CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS, AND IN APPARATUS WHICH MAY BE ATTACHED THERETO FOR ASCERTAINING THE DRAFT OF INSTRUMENTS/EMPLOYED IN TILLING LAND
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
HAMMOND BENTALL, of Heybridge, in the County of Essex, Ironfounder
and Agricultural, Implement Maker, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Fifteenth day of June, in the sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Edward Hammond Bentall, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Edward Hammond Bentall, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Edward Hammond
Bentall, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no, others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS, AND IN APPARATUS WHICH MAY
BE ATTACHED THERETO FOR ASCERTAINING THE DRAFT OF INSTRUMENTS/EMPLOYED IN
TILLING LAND;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging
me, the said Edward Hammond Bentall, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the
same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six

page_text: calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Edward Hammond Bentall, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon (that is to say):--
My improvements in ploughs consist in various novel modifications in the
construction and adaptation of the working parts of ploughs, which I may
enumerate under the following heads :-
Firstly, peculiar means of raising or depressing the point of a ploughshare
and nose of the breast, for the purpose of adjusting and regulating their
operations, and adapting them to work in various qualities of land.
Secondly, in a novel construction of the parts by which the frame of the
plough is connected to the sole or ground plate.
Thirdly, improved means of bracing the handles of the plough to give them
stability.
Fourthly, improved constructions of the cats-head and brace, attached to
the head or draft end of a plough.
Fifthly, novel modes of attaching and adjusting the wheels of a plough to
suit it to different widths and depths of furrows.
And, sixthly, novel modes of attaching and adjusting the situations and
positions of coulters to ploughs, all of which are particularized and exhibited in
the Drawings hereto annexed, and will be fully understood by 'the following
description thereof (viz³) :-
Fig. 1 represents a top or horizontal view of one of my improved ploughs
complete, all the parts of which I propose to construct of iron; Fig. 2 is an
elevation of the same, the breast or mould board being in this Figure removed
and shown only by dots; Fig. 3 is a horizontal view of a portion of the
plough, representing the sole or ground plate with the share attached, and also
the lever connected therewith; and Fig. 4 is an elevation of the samé, some
portions of which are shown in section. These two last-mentioned Figures
are drawn upon a larger scale than the preceding, for the purpose of exhibiting
the smaller parts more evidently, but in all of them the similar letters of
reference point out the same parts of the plough. In Fig. 4, a, a, a, is the
frame of the plough, to which is attached an adjustable lever b, with the share c
affixed thereto, for the purpose of having its point raised or depressed; as might

page_text: be required, which is effected upon the same principle as described in the
Specification of my former Patent, granted by Her present Majesty, and dated
at Westminster, the Tenth June, One thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
I have found by experience that in my former construction of plough, in some
instances on depressing the point of the adjustable share c below the horizontal
line of the sole, the earth insinuated itself between the nose of the breast and
the adjustable lever b, and that on raising the point of the share c again to the
horizontal position the nose of the breast was occasionally broken off, by the
pressure or resistance of the earth between it and the point of the lever. To
remedy this defect, I now form the nose part of the breast of a distinct piece
(see Figures 2 and 4), from the upper part of the breast, which, owing to its
firm attachment to the lever b by a nut and bolt e, prevents the former incon-
venience. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 shew the manner of constructing the adjustable
lever b for a double-breast plough, and the way in which I connect it to the
frame for raising and depressing the point of the share. Fig. 5 is a horizontal
view, and Fig. 6 an elevation, representing the frame a, a, the adjustable
lever b, and the share c; the lever 6 in this instance is attached to the frame
by a horizontal bolt, which constitutes its fulcrum; and the end of the
lever is of a spade form, which is bolted to the share by a pin and nut y, as
seen in Fig. 7, this Figure representing the under side of the sole and share.
The adjustable lever b, shewn in Figs. 2 and 4, may be appended to the frame
of the plough by a horizontal bolt z, as above described, instead of the vertical
bolt, shewn in my former Specification.
My improved method of constructing the sole or ground plate of a plough
for the purpose of connecting it to the frame is shewn in Figs. 2 and 4; a; a,
being the frame; and f, f, the sole or ground plate. Upon the upper surface
of the ground plate I cast blocks 9, 9, with a vertical pin in each, which pins,
when passed through corresponding eyes in the lower part of the frame, and
made fast by nuts, connect the sole and, frame firmly together. This im-
provement prevents the inconvenience of the heads of connecting bolts being
worn away by friction, as heretofore.
My improved mode of bracing the handles of ploughs is shewn in Fig. 1,
and consists in forming a truss of wrought-iron bars; as shewn at h, h, h, h,
which are united in the middle at i by a strong rivet, and are attached at their
ends to the arms of the plough by similar fastenings.
i.j
My improved modes of constructing the cats-head of a plough for determin-
ing the direction of the draft are exhibited under two modifications in Figs. 1
and 2, and Figs. 8 and 9. In the first of these plans k, k, represents the beam
of the plough,, having a forked end, to which fork two segmental plates 1, 1, are

page_text: affixed in horizontal positions. These plates are perforated with two series of
holes, as seen in Fig. 1, for the purpose of fixing, by a vertical pin m, the
position of the hake n, which hake turns upon a pivot at p. The ends of the
segment plates are held and firmly braced in their positions by a lateral rod q,
bolted to the beam and frame, which lateral rod also affords considerable
stability to the beam when the draft is an oblique direction. The other modi-
fication in the construction of the cats-head of a plough is shewn at Figs. 8
and 9; Fig. 8 being a horizontal representation of the contrivance, and Fig. 9
a vertical view of the same. The beam of the plough k has in this instance an
horizontal segmental groove or slot 7, formed in an arm z at its end, in which
slot a vertical pin is inserted; this pin is readily adjusted, and fixed in any part
of the segmental arm, for the purpose of giving any required angle to the draft
by means of nuts t, t, screwed tight above and below. At the lower part of
the pin s an eye is formed, through which the draft rod u passes. One end of
this draft rod is connected to the beam by a swivel and bolt, and the other end
of the rod beyond the eye carries the staple to which the ordinary draft chain
is appended; the nuts t, t, being moveable up or down the pin s, allow of the
draft being taken at any point of depression below the beam.
My improved mode of effecting the adjustment of the wheels of ploughs to
suit different depths of ploughing and different widths of furrows is shewn in
the Drawing at Figs. 10, 11, and 12. An elevation of the wheels and their
improved appendages as they would appear when seen from the back of the
plough is represented at Fig. 10, and an horizontal view of the same is seen
at Fig. 11, in which the beam of the plough is shewn partially at k. A pecu-
liarly formed bracket v is affixed to the beam by a bolt and screw nut. In
this bracket a pin w is inserted, upon which the yoke a swings freely. The
running wheels turn upon studs extending from the lower ends of vertical
rods y, y, which rods pass through sockets z, z, attached to the yoke a by bolts
and nuts. Long slots in the yoke admit of the sockets being slidden laterally
for adjustment, and in order to fix them at any required distance apart so as
to regulate the wheels to suit different widths of furrows, and in the event of
the wheels passing over irregular surfaces, the yoke which carries the wheels
will vibrate, as shewn by dots, allowing the plough to pass without deviation
through the ground in its proper direction and at its determined depth. In
order to also regulate the height of the beam of the plough, the vertical arms
y, y, may be adjusted by being slidden upwards or downwards in the sockets
2,2, and are made fast thereto by the screw bolts at the desired elevation.
Fig. 12 represents a differently formed yoke x, x, capable of turning upon a
pin w, as the former; but in this instance, instead of sliding the bolts of the

page_text: sockets in long slots, as before, the sockets z, z, for carrying the vertical arms
y, y, are clamped upon a solid yoke and made fast thereto by screws.
My improvements in attaching and adjusting the coulters of ploughs consist
in the attachment of peculiarly constructed adjustable sockets, boxes, or clips
to the beam of a plough, in which the coulter is to be held, and by the adjust-
ment of which the position of the coulter may be changed, as circumstances
may require.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 13 represents a portion of the beam of
a plough k, with the socket or box A attached thereto, and carrying the coulter
B; Fig. 14 is a horizontal view of the same. A long curved slot is cut in
the beam of the plough, and a block or rib at the back of the socket A fits and
slides in this curved slot, by means of which the socket may be moved to any
part of the beam within the extent of the long curved slot. A pin or bolt C,
with an eye at its front end, is passed through the centre of the socket A, and
in this eye of the bolt C the shaft of the coulter B is inserted, and the socket
with the coulter is made fast to the beam in any position required by a washer
and uut D, screwed up tight against the beam. By these means the coulter
may be placed at any distance before the point of the ploughshare, at various
angles to the perpendicular, and its point may be raised to any required height
from the bottom of the furrow. If it should be desired to place the point of
the coulter nearer to or farther from the land side of the plough, a small wedge
inserted between the socket A and the stem of the coulter B, as shewn in
Fig. 14, may be driven in more or less, which will effect that object. A modi-
fication of this mode of attaching the coulter to the beam is shewn at Fig. 15,
in which the socket or box A is made deeper, for the purpose of forming
shoulders, by which the coulter would be more firmly held.
In Figs. 1 and 2 another modification of this contrivance is represented,
adapted to the beam of the plough, in which a clamp A sliding upon the beam
carries the coulter by means of two pins or bolts C, C, each having an eye,
through which the stem of the coulter passes, and the coulter is made fast
thereto by nuts upon the ends of the pins, being screwed up tight against
the beam.
The improved apparatus for ascertaining the draft or amount of resistance
opposed to any plough or other instrument employed in tilling land is shown
at Figs. 16 and 17. Fig. 16 is an elevation of the machine; and Fig. 17
is a view of the same, looking upon. it from above. a, a, is an horizontal
frame of iron, constituting the carriage of the apparatus, upon the arms of
which frame there are attached adjustable sliding sockets b, b, b, b. Into
these sockets respectively are inserted the vertical rods c, c, c, c, having studs

page_text: at their lower extremities for the running wheels d, d, d, d, to revolve upon
as their axles... Hence it will be perceived that the distance of the wheels
apart, and also the height of the carriage from the ground, may be determined
at pleasure. An arch or standard f affixed to the frame a, a, carries the axle e
of a double-armed lever g, and an horizontal rod h slides in sockets or aper-
tures formed in the ends of the frame a, a, which rod has a spring i to keep it
back in its quiescent position when not acted upon. The lever g and rod h are
connected, by. a link j, and a stem k, which rises from the rod h; and hence,
when the rod ḥ is drawn out at the left-hand end of the carriage, the lever g is
made to move, upon, its, axle e, and to depress a vertical rod / attached to its
upper extremity. This rod is shewn separate at Fig. 18. The upper end of
the rod is bent over and connected to the rod of a piston working in a vertical
tube, inclosed. within a wooden casing m., This casing, with its tubes, &c. is
shewn upon an enlarged scale in the sectional. Fig. 19. In this casing there
are two vertical tubes n and p containing mercury, and having a communica-
tion for the passage of the mercury from one to the other through a contorted
channel in the plate q. The rod of the piston r is jointed to the rod !, and
hence, as the lever g is. moved, upon its axle, the rod and piston will be
made to rise and fall with its vibrations, and when the piston descends in the
tube n,, the mercury will pass from the tube n up the tube p through the con-
torted passage in the plate q, and a column of colored spirit, oil, or water on
the top of the mercury in the. tube p will by these means be forced up the
small glass tubes, and there. indicate, by the graduated scale t on the casing,
the average draft or force applied to the end of the horizontal rod h. Fig. 20
represents the under side of the plate 9, and shews the form of the contorted
passage, which is so made for the purpose of preventing the mercury passing
with two much rapidity from one tube to the other. The operations of this
dynamometer will now be understood by a very slight further description. Let
the head of a plough be attached to the draft staple v, and the horses to the
eye of the horizontal rod h at the reverse end: according to the resistance, so
will the rod h be slidden forward in its sockets,, and through the connections
9.
and k, the upper end of the lever g will be depressed; thereby causing the
vertical rod and piston r to descend and act upon the mercury in the tubes,
so as to raise the column of spirit in, the glass tube, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Hammond Bentall, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
EDWARD HAMMOND (L.S.) BENTALL.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Fifteenth day of December,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Edward Hammond Bentall came
before our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Speci-
fication aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Fifteenth day of December, in the year above written.
Inrolled the same Fifteenth day of December, in the year above written.