IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Benstead, of 44, Winsover Road, Spalding, in the
County of Lincoln, and David Greig, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
Sealed the 12th December 1876, and dated the 8th July 1876.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Benstead and David
Greig at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th July 1876.
THOMAS BENSTEAD, of 44, Winsover Road, Spalding, in the County of Lincoln,
and DAVID GREIG, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the County of York.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
Our Invention relates to reaping machines to be worked either by steam power
and rope traction or by horses.
In either case we construct the machine so that it can be made to work either
right or left handed, that is to say, with the cutting apparatus either on the right
or the left hand side of the main frame.
We provide fingers on both sides of the finger bar, and two knives, one to work
with each set of fingers, or a double knife may be used. We also make the platform
of the machine moveable about a pivot or axis from one side of the cutter bar to
the other; the head carrying the rakes is also moveable in a similar manner.
In the case of a reaping machine to be worked by steam power applied to it by
wire ropes, which pull the implement backwards and forwards across the field, we
employ a main frame of considerable length resting on three wheels, of which the
two end wheels are steerable, and the centre wheel actuates the cutters and the
working parts. The frame carries the knife bar with the two knives and the gear
for driving them, also the revolving rakes and beaters with their driving gear, the
axis of the moveable platform, and the pulling centres for attaching the wire ropes
on the opposite side. The frame also carries a fixed platform, on which men stand,
who at once bind the sheaves which are delivered to them by the rakes.
The moveable platform is swung round into its proper position by means of the
pull of the rope, so that it places and fixes itself in a self-acting manner always
behind the cutting knife. Each knife is. by preference worked by a separate eccen-
tric or crank, and either one or the other of them is in gear, according to the direction
in which the implement travels. The clutches which throw them in or out are
self-acting, the change being effected by the change in the direction of the pull of
the wire rope, or a double knife may be used.

page_text: The whole machine can be lowered and lifted and the knife bar itself turned out
of the way for travelling.
.
In the machine to be worked by horses the pole to which the horses are attached
can be swung round so as to reverse its position in respect to the other parts of the
machine, and as the pole moves round it carries the platform with it from one side
of the cutter bar to the other. The movement of the pole from one working position
to the other reverses the action of the rakes and beaters, and, as in the steam
machine, the knives are automatically thrown in and out of action, so that it is
only the knife facing the standing crop which plays in the fingers, the other knife
remaining stationary. The outer end of the finger bar is carried by a castor wheel,
and as the wheel turns about it controls a double divider, which separates the
standing crop from the section of the crop to be cut, causing the double divider to
tip about an axis so as to bring down its forward end to a proper working position
and to lift its hinder end up out of the way.
At the other end of the finger bar a double-ended ear lifter is provided, and this
is also moved over as the pole is brought round from one of its working positions to
the other. Locking apparatus retains the pole in either of its working positions so
long as may be required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Benstead and David Greig in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th January 1877.
:
THOMAS BENSTEAD, of 44, Winsover Road, Spalding, in the County of Lincoln,
and DAVID GREIG, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the County of York.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
66
.. 2
Our Invention relates to reaping machines to be worked either by steam power
and rope traction or by horses..
In either case we construct the machine so that it can be made to work either
right or left handed, that is to say, with the cutting apparatus either on the right
or the left hand side of the main frame.
We provide fingers on both sides of the finger bar, and two knives, one to work
with each set of fingers, or a double knife may be used. We also make the platform
of the machine moveable about a pivot or axis from one side of the cutter bar to
the other; the head carrying the rakes is also moveable in a similar manner.
In the case of a reaping machine to be worked by steam power applied to it by
wire ropes which pull the implement backwards and forwards across the field, we
employ a main frame of considerable length resting on three wheels, of which the
two end wheels are steerable and the centre wheel actuates the cutters and the
working parts. The frame carries the knife bar with two knives and the gear for
driving them, also the revolving rakes and beaters with their driving gear, the axis
of the moveable platform, and the pulling centres for attaching the wire ropes.
the opposite side the frame also carries a fixed platform on which men stand, who
at once bind the sheaves which are delivered to then by the rakes.
On
The moveable platform is swung round into its proper position by means of the
pull of the rope, so that it places and fixes itself in a self-acting manner always
behind the cutting knife. Each knife is by preference worked by a separate eccen-
tric or crank, and either one or the other of them is in gear, according to the direction
in which the implement travels. The clutches which throw them in or out are
self-acting, the change being effected by the change in the direction of the pull of
the wire rope, or a double knife may be used.
The whole machine can be lowered and lifted and the knife.bar itself turned out
of the way for travelling.
In the machine to be worked by horses the pole to which the horses are attached
can be swung round so as to reverse its position in respect to the other parts of the
machine, and as the pole moves round it carries the platform with it from one side

page_text: of the cutter bar to the other. The movement.of the pole from one working position
to the other reverses the action of the rakes and beaters, and, as in the steam
machine, the knives are automatically thrown in and out of action, so that it is
only the knife facing the standing crop which plays in the fingers, the other knife
remaining stationary. The outer end of the finger bar is carried by a castor wheel,
and as the wheel turns about it controls a double divider, which separates the
standing crop from the section of the crop to be cut, causing the double divider to
tip about an axis so as to bring down its forward end to a proper working position
and to lift its hinder end up out of the way.
At the other end of the finger bar a double-ended ear lifter is provided, and this
is also inoved over as the pole is brought round from one of its working positions to
the other. Locking apparatus retains the pole in either of its working positions
so long as may be required.
In order that our said Invention may be most fully understood, and readily carried
into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
One Sheet I. Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 a side elevation, and Figure 3 is an
end elevation of the reaping machine to be worked by steam power.
A is the main driving wheel; B, B, the two steering wheels; C,C, the main carry-
ing frame which supports the fixed platform D; E, E, is the double knife bar; F is
the moveable platform; G the rake; H, H, are the pulling ropes, they pass around
guide pulleys and so to the platform F, to which their ends are attached so that in
whichever direction the implement is started the draft rope draws back the plat-
form F until it is in rear of the leading fingers and abuts on the fixed platform D.
Sheet II. shows details referring to the different motions, Figure 4 is a plan, and
Figure 5 a side elevation both partly in section, and Figure 6 is a transverse section
of the main wheel and parts in connection therewith.
The driving wheel A is carried on a stud axle fixed on the bar a, which is con
nected with the main frame by screws a¹, a¹, for adjusting the height. The wheel A
causes the bevil wheel B to revolve by means of a link. This bevil wheel turns by
means of another pair of bevil wheels the slanting shaft C which carries the rake. It
also drives directly the bevil wheel D. This bevil wheel by means of a spur wheel
upon it drives a pinion which is held sideways by two brackets allowing the
shaft to slide through it; but the pinion causes the shaft to revolve by means
of a feather. In the same centre line there is another shaft e; d and e carry the
two small fly wheels M and N, which work means of connecting rods and crank
pins the two knives of the reapers. Going in one direction the shaft & screws
itself forward so that a clutch releases the fly wheel M and another clutch couples
the shaft d with the shaft c. Thus the fly wheel N and the corresponding knife
is set in motion. Turning the other way the shaft d is screwed back again, re-
leases the shaft e, and couples itself with the fly wheel M.
Sheet III. shows the horse reaping machine, Figure 7 is a plan, Figure 8 is a side
elevation, and Figure 9 is an end elevation.
A is the driving wheel; B; the pole for attaching the horses; C, C, the double
knife bar; D, the moveable platform; and E the rake. The turning of the pole B
into the opposite direction stops the movement of one knife and sets the other
going and shifts the platform D into the opposite direction, at the same time
altering the direction in which the rakes revolve.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that we do not confine our-
selves to the exact details described, but we claim as our improvements in reaping
machines-
First. The employment of a double knife bar carrying two knives, of which one
is thrown out of gear and the other in when the change is made in the direction of
the pull, substantially as herein described.

page_text: Second: The employment of a moveable platform for the delivery of the corn on
either side of the platform, the position of the platform being changed by the action
of the draught pole in case of a horse. machine or of the change in the direction
of the pull in case of a steam driven machine, substantially as herein described.
Third. The construction of reaping machines, substantially as herein described
and as shewn in the annexed Drawings..
In witness. whereof, I, the said Thomas Benstead, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOMAS BENSTEAD. (L.S.)