IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Edwin Phillips, of Grantham, in the County of
Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 22nd January 1878, and dated the 14th August 1877:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Edwin Phillips at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th August 1877:
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS,. of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln.
MENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping and mowing machines.
I arrange a self-raking reaper with two separate guides to control the rakes as
they rotate; the one guide is fitted with a moveable switch piece to be actuated
at the will of the driver from his seat by a foot treadle or otherwise, and is so
arranged that in one position of the switch the rakes clear the cut crop from the
platform, whilst when the switch is in the other position the rakes all pass above it,
and the platform is not cleared. The other guide serves to control the dummies or
gathering rakes which are not to be employed to clear the platform, and it so
directs them as effectually to gather the crop towards the cutters, and then to rise,
missing the sheaf upon the platform.
The rake arms are provided with small rollers bearing upon the guides, and these,
before the machine is put to work, can be set either upon the one guide or the other;
and as many of the rakes as may be desired can be placed under the control of the
Bwitch.
In some cases, in place of employing a fixed guide with a switch piece; I dispense
with the switch piece and mount the guide upon pivots, upon which it can rock or
be moved from one position in which it causes the rakes to clear the platform, to
another position, in which it causes the rakes to move over the platform at a higher
level, missing the sheaves upon it. With this arrangement also two guides may be
employed; one being a fixed guide controlling the dummies or gathering rakes.
The whole of the gear wheels and axes through which motion is communicated

page_text: from the ring of teeth upon the main wheel to the knife crank and to the rake
head, I carry upon one cast-iron frame; I strengthen this frame by wrought-iron
trusses passing partly around it. At the front where the pole is attached, these
trusses receive between them a block which projects laterally to such a distance as
to admit of its receiving a straight stay connecting it with the finger bar. The
trusses are suitably shaped at the back to receive the finger bar, or the finger bar
may be fixed to a projection formed for the purpose upon the cast gear frame.
The gear frame may also be cast with a flange projecting over the main wheel
for the purpose of carrying the rake head and the guide or guides for controlling
the rakes.
In some cases I employ a cast gear frame, such as I have described, upon the
inner side of the main wheel, or on the same side as the cutting apparatus; this
arrangement admits of a large road wheel being employed, and then the flange on
the frame for carrying the rake head does not extend over the wheel but projects
from the frame on the other side. In this arrangement, the cutting apparatus is
so placed that the knife, when it requires sharpening, is drawn out through the
main wheel.
In order to hold the knife in its place, I employ narrow knife clips, fixed to
the finger bar by two rivets, one behind the other, and to increase the bearing
for the back of the knife bar I form two light wings upon the clip, extending from
it on either side.
I arrange the driving gear in the following manner :-Upon the same axis with
the first motion pinion there are two spur wheels, the larger for actuating the knife
crank, and the smaller for transmitting motion to the rake head. The larger wheel
drives a pinion turning upon a stud axis, and having formed in one piece with it
a bevilled wheel, which in turn gears with a bevilled pinion upon the same axis
with the crank, which, by a connecting rod in the usual way, works the knife. The
smaller wheel upon the axis of the first motion pinion drives a spur wheel mounted
upon a stud axis, and this spur wheel has formed with it a ring of bevilled teeth,
which drive a bevilled pinion upon an upright axis, carrying at its upper end a
pinion in gear with spur teeth formed upon the rake head, to which, in this way, a
rotary motion is communicated.
Sometimes I actuate the rake head from a bevilled pinion on the same axis with
the first motion pinion; it drives a bevelled wheel on the lower end of an upright
axis, which at its upper extremity carries the rake head, but in such manner that
it can turn freely upon the axis. The rake head is formed with a ring of internal
teeth; gearing with a pinion on a fixed stud, and of a piece with this pinion there is
another smaller pinion which engages with a toothed wheel fast with the upright
axis of the head.
Sometimes in place of having the rakes and the gatherers or dummies on the
same axis, I have the rakes on an upright, or, it may be, an inclined axis, and in
addition I employ a light gathering reel on a horizontal or nearly horizontal axis
for the purpose of laying the standing crop towards the cutting apparatus.
In order to vary the height of cut, the main wheel is carried by a quadrant which
is able to turn about the axis of the first motion pinion as a centre; spur teeth are
formed upon the quadrant, and with these teeth a pinion engages; this is a very
useful arrangement for adjusting the height of the cutting apparatus, and in the
Specification of a former Patent granted to me, No. 3542-76, I have described the
use of a ratchet and pawl for locking this pinion. I now substitute for the ratchet
wheel a worm wheel, with which a worm engages, and on the axis of the worm
there is a hand wheel or other such like appliance, by means of which it may be
readily turned. I bush the boss of the main wheel with a bush of malleable cast
iron or of wrought-iron tubing which has been case hardened. I fix these bushes
either by means of a set screw or a key, so that when they become worn they may
be readily replaced.
In order that the main wheel may have a better hold of the land than it would
have if its surface were perfectly smooth, I form a shallow rectangular recesses on its

page_text: periphery on either side of the centre portion of the rim which is left plane, whilst
the recesses extend to the edge of the rim. In connection with this wheel I employ
a triangular scraping blade carried upon a stem fixed to the finger bar. The double
incline of this scraper enables it to clear the recesses of the wheel from stones which.
may happen to stick in them.
For the purpose of adjusting the small wheel on the further side of the platform,
I mount it on the end of a radial arm, attached to the divider plate by a stud
or bolt, upon which it is free to turn, and on the other extremity of the arm.
opposite to that which carries the wheel, I apply a trunnion nut to work with a.
screw carried upon the divider plate, so that by turning the screw the required
adjustment may be obtained.
In certain states of the crops it is found that the sap or gum of the plant has a
tendency to clog the cutting apparatus and materially to increase the draught of
the machine. To avoid this, I supply water to the cutters from a suitable receptacle
carried upon the machine by means of a pipe or channel conveyed along the finger
bar and perforated at the points where it is desired that the water should issue to
lubricate the cutting parts.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Edwin Phillips in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
February 1878.
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln. "IMPROVE-.
MENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping and mowing machines.
The first part relates to the rakes.
I arrange a self-raking reaper with two separate guides to control the rakes as
they rotate; the one guide is fitted with a moveable switch piece to be actuated at
the will of the driver from his seat by a foot treadle or otherwise, and is so
arranged that in one position of the switch the rakes clear the cut crop from the
platform, whilst when the switch is in the other position the rakes all pass.above
it, and the platform is not cleared. The other guide serves to control the dummies
or gathering rakes, which are not to be employed to clear the platform, and it so
directs them as effectually to gather the crop towards the cutters, and then to rise,
missing the sheaf upon the platform.
The rake arms are provided with small rollers bearing upon the guides, and these
before the machine is put to work can be set either upon the one guide or the other,
and as many of the rakes as may be desired can be placed under the control of the
switch.
This arrangement is illustrated by Figure 1, which represents a back view partly
in section of a portion of a reaping machine, of which the general construction may
be such as is described in the Specification of my former Patent No. 3542, in the
year 1876.
A, A, are two of a set of four rake arms mounted upon separate but concentric
centre pins A', and tied together by a rod A", so that the two arms move and work
as if they were in one piece; B, B, are brackets fixed to the arms to carry small

page_text: wheels or trucks B'; and these can be mounted either on the outer or on the inner
sides of the brackets; C is a fixed ring having two guide tracks formed upon it.
:..
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When the trucks B' are set on the outer side of the brackets they run upon the
higher guide course marked 1, and all the arms which have the trucks so set act
only as gatherers, and do not clear the cut crop from the platform. But when the
trucks are set upon the inner side of the brackets they run upon the lower guide
course marked 2, and then in consequence of the form given to this guide course
the rakes take a different course, suitable for sweeping the cut crop from the
platform of the machine, and delivering it as a sheaf at the side of the track. "When
the truck upon any rake arm is passing along the lower guide track 2, and is
clearing the platform, the truck of the opposite rake arm rises from the face of the
ring. C.
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In order that at the corner of a field, or elsewhere when required, the clearing
rakes may be prevented from acting, I form on the ring C a third guide track 3, on
to which by a switch or moveable incline, as is well understood, the trucks on the
inner side of the brackets B can be directed in place of allowing them to continue
upon the course 2, and then these rakes also pass over the platform at such a level
as to miss the cut crop lying upon it. The switch may be operated by the driver
through a cord or other connection.
In some cases instead of employing a fixed guide with a switch piece I dispense
with the switch piece, and mount the guide upon pivots upon which it can rock or
be moved from one position, in which it causes the rakes to clear the platform to
another position in which it causes the rakes to move over the platform at a higher
level, missing the sheaves upon it. With this arrangement also two guides may be
employed, one being a fixed guide controlling the dummies or gathering rakes.
...
The method of employing a pivotted guide is illustrated by Figure 2, which is an
elevation partly in section. The rake arms are arranged as before; one of them is
represented, and it is marked A; B is a bracket fixed upon the arm, and it carries
the truck B'; C is the guide; it extends over somewhat more than half the circle, so
that the truck carried by one rake arm may enter before that carried by the
opposite rake arm has left. The guide C is carried between two fixed supports, and
it is able to rock upon two pins concentric with the pins A' of the rake arms. At
the lower part of the guide C an arm D is provided to carry the wheel or truck E,
and this by the weight of the guide and the pressure of the rake arms upon the
guide is caused to bear against the cam F, which revolves with the rakes, and has
three different guide courses formed upon it. With the parts in the position
represented by the Drawing the lowest guide course is operative, but as will be
seen the arm D can be shifted so as to place the truck E in either of the other guide
.courses. These guide courses upon the cam F are so formed as to permit one, two,
or three of the rakes respectively to clear the platform; or where desired, all of the
rakes may be held off for a time by depressing a treddle connected by a cord or
otherwise with the arm Cl.
こ
In some cases as before stated I modify the arrangement by providing a separate
guide course for those rake arms, which are at all times, until the setting of the
machine is altered, desired to operate only as gatherers.
Another part of my Invention relates to the frame of the machine.
The whole of the gear wheels and axes through which motion is communicated
from the ring of teeth upon the main wheel to the knife crank and to the rake
head I carry upon one cast iron frame; I strengthen this frame by wrought-iron
trusses passing partly around it. At the front, where the pole is attached, these
trusses receive between them a block, which projects laterally to such a distance as
to admit of its receiving a straight stay connecting it with the finger bar. The
trusses are suitably shaped at the back to receive the finger bar, or the finger
bar may be fixed.to a projection formed for the purpose upon the cast gear frame.
The gear frame may also be cast with a flange projecting over the main wheel
for the purpose of carrying the rake head and the guide or guides for controlling
the rakes.

page_text: In some cases I employ a cast gear frame, such as I have described upon the
inner side of the main wheel, or on the same side as the cutting apparatus; this
arrangement admits of a large road wheel being employed, and then the flange on
the frame for carrying the rake head does not extend over the wheel, but projects
from the frame on the other side. In this arrangement the cutting apparatus is so
placed that the knife when it requires sharpening is drawn out through the main
wheel.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a portion of a machine in which the gear frame is
on the outer side of the main wheel; Figure 4 shows the same in transverse
section.
A is a casting, upon which is carried the whole of the gear wheels. and axles,
through which motion is communicated from the main wheel to the knife crank
and to the rake bead; A' is a flange formed upon the casting A for the purpose of
carrying the rake head and parts connected therewith; B, B, are wrought-iron
trusses passing partly around this casting; C is a block, which the trusses receive
between them at their forward ends, and this block, as is shown in plan at Figure 5,
projects laterally across the front of the main wheel to admit of its receiving the
straight stay D, by which the front of the frame of the machine is connected with
the finger bar E. This bar is also fixed to the truss bar B in rear of the frame A,
as is shown in Figure 3; Care horns formed on the block C for supporting the
pole laterally, whilst the height of the pole can be adjusted by a screw, as is
shown.
In Figure 1 a similar frame formed with a casting A is shown upon the inner
side of the main wheel. In this case the finger bar is fixed to a projection formed
upon this frame to receive it, and, the flange A¹ to carry the rake head does not
project over the main wheel, but in the opposite direction.
A similar frame is again shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, of which Figure 6 is a
plan; Figure 7 is an elevation, partly in section; and Figure 8, a back elevation of
a reaping machine. In these Figures there is also shewn a new arrangement of the
driving gear, which is herein-after referred to.
Another part of my Invention relates to the knife clips.
In order to hold the knife in its place I employ narrow knife clips fixed to tlie,
finger bar by two rivets, one behind the other; and to increase the bearing for the
back of the knife bar, I form two light wings upon the clip, extending from it on
either side. Such a knife clip is represented in plan at Figure 9, and in elevation
at Figure 10.
Another part of my Invention relates to the driving gear.
I arrange the driving gear in the following manner-Upon the same axis with
the first-motion pinion there are two spur wheels, the larger for actuating the knife
crank, and the smaller for transmitting motion to the rake head. The larger wheel
drives a pinion turning upon a stud axis, and having formed in one piece with it a
bevilled wheel, which in turn gears with a bevilled pinion upon the same axis with
the crank, which by a connecting rod in the usual way works the knife.
smaller wheel upon the axis of the first-motion pinion drives a spur wheel mounted
upon a stud axis, and this spur wheel has formed with it a ring of bevilled teeth,
which drive a bevilled pinion upon an upright axis, carrying at its upper end a
pinion in gear with spur teeth formed upon the rake head, to which in this way a
rotary motion is communicated.
The
This arrangement of gear is seen in Figures 3 and 4, in which Figures G is the
ring of teeth upon the main wheel; H is the first-motion pinion gearing with these
teeth; I and K are two toothed wheels upon the axis of the first-motion pinion ;
the larger wheel I drives a pinion cast upon the back of the bevilled wheel L, which
drives the bevilled pinion M on the hinder end of the axis of the crank for actuating
the knife. The smaller wheel K on the.axis of the first-motion pinion drives the
wheel. N, which is cast with a ring of bevilled teeth N¹; O is a bevilled pinion at
the lower end of an upright axis, and in gear with the teeth NL; P is a.pinion on

page_text: the upper end of the same upright axis; it engages with teeth upon the rake
head, which is thus driven.
In Figures 6, 7, and 8, the gear train is similar, but the teeth on the rake head
are internal in place of external.
The portion of the gear by which motion is communicated to the knife is
applicable in some cases when rakes are not employed; thus, it is shown in
Figures 11 and 12, applied to a machine of a well-known type, in which a drop
platform is hinged behind the finger bar, and the frame of the machine is supported
by the axle of the main wheel and by a chain connecting it with a lever carried
upon the shafts, but moveable, to vary the distance of the cutting apparatus from
the ground. The drop platform is worked by a treddle rigidly fixed to it, and
which the workman thrusts from him with his foot to hold the platform up until a
sheaf is collected upon it. As shown in the Drawing the platform is suspend as
for travelling. The driving train is marked with letters corresponding to the
description already given.
This arrangement has the advantage of permitting the crank axis to be placed
nearly parallel to the plane of the knife.
Another part of my Invention relates to an alternative means for actuating the
rake head.
Sometimes I actuate the rake head from a bevilled pinion on the same axis with
the first-motion pinion; it drives a bevilled wheel on the lower end of an upright
axis, which at its upper extremity carries the rake head, but in such manner that
it can turn freely upon the axis. The rake head is formed with a ring of internal
teeth gearing with a pinion on a fixed stud, and of a piece with this pinion there is
another smaller pinion, which engages with a toothed wheel fast with the upright
axis of the head.
Figure 13 is a front view partly in section of a portion of a machine in which
such an arrangement of gear is shewn. A is a bevelled pinion on the same axis
with the first-motion pinion; it drives the bevil wheel B on the upright axis C; D
is another pinion at the upper end of the axis C, and turning with it; it drives the
pinion E mounted upon a fixed stud axis, and another pinion F cast with the pinion
E gears with and drives an internal ring of teeth on the rake head.
Another part of my Invention relates to the means for holding the cutting
apparatus at the desired height from the ground.
In order to vary the height of cut the main wheel is carried by a quadrant, which
is able to turn about the axis of the first-motion pinion as a centre. Spur teeth are
formed upon the quadrant, and with these teeth a pinion engages. This is a very
usual arrangement for adjusting the height of the cutting apparatus, and in the
Specification of a former Patent granted to me, No. 3542-76, I have described the
use of a ratchet and pawl for locking this pinion. I now substitute for the ratchet
wheel a worm wheel, with which a worm engages, and on the axis of the worm
there is a hand wheel or other such like appliance, by means of which it may be
readily turned.
This arrangement is clearly shewn in Figure 14, and in the same Figure there is
shewn a guard plate, which I fix to the quadrant for the purpose of preventing
stones and soil from entering within the flange of the main wheel, whence it would
be liable to be carried into the gear ring. This guard plate is marked A, and it is
also seen in Figure 15, which is a transverse section.
Another part of my Invention relates to the main wheel of the machine. I bush
the boss of the main wheel with a bush of malleable cast-iron or of wrought-iron
tubing, which has been case hardened. I fix these bushes either by means of a set
screw or a key, so that when they become worn they may be readily replaced.
This arrangement is shewn in Figure 15. The bush is marked B, and the set screws
by which it is maintained in place B¹, B¹. This Figure also shows a method for
lubricating the wheel. The stud axle C is hollow for the reception of oil, and per-
forated for the escape of the oil to the interior of the bush.
.

page_text: In order that the main wheel may have a better hold of the land than it would
have if its surface were perfectly smooth, I form shallow rectangular recesses on its
periphery on either side of the centre portion of the rim, which is left plane, whilst
the recesses extend to the edge of the rim. In connexion with this wheel I employ
a triangular scraping blade carried upon a stem fixed to the finger bar; the double
incline of this scraper enables it to clear the recesses of the wheel from stones which
may happen to stick in them.
This arrangement is seen in Figure 1. X, X, are the shallow rectangular recesses
spoken of in the periphery of the main wheel, arranged on either side of a plain
portion of the rim; Y is the triangular scraper, which I employ to keep the wheel
from clogging and the recesses free from stones.
Another part of my Invention has for its object the adjustment of the small wheel
on the further side of the platform of the machine.
For the purpose of adjusting the small wheel on the further side of the platform
I mount it on the end of a radial arm attached to the divider plate by a stud or
bolt, upon which it is free to turn, and on the other extremity of the arm opposite
to that which carries the wheel I apply a trunnion nut to work with a screw carried
upon the divider plate, so that by turning the screw the required adjustment may
be obtained. This arrangement is represented in Figure 16. A, A, is the plate to
which the divider is fixed; the series of bolt holes at A¹ are for the purpose of
adjusting it; B is the radial arm connected with the divider plate by means of a
stud or bolt B¹, about which it is free to turn; B is a trunnion nut at the leading
end of the arm B; and C is a screw working through it. The screw C passes
through a hole in the flange of the divider plate A, and the head of the screw "bears
upon the top of the flange.
Another part of my Invention has for its object to prevent the clogging of the
cutting apparatus. In certain states of the crops it is found that the sap or gum of
the plant has a tendency to clog the cutting apparatus, and materially to increase
the draught of the machine. To avoid this I supply water to the cutters from a
suitable receptacle carried upon the machine by means of a pipe or channel conveyed
along the finger bar, and perforated at the points where it is desired that the water
should issue to lubricate the cutting parts.
Figure 17 is a plan, and Figure 18 is a transverse section, shewing a small part
of the finger bar and the perforated pipe which I mount upon it for the purpose of
supplying water to dissolve gummy matters tending to clog the knife. This pipe,
which is marked A, has a perforation in it opposite to each of the fingers; it is
continued along the finger bar close up to the joint which it is usual to provide in
mowing machines to permit of the knife being turned up to lessen the width of the
machine for travelling, and here the pipe A is connected with an india-rubber tube,
which is led away to a small reservoir containing water, and which may be mounted
in any convenient and sufficiently elevated part of the machine. Upon the pole is
the position which I prefer. A stop-cock is provided, which is opened when the
water supply is required.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The application of separate guides for the gathering rakes and the clearing
rakes in combination with moveable trucks on the rake arms, substantially as
described in respect to Figure 1.
Second. The application of separate guides for the gathering rakes and the
clearing rakes, in combination with a switch working in connection with the clearing
guide, and throwing it out of operation when the platform is not required to be
cleared, substantially as described in respect to Figure 1.
Third. The application of a rocking guide itself controlled by a cam, substantially
as described in respect to Figure 2.
Fourth. The application of separate guides for the gathering rakes and the clearing
rakes, the clearing guide being capable of being rocked to throw it temporarily out
of action, substantially as described in respect to Figure 2.

page_text: Fifth: The method of constructing the frame of the machine with a casting
carrying upon itself the whole of the intermediate driving gear, and the centre for
the rake head, such casting being connected by truss bars with a front block
completing the frame, substantially as described in respect to Figures 1, 3, 5, 6, 7,
and 8.
.Sixth. The construction of knife clips, substantially as described in respect to
Figures 9 and 10.
Seventh. The arrangement of the driving train, substantially as described in
respect to Figures 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8.
Eightli: The arrangement of the driving train, substantially as described in respect
to Figures 11 and 12.
Ninth. The arrangement of gear for driving the rake head, substantially as
described in respect to Figure 13.
Tenth. The means for locking the cutting apparatus at the height desired, sub-
stantially as described in respect to Figure 14.
Eleventh. The application of a guard plate upon the quadrant, substantially as
described in respect to Figures 14 and 15.
Twelfth. The application to the main wheel of a bush of malleable cast-iron or
of wrought-iron tube, case hardened, substantially as described in respect to
Figure 15.
Thirteenth. The combined arrangement represented in Figure 15 for bushing and
lubricating the boss of the main wheel of a reaping or mowing machine, substantially
as shewn.
Fourteenth. The construction of the main wheel of the machine with shallow
recesses in its periphery, and the use in combination with the said wheel of a
triangular or double inclined scraper, substantially as described in respect to
Figure 1:
Fifteenth. The arrangement for adjusting the small wheel on the further side of
the platform, substantially as described in respect to Figure 16.
Sixteenth. The combination, with the cutting apparatus of a mowing or reaping
machine, of appliances for the supply of water to the knife, substantially as described
in respect to Figures 17 and 18.
In witness whereof, I; the said James Edwin Phillips; have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
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