired. The free end of

page_text: the central beam g' is passed through a ring in a chain p, which extends from
one lever frame to the other, and as this chain is left rather slack, it does not
interfere with the requisite freedom of the central beam, whilst at the same time
it enables that beam to be elevated when the frames g are raised, and prevents
the frames from spreading. The tines or other cultivating instruments are so
disposed in the lover frames 9, 9, and beam 9', that no two tines shall be in
the same track; and I so construct the frames 9, that the outer tines carried
thereby shall exactly operate in the tracks of the main running wheels B, B³,
so that no wheel tracks whatever will be left by the implement. Behind this
machine I propose in some cases to place another lever frame q, jointed at
r, ", to the main framing of the implement, and free to rise and fall with the
inequalities of the ground. This frame is provided with two or more broad-
shares s, 8, or with ordinary harrow teeth or chisel pointed tines, as required;
but when broadshares are used, they should be of such a width as to leave no
portion of the ground in the immediate track of the implement uncut. This
frame is also connected by chains t, t, which pass over the pulleys u, u, to the
windlasses m, m, and are so wound thereon that on elevating the inner lever
frames 9, the hind lever frame q will be elevated simultaneously. In some
cases a single barrow or set of harrows may be attached to the lever frame q
by pin joints at the eyes 9', 9', such joints being so constructed as to admit
of the harrows being lifted and turned over on to the frame q, which frame with
the harrows upon it may then be clevated by the chains t, t, and windlasses
m, m, before referred to, to facilitate the turning of the implement at the land's
end. In this case the broadshares s, s, will be removed, and drag teeth or á
pair of running wheels substituted therefore for the purpose of supporting the
frame.
.
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 would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
berein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,--
First, the general construction, arrangement, and combination of apparatus
for ploughing land by steam power, as herein-before described and illustrated
by Sheets 1, 2, and 3 of my Drawings.
Second, the application and use of a wheel placed at or near each end of
the plough frame, and adjusted vertically by means of lever handles in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of a carrying pulley fitted on to the main
framing or on to the end of one of the main axles of the framing of a steam

page_text: ploughing machine, scarifier, or grubber, for the purpose of running the slack
rope upon, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the passing of the intermediate ropes or chains h, h³, which extend
from each individual plough beam to the wippletrees through guide holes or
slots mode in a transverse fixed bar of the main framing, for the purpose
herein-before described.
Fifth, the general construction and arrangement of scarifier or grubber, as
herein-before described.
Sixth, the peculiar mode of facilitating the steerage of scarifiers or grubbers
and other similar implements, by causing the main axle to work in slotted
.boxes, and to be fixed at any desired angle therein by means of wedges or
other equivalent device, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the combination in one machine or implement of two or more tine
,or share-bearing lever frames vibrating independently of each other on centres
of their own, with or without a singlo central lever beam, also fitted with
,tines or, shares, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the application and use of a lever frame carrying two or more broad-
shares or a number of tines or drags, and jointed to the rear of a scarifier or
grubber, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the attaching of a harrow or set of harrows to the rear lever frame
referred to in my eighth claim, as herein-before described.
Tenth, the system or mode of locking or. holding one of the main running
wheels of the scarifier or grubbing implement drawn by steam power when
turning at the land's end, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Allin Williams, have hereunto set 2
my hand and seal, the Second day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
JOHN ALLIN WILLIAMS. (L.S.)