AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MEANS FOR PREPARING AND BALING CHOPPED HAY AND STRAW
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MEANS FOR PREPARING AND BALING
CHOPPED HAY AND STRAW."-A communication from abroad by
Charles Brown, of Buffalo, New York. United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st November 1868.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MEANS FOR PREPARING
AND BALING CHOPPED HAY AND STRAW," a communication, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the preparation of hay and straw as an
improved article of food for cattle and horses.
Timothy hay, clover, and other hay is hard and tough in the body
and joints, and when cut short makes hard sharp-pointed pieces or

page_text: blades which are difficult for animals to masticate, and many of these
hard sharp-pointed blades are swallowed by the animal without mastica-
tion, and hence corrode, injure, and enfeeble the stomach and digestive
organs, and produce little or no nourishment. By my improved process
of preparing this short-cut hay I entirely avoid these evils and enable
the animal easily to masticate the food, the whole substance thereof
being reduced to nourishment. This food is so easily masticated that
the animal's teeth will not be worn away so rapidly as in eating common
hay, and its teeth, and health, and strength will be thereby preserved for
a greater number of years than if fed upon the common article.
Ground corn, oats, barley, bran, or middlings, known as "ground feed"
may be mixed with this prepared hay and straw.
Hay as it is ordinarily cured contains a large per-centage of dust,
dirt; grit, and foreign matter which is not fit for food, but is injurious to
the animal's teeth and health, and is the great cause of lung disease in
horses.
My process of preparing the cut and crushed hay removes from it
this dust, dirt, grit, and other foreign matter and greatly improves its
quality. I first cut the hay or straw quite short with a hay-cutting
machine. A crushing machine is placed in close proximity and in such
relation to the cutting machine that the cut hay or straw will fall or
pass directly from the cutting machine to the crushing machine and be
crushed or flattened in its passage through the machine and thus made
soft and edible. The cut and crushed hay is winnowed or subjected to a
current of air for the purpose of removing therefrom dust, dirt, grit, and
other foreign matter. For this purpose I arrange a blower or fan near
to the cutting and crushing machines to force a current of air through
and across the column of cut hay as it passes from the cutting to the
crushing machine, and also so that a current of air will pass through
and across the falling column of cut and crushed hay as it passes from
the crushing machine to the elevator. The blower is so arranged as to
pass a blast or current of air through the cut hay, and also through
the crushed hay or straw by a direct blast or by suction. I prefer to so
arrange it to produce the current of air by suction. A wire screen or
number of screens is so placed and-used as to prevent the short cut hay
from being carried off by the blast of air, while the dust, dirt, and foreign
matter will pass through the screen freely, and thus the cut and crushed
hay is winnowed and freed from dust and dirt.

page_text: The cutting machine may be of ordinary construction. The crushing
machine consists essentially of two metal rollers revolving towards each
other and worked by appropriate gearing. The blower may be of
common construction and of any required size, and two may be used
instead of one. An endless belt conveyor catches the cut, crushed, and
winnowed hay or straw as it falls from the crushing machine and
conveys it to a receiving bin.
The cutting and crushing mechanism according to one method of
practising my Invention are so arranged in relation to each other that
the hay or straw cut by the first will fall to and be acted upon by the
second, whereby the cutting and crushing of the hay or straw may be
effected by a single handling thereof. In this case the winnowing or
cleaning mechanism is so arranged in combination with the said cutting
mechanism that the hay or straw cut by the first will fall through and
be acted upon by the second, whereby the cutting and cleaning of the
hay may be also effected by a single handling thereof. I construct this
cleaning mechanism with a vertical chamber through which the cut hay
falls, the back and front sides of the chamber having apertures to permit
the passage of a current of air through the said chamber at right angles
or nearly so to the falling hay, the said air current being produced by
an exhausting fan arranged in combination with the cleaning chamber
and separating and carrying off the fine dust, dirt, and grit from the hay.
I combine with the crushing rolls a dividing or separating plate so
arranged that as the hay is thrown off from the rolls by centrifugal
action the heavier portions thereof will pass over the plate, while the
light chaff will pass under the same, thus effecting the separation of the
chaff from the good hay. I employ a feeding table composed of parallel
or slightly diverging slats laid so as to leave open spaces between
through which small stones, sticks, dirt, and other substances may be
sifted from the hay as it falls upon and passes over the same.
A rotary
feeder is combined with the crushing rolls to deliver the cut hay
uniformly and effectually to the action of the said rolls.
In these last-mentioned modifications of my Invention I employ two
parallel side frames of wood, upon and between which are located the
various parts of the cutting, cleaning, and crushing mechanism. The
cutter shaft runs in journal bearings secured to the top rails of the side
frames and carrying at the extremities of radial arms the knives which
cut against a stationary bar or knife. The feed rollers are arranged in

page_text: close proximity to the cutters, the cutting edge of the fixed knife being
in line with the lower side of the upper feed roller which runs in stationary
bearings, so that hay as it enters between the feed rollers will
pass under
the fixed knife, the rotary knives acting thereon with an upward cut.
the lower roller is held against the upper by the yielding pressure of a
spring acting through a rod, yoke, and radius arms. The rollers are
driven by a series of toothed wheels from the cutter shaft. The lower
roller carries one end of an endless belt or apron, the opposite end of
which is carried by a roller whose journals rest in the side rails of
the frames. Upon this belt or apron the hay is spread by the operator
to present it to the action of the feed rolls although it is first received on
the feed rack or table. As the hay is cut it falls into the cleaning
chamber below the cutters, the sides of the chamber being formed by the
side frames or by sliding boards applied thereto, while the front is formed
by a wire screen and the back by a venetian blind. The slats of this
venetian blind may be made adjustable, and the spaces or apertures
between may be made to regulate the intensity of the air current and
the consequent efficacy of the cleaning operation. The crushing rollers
are supported in frames bolted to the front posts of the side frames.
The lower roller runs in permanent journal bearings, while the bearings
of the upper roller are formed in boxes sliding in vertical slots provided
with pressure springs and adjusting screws. The two rollers are geared
together by long toothed or finger wheels, the lower wheel being the
driver. The rollers are located opposite the lower end of the chamber,
the bottom of which is inclined to direct the cut hay to the mouth of
the rollers. In order to insure greater uniformity and certainty in the
distribution of the cut hay to the crushing rollers, a rotary feeder is
located near the mouth of the rolls, which feeder catches and throws the
cut hay as it falls on to the bottom of the chamber forward into the mouth
of the rolls. This feeder consists simply of a shaft armed with radially
projecting spikes arranged at regular or irregular intervals thereon. The
rollers being held together by a strong though yielding pressure will
crush and break the stiff straws and stems, and render them soft and
pliable and therefore more easy of mastication. The surface of the
rollers may be either smooth or corrugated, the corrugated surface being
preferable as it acts more effectively. As the hay issues from the
crushing rollers the heavier portions thereof will be thrown by the
centrifugal action from the lower roller, while the light chaff will follow
the roller and will be discharged in a nearly vertical line, A dividing

page_text: plate located with its surface at an angle of forty-five degrees or nearly
so to the lower roller will intercept the heavier hay and separate it from
the chaff. The good hay as it passes over the dividing plate falls upon
a conveyor and is carried thereby to any required place of deposit. The
roller which carries the receiving end of the conveyor runs in pendent
brackets attached to the roller frames, while the roller carrying the
opposite end is supported in any convenient manner at the required
place of deposit. The chaff which falls inside the dividing plate is
carried by a spout to the dust room or to any other convenient receptacle.
By carrying this spout into the fan spout at a suitable angle a slight
current of air may be produced therein, which will assist the above
described separation at the roller.
I
In constructing my improved press slots are cut in the sides of the
press box for the passage of a follower, which slots are covered by metal
plates connected to and moving with the follower, so that the escape of
the hay through the said slots in the act of pressing is prevented, and a
tight press box is secured. I make one side of the press box in addition
to the ordinary top and front doors thereof movable, so that after the
bale is pressed and bound, the pressure upon all sides thereof may be
relieved and the bale removed from the press box without difficulty. The
descent of the follower is controlled by means of friction brakes.
connect together the links of the chains by which motion is communi-
cated to the follower in such a manner that they wind spirally upon the
windlass shafts or drums and prevent the riding or mounting of the
successive coils one upon the other. A hinged partition is arranged
in the press box so that two small bales may be pressed at the same time.
A rectangular frame of wood lined inside with plank forms the press box.
The upper part of this box contains the bale when pressed and the lower
part or extension of the same is traversed by the follower which effects
the compression of the bale. The top of the upper part is hinged to the
main frame and the front side thereof is also hinged to the frame. These
hinged parts or doors when opened permit the removal of the bale,
the top door only being opened in filling the press box with loose hay.
The top door is secured against the pressure of the follower by strong
metal bars or plates hinged to the frame. The front door is secured by a
hinged plate lapping over the door, the said plate having a lever or arm
with which a hook on the door engages when the door is closed. The
follower has a strong cross head passing under it, the ends of which

page_text: cross head project through the vertical slots in the sides of the press box.
Motion is communicated to the follower from the windlass shafts or
drums through chains. Worm wheels are keyed upon the back ends of
the windlass shafts and a worm shaft extending across the back of the
press box engages with the said worm wheels for imparting motion
thereto. The worm shaft is supported in slotted bearings and is made to
throw in and out of gear with the worm wheels as follows:-A rocking
shaft below the worm shaft is supported in bearings upon the cross rail
of the frame. Connections lead from the ends of the rocking shaft to
which they are connected concentrically and embrace the worm shaft so
as not to interfere with its revolution. A partial revolution may be
given to the rocking shaft which will cause the eccentric connections to
raise or lower the worm shaft and throw the same in or out of gear
with the worm wheels. When the worm shaft is thrown out of gear the
windlass shafts are free to revolve and the weight of the follower and
cross head will cause the chains to unwind therefrom and the follower and
cross head to descend. Retarding friction brakes are arranged to act
upon the worm wheels to prevent the too rapid descent of the follower.
The chains are composed of flat links united by joint pins. I arrange
these links so that the axial line of the chain shall incline to the joint
pins instead of being at right angles to the said pins. This result is
accomplished by lapping each successive link upon the same side of
the preceding link. The connection of the chain to the windlass barrels
is therefore upon one side of the line upon which the cross head moves,
although the joints remain parallel with the shaft, so that the chain
may wind properly thereon. The line of the chain being inclined to
the shaft will cause it to wind spirally thereon without permitting the
riding or mounting of each coil on the preceding one. One side of the
upper part of the box is connected to the frame by two hinged bars as
in a common parallel ruler so that it may be swung back a short
distance with a parallel movement in order to fully release the bale after
the doors are opened. The swinging movement is effected by a bent
lever operated by a link. The lower edge of the partition plate is
sharpened so that it may divide the hay as it is brought up by the
movement of the follower, and thereby form two distinct bales of hay at
the same operation. The hinging of the plate prevents unequal pressure
upon opposite sides thereof should there be a greater quantity of hay on
one side than upon the other. Four distinct bales may be formed at the
same time, if desired, by the use of two false followers inserted into the

page_text: press box when the same is half filled with hay. When the hay is
properly cut a sufficient quantity of it is put into the press to make a
bale of the required size. A layer of long straw or hay is first laid on
the bottom of the press and the short cut hay upon the straw, and another
layer of long straw or hay placed on the top of the cut hay in the press.
Great pressure is then applied by means of the press. The straw or hay
as a binder used on the top and bottom of the bale is preferable to
wooden slats or the like, as such straw is as valuable or nearly so as the
hay itself. Convenient grooves are made in the press to allow cords,
bands, or hoops to be passed around the bale so that the ends may be
strongly tied or fastened before the pressure is removed. Hoops may be
used instead of the cords, and for cheapness and strength I prefer wooden
hoops. The layers of straw serve as a covering and binding to hold the
short hay in the bale.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 21st May 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MEANS FOR PREPARING AND BALING CHOPPED HAY
AND STRAW upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William

page_text: Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings forming a part of this Specification:-
My Invention relates to the preparation of hay and straw as an
improved article of food for cattle and horses.
It is well known that Timothy hay, clover, and other hay is hard and
tough in the body of the straw and joints, and when cut short makes
hard sharp pointed straws or blades which are difficult for the animal to
masticate, and many of these hard sharp pointed straws are swallowed by
the animal without mastication, and hence corrode, injure, and enfeeble
the stomach and digestive organs and produce little or no nourishment.
By my improved process I avoid these evils, and enable the animal
easily to masticate the food, the whole substance thereof being reduced
to nourishment. This food is so easily masticated that the animal's teeth
will not be worn away so rapidly as in eating common hay, and its
teeth, health, and strength will be preserved for a greater number of
years if fed upon this prepared article than if fed upon the common
article. Ground corn, oats, barley, bran, or middlings are mixed with
this prepared hay and straw.
It is well known also that hay as it is ordinarily cured contains a
large per-centage of dust, dirt, grit, and other foreign matter which is not
fit for food, but is injurious to the animal's teeth and health and is the
great cause of lung complaints in horses. My process of preparing
the cut and crushed hay before it is fed to the animal removes from it
this dust, dirt, grit, and other foreign matters, and greatly improves it.
I first cut the hay or straw quite short, say from one-fourth to one-and-
one-half an inch in length, with any suitable hay cutting machine.
A crushing machine is placed in close proximity and in such relation
to the cutting machine that the cut hay or straw will pass directly

page_text: from the cutting machine to the crushing machine and be crushed or
flattened in its passage through the machine, and thus made soft and
edible. The cut and crushed hay is winnowed or subjected to a current of
air for the purpose of removing therefrom such dust,dirt, grit, and foreign
matter as may be collected therein. For this purpose I arrange a
blower or fan near the cutting and crushing machines so as to pass a
current of air through and across the column of cut hay as it passes
from the cutting to the crushing machine, and also so that a current of
air will pass through and across the falling column of cut and crushed
hay as it passes from the crushing machine to the elevator. The blower
is so arranged as to pass a blast or current of of air through the cut hay
and also through the crushed hay or straw by a direct blast or otherwise.
A wire screen is so placed and used as to prevent the short cut hay from
being carried off by the blast of air while the dust, dirt, and foreign
matter will pass through the screen freely and thus the cut and crushed
hay is winnowed and freed from dust and dirt. I then press and bind
the short, cut, crushed, and winnowed hay into compact bales for
transportation, storage, and commerce.
In the accompanying Drawings I have represented the machinery and
the method of baling employed in practising my Invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of my improved cutting,
crushing, and winnowing machinery with a receiving bin and elevator.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the said machinery drawn to an
enlarged scale.
Figure 3 is a vertical section illustrating a modified arrangement of
my improved machinery; Figure 4 is a plan; and Figure 5 a side
elevation of parts of the same.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 illustrate detached portions of the said machinery.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of the baling press used in combination
with the said machinery.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are a plan, a side elevation, a rear
elevation, a vertical section, and a horizontal section illustrating another
method of constructing such presses.
Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating my improved method of
baling chopped hay.
In Figures 1 and 2 a is the cutting mechanism
ordinary construction. The metal crushing rollers
which may be of
revolve towards

page_text: each other and are worked by appropriate gearing. They may be hung
in adjustable journal boxes in the framework of the cutting machine or
in an additional frame. The fan or blower c is located below and
slightly to the rear of the crushing rollers. If desired two or more
of these fans may be used instead of one. The fan or fans may be
supported in the frame of the cutting machine or in a separate frame.
The endless belt conveyor catches the cut, crushed, and winnowed hay
or straw as it falls from the crushing rollers and conveys it to the
receiving bin e. The wire screens f, g, h, are so arranged as to allow
currents of air to pass through the cut hay or straw as it falls or
passes from the cutters to the crushing rollers and from the crushing
rollers to the elevator, and by these air currents all the dust, dirt, and
foreign matter will be blown out of the cut and crushed hay. The
screens prevent the hay from being blown away by the current of air
and at the same time allow a free exit of the dust and dirt. The
elevator or conveyor is constructed with transverse slats, and is placed
at an inclination of about forty-five degrees. Its lower end is placed
under the crushing rollers so that the crushed hay will drop upon the
slats and be carried up and deposited in the receiving bin e.
The cut,
crushed, and winnowed hay or straw is discharged from this receiving bin
or reservoir through the opening into the press, which may be con-
structed as in Figure 9 or as in Figures 10 to 15.
The cutting and crushing and winnowing mechanism may be advan-
tageously arranged as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The two parallel
side frames are preferably formed of wood. Upon and between these
frames are located the various parts of the cutting, cleaning, and
crushing mechanism. The cutter shaft b' runs in journal bearings
secured to the top rails of the side frames and carries at the extremities
of radial arms the cutting knives a, which cut against the stationary bar
or knife a'. The feed rollers, ', are arranged in close proximity to
the cutters, the cutting edge of the knife a' being in line with the lower
side of the upper feed roller which runs in stationary bearings, so that
the hay as it enters between the feed rollers will pass under the knife a¹,
the rotary knives acting thereon with an upward cut. The lower
roller is held against the upper roller by a spring acting through
the rod l', yoke, and arms . By the yielding pressure of this spring
the rollers are caused to adapt themselves to the variations in the
thickness of the layer of hay or straw. The rollers are driven by a
series of toothed wheels from the cutter shaft as shewn at m, m', m², m³.

page_text: The feed rollers and cutters are covered by an enclosing case n. The
lower roller carries one end of an endless belt or apron o, the opposite
end of which is carried by a roller whose journals are supported in the
side rails of the frames j. Upon this belt or apron the hay is spread to
present it to the action of the feed rolls, although it is first received on
the feed rack or table p, which is composed of a series of narrow slats p³
with open spaces between them, through which spaces small stones,
sticks, dust, or dirt may pass and be separated from the hay. As the
hay is cut it falls into a cleaning chamber below the cutters, the front
of this chamber is formed by a wire screen q' and the back by a venetian
blind q. The exhausting fan or number of fans e is located in a
secondary chamber ³ or other convenient position to produce a current
of air through the screen q' across the chamber and through the blind q²
and thence through the fan discharge nozzle and spout c. This air
current crosses the cut hay falling from the knives and carries with it the
fine dust, dirt, and grit, and light innutritious matter contained therein
and discharges the same through the fan and spout into a dust room
or other proper receptacle, while the sound and nutritious hay or straw
will fall through the air current and pass to the crushing rolls. The
slats or bars of the venetian blind q² may be made adjustable to regulate
the intensity of the air current. The crushing rollers b, b, are sup-
ported in cast-iron frames & bolted to the front posts of the frames j.
The bearings for the lower roller bare fixed while the bearings of the
upper roller 6 are formed in boxes sliding in vertical slots in the
frames 6 with pressure springs and adjusting screws above. The two
rollers b, 6, are geared together by long toothed or finger wheels, the
lower one being the driver. The rollers are located opposite the lower
end of the chamber q the bottom of which is inclined so as to direct the
cut hay between the rollers. To insure greater uniformity and certainty
in the distribution of the cut hay to the crushing rollers a rotary feeder
consisting of a shafts and radial spikes s' is located near the rolls. The
rollers being held together by a strong though yielding pressure will
crush and break the stiff pieces and stems and render them soft and
pliable. The surface of the rollers may be either smooth or corrugated,
the corrugated surface being preferable. As the hay issues from the
crushing rollers the heavier portions thereof will be thrown by cen-
trifugal action tangentially from the lower roller, while the light chaff
will follow the roller and be discharged in a more nearly vertical line. A
dividing plate t located with its surface at an angle of forty-five degrees

page_text: or nearly so to the lower roller will intercept the heavier hay and
separate it from the chaff. The good hay as it passes over the dividing
plate falls upon the conveyor d and is carried thereby to any required
place of deposit. The roller which carries the receiving end of the
conveyor runs in pendent brackets d' on the roller frames &, while the
roller carrying the opposite end is supported in any convenient manner
at the required place of deposit. The chaff which falls between the
dividing plate and roller is carried by a spout to the dust room or to
any other convenient receptacle. By carrying the spout 3 into the fan
spout at an angle as represented a slight current of air may be pro-
duced which will assist the separation of the good hay from the chaff
at the roller. The shaft of the lower crushing roller carries the driving
pulley
to which the motive power is applied. It also carries a
pulley from which a belt leads to the pulley on one end of the cutter
shaft. Upon the other end of the cutter shaft is located a cone pulley t
from which a belt leads to a similar cone pulley on the fan shaft. The
cone pulleys allow the speed of the fan to be regulated at pleasure, so
that in connection with the adjustable blinds before described the
intensity of the air current through the cleaning chamber may be fully
controlled. The feeder s carries a pulley sand is driven by a cross
belt from a pulley b* on the lower crushing roller shaft. The conveyor d
is driven by a belt from a pulley on the cutter shaft.
In my improved press, Figures 10 to 14, A is a rectangular frame of
wood lined inside with planks A', and forms the press box, the upper
part B of which contains the bale, while the lower part or extension B'
admits the follower which effects the compression of the bale. The
top and front sides of part B are hinged, as shewn at B3 and B', to the
frame A, forming doors which when opened permit the removal of the
bale, the top door only being opened in filling the press box with loose
hay; this top door B is secured against the pressure of the follower by
the bars B and B. The front door B³ is secured by the hinged plate B³,
the said plate having a lever or arm B" with which a hook B" on the
door engages when the door is closed. The follower C has a strong
cross head pressing under it, the ends of which cross head project through
the vertical slots C cut in the sides of the press box. From the windlass
shafts or drums D motion is communicated to the follower through the
chains E; the said shafts are supported in strong bearings attached to
the corner posts of the frame A. Worm wheels F are keyed upon the

page_text: ends of the shafts D, and a worm shaft G extending across the back of
the press box imparts motion to the worm wheels; the worm shaft is
supported in slotted bearings G' attached to the frame. A rocking
shaft H is supported in bearings H' upon the cross rail of the frame A;
connections H lead from the ends of the said shaft, to which they are
connected excentrically, and embrace the worm shaft so as not to
interfere with its revolution. A hand lever H is attached to the
rocking shaft, which when partially rotated will cause the connections H*
to raise or lower the worm shaft, and throw the same in or out of gear
with the worm wheels. When the worm shaft is thrown out of gear the
windlass shafts are free to revolve, and the weight of the follower and
cross head will cause the chains to unwind therefrom and permit the
follower and cross head to descend. The too rapid descent of the
follower is prevented by the retarding friction brakes I, consisting of
curved metal plates, one end of each being connected to the frame A,
and the other end supported but not fixed on the worm shaft at I'.
The upward movement of the worm shaft will bring the brakes I in
contact with the worm wheels. The chains are composed of flat links
united by joint pins. I arrange the said links so that the axial line of
the chain shall incline to the joint pins by lapping each successive link
upon the same side of the preceding link (this arrangement of the links
is most clearly shewn in Figure 11). The point of connection of the
chain to the windlass barrels is therefore considerably upon one side of
the point of its connection to the cross head, although the joint pins
remain parallel with the shaft D. The chain being thus inclined to the
shaft the successive coils will wind spirally thereon without riding or
mounting on the preceding coil. The slots C in the press box are
covered by the thin metal plates J hinged to the follower; these plates
may be covered by plates J' secured to the part B of the press box;
these plates prevent the escape of the hay through the slots. The side K
of the part B is connected to the frame by hinged bars K' (as in a
common parallel ruler), so that it may be swung back a short distance
with a parallel movement in order to fully release the bale after the
doors B3, B5, are opened. The swinging movement is effected by a bent
lever K, K, whose fulcrum is on the frame A, one arm of which lever
is connected to the side K by links K and K', so that when the plate BR
is swinging back to release the front door it will also move the
side K. The link K' may be slotted, as shewn at K, so that the
door B may be fully opened before the side K moves. The part B of

page_text: the press box is provided with a thin metal partition L hinged to one
side thereof, as shewn at L', and dividing the same into two equal parts.
The lower edge of this plate is sharpened to divide the hay as it is
brought up from the part B', and thereby forms two distinct bales of
hay at the same operation. The hinging of the plate prevents unequal
pressure upon opposite sides thereof. Four distinct bales may be formed
at the same time if desired by the use of two false followers; the
partition L may be made removable. In putting the short cut hay
into bales, as shewn in Figure 15, a layer a of long straw or hay is first
laid on the bottom of the press; the short cut hay is laid upon the
straw, and another layer y of long straw or hay is placed on the top of
the cut hay in the press; pressure is then applied which will bring the
bale into the compact form required. The straw or hay used as a binder
on the top and bottom of the bale is nearly as valuable as the chopped
hay. Convenient grooves are made in the press for the insertion of
cords or bands z around the bale so that the ends may be strongly tied
or fastened before the pressure is removed; wooden or other hoops may
be used instead of the cords.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First. Preparing short cut hay and straw by crushing and winnowing
to produce an improved article of food for cattle and horses, substantially
as described.
Second. The combination of the cutting and crushing mechanism,
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination of the cutting and cleaning mechanism,
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. The vertical cleaning chambers with air apertures in the front
and back thereof, and exhausting fan combined therewith, substantially
as described and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. The dividing and separating plate t arranged in the manner
and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. The feed table ? constructed and arranged as described for the
purpose set forth.
Seventh. The rotary feeder s arranged and operating as set forth,

page_text: Eighth. The arrangement of the covering plates J connected to the
follower C and moving therewith, substantially as herein described.
Ninth. The arrangement of the removable side K of the part B of the
press box suspended and moving upon the hinged bars K', substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Tenth. The combination and arrangement of the friction brakes I with
the worm shaft G, worm wheels F, and eccentric rock shaft H and its
connections, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The hinged partition L arranged in the part B of the press
box as and for the purpose set forth,
Twelfth. Binding short cut hay and straw into compact bales by the
use of straw or hay as a binder on the top and bottom of the bale,
substantially as set forth.
In witness thereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of May,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)