Improvements in Steam Ploughs.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 8th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Ploughs.
A communication from abroad by Hon. CORYDON P. BROWN, of Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to certain improvements, hereinafter to be described,
in steam ploughs.
And in order that the same may be clearly understood, reference is had to the
annexed three sheets of illustrative drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the steam plough frame with its attachments.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the plough frame with its supporting wheels, and the ploughs
mounted on said frame.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through said frame shewing the gearing for driving the
traction wheels and ploughs.
Figure 4 is a cross-section of the chain shewing the manner of attaching the
ploughs.
A well known defect in many forms of steam gang ploughs is that the side draft
of the ploughs is so great as to materially interfere with the forward motion of the
machine, and to unnecessarily absorb a large amount of power. It is the object of
this invention to overcome this objection, and to construct an efficient form of plough,
by having two sets or gangs of ploughs travelling in lines inclined at equal angles to
the line of travel of the plough frame, and upon opposite sides of said line. By
this arrangement the side draft of each set or gang of ploughs is neutralized by that
of the other set or gang, and the plough moves forward under the application of
power to the traction or driving wheels without any of the dragging and unevenness
of motion produced where there is a strong, unbalanced side draft, tending to draw
the machine to one side, and interfering with its forward progress.
A is any suitable frame which is mounted on a pair of driving and traction
wheels, B, B, and a steering wheel, B'. This steering wheel is mounted in a pivoted
frame, X, and is controlled by means of the chain w which passes around a circular
portion W on the frame X and is wound upon the vertical rod to which the hand
wheel W is attached.
A boiler C with safety valve and steam pipe C¹ furnishes steam for the vertical
engine D which turns the shaft d and by means of the bevel wheels V, V₁ and the
pinion 9 and internal gear wheel G, conveys motion to the traction wheels B, B and
drives the plough forward.
g
On the opposite sides of the plough frame, and arranged at angles inclined by equal
amounts from the line of forward motion of the plough frame are the sets of parallel
sprocket chains P, P¹ and O, O', running over the sprocket wheels i, ¹, I, I', K, K¹,
and k, k. These sprocket chains carry between them suitable yokes Y as best shewn
in Fig. 1, which have mounted in them suitable concave disks or ploughshares which
turn freely upon their journals m, which have bearings in the yokes Y. These disks
are inclined at a considerable angle to the line of the sprocket chain.
These two sets of sprocket chains are geared together by means of the bevel
wheels S S', which are mounted on the same shaft as the sprocket wheels, I', K, &c.
On the shaft S, on which the bevel wheel S¹ is mounted is also keyed a sprocket
wheel e¹ which is driven by the sprocket chain H' running over the sprocket wheel e
mounted on the shaft s. Tuis shaft, s is driven by the sprocket chain H running
over the sprocket wheel E on the shaft d which is driven by the motor or engine D

page_text: i
and conveys motion to the sprocket wheel E¹ on the shaft s. The clutch c operated by
the lever L throws the sprocket wheel e into and out of gear with the shafts and
thereby permits the sets or gangs of ploughs to be thrown out of gear and remain
stationary while the machine being moved from place to place. Provision is made
for raising or lowering the sets or gangs of ploughs to adjust them to the different
depths of furrow, or to lift them entirely out of the furrow during the transportation
of the machine, by the following mechanism. The shafts of the sprocket wheels, I, K&c.,
are mounted in suitable bearings QQ' Fig. 2, which are vertically adjustable in the
guides q g'. These journal bearings may be lifted or lowered by the chains Z Z
wound upon the windlasses U, U¹ on the shaft u which is supported in standards T T'.
The two shafts u and u³ are geared together so as to revolve simultaneously by means
of the bevel gear wheels vv. It is evident therefore by turning either of the
shafts u, u by means of a crank or otherwise, all of the sprocket wheels on which
the gangs of ploughs are mounted, will be simultaneously raised or lowered. This
may also be accomplished by any power connection from the motor, such for instance,
as is illustrated in Fig. 1, where the belt 6 runs over the pulley d, on the shaft u
and can be shifted by the shifting lever / from the fast pulley d¹ to the loose pulley d¹
and back again as it may be necessary in order to give the shaft u the necessary
number of revolutions to procure the desired adjustment and to allow it to remain in
that position which gives the necessary adjustment to the ploughs. The pulley d' is
keyed to the shaft d while the pulley d runs idly thereon. The ratchet wheel P and
pawl p¹ preserve the system at any particular point of adjustment.
In order to give the disks, or ploughshares, M, the necessary capability of self-
adjustment, in case they strike a rock or root or other obstruction in passing through
the furrow, I give one end y of the yoke Y a flexible attachment to the chain O while
the other end y¹ is allowed to play up and down in the guide . The flexible attach-
ment on the end y of the yoke may be by a hinge or otherwise, but it is found that
the flexibility of the chain 0 is sufficient of itself to give the necessary play if the
yoke Y is simply riveted to one of the links of the chain. The weight of the disk M
and yoke Y may be sufficient to force it down into the furrow, or a spring yll may be
employed to assist in this operation, by normally tending to force the said disk deeper
into the furrow.
I have shewn a number of rolls R attached to and following the plough in order to
smooth the surface of the ground. I have also shewn mounted in the frames R¹¹, in
which said rolls are journaled, certain disks R' R' which will serve to break up any
lumps which remain and otherwise even the surface of the ground over which they
pass. Wheels support the forward ends of the frames R", which are attached to
the plough as shewn."
The mode of operation of the apparatus is evident. When steam is turned on to
the engine or motor D the traction wheels B and the sprocket chains PO &c. are
caused to revolve. The relative rate of speed at which these two sets of apparatus
revolve will depend on the proportions of the parts of the gearing conveying motion
to them from the driving shaft d which revolves under the driving power of the
motor, and the fly-wheel F. If the plough frame were to stand still and the sprocket
chains P &c. be caused to revolve, the disks or ploughshares would evidently move in
lines parallel to the said sprocket chains, as shewn in Fig. 1,-if the sprocket chains
were to remain stationary by throwing the clutch c out of connection, and the plough
frame be driven forward, the said ploughshares would move in lines parallel to the
forward motion of the plough frame. If the sprocket chains P &c., are given a
rotary motion at the same time the plough frame is given a forward motion, the actual
line of travel of each particular disk or ploughshare, with reference to the ground
over which they are moving, will evidently be a resultant of these two components of
motion, and the direction of that result will be dependent on the relative speeds of
the forward motion of the plough frame, and the diagonal motion derived from the
sprocket chains. If the gearing is rightly proportioned, the resultant motion of the
ploughshare, and the direction of the furrow which it will cut will be at right angles
to the line of motion of the plough frame, and thus the ploughed field will be marked
1

page_text: out in parallel furrows. It is evident that if the gearing is so proportioned that
during the interval between the time when the disk enters the furrow under shaft J¹
(see Fig. 1) and the time when it leaves the furrow under the shaft J¹ the plough
frame A shall have moved forward a distance equal to the dotted line J-J¹ the
furrow cut by the disk will be the dotted line J-J. If the gearing be differently
proportioned so that the plough frame A goes ahead faster and travels a distance j—J¹,
during this interval of time while any one disk is in the furrow then the furrow will
be cut along the line j-J". If on the contrary the speed of the plough frame is less,
and it only traverses the distance j-J¹ during a similar interval, the furrow will be
cut along the line j-J". In the latter case the action of the gangs of ploughs will
help to drive the whole machine forward, aiding the traction wheels B, B and this is
the preferred arrangement.
The power furnished by the motor will be divided according to the necessities of
the case between the traction wheels and the ploughing mechanism, and as the plough-
shares move through the furrow, those on one side of the machine will counteract the
tendency of those on the other side of the frame to pull the machine to one side or
the other, and the driving and traction wheels will be left free to draw the machine
forward, without any side draft tending to drag them in one direction or the other.
Moreover whatever component of force may be exercised by the said ploughshares
which is parallel to the line of motion of the plough frame will be fully realised in
assisting in and accelerating the forward motion of the plough.
When it is desired to change the direction of travel of the plough, a turning of
the wheel W, will swing the pivoted wheel B¹ to one side or the other, and cause the
plough to deviate from its course.
Whenever it is desired to raise or lower the
ploughing mechanism, the belt can be thrown on to the pulley d¹ by means of
the lever and the shafts u u' will be given a necessary number or fraction of
revolutions.
Referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the vertical adjustment of the system of
sprocket chains and ploughshares will not interfere with the gearing by which they
are driven inasmuch as the sprocket wheel e¹ may be raised and lowered through a
considerable distance without materially lengthening or shortening the chain H'.
The advantages of this improved plough are its adjustability to different depths of
furrow; its capability of over-riding obstructions without breaking the ploughshares,
and its steadiness of motion due to the absence of any side draft and its complete and
efficient realisation of all the power developed by the motor driving it.
Dated this 18th day of January 1890..
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Ploughs.
A communication from abroad by Hon. CORYDON PARTLON BROWN, of Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and 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 :-
This invention has reference to certain improvements, hereinafter to be described,
in steam ploughs.
And in order that the same may be clearly understood reference is had to the
three sheets of illustrative drawings filed with my Provisional Specification, in
which,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the steam plough frame with its attachments.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the plough frame with its supporting wheels, and the
ploughs mounted on said frame,

page_text: Fig. 3 is a vertical section through said frame showing the gearing for driving
the traction wheels and ploughs.
Fig. 4 is a cross section of the chain showing the manner of attaching the ploughs.
A well known defect in many forms of steam gang ploughs is that the side draft
of the ploughs is so great as to materially interfere with the forward motion of the
machine, and to unnecessarily absorb a large amount of power. It is the object of
this invention to overcome this objection, and to construct an efficient form of plough,
by having two sets or gangs of ploughs travelling in lines inclined at equal angles to
the line of travel of the plough frame, and upon opposite sides of said line. By this
arrangement the side draft of each set or gang of ploughs is neutralized by that of
the other set or gang, and the plough moves forward under the application of power
to the traction or driving wheels without any of the dragging and unevenness of
motion produced where there is a strong, unbalanced side draft, tending to draw the
machine to one side and interfering with its forward progress.
A is any suitable frame which is mounted on a pair of driving and traction
wheels, B, B, and a steering wheel B¹. This steering wheel is mounted in a pivoted
frame X, and is controlled by means of the chain w, which passes around a circular
portion W1, on the frame X, and is wound upon the vertical rod to which the hand
wheel W, is attached.
A boiler C, with safety valve and steam pipe C, furnishes steam for the vertical
engine D, which turns the shaft d, and by means of the bevel wheels V, V₁, and the
pinion and internal gear wheel G, conveys motion to the traction wheels B, B, and
drives the plough forward.
On the opposite sides of the plough frame, and arranged at angles inclined by
equal amounts from the line of forward motion of the plough frame are the sets of
parallel sprocket chains P P¹, and 001, running over the sprocket wheels i i¹, I l¹
K K, and k¹. These sprocket chains carry between them suitable yokes Y, as
best shown in Fig. 1, which have mounted in them suitable concave disks or
ploughshares which turn freely upon their journals m, which have bearings in the
yokes Y. These disks are inclined at a considerable angle to the line of the sprocket
chain.
These two sets of sprocket chains are geared together by means of the bevel
wheels S S which are mounted on the same shaft as the sprocket wheels, 1' K &c.
On the shaft S, on which the bevel wheel S¹ is mounted is also keyed a sprocket
wheel e', which is driven by the sprocket chain H', running over the sprocket wheel e
mounted on the shaft s. This shaft s is driven by the sprocket chain H, running
over the sprocket wheel E, on the shaft d which is driven by the motor or engine D,
and conveys motion to the sprocket wheel E', on the shaft s. The clutch e, operated
by the lever L; throws the sprocket wheel é into and out of gear with the shaft s,
and thereby permits the sets or gangs of ploughs to be thrown out of gear and
remain stationary while the machine is being moved from place to place. Provision
is made for raising or lowering the sets or gangs of ploughs to adjust them to the
different depths of furrow, or to lift them entirely out of the furrow during the
transportation of the machine, by the following mechanism. The shafts of the sprocket
wheels, I, K &c., are mounted in suitable bearings QQ, Fig. 2, which are vertically
adjustable in the guides 9 q'. These journal bearings may be lifted or lowered by
the chains Z Z', wound upon the windlasses U, U₁, on the shaft, u, which is
supported in standards T, T. The two shafts u, and u are geared together so as
to revolve simultaneously by means of the bevel gear wheels v vl. It is evident
therefore by turning either of the shafts u u¹, by means of a crank or otherwise, all
of the sprocket wheels on which the gangs of ploughs are mounted, will be
simultaneously raised or lowered. This may also be accomplished by any power
connection from the motor, such for instance, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, where the
belt b, runs over the pulley d¹, on the shaft u, and can be shifted by the shifting
lever i, from the fast pulley d¹ to the loose pulley d", and back again as may be
necessary, in order to give the shaft u, the necessary number of revolutions to procure
the desired adjustment and to allow it to remain in. that position which gives the

page_text: necessary adjustment to the ploughs. The pulley d', is keyed to the shaft, d, while
the pulley, d, runs idly thereon. The ratchet wheel, P and pawl p', preserve the
system at any particular point of adjustment.
The
In order to give the disks, or ploughshares, M, the necessary capability of self
adjustment, in case they strike a rock or root or other obstruction in passing through
the furrow, give one end y, of the yoke Y, a flexible attachment to the chain),
while the other end y¹ is allowed to play up and down in the guide .
flexible attachment on the end y, of the yoke may be by a hinge or otherwise, but
it is found that the flexibility of the chain O, is sufficient of itself to give the
necessary play if the yoke Y, is simply riveted to one of the links of the chain.
The weight of the disk M, and yoke Y, may be sufficient to, force it down into
the furrow, or a spring y, may be employed to assist in this operation, by normally
tending to force the said disk deeper into the furrow.
I have shown a number of rolls R, attached to and following the plough in
order to smooth the surface of the ground. I have also shown mounted in the
frames R, in which said rolls are journaled, certain disks R¹, R¹, which will serve
to break up any lumps which remain and otherwise even the surface of the ground
over which they pass. Wheels r, r, support the forward ends of the frames R",
which are attached to the plough as shown.
When steam is turned on
The mode of operation of the apparatus is evident.
to the engine or motor D, the traction wheels, B, and the sprocket chains P, O, &c.,
are caused to revolve. The relative rate of speed at which these two sets of apparatus
revolve will depend on the proportions of the parts of the gearing conveying motion to
them from the driving shaft, d, which revolves under the driving power of the motor,
and the fly-wheel, F. If the plough frame were to stand still and the sprocket
chains, P, &c., be caused to revolve, the disks or ploughshares would evidently
move in lines parallel to the said sprocket chains, as shewn in Fig. 1, if the
sprocket chains were to remain stationary by throwing the clutch c, out of connection,
and the plough frame be driven forward, the said ploughshares would move in
lines parallel to the forward motion of the plough frame. If the sprocket chains, P, &c.,
are given a rotary motion at the same time the plough frame is given a forward
motion, the actual line of travel of each particular disk or ploughshare, with
reference to the ground over which they are moving, will evidently be a resultant
of these two components of motion, and the direction of that result will be
dependent on the relative speeds of the forward motion of the plough frame, and
the diagonal motion derived from the sprocket chains. If the gearing is rightly
proportioned, the resultant motion of the ploughshare, and the direction of the
furrow which it will cut will be at right angles to the line of motion of the
plough frame, and thus the ploughed field will be marked out in parallel, furrows.
It is evident that if the gearing is so proportioned that during the interval between
the time when the disk enters the furrow under shaft J¹, (see Fig. 1) and the
time when it leaves the furrow under the shaft J", the plough frame A, shall
have moved forward a distance equal to the dotted line J-J₁, the furrow cut by
the disk will be the dotted line J-J". If the gearing be differently proportioned.
so that the plough frame A, goes ahead faster and travels a distance, during
this interval of time while any one disk is in the furrow then the furrow will be
cut along the line -J. If on the contrary the speed of the plough frame is less,
and it only traverses the distance j-J¹, during a similar interval, the furrow will
be cut along the line j-J". In the latter case the action of the gangs of ploughs
will help to drive the whole machine forward, aiding the traction wheels B, B, and
this is the preferred arrangement.
The power furnished by the motor will be divided according to the necessities
of the case between the traction wheels and the ploughing mechanism, and as the.
ploughshares move through the furrow, those on one side of the machine will
counteract the tendency of those on the other side of the frame to pull the machine.
to one side or the other, and the driving and traction wheels will be left free to:
draw the machine forward, without any side draft tending to drag them in one:

page_text: direction or the other. Moreover whatever component of force may be exercised
by the said ploughshares which is parallel to the line of motion of the plough
frame will be fully realised in assisting in and accelerating the forward motion of
the plough.
When it is desired to change the direction of travel of the plough, a turning of
the wheel W, will swing the pivoted wheel B¹, to one side or the other, and
cause the plough to deviate from its course. Whenever it is desired to raise or
lower the ploughing mechanism, the belt b, can be thrown on to the pulley d', by
means of the lever 1, and the shafts u, u', will be given a necessary number or fraction
of revolutions.
Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the vertical adjustment of the system
of sprocket chains and ploughshares will not interfere with the gearing by which
they are driven inasmuch as the sprocket wheel e¹, may be raised and lowered
through a considerable distance without materially lengthening or shortening the
chain H'.
The advantages of this improved plough are its adjustability to different depths
of furrow; its capability of over-riding obstructions without breaking the plough-
shares, and its steadiness of motion due to the absence of any side draft and
its complete and efficient realisation of all the power developed by the motor
driving it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination with a steam plough frame mounted on wheels, of two sets or
gangs of ploughshares which are mounted upon continuous sprocket chains, the
sprocket wheels over which said chains run being rigidly mounted in the frame at
such points that the lines of travel of the chains are inclined to the line of travel of
the plough at equal acute angles, a prime mover mounted on the plough frame and
gearing which transmits motion to the driving wheels of the sprocket chains and to
the driving wheels of the plough frame, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a steam plough frame, of two sets or gangs of freely
revoluble disks or ploughshares which are mounted upon sprocket chains, which
sprocket chains move in lines inclined at equal angles to the line of motion of the
plough frame, and upon opposite sides of said line, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a steam plough frame, of sprocket chains running on
sprocket wheels mounted in said frame, yokes supported between a set of parallel
sprocket chains and freely revoluble disks mounted in said yokes, substantially as
described.
4. The combination with a steam plough frame, of sprocket chains, running on
sprocket wheels mounted in said frame, yokes supported between a set of parallel
sprocket chains and freely revoluble disks mounted in said yokes, together with
mechanism for producing simultaneous adjustment of all the bearings of said sprocket
wheels, substantially as described.
5. The combination with two parallel revolving sprocket chains, of yokes supported
upon said sprocket chains so that one end of each yoke is capable of vertical adjust-
ment, and freely revoluble concave disks or ploughshares mounted in said yokes,
substantially as described.
6. The combination with two parallel revolving sprocket chains, of yokes supported
upon said sprocket chains so that one end of each yoke is capable of vertical adjust-
ment, and freely revoluble concave disks or ploughshares mounted in said yokes,
together with springs which normally tend to force the ends of said yokes downward
into the furrow. substantially as described.
7. The combination with a steam plough frame, of two sets or gangs of freely
revoluble disks or ploughshares, mounted on sprocket chains, which sprocket chains
move in lines inclined at equal angles to the line of motion of the plough frame and
upon opposite sides of said line, together with traction wheels upon which said frame

page_text: is mounted, a motor on said frame, a train of gearing which communicates motion
from the motor to said sprocket chains, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a steam plough frame, of sprocket chains running on
sprocket wheels mounted in said frame, yokes supported between a set of parallel
sprocket chains and freely revoluble disks mounted in said yokes, together with
mechanism for producing simultaneous vertical adjustment of all the bearings of said
sprocket wheels, a motor which drives said sprocket chains, and gearing by which
power may be transmitted from the motor to the beforementioned adjusting mechanism,
substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of October 1800
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.