IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Winder, of the Parish of Farningham,
in the County of Kent, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS."
Sealed the 19th April 1872, and dated the 31st October 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Winder at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st October 1871.
I, RICHARD WINDER, of the Parish of Farningham, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, first, in the method of and apparatus for
raising and lowering the ploughs, cultivators, and other implements in
and out of their work by the power of the engines, as is required at each
headland before the implement starts on its journey across the field.
My Invention further consists in the design and arrangement of a
fixed frame upon which the several working parts rest or are attached to.
This frame in the description hereafter is mentioned as the fixed frame.

page_text: My Invention further consists in the method of and apparatus for
raising and lowering the ploughs, cultivators, and other implements in
and out of their work by the power of the engines, without using the
fixed frame at all.
My Invention further consists in the manner of fixing the axles or
axle to the two centre weight carrying wheels, and in the design of
having fixed axles secured to the fixed frame, which gives the ploughs
great steadiness in their work, and reduces the wear and tear of the
wheels and axles to a minimum.
My Invention further consists in the method of and arrangement for
regulating the depth of the work to be donc.
My Invention further consists in the method of and arrangement for
easing off sudden jerks upon the traction ropes while cultivating in
rough or stony ground, and when the ropes coil badly upon the
drums.
The following is the general description of my Invention :-'
-The
apparatus for raising and lowering the implements out of or in their
work consists of a rocking beam which is cither keyed to a horizontal
shaft, which shaft works in bearings on frames, or plummer blocks
fastened on each side of the fixed frame at the centre part, or the rocking
beam is made to run loosely on this shaft.
The ends of the two traction ropes are either made fast to and work
upon the face of the lower arc of the rocking beam in two grooves, or
arc hooked on to short pieces of chain fastened to the rocking beam.
Two blocks of iron or wood are screwed on to the under side of the fixed
frame at equal distances from the centre, the distances being according
to the height the plough frames are required to be lifted out of 'their
work and fixed in it.
"
1.
The mode of working the rocking beam and apparatus belonging
thereto is as follows:-The engine at the headland opposite to where
the implement is, is started; this moves the rocking beam up to the
forward block of iron or wood above described, and while so moving it
raises the front frame or implement clear of the ground, and lowers the
hind frame or implement into its work; then the whole implement, fixed
frame and all, commences to travel across the field. The upper part of
the rocking beam is an arc of a circle as the lower part is, and is cither

page_text: made with two grooves on the face of the arc, as the lower part is for the
ropes to travel in, or it has cogs on the face of the upper are into which
a small cog wheel works. This cog wheel is keyed on to an upper
horizontal shaft working in bearings; and on this shaft a pulley or
segment is fixed, around which the ropes that hold the back ends of the
two shifting implements are coiled, so that when the rocking beam
moves in one direction it raises one implement out of its work, and at
the same time lowers the other implement into its work and when it
moves for the return journey at the opposite headland it reverses the
positions of the implements for that journey.
By adopting the principle of the direct pull from the rocking beam
for raising and lowering the implements instead of the cog wheel plan
just described two ropes are used, one end of cach is made fast to
the back end of each moving implement, the other ends are made to
work in the two grooves the same as in the lower are.
This plan
dispenses with the small cog wheel, the cogs on the face of the upper
arc, the upper horizontal shaft, the pully or segment, and the upper
part of the side plummer blocks.
The fixed frame in which the several working parts rest somewhat
follows the shape of the implements or moving frames which carry the
skifes, coulters, and mould boards of the plough, and the lines of the
cultivator: it is made of angle iron, T iron, steel, or some other equally
strong, light, and durable material. Grooved or flanged wheels work at
each end for steerage; these wheels are connected together by a chain
passing all around the fixed frame, guided by pullics at the angles, and
made to work in a spiked pulley working the steerage wheel at one end
of the fixed frame, and made to take a turn around the pulley working
the steerage wheel at the other end, thus making both wheels assist in
steerage.
Another way of connecting the steerage wheels together is to fix a
short lever to each, putting them on to point the same way, then fix the
chain to both levers, and the steerage will be as good as by the other
plan. These steerage wheels are provided with weights or springs to
adapt themselves to the unevenness of the ground without straining the
fixed frame.
The ploughman has a horizontal steerage wheel or lover provided at

page_text: to this wheel or lever, which has a spiked pulley at the other end
working in the chain just described as connecting the steerage wheels
together; or to give the ploughman more power, bevel wheels of different
diameters and a vertical wheel or lever can be used.
When desired to dispense with the fixed frame altogether, the plan I
adopt is to work the moveable frames so that when one is in its work the
other stands up vertically or nearly so between the centre wheels, so that
the two frames form an angle with each other of ninety degrees or nearly
80. Then as the axle is firmly fixed, and the frame out of work is just
over this axle, the implement will be steady in its work, and there is no
counterpoise to help jerk the other plough out of its work when it comes
in contact with stones or other impediments. The steerage wheel in
this case is behind each implement. The raising and lowering of the
frames is done as before by the power of the engines; they work upon
the same horizontal shaft in the centre, and the depth is regulated as
before described; also by adopting this plan a shorter headland is left
than when the fixed frame is used, because the centre wheels can be
pulled up to each engine.
The axle which carries the centre wheels, or on which they work, is
securely fastened down to the fixed frame when it is used, and it is
generally made in two parts to leave room for the rocking beam to
travel; but when the fixed frame is dispensed with the axle is made in
one, and the arms of the rocking beam are bent so as to work free of it.
The means adopted for regulating the depth of work to be done is as
follows:-Two strong hollow tubes, pipes, or sockets with a flange at one
end are firmly bolted to the under side of the fixed frame in the centre part
one on each side. These tubes have lugs at the lower end to which are
fixed diagonal braces also secured to the under side of the fixed frame.
The tubes are further strengthened by chains running along horizontally
and hooked to bracing at the ends of the fixed frame. The tubes bear
some portion of the pull, strain, or jar of the implement in work; but
the greater portion of the strain is equalized, because the one arm of
the rocking beam is against the collar on the lower horizontal shaft,
using its force in the direction in which the implement is travelling as
against the strain of pulling the plough through its work, the front part
of the plough being attached to the same horizontal shaft, and the plan
of resting the arm of the rocking beam against the collar is considered a

page_text: good point to pull from being near the ground, and just above where
the traction rope takes its pull from. Down the tubes just described
screws pass which regulate the depth of the work; at the lower end of
each screw is an eye into which the horizontal shaft fits; on this shaft
the front end of each implement works while the hind part is being
raised or lowered; the implement also is pulled along from this shaft.
The means of regulating the depth of work is by making use of the
racket principle of lever, as a spanner upon a square or other shaped nut
working on each screw. By placing the spanner on one way all is
lowered, and by reversing it and turning the opposite way all is raised.
The design and arrangement for easing off sudden jerks or jars when
in rough ground, and to ease the rope when coming in contact with
stones or other obstructions, or from the rope slipping while coiling badly
on the drum, is as follows:-I face the blocks up to which the rocking
beam travels with a good thickness of india-rubber, or a steel spring
made to resist a certain pressure, and face the same with a plate of iron
or steel to prevent injury to the india-rubber or steel spring, and to
equalize the pressure of the rocking beam. I place likewise around the
broad collar against which the rocking beam rests a thick india-rubber
ring, or arrange a spring on each side of the collar to help resist the
sudden jerks; also to prevent such jerks from affecting the plough in
work the rocking beam is made to travel far enough each time to leave
some slack rope above the implement in work.
Timolamant ahora dononill
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Winder in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 20th April 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
WINDER, of Farningham, in the County of Kent, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
-

page_text: give and grant unto me, the said Richard Winder, Her special
licence that I, the said Richard Winder, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Richard Winder,
any time
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ircland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Richard Winder, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and scals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in 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 Richard Winder, do hereby declaro
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 Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
My Invention consists, first, in the method of and apparatus for
raising and lowering the ploughs, cultivators, and other implements in
and out of their work by the power of the engines, as is required at
cach headland before the implement starts on its journey across the
field.
My Invention further consists in the design and arrangement of a
fixed frame, upon which the several working parts rest or are attached
to. This frame in the description hereafter is mentioned as "the fixed
frame."
My Invention further consists in the method of and apparatus for
raising and lowering the ploughs, cultivators, and other implements in
and out of their work by the power of the engines without using the
fixed frame at all.
My Invention further consists in the manner of fixing the axles to
ight coming wheels and in the design of having fixed

page_text: in their work, and reduces the wear and tear of the wheels and axles to
a minimum.
My Invention further consists in the method of and arrangement for
regulating the depth of the work to be done.
My Invention further consists in the method of and arrangement
for casing off sudden jerks upon the traction ropes while cultivating
in rough or stony ground, and when the ropes coil badly on the
drums.
The following is the general description of my Invention :- -The
apparatus for raising and lowering the implements out of or in their
work consists of a rocking beam, which is either keyed to a horizontal
shaft, which shaft works in bearings on frames or plummer blocks
fastened on each side of the fixed frame at the centre part, or the rocking
beam is made to run loosely on this shaft.
The ends of the two traction ropes are either made fast to and work
upon the face of the lower are of the rocking beam in two grooves, or
are hooked on to short pieces of chain fastened to the rocking beam.
Two blocks of iron or wood are screwed on to the under side of the fixed
frame at equal distances from the centre, the distances being according
to the height the plough frames are required to be lifted out of their'
work and fixed in it.
The mode of working the rocking beam and apparatus belonging
thereto is as follows:-The engine at the headland opposite to where the
implement is is started; this moves the rocking beam up to the forward'
block of iron or wood above described, and while so moving it raises the
front frame or implement clear of the ground, and lowers the hind frame
or implement into its work; then the whole implement, fixed frame and
all, commences to travel across the field. The upper part of the rocking
beam is an arc of a circle, as the lower part is, and is either made with
two grooves on the face of the arc, as the lower part is, for the ropes to,
travel in, or it has cogs on the face of the upper arc into which a small
cog wheel works. This cog wheel is keyed on to an upper horizontal
shaft working in bearings, and on this shaft a pulley or segment is fixed,,
around which the ropes that hold the back ends of the two shifting.

page_text: elevation shewing the rocking beam and the gearing. The same letters
refer to the same parts in both designs in both Sheets 1 and 2.
A, A, is the outer frame called before "the fixed frame." It is of a
generally rectangular form carried upon a pair of large wheels in the
centre and furnished with two angle-edged steerage wheels, one at each
end. It supports the rocking beam, and attached to it are the axles to
the two central wheels, also the screws that regulate the depths, as also
the stop blocks to regulate the distance for the rocking beam to travel.
Upon it are likewise fixed the ploughman's seats and the steerage
apparatus. B, B, are the two central weight-carrying wheels. These
wheels are not used for steerage, consequently they are secured to the
fixed frame, and each axle is of a length nearly equal to half the
width of the fixed frame. C, D, are the two angle-edged steerage
wheels. Wires are made to traverse along the under side of the fixed
frame to connect each wheel, so that the ploughman while sitting on
either seat can raise or lower one or both wheels when required. Either
this plan or the levers before described can be used. E, E, the chains
and rods connecting the steerage; F, F, the upright spindles to the
stecrage wheels; G, G, the brackets to steady the working of the
steerage wheels; H, H, weights to give the steerage wheels holding
power, sometimes springs are used instead of weights; J, J, brackets
or hollow tubes screwed on to the under side of the fixed frame to form
a steadiment to the regulating screws for the depth; K, K, are the
rachet levers or spanners before described. L is the lower. horizontal
shaft against which one arm of the rocking beam rests while the plough
is travelling along, also on which the front ends of the plough frames
vibrate, also from which the set of ploughs in work are pulled along.
The strains on this shaft are opposite, and therefore neutralize cach
other, and so take all strain off the fixed frame as before described.
M, N, are the two shifting plough frames hinged upon the cross shaft L.
They are raised and lowered by the rocking beam movement by the
engine power. The arrangement of the jointed frame in place of the
rigid frame prevents the set of ploughs in the air from acting as a
counterpoise to the set in work. O, a rope or chain to raise and lower
the plough frame M. P, a rope or chain to raise and lower the plough
frame N, which frame is shewn in the Drawings suspended in the air.
The rope O is fastened to the rocking beam at the point X', and the

page_text: rope P is fastened at the point X". Q, the rocking beam (shewn in the
Drawing, Sheet 1, as a disc), is made to travel a certain distance at the
headland by the power of the engine. Before the plough itself moves
forward on the return journey, and while travelling this distance, the
hind set of ploughs is lowered into work, and the front set raised clear
of the ground, and kept there by the tension on the traction rope. The
rocking beam is made to travel far enough to leave some slack over the set
of ploughs in work. R is the traction rope while the plough is travelling
in the direction shewn in the Drawings, and is secured to the lower end
of the rocking beam at the point T. S is the tail rope while the plough
is travelling in the direction shewn in the Drawings, and is secured to
the lower end of the rocking beam at the point U. The ropes lie in
grooves upon the periphery of the rocking beam, as also do the two
ropes O and P. W, X, two stops to regulate the range of rotation of
the rocking beam. Y, Y, land wheels fixed at the hinder end of each
plough frame mounted on a stem, which can be set to any depth of
work. Z, the fulcrum or centre of the rocking beam carried upon
brackets fixed on the fixed frame.
When the direct-acting principle of rocking beam is used, and the
disc form of beam as shewn in Sheet 1, with a slot cut for the distance
to travel, I vary this distance to suit the various depths of work by
affixing a block at each end of the slot, with a set screw at back to
regulate the distances the blocks shall be from each other; also as the
depths vary and the level of the shaft L is altered, so are the centre
bearings raised or lowered by set screws.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my
improvements in steam ploughs,—
First. The use of an outer frame called "the fixed frame," which
enables me to transfer the steerage from the centre weight-carrying
wheels to the end wheels. It enables me also to have long axles to my
centre wheels. It likewise does away with the injurious side strains
that exist where steerage is from the centre wheels. It likewise enables
me to have a jointed plough frame. All these I claim as part of
my Invention.
Second. The use and employment of the rocking beam movement.
3

page_text: of work.
Fourth. The improved method of and apparatus for steerage.
Fifth. The improved method of and apparatus for holding the front
set of ploughs in the air, so as to be no counterbalance to the set of
ploughs in work.
Sixth. The improved method of and apparatus for working either the
direct-action rocking beam or disc as shewn in the Drawing Sheet 1, or
the alternative plan as shewn in the Drawing Sheet 2.
In witness whercof, I, the said Richard Winder, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
RICH³. WINDER. (L.S.)