IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING MACHINERY
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Garrett Tongue, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck,
Patent Agents and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING
AND REAPING MACHINERY." A communication from abroad by Sidney Sweet,
of Dansville, in the County of Livingston, and State of New York, United
States of America.
Sealed the 4th May 1877, and dated the 8th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Garrett Tongue at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th November 1876.
A com-
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING MACHINERY."
munication from abroad by Sidney Sweet, of Dansville, in the County of Livingston,
and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to various peculiarities of constructions and combinations
of devices for rocking and for controlling the rising and falling of the finger beam
with its attachments, and for regulating the pressure of the cutting apparatus upon
the ground and facilitating its lift.
The Invention also consists in a novel combination of devices for holding,
releasing, and rocking the lever used to rock the finger beam with its attachments.
Furthermore, the Invention consists in certain peculiar and advantageous com-
binations of the driving wheel, a frame plate enclosed therein, a standard carrying
the driver's seat, the lever by which the beam is rocked; also devices for lifting it
and the means for operating the cutter bar; also for throwing the cutters in or out
of gear.
The Invention also consists in a certain combination of the tongue of the machine;
the frame or frame plate which carries the journal for the stud or axle of the
driving wheel also carries a trunnion to provide for the rocking of the finger beam
with its attachments and a diagonal draw bar uniting the tongue with a post on the
finger beam to prevent objectionable strain consequent on the draft, without
restricting the rocking of the cutting apparatus.

page_text: The Invention furthermore relates amongst other details to the raking and reeling
devices of a reaping machine, and consists in a novel combination of a fixed divider
plate, a laterally adjustable divider, and a laterally moveable grain guard, whereby
the machine has increased adaptability to different conditions of the crop.
The Invention likewise consists in a clutch on a tumbling shaft of peculiar
construction, and means for holding the same in or out of gear, in combination with
a combined reel and rake, to which said tumbling shaft is applied to give the
necessary motion, whereby both cheapness and simplicity are obtained.
The Invention also relates to a combined reel and rake, the arms of which rise
and fall as they move around an axis which is approximately perpendicular to the
platform, and the rake heads of which are fitted to turn automatically on the arms,
to vary the position of the teeth relatively with the platform, accordingly as it is
required to sweep off the cut grain from the platform, or to allow it to accumulate
till a "gavel" is formed thereon. This part of the Invention consists in a com-
bination with such a combined reel and rake of novel means for controlling the
action of its arms, for holding the rake heads on the arms in a fixed position suitable
for raking, and for tripping and turning said heads from such position as the rakes
approach the front edge of the platform when it is not required to rake, and further-
more includes an adjustable or stationary trip placed in such relation to the rear
edge of the platform as to cause the rake to turn automatically, and be thereby
disengaged from the gavel at a point near to or at the rear end of the platform, for
the purpose of obviating the disturbance occasioned by inequality of speed, and so
that the rake will leave the "gavel" in a shape or condition for binding which will
require but little adjustment.
The Invention likewise consists in a series of supports or springs arranged along
the front portion of the platform on its upper surface, and spaced to admit of the
rake teeth passing in between them, said supports or springs serving the purpose of
giving an easy and clastic support to the grain and lively condition thereto for the
rakes as they take hold of the same to sweep it over the platform.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Garrett Tongue in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th May
1877.
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING MACHINERY." A com-
munication from abroad by Sidney Sweet, of Dansville, in the County of Livingston,
and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to various peculiarities of construction and combinations
of devices for rocking and for controlling the rising and falling of the finger beam
with its attachments, and for regulating the pressure of the cutting apparatus upon
the ground and facilitating its lift.
The Invention also consists in a novel combination of devices for holding, releasing,
and rocking the lever used to rock the finger beam with its attachments.
Furthermore, the Invention consists in certain peculiar and advantageous com-
binations of the driving wheel, a frame plate enclosed therein, a standard carrying
the driver's seat, the lever by which the beam is rocked; also devices for lifting it
and the means for operating the cutter bar; also for throwing the cutters in or out
of gear.
The Invention also consists in a certain combination of the tongue of the machine ;
the frame or frame plate which carries the journal for the stud or axle of the
driving wheel also carries a trunnion to provide for the rocking of the finger beam
with its attachments and a diagonal draw bar uniting the tongue with a post on the

page_text: finger beam to prevent the objectionable strain consequent on the draft, without
restricting the rocking of the cutting apparatus.
The Invention furthermore relates amongst other details to the raking and reeling
devices of a reaping machine, and consists in a novel combination of a fixed divider
plate, a laterally adjustable divider, and a laterally moveable grain guard, whereby
the machine has increased adaptability to different conditions of the crop.
The Invention likewise consists in a clutch on a tumbling shaft of peculiar
construction, and means for holding the same in or out of gear in combination with
a combined reel and rake to which said tumbling shaft is applied to give the
necessary motion, whereby both cheapness and simplicity are obtained.
The Invention also relates to a combined reel and rake, the arms of which rise
and fall as they move around an axis which is approximately perpendicular to the
platform, and the rake heads of which are fitted to turn automatically on the arms,
to vary the position of the teeth relatively with the platform, accordingly as it is
required to sweep off the cut grain from the platform, or to allow it to accumulate
till a gavel is formed thereon. This part of the Invention consists in a com-
bination with such a combined reel and rake of novel means.for controlling the
action of its arms, for holding the rake heads on the arms in a fixed position suitable
for raking, and for tripping and turning said heads from such position as the rakes
approach the front edge of the platform when it is not required to rake, and further-
more includes an adjustable or stationary trip placed in such relation to the rear
edge of the platform as to cause the rake to turn automatically, and be thereby
disengaged from the gavel at a point near to or at the rear end of the platform, for
the purpose of obviating the disturbance occasioned by inequality of speed, and so
that the rake will leave the gavel in a shape or condition for binding which will
require but little adjustment.
The Invention likewise consists in a series of supports or springs arranged along
the front portion of the platform on its upper surface, and spaced to admit of the
rake teeth passing in between them, said supports or springs serving the purpose of
giving an easy and clastic support to the grain and lively condition thereto for the
rakes as they take hold of the same to sweep it over the platform.
And in order that these improvements may be clearly understood and readily
carried into practice, I will proceed to describe the. Drawings hereto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents a plan of a reaping machine arranged and constructed in
accordance with this Invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a vertical section upon a larger scale of one end of the machine in
part as seen from the front, mainly in illustration of the devices for controlling the
motions of the combined reel and rake and the cutter bar of the machine.
Figure 4 is an under side view of a forward rake tripping attachment.
Figure 5 is a vertical section transversely to the axis of the driving shaft from
the inner side of the tongue or draft bar and looking towards the driving wheel;
Figure 6 is a horizontal section of the same end portion of the machine as in
Figure 5, on the line x, x.
Figure 7 is an end elevation from the divider side of the machine.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation showing a modification of the means used for
driving the combined rake and reel and the cutter bar of the machine.
Referring in the first instance to the several Figures, from 1 to 7 inclusive, A is
the driving wheel of the machine which is here represented as of an openwork.
construction, being provided with arms a, a, and a dish-shaped hub b having the
stud, axle, or shaft c fast to it. This stud or shaft c turns in a sleeve or socket
arranged to project within the wheel, and forming part of a frame plate B which
occupies an upright position within the plane of the wheel's rotation, or thereabouts,
and in such relation to the gearing as to exclude dirt or foreign matter from entering
the wheel and interfering with the gearing. This plate B forms both the main and

page_text: E is
gearing frames of the machine, and has secured to it a standard C which serves as
a support for the driver's seat D, and is preferably constructed so that said seat is
supported by it beyond the outer side of the main driving wheel, for the purpose of
reducing weight on the opposite side or divider side of the machine, and of increasing
pressure on the driving wheel by the weight of the driver when in the seat.
the tongue, which it is desirable to arrange as near as possible to the ground, to
secure an upright draft, for which purpose it is secured to the plate B below the
axle.or stud c. The frame plate B is constructed at its forward end with a socket
for reception of an arm F which projects across the front of the driving wheel.
This arm carries a bracket G bent so as to enter within the driving wheel from its
outer side, and constructed with a socket on its end which enters within said wheel,
for the purpose of carrying a bearing wheel H that bears against an inner rim or
web of the driving wheel, and serves to form a rotating support against. thrust of
the gearing. The construction of said bracket and arrangement of the bearing
wheel H within the main driving wheel affords protection to the latter, and prevents
any interference with the same by the driver's feet. This bracket G is adjustable
along the arm F, and may be fastened thereon by means of a notch and wedge d'to
hold the bearing wheel H to its place against the main driving wheel; said wheel
may be readily removed and replaced when required by means of this fastening.
Mounted in bearings in the frame B is a rocking trunnion e secured by a key f
I is the finger beam provided at its inner end with a bifurcated bracket h, through
which and through the rocking trunnion e a lever or rocking bar J passes, so that
both the bar and trunnion move together, and the finger beam is connected with
the frame plate. The bar J passes loosely or freely through the bifurcated bracket
to allow of the finger beam being moved up or down it by means of a chain g
attached to the finger beam and a lever K within easy reach of the driver from his
seat.
A spring may be arranged between the trunnion e and the upper end of
the bracket h to ease the pressure of the finger beam upon the ground. If desired
a shoe may be arranged under the finger beam to provide for the heel end of the
latter passing over obstacles.
i
The rocking bar or lever J is connected at its upper end by a link k with a
-crank on a rock shaft m, which works in bearings on the standard C. This rock
shaft has secured on its inner end in convenient proximity to the driver's seat a
handle lever n, the handle of which is provided on its one side with a lever spring
catch o, that when the hand of the driver is not grasping the handle springs into
lock with any one of a series of notches i in a fixed plate L to hold the finger beam
at any special adjustment that may be given it by the rocking of the trunnion e
through the rod J. When however the driver grasps said handle to rock or adjust
the finger beam, then the spring catch o is shifted out of lock with the notched
plate L by the simple act of grasping the handle, and no special manipulation is
necessary either to lock or unlock the means by which the finger beam is rocked or
tilted.
M is a grain wheel for supporting the outer end of the finger beam. This
wheel, which may be adjusted up or down by means of a slot and screw or other-
wise, is represented as mounted on a plate N, which is secured upon the finger
beam, and arranged to project in advance of the finger beam. The positions of the
axle of this wheel and of the main driving wheel in relation with the finger beam
are such that as the wheels rise or fall the finger beam has a like rising and falling
motion, and is consequently caused to conform to the surface over which the wheels
travel.
Upon the front end or edge of the plate N a divider P is pivoted by a pin s,
which provides for the lateral adjustment of the divider to vary its gathering
capacity of the grain. Said divider has its back end constructed to embrace within
it and protect the grain wheel. Q is a guard or bar, which is fitted to loosely
enter the hollow toe of the divider, and is pivoted by a pint to the upper end of
an upright arm N¹ on the plate N. This construction and attachment of the
guard Qallows of the latter being adjusted laterally at its rear end or of swinging

page_text: to conform with the adjustment of the divider to suit varying conditions of the
crop.
The cutter bar R formed with cutters of any suitable shape is driven as usual by
a crank and pitman. Thus u is the crank or revolving disk and attached wrist pin,
with which the pitman v operating the cutter bar is connected. This pitman is.
connected with the crank or wrist pin so as to be free to turn on its axis, and is
fitted to hook at its other end within the cutter bar stock as at w, to permit of the
ready detachment and replacement of the cutter bar when required without
disturbing the gearing. To facilitate this and to prevent the pitman from becoming
accidentally detached from the cutter bar when at work the inner end portion of
the pitman is made to work within or through a hinged opening and closing
guide S held closed by a spring 2, see Figures 2 and 4. The crank which drives
the cutter bar is fast on a shaft a¹, which carries a bevel pinion 6¹ that is operated
by a gear c¹ inside the driving wheel.
In order to provide for the ready engagement and disengagement of the bevel
pinion 6 with the gear c¹, and at the same time to give a long steady bearing for
the crank shaft a¹ capable of removal when necessary the shaft a¹ is fitted to work
in a pipe box bearing A¹ provided with trunnions d', which are pivoted in half
boxes in flanges e¹ on the frame plate. A shipping lever B₁ provided with a cam
acts on or in a stud f¹ of the pipe box to rock or swing the latter for the purpose
of engaging or disengaging the gears b¹, c¹. The pipe box A¹ is securely held in
position when adjusted by a lug g¹ passing through a slot in the frame plate and
secured by a key.
To brace the finger beam I and the trunnion e against objectionable strain of the
draft without restricting the rocking of the cutting apparatus a draw bar C¹ is
pivoted at its forward end to the draft bar E, and at its back end to the inner
guard D¹ of the platform E¹, or otherwise equivalently connected above the finger
beam, and in about the same plane as the trunnion e.
The combined reel and rake is operated as follows:-The stud shaft c of the
driving wheel is connected by a universal joint h¹ with an extensible tumbling.
shaft G¹, which turns freely at its opposite end in another universally jointed con-
nection h² carried by a bevel wheel H¹ that gears with a crown wheel I¹ fast on
or forming part of the revolving combined reel and rake carrier J. On or con-
nected with the tumbling shaft G³ and its universally jointed connection h² there is
a clutch coupling ¹, ¹, in halves held together by a spring k¹, but which parts or
halves are held disconnected by a spring hook 1, which is fast on the tumbling
shaft, and holds the clutch disconnected until released by the attendant. This
forms a cheap and simple disconnecting device.
K¹, K, are the rake arms, which are pivoted to the rake carrier J¹ as at m¹
(Figure 3) so as to rise and fall as said carrier is rotated by its crown wheel I'.
These rake arms are arranged in pairs of any desired number on opposite sides of
the axis of the carrier J¹, and each two opposite rake arms forming a pair united
by a tie rod n¹, so that said rake arms and the rakes which they carry assist one
another, that is, the one rake of either pair rising while the other is falling, and
vice versa.
Said connected rake arms, which are rounded, are caused to rise and
fall by a single fixed cam L¹ arranged over the rake carrier J¹, said cam being
constructed to guide the rake arms beneath it on one side of the rake carrier axis
and above it, as shown in Figure 3, on the opposite side thereof, and to gradually
direct the rake arms to assume their lowered and raised positions on opposite sides
of said axis. The rakes have their heads M¹ fitted so as to swing or turn on the
arms K¹ by means of eyes o³, which are arranged so that the outer ends of said
heads are higher than the inner ends thereof when over the finger beam to prevent
straining of the rakes by the tendency of the grain to accumulate at the divider
end of the platform.
The rake heads M¹ are fitted at their inner ends with spring latches r¹, which
enter notches in sockets or projections on the rake arms K₁ to hold the rakes from

page_text: turning from their raking position to provide for their sweeping the cut grain from
the platform E. After the cut grain however has been swept or raked from the
platform, and while fresh grain is accumulating thereon to form a gavel the spring
latches are tripped and the rake left free to turn up by said latches as the rakes
approach the front edge of the platform E¹ coming into contact with a bolt or
tripping dog s¹ suitably adjusted for the said purpose. This tripping bolt or dog can
be drawn out of action when required by means of a cord or rod s² and tradle s³,
or any other suitable means. Tbus (see Figures 3 and 4) the bolt or tripping
dog's is kept out for the latches to strike it by a spring st applied to a rod or
lever so, which by a pin 6 works in a curved slot in the bolt or tripping dog.
This rod or lever so has the treadle rod s² applied to it. The fulcrum end of the
rod or lever 8 is fast to an adjusting lever s, and works in a slot in the bolt. The
lever 87 is adjustable by a slot and set screw 88 to put the bolt or tripping dog
wholly out of action when necessary, or to adjust it as required for action by the
treadle 83 and spring s
Springs may be used to aid in turning the rakes, or the rake heads may be so
counterbalanced that they when unlatched turn up of themselves to pass over the
cut grain on the platform, and fall back again into position when repeating their
forward movement.
Any number of rakes arranged to form opposite pairs may be used, and one or
more blank heads or beaters be employed in place of the rake heads. There is also
an additional trip 89, which may be either adjustable or stationary, placed in such
relation to the rear edge of the platform E¹ as that when the rakes are performing
their work of sweeping the cut grain from the platform they turn automatically,
and are thereby disengaged from the gavel as they approach or pass the rear end of
the platform, whereby all disturbance of the gavel occasioned by inequality in speed
of the machine is obviated, and the rakes leave the gavel in a compact shape or
condition ready for binding.
Arranged along the front portion of the platform E¹ on the uppers urface thereof,
and at suitable distance apart, and spaced so that the rake teeth pass in between
them, are a service of springs or supports u¹ made to project slightly above the upper
surface of the platform, whereby the grain is supported in a free or lively condition
for the rakes to take hold of it and sweep it off or over the platform.
Referring in the next instance to Figure 8 of the Drawing, the reaping machine
there represented is substantially similar to that shewn in the other Figures of the
Drawing, and similar letters of reference indicate like parts, but in Figure 8 certain
modifications are shewn of the working details. Thus the driving wheel A has no
internal gearing, and is constructed with a hollow eye or central sleeve a3 which
turns in a fixed box or bearing b³. Within the sleeve a³ is the arbor c, fitted to turn
loosely in said sleeve when the machine is moving backwards, but made to turn in
concert with said sleeve by a pawl c³ and ratchet d³ when the machine is moving
forwards, whereby motion is communicated to the extensible tumbling shaft G₁.
This tumbling shaft not only serves to rotate the combined reel and rake by means
of the bevel wheels H¹ and I, but at the same time to reciprocate the cutter bar R.
To this end the tumbling shaft G¹ and its universally jointed connections h¹, h², are
made to rotate a hollow disk e³, on the face of which is the bevel wheel or pinion H¹.
This disk has its bearing on a tubular projection ƒ³ of a standard or structure g³
mounted on and secured to the finger beam I, and is held in place thereon with
facility of removal by a shouldered bolt h³ passing through, said tubular projection
and entering the standard or structure g³. The hollow disk e³ is constructed with
an internal annular gearing which gives motion to a pinion 3 fitted on a spindle
which passes through a tubular bearing fast on the standard g³. This spindle
carries a bevel wheel that gives motion to the bevel pinion b', on or connected
with which is the crank u that gives motion to the cutter bar by the connecting
rod v. By this modification the centre of the cutter operating crank is brought
pearly under the centre of the combined reel and rake carrier, and in close proximity

page_text: to the finger beam by which the cutter operating mechanism is carried, so that the
connecting rod v of the cutter bar preserves a uniformity of angle under all adjust-
ments of the finger beam.
It is not necessary that all the improvements herein described should be used col-
lectively, as they may be used separately or certain of them only in the same
machine, and although the description herein given specifies them only as applied
to reaping machines, it is obvious that such of them as are applicable may be used
in mere mowing machines.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
or carrying the same into practice, what I claim under the above in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The improved arrangement and combination of the bar or lever by which
the finger beam is rocked, and devices for actuating said bar or lever, the rocking
trunnion of the bar or lever, and the bracket on the finger beam to provide for the
rocking and raising and lowering of said beam, substantially as herein shewn and
described:
Second. The improved arrangement and combination with the bar or lever J, by
which the finger beam is rocked, and the bracket h of the handle lever with its
spring catch, the shaft operated by said handle lever and devices connecting said
shaft with the rocking bar or lever, all arranged for operation in relation with the
driver's seat and finger beam, essentially as herein shewn and described, and for the
purposes herein set forth.
Third. The improved arrangement and combination with the devices for rocking
the finger beam, and for permitting of the raising and lowering of the latter, of the
spring i arranged in relation with the rocking trunnion e and bracket h to facilitate
the lift of the finger beam, and to reduce the pressure of the cutting apparatus on
the ground, substantially as herein shewn and specified.
Fourth. The improved arrangement and combination with the driving wheel, the
frame plate, and the standard carrying the driver's seat, of the handle lever and its
locking plate for controlling the rocking of the finger beam, the bifurcated bracket
movable up or down the rocking bar or lever, and the lifting lever and chain, all
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fifth. The improved arrangement and combination with the hub dished driving
wheel and frame plate arranged within the plane of said wheel's rotation or there-
abouts of the means, substantially as herein described, for giving motion to the
cutter bar or cutters, the pivoted pipe box in which the crank shaft operating the
cutters works, and the means for throwing the cutters in or out of gear, substantially
as herein shewn and described.
Sixth. The improved arrangement and combination with the finger beam, draft
bar or tongue and platform of the draw bar C¹ and guard D₁, the frame plate, the
rocking trunnion e and the rocking bar or lever, essentially as herein shewn and
described.
Seventh. The improved arrangement and combination of the divider P made
laterally adjustable on a pivot s, as described, the fixed divider plate N with its arm
N', the guard Q and the pivot t, substantially as herein shown and described.
Eighth. The improved arrangement and combination with the means for operating
and carrying the combined reel and rake of the clutch on the tumbling shaft used to
drive said reel and rake, and the spring hook for holding the clutch when discon-
nected, essentially as herein shewn and described.
Ninth. The improved arrangement and combination with the combined reel and
rake of the means for controlling the action of its arms, and for tripping or turning
said heads on their arms as the rakes approach the front edge of the platform when
it is not required to rake, also means for tripping or turning the rake heads as the
rakes work over the rear edge of the platform when delivering a gavel, essentially
as herein shown and described.
Tenth. The improved arrangement, and combination with the combined reel and
rake constructed to operate as described of the springs on the upper surface of the

page_text: front portion of the platform, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified
and shewn in the Drawings annexed.
Eleventh. The improved arrangement and combination of the opening and closing
guide S, and the pitman rod v, constructed to hook into or connect with the
cutter bar in a detachable manner, essentially as herein shewn and described.
Twelfth. The improved arrangement and combination of the sleeve a³ of the
driving wheel, the fixed hollow box or bearing 63, the loose arbor c within the
sleeve a³, the ratchet d³, pawl c³, the tumbling shaft G¹, and the hollow disk e³
provided with internal gearing and mounted on a standard fast to the finger beam
for driving both the rake and cutters, substantially as herein described and shewn
in Figure 8 of the Drawings annexed.
Thirteenth. The improved arrangement and combination of the hollow disk e³
provided with internal gearing, the pinion 13 and its spindle driven by said
internal gearing, the bevel wheel 13, the bevel pinion b¹ on the crank shaft driving
the cutters, arranged between the bevel wheel and the hollow disk e³, and
mounted upon the finger beam, essentially as described and shown in Figure 8 of
the Drawings.
Fourteenth. The improved arrangement and combination with the crown wheel
I driving the rake arms and the rake carrier J¹, to which said arms are
pivoted, of the single guiding cam L', arranged wholly above and inside said arms,
and the tie rods ¹ connecting the rake arms in pairs, substantially as herein
described and shewn in Figure 8 of the Drawings.
Lastly. I claim the improved general arrangement and combination of machinery
for mowing and reaping, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
shown in the. Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Garrett Tongue, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
: eight hundred and seventy-seven.