IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR TILLING OR CULTIVATING LAND
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Pocock, of Manningford Abbotts, in the County
of Wilts, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR TILLING
OR CULTIVATING LAND."
Sealed the 28th August 1877, and dated the 3rd March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Pocock at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd March 1877.
RICHARD POCOCK, of Manningford Abbotts, in the County of Wilts. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR TILLING OR CULTIVATING LAND."
This Invention relates to an improved implement for tilling land in which the
two hitherto or distinct operations of ploughing and rolling or pressing the soil are
effected by one implement and at one operation.
Under one form of arrangement or modification the roller or land presser is fixed
or attached to a jointed lever which is hung to the main or centre axle that passes
through the plough beam or beams carrying the framing of the implement. This
lever, together with the press wheels, is used to guide or steer the implement by
means of a suitable contrivance arranged near the stilts and within convenient
reach of the driver. The jointed lever is so arranged that it may be passed from
right to left, or vice versa, in order that the press wheels may be always in advance
of the centre of the implement.
In my Invention modification the turning at the headlands is accomplished with
the utmost ease, and at the same time the roller or presser being also in operation,
the furrows as they are formed when ploughing in grass, lea, stubble, or other
similar land, is rolled or pressed so as to make a firm seed bed at one operation.
In combination with the foregoing mechanical arrangements I also employ one
or more eccentric bolts, wheels, or collars, as required for each plough body, the
body being attached to the beam in the proper and suitable position for carrying
the share and mould plate. These eccentrics being so arranged as to raise and
lower the share points as required and as is now generally done with the lever neck
to which the share is fixed.
The object of this part of the Invention is to obtain a more simple, effectual, and

page_text: durable leverage than heretofore. These improvements are applicable to all classes
of ploughs, whether actuated by horse or steam power.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Richard Pocock in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd September
1877.
RICHARD POCOCK, of Manningford Abbotts, in the County of Wilts.
MENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR. TILLING OR. CULTIVATING LAND."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to an improved implement for tilling land, in which the
two hitherto distinct operations of ploughing and rolling or pressing the soil are
effected by one implement and at one operation.
Under one form of arrangement or modification the roller or land presser or
pressers is or are fixed or attached to an axle passing through the framing of the
implement. The axle is passed from right to left, or vice versa, in order that the
press wheels may be always in advance of the centre of the implement.
In my Invention the turning at the headlands is accomplished with the utmost
ease, and at the same time the roller or presser being also in operation, the furrows
as they are formed when ploughing in grass, lea, stubble, or other similar land, are
rolled or pressed so as to make a firm seed bed at one operation.
These improvements are applicable to all classes of ploughs, whether actuated by
horse or steam power.
And in order that my said Invention of improvements in implements for tilling
or cultivating land may be properly understood and carried into practical effect,
I will now proceed to describe more particularly the nature of my said Invention.
The improved plough and land presser is by preference constructed in the
following manner-The framing to which the plough shares are fixed is carried
upon a main axle which passes through the central wheels of the implement. There
are three of these wheels, and they are made of much larger diameter than those in
ordinary use, with the view of lightening the draught of the implement and
facilitating its motion over the land. One wheel is fast upon one extremity of the
axle, and at its other end there are two wheels arranged parallel to each other, and
which, in addition to supporting that end of the axle, serve also as presser wheels.
In the rear of the ploughshares there is a following wheel, which also acts as a
presser; this wheel is made of much smaller diameter than the main central wheels
just referred to, and the implement is fitted with a wheel of this kind at each end.
The plough is by preference constructed upon the tilting or balance principle,
that is to say, there are three or other number of ploughshares fitted to the main
framing at each end of the implement. These shares are arranged upon the "turn
wrest" principle, so that the furrows are all laid in the same direction whichever
way the plough may be travelling. If, for example, the plough is constructed as a
three furrow implement there are three ploughshares at each end, and these shares
are each bolted to a separate beam carried upon a central transverse axle, which
practically forms the axis or turning point of the implement.
The main side beams of the implement, to which a ploughshare is affixed at each
end, are united by a cross bar, thus forming a triangle, the apex of which is the
axis or turning point before referred to. At the junction of this cross bar where
it is bolted to the side beams there are fitted two other bars, which extend laterally
across the main framing of the implement. The free ends of these parallel bars are
united by a link piece, this part of the plough thus forming an open rectangular
frame extending across the centre of the implement. The link piece carries an open
rectangular or other shaped frame, having fitted to it a central adjusting screw.
This frame slides to and fro on a duplex or open beam, which is bolted at its
extremities to the ploughshare beams. In this way by means of the screw adjust-

page_text: ment the depth to which the ploughshares are caused to penetrate the land may be
regulated with the greatest exactness and certainty. The implement is constructed
so as to be drawn or actuated either by steam or horse power; in the former case,
a seat is arranged for the man who guides the machine over the ploughshares in
the rear of the implement, so that his weight contributes to the more effectual
action of the shares. On the other hand, if the implement is constructed for horse
power, it is furnished with stilts and handles similar to those in ordinary use. In
either case a lever is arranged within convenient reach of the driver, so that he can
guide the plough exactly in the required direction. This lever is hung upon the
open rectangular frame before referred to, so that it performs the same duty to
either set of ploughshares; that is to say, when the implement is reversed, in order
that it may be propelled in the opposite direction, the hand lever is also reversed in
like manner.
In addition to the presser wheels herein-before referred to there may be added
to the implement a land roller of any convenient size and weight, so that the land
may be rolled at one operation in conjunction with the ploughing, thus saving the
time and labour attendant upon a secondary but yet necessary work.
It will be obvious that the mechanical details of the implement may be varied
in many ways without departing from the essential and distinguishing features of
the Invention.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is or may be carryied into practical effect, I desire it to be understood
that what I consider to be new, and therefore claim under the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly. The general mechanical arrangement, construction, and combination of
parts forming the improved implement for ploughing, tilling, or cultivating land,"
substantially as herein-before described, or any mere modification of the same.
Secondly. The particular method or mode of constructing ploughs on the balance
or tilting principle, in which the axis or turning point of the implement is placed
in front of the main axle of the driving wheels, so as to throw the preponderating
weight upon the operating ploughshares and hind presser wheel, substantially as
berein-before described.
Thirdly. The mechanical arrangement and combination of parts by means of
which the depth to which the ploughshares penetrate the soil is accurately adjusted
and regulated, substantially as herein-before described, or any mere modification
of the said arrangement.
Fourthly. The combination and general arrangement of the improved plough
with a land presser or roller, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Pocock, have hercunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness.
CHARLES BARLOW,
Patent Agent,
23, Southampton Bldgs., W. C.
RICHARD POCOCK. (L.S.)