Improvements in Mowing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1893—1ccepted, 17th June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by SIMON LAUCK MCCULLOCH, of Wheeling, in
the State of West Virginia, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Mowing Machines.
I JAMES JOHNSON of 4 Clayton Square Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:
-
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved mowing machine, the seat and part of
the seat support being omitted for clearness of illustration.
Fig. 2 is a similar view on a larger scale, showing part only of the finger-bar
and knives, the top plate of the frame being broken away to expose the operative
mechanism to view.
Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the inner side of the machine, the section
being in vertical plane on the line III-III of Fig. 2.
Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view of one of the blocks 10, showing by dotted
lines a portion of the frame 2 in cross section.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the outer side of the machine.
Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the construction of the driving wheel.
Fig. 6 is a partial plan view showing a modified construction of device for
cushioning the knife. It is the form shown in Figure 6 that is specifically claimed
herein.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a link of the driving chain which I employ.
Fig. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view through the front wheel, showing the
sliding bearing therefor.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a modified form wherein a connecting rod is
employed for the driving wheels, the parts being broken away to show the finger
bar and connections.
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the same, with the casing broken away to show the
arrangement of the buffers.
Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.
The object of my invention is to provide a machine for cutting grass or grain
which while preserving all the efficiency of prior machines, shall be very light and
compact in structure enabling it to be drawn and operated by one horse, instead
of the two horses ordinarily required for other machines of like capacity. The
operation and advantages of the machine will be described generally in this
Specification.
The frame of the machine is preferably an integral casting and comprises
parallel side bars 2, which extend from the sides of the rear wheel 31 to and
in advance of the front wheel 3 and which between said wheels is of inverted
V shape, affording an intermediate upwardly extending cavity, the purpose of
which is to permit vertical adjustment and lift of the finger bar as hereinafter
explained. The frame also comprises a top portion or guard + which is
preferably integral with the side bars 2 covering the main part of the machine,
extending over the front wheel 3 and forming a base for the support of the
drivers seat as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The main wheels of the mowing
machine are two in number, and instead of being set side by side, are arranged
in tandem one in front of the other. They have broad peripheries and serve
as means for supporting the machine, and one of them which may be either
the front or rear wheel, serves to transmit the power directly to the cutting
mechanism. In machines as heretofore constructed, in order that the power

page_text: supplied by traction may be sufficient to operate the cutters, it has been found
necessary to make the machine of considerable. weight, for otherwise in doing
heavy work, the wheels might slip idly on the ground. I effect the desired
result, not by increasing the weight of the machine, but by increasing the
number and efficiency of the devices by which the hold of the wheels on the
ground is secured. Thus instead of using the traction of the wheels alone, I
provide the wheels with peripheral spurs or notches made on marginal flanges
of the wheel in the manner of a sprocket, and connect the wheels with a spurred
sprocket-chain 5 which passes around the wheels between the marginal flanges
thereof and forms a continuous track on which the wheels travel. The links of
the chain are connected by pins 7 adapted to fit in the sprocket notches, and
each link has outwardly projecting spurs 6 and shoulders 5', which normally
engage the adjacent link and thus prevent inward bending or sagging of the
chain, rendering it when lying on the ground substantially rigid. Instead
of providing the chain with pins which engage notches in the wheels, I may
provide the wheels with pins or teeth, adapted to engage the links. I may also
dispense with the chain entirely, using cranks upon each driving wheel and a
connecting rod joining them as shown in Figure 9, spurs being employed upon
the wheels.
Figure 3 shows the machine when the parts are in position to transmit power to
the cutting mechanism. Then the lower branch of the chain lies flat on the ground,
and as the machine is drawn forward by the horse, the wheels travel on the chain,
forcing the spurs in the ground and effectually preventing slipping. I thus get
the joint driving action of the two wheels, plus the positive action of the spurred
chain. Within the scope of my invention, broadly considered, the construction
may be modified so that the tandem wheels are connected otherwise than by a
sprocket-chain, eg. by a connecting rod.
The rear wheel 31 is journaled in stationary bearings in the frame 2. The front
wheel is journaled in longitudinally adjustable bearings, enabling the tension of the
sprocket-chain to be varied. Said bearings are constituted by blocks 10 mounted
on sliding seats on horizontal portions of the side bars of the frame 2 and arranged
in connection with adjusting bolts 9 which pass through parts of the frame and
bear on the blocks. 11, 11, are lock bolts which pass through the bearing blocks
and through slots in the frame.
I shall now describe the means employed for supporting and adjusting the finger
bar. Pivoted to the ends of the axle 4 of the driving wheel 31 are downwardly
curved levers or bars 12 to which the horizontal finger bar 13 carrying the usual
slotted fingers er guards 14 and spring clips 14', is secured by bolts 13'. The
knife back 17 carrying the knives 18 is set on a seat on the finger bar, and is
adapted to reciprocate longitudinally and to move the knives between the guards,
in conjunction with which they act to shear off the grass or grain. The outer end
of the finger bar is supported by a carrying wheel 43 which forms the third
supporting wheel of my tricycle machine. Said wheel is journaled to a shoe 43'
which extends rearwardly from the finger bar. The bar 12 at one side of the
machine terminates at the position of the knife, so as to afford no obstruction to
the longitudinal removal of the latter from the finger bar, and the other bar 12
extends further to the front of the machine through a vertical guide slot in the
upright part of the machine frame and is connected by a ball and socket joint to a
lift rod or handle 15 extending above the machine frame in convenient proximity
to the drivers seat, and arranged so that on moving it up or down, the bars 12
shall be swung radially on the axis 4' thus raising the finger bar from the ground
or lowering it as the case may be. The slot in the frame through which the bar 12
passes serves as a brace for the bar and its supported parts, bracing them against
side strain. By these means the finger bar can be raised to bring it well above the
surface of the ground, the recessed shape of the frame 2 permitting considerable
upward motion, or by adjusting it at different points the height of the cut can be
varied, or by depressing it to a low point the radial support of the bar 12 causes

page_text: the fingers to assume a downwardly inclined direction adapting them to cut lodged
or beaten down grass. These three different adjustments, which in my machine are
effected by a single device, are in prior machines effected only by several devices
and with considerable trouble. The axial line of the carrying wheel 43 is
substantially in the axial line of the wheel 31 on which the supporting bars 12
swing. The consequence is that on swinging these bars to change the vertical
position of the finger bar, the wheel 43 is not raised from the ground and the finger
bar is lifted and maintained in longitudinally horizontal position. The arrangement
of the carrying wheel constitutes an important feature of my invention. It will be
understood that a shoe or runner can be substituted for the wheel.
In order to hold the lift bar in the vertical position to which it is adjusted I
provide it with pins 16, arranged alternately at different sides of the bar, and I
form on the machine frame a seat or shoulder 16' adapted to receive one of the pins
and to uphold the lift bar. If the bar be lifted until one of the pins be above the
shoulder and turned to cause the engagement of the latter parts, the bars 12, and
finger bar will be upheld, and yet there will be nothing to prevent free lifting
thereof, if the finger bar should strike an obstruction in the field. The lowest
position of the finger-bar is when the bar 12 rests at the end of the slot in the
frame 2.
I shall now describe the means by which reciprocatory motion is communicated
to the knife. Near its inner end within the limits of the frame 2 it is provided
with an upright cylindrical pin or post 19 on which is fitted a square bearing
block 20, which fits within a fork 21 at the end of a sleeve 22 set on a vibratory
lever 24 and capable of some longitudinal motion thereon. A constant forward
pressure is exerted on the sleeve 22, to keep the base of the fork pressed against
the pin 19 by means of a spring 25 interposed between the sleeve and a collar 26
on the lever. The base of the fork is preferably curved convexly as shown in
Fig. 4. The effect of the forward pressure of the sleeve upon the pin, is that it
tends to tip the knife forward on its longitudinal axis thereby keeping the knife
blades in neat contact with the bases of the slots in the guards and causing them
to work in cutting with a true shearing action. This feature of my improvement
is of great practical importance and I believe I am the first to apply to the knife
a tipping tension towards the opposing cutting edge of the guard.
To make clear the manner in which the lever 24 is vibrated, I must first explain
the preferable construction of the rear wheel 3' (see Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5). Said
wheel is composed of two symmetrically shaped halves, each of disk form having
a lateral inwardly projecting annular flange 27 with a margin of zigzag or
serpentine form. Said disks have at their hubs inwardly projecting clutch forks 47
(Figure 5), and when the parts are placed together on the axle 4', the forks fit
together and operatively connect the disks, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 4.
The forks are encircled by a loose sleeve 48. The parts when thus adjusted,
constitute a wheel having a marginal slot of serpentine form, which constitutes a
cam and exposes the sleeve which encircles the axles and clutch forks. The end
of the lever 24 is formed with a fork 24' which is pivotally pinned or bolted to
opposite sides of the sleeve 48 and a roller 27' on the lever, fits between the opposite
cam faces of the flanges 27. It will be apparent therefore, that when the wheel 3'
rotates, the action of the cam faces on the roller 27' will cause the lever to vibrate
on the axis of the fork 24' and the outer end acting on the sliding block 20 and its
enclosed pin 19 will cause the knife to reciprocate on the finger bar In order to
prevent the lever from upward displacement, I form on the sleeve 22 a lip 28 which
fits under a corresponding flange 29 on the finger bar (Figure 4). If it is desired
to disconnect the lever from the knife and to remove the latter from the machine,
the sleeve 22 is drawn back until the lip and flange are disengaged, and the lever
is then lifted above the pin 19, thus freeing the knife which can be drawn out
longitudinally.
In order to cushion the operation of the lever and knife, I set on the levers 12,
or on the finger bar, elastic cushions or buffers 23' (Fig. 6) with which studs 17'.on

page_text: the knife come in contact at the ends of the stroke, thus preventing injurious jar
on the knives and the operating parts and rendering the machine as nearly noiseless
in its action as possible. The buffer at the outer side is preferably pivoted or
otherwise removably set in place so that it may be lifted when the knife is to be
drawn out. This location of the buffers, so that they shall directly cushion the
knife, and shall indirectly also cushion the action of the lever and cam is claimed
specifically herein. In Figure 2, I show the buffers arranged opposite the lever.
This position is not so desirable, in that, the direct action on the knife is lacking
and there is apt to be loose motion and shock to the parts at the pivotal connection
of the fork 21 and sliding block 20.
The construction of the cam may be varied, within the scope of my invention.
Thus the lever may be pivotally connected on the axial line of the driving wheel
by double forks at the sides of the wheel, in which case a simple cain groove on
the wheel would suffice to vibrate the lever, and other changes will be suggested to
the skilled mechanic.
The pivotal connection of the operating lever at the axial line on which the bars
or frame carrying the finger bar (which need not be the axial line of the driving
wheel but may be of a supplemental wheel or shaft) constitutes a marked improve-
ment. In prior machines, when the pitman which reciprocates the knife extends
from a different centre from that on which the finger bar turus, the act of lifting
the finger har to vary the height of the stubble cut by the knives, or the raising
of one of the finger bar wheels in passing over uneven ground, changes the relative
positions of the knife and pitman relatively to the guards, so that the knives when
in middle position are not exactly at the middle points between the guards. The
consequence is that in order to cause the points of the knives always to move to
the guards, the length of stroke of the knife must be made greater than otherwise
necessary, resulting, of course, in waste of power and being at the expense of the
rapidity of action of the machine. With my construction, this does not occur,
since the operating lever moves on the same axis as that of the motion of the
finger bar, the relative positions are constant, and I am therefore enabled without
d fficulty, to shorten the stroke of the knife so that it shall be sufficient only, to
cause the points of the knives to move between the edges of the adjacent guards.
By having the parts of the machine operating thus from a common centre, the
machine is more compact, its action is uniform, the jar and vibration of the parts
are reduced to a minimum, and there are less parts which can wear or become loose
from ccntinued use.
In order to make it possible to draw the machine over the ground without
rotating the wheels and operating the cutting mechanism, I employ a runner or
other suitable device, such as a wheel frame, which normally is elevated so as not
to prevent the bearing of the wheels and sprocket chain on the ground, but which
can be depressed so as to bear on the ground and carry the weight of the machine
and to elevate the running gear so that the traction of the machine shall not operate
the same. A convenient form and arrangement of said runner is shown in the
drawing. The runner consists of a bar or shoe 31 pivotally suspended by links 30
to the axle of the rear wheel and to a pin 30' at the front portion of the frame
respectively. The front link 30 is fixed to or made integral with a foot lever 32,
which constitutes with the link a bell crank. By depressing said lever 32, the
shoe 31 is forced down to bear upon the ground, as shown in Figures 4 and 9. By
elevating the foot lever, the shoe is raised above the ground, as represented in
Figure 3. In order to lock the shoe in the position required, I employ the following
device-3 is a pawl which is pivoted at 35 on the elbow of the bell crank 30, 32,
and is provided with suitable notches adapted to engage a pin 33 which is fixed to
the machine frame and projects through a circular slot in the bell crank. The
pawl is forced against the pin 33 by a spring 36 which bears on a stud 37 on the
pawl, so that when the links 30 and the shoe 31 are adjusted in desired position,
and the pawl is in engagement by a notch with the pin 33, the parts are firmly held
in place. To disengage the pawl from the pin 33, I employ a sliding rod 361, which

page_text: is mounted on the foot lever and at its forward end bears on the pawl. To
disengage the pawl, the driver places his foot on a projecting portion of the rod 36¹
and forces it forward so as to release the pawl from the pin.
The driver's seat 38 is fixed to the upper end of a support 39 which is secured
to the machine frame. The arrangement for hitching the horse to the machine
is shown in Figure 1. I employ a single shaft 41 situate at the inner side of
the machine and connected by a transverse extension 41' to the machine frame
between lugs 40 thereon. The single tree 42 is hung to a rod 42' which extends
transversely from the shaft, and is connected in the machine frame by a link 401.
The line of draft is therefore at the centre of the machine. By employing
only a single shaft and leaving the horse unconfined by a shaft at the left
side, the animal can turn more freely, and the machine can be guided to much
better advantage.
With my improved machine I am enabled to deliver the cut grass or grain
in a line so that the horse, in cutting the next swath,-shall not trample upon
the already cut grass. For this purpose I employ at the outer end of the finger
bar a rearwardly inwardly extending grass board 44, and to the inner end of
the pin 45 which forms the axis of attachment of the shaft, I attach a fender
rod 46, or a grass board similar to the grassboard 44, may be substituted there-
for. These two parts 44 and 46 converging at the rear of the machine, heap
the grass in line, stacking it with its tops uppermost, so that not only shall it
be out of the path of the horse and machine at the next cut, but also, so that,―
because of the freer access of light and air,-it shall be more quickly dried and
cured.
The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The machine is light, strong, durable, and efficient. By dispensing with the
necessity for the usual heavy wheels and framework of prior machines, I obtain
a machine of a new class and of greatly improved character. Many of the claims
refer to items of invention not limited to their application to a tandem wheel
machine, but applicable to machines differently constructed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In a mowing machine the combination with a finger bar and a vertically
movable support carrying the same, of a rigid main frame independent of said
support, and situate directly above the finger bar, said frame having an upwardly
extending recess to permit vertical motion of said parts; substantially as
described.
Second. In a mowing machine,. the combination with the finger bar, of a finger
bar support, extending lengthwise of the machine and movable in a vertical
direction, a lifting and adjusting rod freely movable upwardly, and stops adapted
to hold the finger bar from descending, substantially as described.
Third. In a mowing machine, the combination with the finger bar of a finger-
bar-support, extending lengthwise of the machine and moveable in a vertical
direction, a lift rod at one end of the support, and means for supporting said
rod in different positions, said rod being freely movable upwardly, substantially as
described.
Fourth. A mowing machine having but two main frame supporting and driving
wheels arranged in tandem and mechanically connected so as to combine the
tractive forces of the two wheels, a finger bar and reciprocatory knife located in a
Iue which passes between the wheels, and a power connection connecting the knife
with one of the wheels substantially as described.
Fifth. A mowing machine having all its main frame supporting driving wheels
arranged in tandem and mechanically connected, so as to combine the tractive
forces of the said wheels, a finger bar and knife, supports radially supporting
the finger bar from the axis of one of the said wheels, and a power connection

page_text: connected with the knife, and deriving its power from the wheel, substantially as
described.
Sixth. In a mowing machine, the combination with a finger bar having supporting
arms rigidly attached thereto at the machine end, and mounted pivotally on an
axis transverse to the machine, said bar being freely movable upwardly by
obstruction in the field independently of the machine frame of a carrying support
or wheel at the outer end of the finger bar, and held thereby with its axis
substantially in the axial line of the pivot of the supporting arms, said onter
carrying support or wheel having no axle connecting it with said machine
save by the finger bar which serves as an axle therefor; substantially as
described.
Seventh. A mowing machine having all its main frame supporting driving
wheels arranged in tandem and mechanically connected so as to combine the
tractive forces of the said wheels, a finger bar having at the machine end supporting
arms pivotally mounted on an axis transverse to the machine, a carrying support
or wheel set at the outer end of the finger bar and held thereby substantially in
the axial line of the supporting arms, and means for lifting the finger bar
substantially as described.
Eighth. In a mowing machine, the combination with the finger bar and guard,
of a knife having means for imparting thereto a tipping tension towards the
opposing cutting edges of the guard, substantially as described.
Ninth. A mowing machine having main frame supporting wheels arranged in
tandem and mechanically connected so as to combine their tractive forces, a finger
bar, and another support or wheel at the outer portion of the finger bar, substan-
tially as described.
Tenth. A mowing machine having main frame supporting wheels which derive
their rotary motion by the traction of the machine over the ground, said wheels
being arranged in tandem and mechanically connected so as to combine their
tractive forces, cutting mechanism situate at one side only of the machine and
connected with, and driven by, the said wheels, and means for the connection of
the machine to power in order to draw the same and by traction to rotate the
wheels, substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a mowing machine, the combination of the finger-bar and guards,
a knife comprising a knife rod with knife sections attached thereto, a spring acting
on the knife at a point eccentric to its longitudinal axis and exerting on the same a
tipping tension (as distinguished from a direct pressure) to force the knife sections
towards the opposing cutting edges of the guards, substantially as described.
Twelfth. A mowing machine having main frame supporting wheels arranged
in tandem and mechanically connected so as to combine their tractive forces, a
rigid machine frame carried by said wheels, a finger bar, another support or wheel
at the outer portion of the finger bar, and means for moving the finger bar
vertically and maintaining it in substantially horizontal position; substantially as
described.
Thirteenth. A mowing machine having supporting wheels which derive their
rotary motion by the traction of the machine over the ground, said wheels being
arranged in tandem and mechanically connected by an endless flexible connection,
which passes around the peripheries of the wheels so as to combine the tractive
forces of the said wheels which are arranged with the lowest points of their
peripheries in substantially the same horizontal plane, whereby a flat portion of
the endless flexible connection is in contact with the ground, cutting mechanism
connected with and driven by said wheels, and means for the connection of the
machine to power in order to draw the same and by traction to rotate the wheels;
substantially as described.
Fourteenth. A mowing machine, having supporting wheels which derive their
rotary motion from the traction of the machine over the ground, said wheels being
set in tandem and connected by an endless flexible connection which passes around
the peripheries of the wheels and has a flat intermediate portion in contact with

page_text: the ground, said flexible connection being provided with projections adapted to
enter the ground, so as to combine the tractive force of the two wheels, cutting
mechanism connected with and driven by said wheels, and means for the connection
of the machine to power in order to draw the same, and by traction to rotate the
wheels; substantially as described.
Fifteenth. A mowing machine having supporting wheels which derive their
rotary motion by the traction of the machine over the ground, all of said wheels
being arranged in tandem, and mechanically connected by an endless sprocket
chain which passes around the peripheries of the wheels and has links provided
with stops to prevent inward bending of the chain so as to combine the tractive
force of the said wheels, cutting mechanism connected with and driven by said
wheels, and means for the connection of the machine to power in order to draw the
saine, and by traction to rotate the wheels; substantially as described.
Sixteenth. In a mowing machine the combination of a supporting and knife
driving wheel, means for transmitting power therefrom to the mechanism of the
machine, a supplemental support, and means for lifting the first named driving
wheel from the ground and transferring the weight of the machine to the
supplemental support, thereby destroying the traction of the driving wheel and
stopping the knife; substantially as described.
Seventeenth. In a mowing machine, the combination with supporting wheels and
means for transmitting power therefrom to the mechanism of the machine, of a
supplemental support, and means for depressing the supplemental support, to lift
the first named wheels from the ground, substantially as described.
Eighteenth. In a mowing machine the combination with the finger bar and
reciprocatory knife, of a post on said knife, a lever enclosing the post, means for
vibrating the lever, a lip fixed to the lever and a projection on the cutter-bar under
which the lip fits detachably holding the lever in operating position, substantially
as described.
Nineteenth. In a mowing machine, the combination with the finger bar and
reciprocatory knife, of a vibratory lever, and a spring backed sleeve on said lever
connecting it with the knife; substantially as described.
Twentieth. In a mowing machine, the combination with the finger bar and
reciprocatory knife, of a post on said knife, a lever having a spring-backed sleeve
enclosing the post, and means for vibrating the lever; substantially as described.
Twenty-first. In a mowing machine, the combination with a wheel having
separated opposite peripheral cam faces, of a vibratory lever extending through
the cam slot formed by the opposing cam faces and pivotally connected with a
sleeve on the axis of a wheel, said lever bearing on said faces, and connected with
the machine-knife; substantially as described.
Twenty-second. In a mowing machine, the combination with a supporting wheel
having two portions provided with corresponding canı faces and interlocking forked
hubs, of a vibratory lever extending through the cam slot formed by said cam
faces; substantially as described.
Twenty-third. The combination with a wheel having separated opposite
peripheral cam faces of a vibratory lever extending between said faces and
pivotally connected with a sleeve on the axis of the wheel, said lever bearing on
said faces, and said wheel being formed of two annular parts having interlocking
hubs; substantially as described.
Twenty-fourth. In a mowing machine, a finger bar connected to radial levers,
one of said levers extending past the connecting point, and a lift bar pivoted to
such extension; substantially as described.
Twenty-fifth. In a mowing machine, the combination of a finger bar carried by
an upwardly movable support, a rotary lift bar connected to said support and
having upholding pins at different levels, and on different lines, adapted to
engage the frame and to uphold the bar at different levels; substantially as
described.
Twenty-sixth. A mowing machine attachment comprising a runner, links

page_text: connecting the runner with the frame work, a foot lever extending upward from
one link and means for locking said lever; substantially as described.
Twenty-seventh. A mowing macbine comprising main frame supporting wheels,
all said wheels being arranged in tandem and mechanically connected to combine
their tractive forces, a finger-bar extending between said wheels, a knife connected
with said tandem wheels, and a third support or wheel on the finger-bar-side of the
machine, substantially as described.
Twenty-eighth. A mowing machine, comprising two driving wheels arranged in
tandem, a chain passing over them, a frame working which is located over the
chain and serves as a guard therefor, and cutting mechanism located between the
wheels; substantially as described.
Twenty-ninth. A mowing machine attachment, comprising a runner connected
by pivoted links to the frame work, a foot lever arranged to raise and lower the
runner, a pawl engaging the lever in its different positions, and a spring holding
the pawl in locked position; substantially as described.
Thirtieth. In a mowing machine, the combination with knife actuating wheels
arranged in tandem, and a lateral finger-bar, of a runner extending lengthwise of
the machine and means for transferring the weight of the machine from the wheels
of the runner substantially as described.
Thirty-first. In a mowing machine, the combination of wheels arranged in
tandem and mechanically connected so as to combine their tractive forces, a lateral
finger-bar situate on a line which presses transversely between the wheels, and
radial levers extending lengthwise of the machine at the sides of the wheels,
pivoted at one end and secured to the finger bar; substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of May 1893.