Improvements in Harrows.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 21st May, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Harrows.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the
City of London, Civil Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention (a communication to me from D. S. Morgan & Co.,
of Brockport, Monroe County, New York, in the United States of America, Manu-
facturers of Agricultural Machinery,) and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to revolving harrows.
In the accompanying drawings, which represent a revolving harrow embodying
the present improvements,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation.
Fig. 2 is a plan; part being broken away.
Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of one of the gangs of rotary blades; this view also
showing the clearer.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the blades.
Fig. 5 represents the inner side of one of the collars for the blades.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a pair of the collars.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through one of the main bearings of the gang-
shaft.
Fig. 8 is a plan illustrating a modification.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section through one of the journal-boxes, showing the yokes
and one of the standards for the weight-box.
The improved harrow comprises the revolving gangs A and A¹ of curved S-shaped
teeth B, a pole C, a frame D D', and a lever and connections whereby the angular
position of the axes of the gangs can be adjusted relatively to the line of draft.
E is the driver's seat.
The frame consists of the transverse bar D, attached to the under side of the
pole at a, and extending outward and downward in each direction, in a suitable
arched or curved form, until it meets the frame-bars D', which are attached to the
pole at b. From the points where the transverse bar D meets the bars D', it
extends backwards and is connected with the yokes c and c', which carry the
journal-boxes d and d¹ wherein the shafts or axes of the gangs revolve. At the
bend near each extremity, the transverse bar D is stiffened by an angular brace f
which is secured by rivets or bolts. In the construction shown, the journal-box d
is located between the two outer sets of blades on each gang, and the box d' between
the two inner sets, but they may be placed in any suitable position. The journal-
boxes d' are connected with the pole by draw-bars F and F, which extend forward
and are pivoted to the lower end of the lever G, by which the angular position of
the gangs is adjusted. The lever G is furnished with a suitable spring-catch h,
which engages with the notches in a segment i attached to the pole C. By moving
the upper end of the lever back from the position shown in Fig. 1, the inner ends
of the gangs can be drawn forward, until, when the extreme point of adjustment is
reached, the axes of the shafts occupy the position indicated by the dotted line
that is, a position at right angles to the line of draft. It will be observed that,
while the lower end of the lever G is pivoted directly to the draw-bar F' on one
side of the pole, the arm k, which extends downward on the opposite side of the
pole, is fastened to the lever G and pivoted to the draw-bar F. Both the lever G
and the bent arm k turn on the same pivot l, which passes through the pole C.
ejj;
The draw-bars F and F are arched or curved so that their upper edges may
remain in contact with the lower side of the transverse bar D in whatever position

page_text: the gangs may be set, so as to cause the blades at the inner ends of the gangs to
cut to the proper depth. Each may be made in one piece, as shown; or each may
have a curved part attached to it. The lower ends of the lever G and, bent arm k
are provided with a series of holes o, Fig. 1, adapted for the reception of the pivot r,
so that, for certain kinds of work, or on uneven ground, the blades at the inner ends
of the gangs can be caused to penetrate the earth deeper than those at the outer
ends of the gangs.
H is a bracket, attached to the lower side of the pole, for receiving the whiffle-
trees; this arrangement reducing the weight on the necks of the horses.
The seat is supported by the seat-bar I, which is secured in the socket J at the
rear end of the pole; the socket being extended laterally to form rests for the
driver's feet.
In the centre of each blade there is a perforation m, Fig. 4; the gang-shaft n
passing through the perforations. The blades are secured on the shaft by the
collars p and The collars are held at suitable distances apart by the sleeves L,
the ends of which are squared and fit into square openings, such as, Fig. 5, in the
collars, or are otherwise so formed as to ensure that the blades, collars, sleeves and
shaft revolve together. The gang-shaft is also provided at each end with a
sleeve t, Fig. 7, which revolves within the journal-box d or d¹. A flange u, Fig. 7,
extending round the sleeve t, fits in a corresponding groove inside the journal-box
in order to prevent end-play. Each journal-box is made in halves provided with
flanges or lugs and secured together by bolts, one of which is shown in Fig. 2.
The upper and also the lower part of each journal-box is provided with a trunnion =
or 2, Figs. 2 and 7; which trunnions project into openings in the yokes c and c¹.
The holes in the yokes are slotted lengthwise of the shaft n, as indicated aty,
Fig. 2, so as to permit the gangs to adjust themselves to the inclination of the
ground over which they pass. The shaft n is provided with a head at one end and
a nut at the other, so that the collars can be drawn up tightly against the blades,
whereupon all the parts of the gang are firmly secured together. The head on the
shaft is preferably placed as the inner end of the gang, and fitted into a recess in
the collar at that end.
v
The construction of the collars which hold the blades will be readily understood
from an examination of Figs. 5 and 6. They are provided on their inner surfaces
with transverse recesses a¹ a', band el el, each being of a width equal to the
body of the blades, but of unequal depths, so that the blades lie against one
another. Lugs "maintain the blades and collars in their proper relative
positions. A similar construction of the collars may be adopted where more or less
than three blades are used.
The construction of the gang A' of revolving curved S-shaped blades is similar
to that of the gang A, except that, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the points
of the blades B of the gang A¹ are curved differently--the points in the one gang
projecting in a direction opposite to those of the other gang.
In order to adapt the machine for use with the points of the blades in each gang
projecting inwardly-which is desirable on some soils or for some purposes-the
arrangement shown in Fig. 8, in which extension-bars N and N are inserted
between the frame-bar D and the yokes c and c', is employed. At their rear ends,
the bars N and N' are secured between the yokes c and c', which engage with the
trunnions of the journal-boxes d and d. At their forward ends, the bars N and N₁
are secured to the frame-bars by the same bolts which are used in the arrangement
shown in Fig. 2, so that the gangs can be readily reversed by simply applying the
extension-bars and changing the draw-bars for some of different length. In other
respects, the construction remains the same; collars and sleeves being used for
securing the sets of blades on the gang-shaft, as already described. The gangs
themselves are, however, reversed or changed in position; the right-hand gang
being placed on the left side, and vice versa, so that the points of the blades of each
gang project inwardly. Draw-bars F and F of unequal lengths may also be used,
by which the inner sets of blades in each gang can be brought close together; the

page_text: points on one set turning in the spaces between the blades on the other set, this
action being facilitated by the curved form of the blades. The formation of a
ridge on the ground at the centre of the width cultivated by the harrow is thus
almost entirely prevented.
The harrow is provided with a clearer, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2,
and in full lines in Fig. 3. The clearer consists of a series of curved plates T
attached to a bar U arranged above and in rear of the axis of the gang, and
supported by arms. V and Vi (which also act as clearers) attached to lugs and g
projecting from the journal-boxes d and d'. A clearer-plate is put between each
set of blades, and also outside the set on the outer end of each gang-shaft. No
clearer-plate is required between the sets on the inner ends of the gang-shafts, but
one clearer-plate attached to one of the bars U may be employed in this position if
preferred. The clearers are given any suitable curved form, extending downward
and inward, toward the gang-shaft, or below it, so that they may operate in con-
nection with the teeth to discharge any straw, weeds, or other refuse, which may
accumulate on the ganga. The arms V and V₁ are secured to the lugs f¹ and g¹ by
bolts, so that the clearers can be readily applied to or removed from the harrow.
The clearers or the arms V and V may be forged in one piece with the bar U, or
made separately therefrom.
The lugs and are used to support the standards which sustain the weight-
box W, as indicated in Fig. 9. This weight-box is carried by standards, such as Z,
one of which is secured to each of the journal-boxes d and d¹. The foot h¹ of the
standard in Fig. 9 is bolted to the lug, and is bent forward so as to carry the
weight vertically above the axis of the gang; the standard being made hollow in
front to afford access to the upper trunnion z for the purpose of oiling the journal-
box through a hole in the trunnion. The weight-box is made of a length equal to
the distance between the journal-boxes, and of any suitable width and height. If
desired, arrangements may be made for securing both the weight-box and the
clearer on the lugs f¹ and g'.
The transverse frame-bar D is bent upwards or arched, so as to raise the pole C
and the lower end of the lever G a sufficient distance above the ground to escape
or pass over obstructions. The bar D is fastened to the tongue by a hook-bolt at a.
The corner-brace f stiffens the frame-bar D so that it is enabled to resist the end-
thrust of the gang of blades.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with gangs A and A', of curved
S-shaped blades, a draft-frame comprising the end of the pole C, the draw-bars F
and F, the arched frame-bar D, and the diagonal bars D', substantially as and for
the purposes herein set forth.
2. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with the gang-shaft n, of a series of
sets of curved S-shaped blades B, recessed collars and q, and intermediate
sleeves L fitted to the collars so as to revolve therewith, substantially as and for
the purposes herein set forth.
3. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a gang A, of curved S-shaped
blades, a transverse frame-bar D, yokes c and c', a journal-box d, and a corner-
brace, whereby the frame-bar is stiffened to receive the end-thrust of the gang,
substantially as herein set forth.
4. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of a
revolving gang of curved S-shaped blades A, yokes c and c¹, and journal-boxes d
and d provided with projecting lugs and adapted for the attachment of a
clearer or weight-box, substantially as herein set forth.
5. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of a
revolving gang of curved S-shaped blades, and curved clearers T, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
6. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of a

page_text: revolving gang of curved S-shaped blades, curved clearers T, a „bar U and
supporting arms V and V', substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
7. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of a
revolving gang of curved S-shaped blades, journal-boxes d and d¹, standards Z,
and a weight-box W, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
8. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of
revolving gangs A and A' of curved S-shaped blades, and extension-bars N
and N', whereby the gangs can be reversed, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
9. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of
revolving gangs A and A' of curved S-shaped blades, arranged with the points of
the blades in each gang directed inwardly and with the inner ends of the gangs
out of line with one another, substantially as and for the purposes herein set
.forth.
10. In a revolving harrow, the combination, with a suitable draft-frame, of
revolving gangs A and A¹ of curved S-shaped blades, arranged with the points of
the blades in each gang directed inwardly, and the draw-bars F and F of unequal
lengths, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 9th day of Anril 1892.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM.