Improvements in Reaping and Mowing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 27th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reaping and Mowing Machines.
I, ALEXANDER DOUGLAS, of The Stranraer Foundry. Stranraer, in the County of
Wigtown, North Britain, Engineer and Millwright, 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 :-
This invention which relates to improvements in reaping and mowing machines has
for its object the production of a machine of much less dead-weight and less draught
than hitherto, owing to the said weight being concentrated on the main driving wheel,
and being thoroughly balanced thus relieves the horses' necks, and gives greater
cutting power, than the machines at present in use.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, throughout which, the same reference figures denote the same
parts.
Figure 1 Sheet 1 is a perspective view of a single wheel reaping and mowing
machine as used for ordinary reaping and mowing purposes made in accordance
with my said invention.
Figure 2, Sheet 2, is a 'side elevation of the driving or inside end of my
machine.
Figure 2, is a detail section on line 1, 2, of Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 2, shewn partly in section on line 3, 4, of Figure 2.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, Sheet 3, are elevations and plans of modifications of the
fingers.
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3, are part plan and elevation of the knives.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 Sheet 3, are part. plan, elevation, and end elevation of a
modification of said knives.
Figure 13, Sheet 3, is a part elevation of the divider mould board shewing
a detail.
Figures 14 and 15 Sheet 3, are plan and elevation of the end of main pole
shewing a detail.
Figures 16 and 17, Sheet 4, are part elevation and part plan of the delivery board
and connections.
Figures 18 and 19, Sheet 4, are elevation and plan of an inside divider or raiser
having my improved under spring attached.
Figure 20, Sheet 4, is a detail shewn in end and side elevations.
And Figure 21, Sheet 4, is a divider knife shewn in end and side elevations.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, I connect by bolts or otherwise to the end of the
main pole A, a malleable iron or steel frame B, which carries the main driving
wheel C, closed gearing and case D, as also one or more operators' seats, levers etc.
The said main driving wheel C, is preferably made of malleable iron or steel, and
formed with a number of diagonal strips or projections c, around its periphery,
and mounted loosely on a tubular spindle c', inside which a tie rod or bolt c², passes,
its ends being connected to the main framing B, the said tubular spindle c', being
rigidly fixed in the bearing d, formed on or in a closed iron or steel gearing
case D, by means of a key, screw or rivet, the said gearing case D, being adjustably
hung to the main frame B, by means of the snug and bolt d'. The said gearing
case D, is provided with the necessary bearings or journals so as to carry a train of
spur or chain gearing D', (though preferably spur as shewn in Figure 3, Sheet 2) for
operating the crank shaft and knives; the first or driving wheel d², of said gearing
revolves on the tubular spindle and is formed with the one half of a toothed
clutch d, the other half d', of which is formed on or attached to the boss c³, of the

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main driving wheel C, thus enabling the said gearing D₁, being thrown in and out of
gear by means of the hand lever D³, which works in a double spirally grooved
bracket d, (shewn in section in Figure 2, Sheet 2) attached to or formed on the
gearing case D, the said handle D2, being mounted on the one end of the clutch
rod d, which is provided with a spiral or other spring d', and secured at its end to
the clutch fork d. The spindle or axle d, of the fast wheel of the said gearing D',
projects through the gearing case D, and has mounted on its one end a bevel wheel E,
which gears into a bevel pinion E, mounted on the one end of the crank shaft E
the said crank shaft being carried in bearings e, formed on or in a pivotted bracket F,
which is pivotted at f, to the boss 10, of the spindle or axle d³, and kept in position
by means of a bolt or stud f, working in a circular slot near its one end, and by
means of a circled ledge or projection 2, formed on or attached to its other end, the
said ledge or projection, working in a corresponding groove or slide D³, formed
on or attached to the gearing case D. The said pivotted bracket F, is also formed with
a tail or lower arm F1, so as to carry the slipper G, and end of finger bar H, which
are bolted or ctherwise secured to it, the finger bar being also fitted into a recess or
checked part F2, (shown in dotted lines in Figure 17, Sheet 4,) formed in the
underside of the said. tail or arm F¹. The said slipper G, may be of the ordinary
type as shewn in Figure 1, though preferably I provide it with means for carrying a
small front wheel J, (Figures 2 and 3) which is adjustably mounted thereon, as also
one or more guards J, and snug or lug j, to which is secured the lower end of the
raising and lowering chain J2, the top end of which engages with a pin or projection,
on the grooved cam or quadrant K, which is keyed on the one end of a small
spindle, carried in the bracket K, which is either formed on or attached to the main
framing B, the said bracket K¹, being formed with or having attached to its other end
a segment of a ratchet wheel K2, into which the lower end or point of a pawl 2,
engages, the said pawl k², being pivotted to the band lever K³, which is keyed or
otherwise secured to the other end of the spindle k, the engaging and disengaging of
the said pawl 3, being effected through the medium of the rod 3, and spring
handle.
To the underside of the said tail or lower arm F¹, I connect the one end of the
finger bar H, the other end of which is bolted or otherwise secured to the mould
board L (Figure 1) of the outside divider, the said mould board L, having an
adjustable outside wheel L', mounted thereon in such a manner as to run clear of
the uncut grain or crops, and also an outside divider L2, having two or more bent
rod guards, two plate guards 1, and a bent under spring or guard 12, the whole of
which thoroughly guides or divides the grain or crops being cut and owing to the
under spring, there is no chance of the grain catching on mould board, the point
being kept down to the ground but prevented from running therein by means of
said under spring 12, thus reaching the bottom of laid grain and ensuring of its
being cut.
To the underside of the said finger bar H, and at the front edge thereof I mount
by bolting or otherwise a number of steel shod fingers M, preferably about 3 inch
centres, and so formed as to allow of the cutter har N, and knives N³, reciprocating
motion therein. The said fingers may be of the ordinary type having steel shods,
though preferably I employ fingers such as is shewn in Figures 4 to 7, Sheet 3, the
first of which shewn in Figures 4 and 5, has a small steel plate m, (in addition to the
ordinary steel shod m',) mounted in the bottom of the finger in such a manner that
it may be raised or lowered by means of liners and screws m², or its equivalent, thus
enabling the cutter bar N, and knives N¹, being adjusted to any desired level, and
the knives N', caused to cut clean from point to heel like a pair of scissors, which
also prevents clogging and makes an easier cut, or as is shewn in Figures 6 and 7,
I may form the steel plate and shod in one piece m³, which extends along the
bottom of knife and knife bar, and also owing to the top piece m, being formed
in one piece with the shod piece m³, and riveted to the finger underneath,
less friction and gives a much more reliable and stronger finger than hitherto,
in addition to the capability of regulating the cut.
causes

page_text: The said reciprocating motion to the knives N¹, and bar N, being obtained through
the medium of the connecting rod P, the one end of which is connected to the crank
pin p, of the disc P', which is keyed on the one end of the crank shaft E³, and
provided with an oil cap pl, the other end of said connecting rod engages in the eye
of knife head 1, which may be of the ordinary type as shown in Figures 1, 2
and 3, though preferably as shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, Sheet 3, that is having
a bracket p, with supports p³, and the eye p*, formed with two arms p³, which are
provided with spiral or other springs p, thus reducing the shock on the crank pin,
equalizing the strain, taking less power to drive, and working nearly noiseless, though
if desired the springs may be applied to the connecting rod in lieu of the knife head;
and in order to keep the said cutter har and knives in their proper position I mount a
number of small brackets Q, along the top of the finger bar H, the tail ends of which
press or bear on the top side of the cutter bar and knives; at the slipper end I mount
the guide bracket or plate Q1, which is assisted by the tail piece r, of the sneck
bracket R, to be hereinafter described, and in order to enable the knives to cut all the
grain or crops that has been divided more perfectly I mount by rivets or otherwise
around the inside of the opening 13, (as shewn in Figure 13, Sheet 3) of the outside
divider mould board I, a small steel plate L³, which forms as it were an extra half
finger.
The said knives N¹, are of a triangular shape (as shewn more particularly in
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3) having their cutting edges n, preferably making angles of
about 56 degrees (though I may use any other angle according to the particular
kind of crop being cut,) with the cutter bar N, to which they are secured by pins,
screws or rivets n², and so arranged along the bar N, that one knife cuts two finger
spaces each way, that is if the fingers M, are three inch centres the knives N', are
six inch centres, or as a modification of said knives I may make them of a slightly
more acute angle (as shewn in Figures 10, 11 and 12, Sheet 3) and interpose between
each of said knives N', a smaller similarly angled knife N2, either of which modes I
find will give a very free and clean cut, as also enable the machine to be stopped
in the middle of a cut and immediately started again without the necessity of
backing out and making a fresh start, as has mostly to be done with the machines
at present in use. Or if desired I may use any ordinary kind of knives or cutters
having one knife for each finger.
The said machines may be provided with either inannal or mechanical delivering
boards which may also have either mechanical or. automatic deliverers attached, in
which case the driver sits on the usual deliverers seat S, which is mounted in a boss
or brackets, formed on or attached to the gearing case D, and when an extra seat is
required it may be fitted in the bracket or snug b, (Figure 3) formed on or attached
to the outside of the main framing B, which also has suitable foot-rests S¹, attached
(Figure 1). The said delivering board T, (shewn more particularly in Figures 1, 16
and 17) are pivotted at their one end in the usual manner to the mould board L, of
the outside divider while their other end pivot t, works in a sneck bracket R, bolted
or otherwise secured to the top side of the tail or arm F', of the pivoted bracket F,
and which is provided with a pivoted pawl or sneck R', which owing to its easy
manipulation enables the said delivering boards to be removed from the machine in
an instant without any screwing, thus making the machine more safe for the workman
when cleaning or oiling the knives or fingers, owing to him being behind instead of
in front of the knives. And in order to regulate the angle of said delivery board T,
I form the foot step T', as a separate piece from the pivot t, and I attach it thereto in
such a manner that the angle may be altered as desired by means of the nut t¹, and
friction cams 2. When automatic deliverers are required, I preferably use such as
is shewn in Figures 16 and 17, Sheet 4, that is each spar U, or alternate spar, or
every third spar as desired is provided with an automatic fork U¹, which is attached
thereto at any desired distance from the cutters or knives N¹, the said forks being
carried in small brackets u, screwed or otherwise attached to the spars U, the said
forks being provided with slotted tail pieces or quadrants ¹, in which pins u², secured
to the one end of the small rocking levers u³, work, the other ends of these levers being

page_text: ☐☐ loosely riveted to tongue pieces ut, which when the delivering board is lowered comes
in contact with the ground and causes the forks to fold back as shewn in dotted lines,
Figure 16 so that when the board is up the forks stand firmly up and prevent the grain
"or crops from leaving the board and on the board being lowered the forks turn down
: and allow the grain or crops to pass smoothly therefrom, as if the forks were not there
at all. And as a modification of said automatic forks U', I may suitably connect
them to each other, in which case they would all be operated by means of one tongue
piece u*.
t
In some machines especially those intended for reaping badly laid grain or crops,
I may
if desired mount an inside divider or raiser V, Figures 18 and 19, Sheet 4, to
the slipper G, by means of a small bracket V1, Figure 20, or its equivalent, the said
raiser V, being similar, but preferably smaller than that as described with reference to
the outside divider, and having similar under springs v, attached thereto; and further
if desired to better raise the laid crops being cut, I may mount one or more of said
raisers or dividers V, to the top side of the finger bar H, in a similar manner.
in order to more efficiently divide the laid grain or crops being cut, I may if desired
mount a dividing or cutting knife W, Figure 21, on the top of the outside divider,
,the front end w, of which fits into a recess or groove near the point of the divider,
and the tail end is pinned or rivetted to a small double bracket w', which fits over
the main rod of the divider.
And
It will be seen from the foregoing description that the finger bar H, fingers M,
cutter bar N, knives N', outside divider L2, and inside dividers or raisers V, and their
connections may be easily lifted from end to end by means of the hand lever K³,
without the necessity of extra levers or weights or without altering the centre of
outside wheel owing to the said finger bar and connections describing an are of a
circle when being raised or lowered, with the pivot shaft d, of the pivoted bracket F,
and the axle pin 13, of the outside dividers wheel L', as centres, these two centres being
practically in line with each other; and further owing to their being a small front
wheel J mounted on the slipper G, this single wheeled machine has practically nearly
all the advantages of a double wheeled machine with much less dead weight and
draught.
In order to allow of the speedy and easy connection and disconnection of the neck
pole with the main pole 1 imount by bolts or otherwise to the end of said main
pole X, Figures 14 and 15 Sheet 3, an iron or steel loop or ring X, with which a
spirally shaped hook X2, engages, the said hook X3, being riveted or otherwise secured
to the neck pole X3, thus providing an efficient and simple connection.
All the various parts of the foregoing where practicable are preferably made of
malleable cast iron or steel or their equivalents, so as to obtain strength with lightness,
and also all working parts where necessary may be provided with oil cups, tubes or
other lubricators so as to diminish the friction which may be further diminished, by
providing the main driving wheel and outside divider wheel with suitable ball
bearings.
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 The general arrangement combination and construction of the various
parts constituting my improvements in reaping and mowing machines whereby I
am enabled to produce reaping and mowing machines of much less dead-weight and
less draught than bitherto, all substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn upon
the accompanying drawings.
Second In reaping and mowing machines the arrangement and construction of the
closed gearing case D, having train of gearing D¹, mounted therein in combination
with the pivoted bracket F, crank shaft E, gearing E and E, and disc P₁ whereby
all the weight is caused to be concentrated on the main driving wheel C, all sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein before described and shewn in Figures 1, 2
and 3, of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Third-In reaping and mowing machines the employment and arrangement of
triangular shaped cutting knives N, each of which cuts 2 finger spaces either way, or
the modification of same, all substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth In reaping and mowing machines the general arrangement and con-
struction of the fingers M, having steel plates m, or steel shods and plates m³, and top
pieces m, all in one whereby the knives may be caused to cut clean from point to
heel, all substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 of
the accompanying drawings.
Fifth In reaping and mowing machines the arrangement and employment of steel
plate L, around the opening, of mould board L, whereby all the crops divided are
more perfectly cut, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figure 13 of
the accompanying drawings.
Sixth In reaping and mowing machines the general arrangement and construction
of the various parts whereby the finger bar and its connections are lifted level from
end to end by means of the one hand lever K³, all substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh In reaping and mowing machines the arrangement and employment of a
knife head P³, having spiral or other springs p, whereby the strain is equalized and
the shock taken off the crank pin all substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn
in Figures 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighth In single wheeled reaping and mowing machines the arrangement and
employment of a small adjustable front wheel J, at slipper end of bar, whereby said
machines derive the advantages of double wheeled machines all substantially as
hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Ninth In automatic deliverers for reaping and mowing machines the arrangement
and employment of the forks U₁, on the spars U, of the delivery board, said forks
being automatically operated upon by the tongue pieces or connected to each other
and operated by means of one tongue piece, all substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 16 and 17 of the accompanying
drawings.
Tenth In reaping and mowing machines the arrangement and employment of a
sneck bracket R, having sneck R, whereby the pivot of the. delivery board may be
easily and quickly disengaged, all substantially as described and shewn in Figures 1, 2,
3, 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Eleventh-In reaping and mowing machines manual delivery boards, the arrange-
ment and construction of the adjustable foot step T¹, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn in Figures 1, 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Twelfth In reaping and mowing machines the arrangement construction and
combination with the outside divider L, of an inside divider or raiser V, on slipper G,
and one or more raisers or dividers V, mounted on finger bar H, each of said raisers
or dividers having under springs 12, and v, attached, all substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 18, 19 and 20 of the accon-
panying drawings.
Thirteenth-l reaping and mowing machines the arrangement and employment of
a divider knife W, on outside divider substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and shewn in Figure 21 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1900
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.