IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LEVER HORSE HOES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William John Radford and Charles
Henry Piff at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June
1883.
WILLIAM JOHN RADFORD and CHARLES HENRY PIFF of Blisworth in the county
of Northampton Agricultural Implement Manufacturers IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF LEVER HORSE HOES
.
The objects of our invention are to increase the efficiency and to simplify the
construction of lever horse hoes and so to arrange the parts thereof that while each
lever carrying the cutting hoes retains its independent action and capability of
self adjustment to the inequalities of the soil which is being treated the attendant
can steer the apparatus and press into or raise out of the soil the hoes by one and
the same handle. At the same time by our invention we dispense with a fore
carriage or a cumbersome wooden or other frame and thereby render the draught
of this apparatus lighter.
To carry out these objects we mount two wheels loosely on the extremities of an
axle shaft. This axle is made in two parts connected together in the middle by an
union screw so that the exact distance apart of the wheels can be regulated and
adjusted to allow them to travel between the rows of roots or corn or other crops.
Part of the axle is made of a square or other rectilinear section and part is made
of a circular section. On the rectilinear parts which are those nearest the wheels
are fitted two brackets the eyes of which fit the sectional shape of the shaft which
therefore is capable of sliding within the same and set screws are provided to
secure the brackets in their proper position. Two other brackets are arranged in
the middle the eyes of which carry the nut of the union screw that adjusts and
connects the two parts of the axle. These four brackets carry an horizontal bar
parallel with but above and in front of the axle projecting downwards from which
bar are studs which carry two horizontal roller bars one between each pair of
brackets which roller bars are parallel and on a level with the axle. The shafts by
which the machine is drawn are attached to the axle outside the brackets. Above
and below the roller bars and round parts of the axle are rollers carried by clips
which clips are connected together by straps terminating behind the axle in clamps.
These clamps hold a square bar parallel with the axle which carries the row of
hoes fitted thereto in the following manner. On the square bar are secured a

page_text: suitable number of angled or elbowed jaws in the lower parts of which are pivotted
the levers to which the hoes are attached. One or two or more hoes can be
attached to each lever as we may deem desirable in each case. To the upper part
of each jaw is secured a curved spring on the free end of which is a guard which
surrounds the lower part of the lever and carries two small rollers which bear
against the upper and lower surfaces of an elbow formed in the lever.
The spring
therefore through the lower roller of the guard will lift the hoe out of the soil or
the pressure thereof through the upper roller of the guard will press the hoe down
into the soil at the same time allowing it to yield or to rise and fall according to
the inequalities of the soil.
The handle of this machine is made in any suitable form and adjusted and fitted
to be convenient to the attendant and the rod of the handle is pivotted on a stud
or bracket secured on the front horizontal bar and projecting backwards therefrom
in such a manner that it is free to move horizontally but not vertically. The rod
is prolonged beyond the pivot and its fore end is connected by two push rods with
the fore ends of the straps which connect the roller clips. As the handle therefore
is moved horizontally these push rods will force the roller clips along the axle and
the roller bars in an opposite direction and as these roller clips govern the position
of the hoes through their connecting straps which carry the square bar on which
the hoes are mounted the steerage of the apparatus is effected.
When the attendant presses the handle downwards the stud or bracket on which
it is pivotted being behind the front horizontal bar tends to raise the same as this
horizontal bar is supported by the brackets on the rectilinear parts of the axle
which is by this pressure turned in the hubs of the wheels and the horizontal bar
is therefore brought more immediately above the said axle instead of being in front
of it. This motion of the bar lifts the roller bars connected therewith and thereby
also lifts the fore ends of the straps which connect the roller clips. The square bar
carrying the hoes is therefore depressed and the hoes are forced into the soil by the
springs. When the attendant lifts the handle the action is reversed and the hoes
are lifted out of the soil by the lower rollers in the guards at the ends of the
springs.
To adjust the hoes to the desired pitch a worm screw is fitted above the strap
the supporting bracket of which is secured to the strap by the nuts which secure
the clips of the rollers on the axle to the said strap or otherwise. On this screw is
a nut to the sides of which are rivetted or otherwise attached two eye straps the
eyes of which fit round the square bar. The square bar is mounted in sockets
which can revolve in the clamps in the ends of the straps before described. Thus
when the screw is turned the square bar is made to turn in the clamps and the
points of the hoes are adjusted as desired.