CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLOUGH
Year: 1813

page_text: LISTON'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL MEN TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
HENRY LISTON, Clerk, Minister of the Parish of Ecclesmachan, in the County
of Linlithgow, do send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty George the Third, by Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of September
now last past, Eighteen hundred and thirteen, did give and grant unto me,
the said Henry Liston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, His
Majesty's special licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the
said Henry Liston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and every of us,
by myself and themselves, or by my and their deputy or deputies, our servants
or agents, or such others as I, the said Henry Liston, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no other, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein ex-
pressed, shall and lawfully may make, use, exercise, and vend my Invention of
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLOUGH," within that part
of His Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England,
His Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in such manner
as to me, the said Henry Liston, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or any of us, shall in my or their discretions seem meet, and that I, the said
Henry Liston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, shall and lawfully
may have and enjoy the whole profit, benefit, and commodity and advantage
from time to time coming, growing, 'accruing, and arising by reason of the
said Invention, for and during the term of years therein expressed; in which
said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said Henry

page_text: Liston, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, and cause the same to be enrolled in His Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, otherwise the said
Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever thereby granted,
shall utterly cease, determine, and become void, anything therein-before
contained to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Liston, do hereby declare that my Invention consists, first, in the form
of the share and mould board, which are constructed by the following rules:―
First, the proportional weight or pressure of the soil to be turned over is to be
calculated for every degree of elevation. Let Figure 1st represent a cross
section of part of a ploughed ridge. A, B, is the surface of the unploughed
land; A, C, the depth of the furrow; D, C, the breadth of it. The furrow
slice A, C, D, E, after being cut from the fast land by by the coulter and
share at A, C, and D, C, is to be raised from the original position marked 1,
and turning on the under edge, of which the point D is the section, is to be
carried through the intermediate positions till it came to the perpendicular
position marked 8. It is plain that the weight or pressure to be overcome by
the share and mould board in this operation is continually diminishing. From
the perpendicular position the furrow slice is to be turned on the edge, of
which the point e is the section, till it be placed in its final position, marked 5.
In this operation a new pressure takes place on the mould board, which also
is continually diminishing as the furrow slice is turned over.
To find the pro-
portional weight at any degree, as No. 2, let the line E, F, be a parallel to
e, D, from the point where the perpendicular to the horizon cuts the line e, a,
then the part E, F, c, a, thus cut off shews the whole quantity pressing on the
share or mould board, and this quantity multiplied into the line D, G, inter-
cepted between the point D and O, G, the perpendicular from the centre of
gravity of this quantity expresses the proportional weight to be raised at that
degree of elevation. After the same manner, the proportional pressure at any
degree, while the furrow slice is passing from the perpendicular position,
marked 3, till it be laid in the position 5, is to be found. Now, the share and
mould board are to be formed by means of a series of wedges, one for each
degree of elevation of the under side of the furrow slice D, c. The first
wedge of the series at the point f, the share raises the under side D, c, to an
angle of one degree, and then the height of the point c, or the greatest thick-
ness of this wedge, is equal to the line of one degree, D, c, being radius. The

page_text: Having then assumed
share), or the propor-
second wedge raises the side D, c, to an angle of two degrees, and the height
which the point c is raised by this second wedge, or the thickness of the
wedge, is equal to the excess of the line of two degrees above that of one
degree, D, c, being radius. After the same manner, the thickness of cach
wedge is the difference of the lines, D, c, being radius.
some one angle for the first wedge (at the point of the
tion of its length to its height, the lengths of the other wedges are to be found
by the following rule-Multiply the pressure or weight to be raised from any
angle to the next by the height to which it is to be raised; and multiply this
product by the length of the inclined side of the first wedge. This last pro-
duct, divided by the weight of the furrow slice in its original position, multiplied
by the height of the first wedge, will be the length of the inclined side of the
wedge sought, and the cosine of the angle of this wedge, the length of its
inclined side being radius, will be the space that the plough moves forward in
raising the furrow slice from that degree of elevation to the next. In this way
the series of wedges is to be calculated till the furrow slice would be raised
to an angle between 40° and 50°, or till the inclined side of the wedge be at
an angle of about 30° to the plane of the near side of the plough, and this
angle is to be continued till the furrow slice be in the perpendicular position,
marked 3. After, the same manner a series of wedges is to be calculated for
turning the furrow slice, on the edge of which the point e, is the section. only.
It is to be observed that the thickness of the wedge is not, as in the former
series, the difference of the lines with the constant radius D, c, but this radius
is continually increasing by the following rule:-Add the line of half the
angle d, e, D, (No. 4,) e, D, being radius, to the side D, c.
This varying
quantity being made radius, the thickness of the wedge is the difference of the
lines. After this manner the series of wedges is to be calculated till the furrow
slice be set 20° degrees, or thereabouts, past the perpendicular, or till the angle
of the wedge be about 33°, which angle is to be continued till the; furrow slice
be set in the position 5, or about 40° degrees past the perpendicular. These
calculations being made, the curved surface of the share and mould board are
to be formed after the following manner. That the direction may be more
easily understood by practical men, they are given in the form of a particular
example: The breadth of the furrow, slice being 9. inches, its depth 6 inches,
and the angle of the first wedge being 9°, 30°, let a block of wood be pro-
vided 4 feet 3 inches in length, 15 inches in height; let the under surface
and back surface be wrought square to each other. (corresponding to the sole
and flat side of the plough); the under surface must be 9 inches in breadth
throughout, measured from the back, and straighted in the edges, but one end

page_text: of the block corresponding to the hinder end of the mould board must be full
19 inches in breadth on the top, which breadth on the top may diminish to
9 inches from the back, at the distance of 15 inches from the binder, end;
the top surface also must be wrought square to the back surface at least to
the length of two feet. from the hinder end; then let the bottom line of the
back-surface be divided by the measures in the following table from the fore-
end or point of the share:-
D..
M.
D. M.
Dr
M.
D.
M.
D.
M.
.94 11 1.80 21
62'
31
-42
45
.96
298
12
.78 22
60
32
.39
50
. 1.00
3
45
66
.91.
.90
589*
1877 23 581
14- 7524561
.338.7 55
1-08
3435: 60
1.15
1573. 255435
3365
1-21
6
87
16.71
2652363170
1:26
7
--86
17 .69
27
+50 37 .29 75
1.29.
8
•85
18
..67
28
48° 38
•27. 80
1.33.
9
.83
19
.66
29
+46
39
..25 85
1.35
10
.82
20 .64
30
+44
40
23 1. 90
1-36
Besides these measures, it is necessary to mention, for a reason which will
appear immediately, that the measure from 55° to 59° is 91. The colums
marked D shew the degrees to which the furrow slice is to be raised, and the
colums marked M express the length of the cosine of the angle of the wedge,
or the distance to be taken on the bottom line of the back from each degree
to the next, in decimals of an inch. Above 40° degrees, the measures being
short, are given for each five degrees, which is sufficiently accurate for prac-
tical purposes. In this last colume the measures are inches and decimals of
an inch. Through all these points draw on the back surface perpendiculars to
the bottom line, and measure off these perpendiculars from the bottom line
by the following tables of measures :-
D.
M. D.
M.
D.
M.
D.
M.
D.
M.
1
.02
10
1.58 19
3.10
28
4.78
37
6.78
2
+31
11
1.75 20
8-27 29
4.99 38
7.03
3
-47
12
1.91 21
3.45 30
5.19 .39
7.29
4
+63 13
2.08 22
3.63 31
5.41
40
7.55
5
.79 14
2.24 23
3.82 32
5.62. 45
9.00
6
-95 15
2.41 24
7
1.11 16
2-58 25
8
1-26 17
9
1.42 18
.2.75 26
2.92 27
4.39 35 6.30 59
4.59 36 6.54
4.00 33
4.20 34 6.07 55 12.86
14'97
5.84 50
10.72
59

page_text: lines joining these points, the resulting irregular polygon forms the near.side
of the share and mould board till the latter rises to the top surface, which is
at the 59th degree. From thence let the remaining measures in the former
table be taken on the top line of the back, and from these points let perpen-
diculars be drawn on the top, surface, and let these be measured off from the
top line, as in the next table..
1
.D.
M.
D.
M.
D.
M.
D..
60
65
2.00
85 769
.34 70 8.54 80 6.35
75
4.98
M.
9.00
Draw straight lines joining these points. This forms the top of the mould
board up to the 90th degree, or perpendicular to the horizon. The curved
surface of the fore part of the mould board and share is then to be formed, so
that a straight-edged ruler being carried along the bottom line at the off side
or front and along the top line and near side line of the mould board and
share, which have been just described, (the plane of the ruler being kept
always perpendicular to the bottom surface and to the back surface, or in
other words, the ruler being kept always directly across,) may touch the
surface of the mould board in every point. From the 90th degree (or per-
pendicular to the horizon) to the hinder part, the mould board is to be formed
thus: The front surface at the bottom is to be formed into a portion of a
hollow cylinder, comprising 40° degrees of the circle, the radius being 6 inches
(equal to the depth of the proposed furrow), the axis of the cylinder being in
the plane of the bottom surface and parallel to the bottom front line. On this
cylindrical surface let straight lines be drawn lengthways, at the distance of
5 degrees of the circle from each other. From the 90th degree of the mould
board let a straight line be drawn, parallel to the top back line, and at the dis-
tance of 9 inches from it; let this line be divided as in the following table:-
ID
M L
M
DI M

page_text: These points being joined by straight lines the resulting irregular polygen
approaching to a curve, forms the top line of the mould board, from the 90th
.degree to the hinder end being 40 degrees part the perpendicular to the horizon.
Let the straight lines on the cylindrical surface be measured off from the lines
of the 90th.degree towards the hinder part, according to the following table,
the line next the bottom being 5, and so upwards :—
approaching to a curve, forms the top line of the mould board, from the 90th
.degree to the hinder end being 40 degrees part the perpendicular to the horizon.
Let the straight lines on the cylindrical surface be measured off from the lines
of the 90th .degree towards the hinder part, according to the following table,
the line next the bottom being 5, and so upwards :-
D.
D.
M.
D.
M.
5
2.98 15
10 5.61 20
D.
7.81 25
9.47 30
M.
M.
10.88 35 13.02
12.60 40 14.42
Let a line joining these points be traced on the cylindrical surface by placing
a straight ruler from point to point successively, the curved surface of the
hinder part of the mould board is to be formed as before, so that a straight
ruler carried along these top and bottom lines, which have been just described,
being kept always directly across the block, may touch the surface in every
point. The curved surface being thus formed, about 18 inches is to be cut off
from the fore end for the share, which is to be formed to a point with a
feather, in the usual form; then on the bottom surface at the fore end of the
mould board let about 5 inches be measured across from the back line, and
drawing a straight line from this point to where the line of the 90th degree
meets the bottom front line, let the part so lined off on the front be cut
off, and let the edge or corner thus left on the curved surface of the mould
board be rounded off. The curved surface thus formed may then be cut
from the block to the usual thickness, which will be a mould from which
cuts. may be taken in the usual way. The curved surface described is the best
form of the mould board for the purpose of ploughing land which turns over
whole;
but when the ground is pulverized a slight inconvenience results,
from the earth sticking towards the top of the mould board in the apparent
hollow betwixt the perpendicular and the hinder end. To avoid this incon-
venience, the top line of the mould board, from the perpendicular to about the
30th degree past the perpendicular, may be made more nearly to approach a
straight line than that above described, and then the curved surface formed as
above directed. It is also to be observed that the mould board just described
is proper for work in which the depth of the furrow slice is to its breadth as 6
or more to 9, but for more shallow ploughings the measures should be calcu-
lated again by the rules given above, according to the proposed depth and
breadth.
My Invention consists, secondly, in substituting for the sole and side plates
of the plough a wheel, which performs the office of both, in order to diminish

page_text: the friction which necessarily takes place in the operation of ploughs of the
ordinary construction. This wheel touches the ground nearly where the keel
or hinder end of the sole usually does, or a little farther back, according to the
size of the wheel. The plane of the wheel is set at an angle to the horizon, so
that it runs in the corner between the bottom of the furrow and the unploughed
ground. The angle of the plane of the wheel to the horizon is as near to 45°
as the upper edge of the mould board will permit, and will therefore vary
according to the size of the wheel. The wheel would perform the office of
both sole and side plate even if the angle of its plane to the horizon were 60°,
or more, but the greater the angle is, the greater the friction is occasioned on
its axle.
The said Henry Liston declares that what is new and peculiar in this part
of his Invention is the inclination of the plane of the wheel to the horizon.
Figure 2d is a plan or birds-eye view of the plough with the inclined wheel.
A, the beam cut off to shew the share E; B, the near side handle; C, the off
side handle; D, D, the mould board. a, a, is a piece of iron or other proper
material, the one end of which receives in a hole a bolt fixed on in the beam,
and is secured by a screw nut; the other end is bent downwards, and applies
to the inside of the near side handle, where it receives a bolt, (fixed in the handle
in a longitudinal hole or slit, so as to admit of that end being raised or lowered
a little for the purpose of tempering the wheel. b, b, is a piece of iron (or
other proper material) in which the upper end of the axle c runs. This second
piece has two arms with longitudinal holes e, e. d, d, are similar holes in the
piece a, a; and bolts f, f, passing through both pieces, with screw nuts fix
the pieces b, b, to the piece a, a, the longitudinal holes or slits admitting of
the piece b, b, being put a little more backward or forward, and also a little
more to the near or off' side, for the purposes of tempering the wheel; the
other end of the axle runs in a piece of iron (or other proper material)
g, g, screwed to the off side handle, in a manner similar to that in which
a, a, is screwed to the beam and near side handle, so that while it turns on
the bolt at h, the other end at i may be raised or lowered a little, to
correspond with the position of the piece a, a. A wedge put betwixt the
piece 9, 9, and the off side handle at h, and another at i, furnish the means
of making the position of the piece g, g, correspond with that of the piece b, b;
or instead of the piece g, g, for supporting the end of the axle at the off side
of the wheel, the arms e, e, of the piece b, b, may be made to unite and to
form another socket for the axle close to the near side of the nave, or the
axle may be supported in the required position by any other convenient
method; or instead of the axle moving, the wheel may turn on an axle

page_text: fixed in the proper position, provided the nave of the wheel be of sufficient
length (at right angles to the plane of the wheel). Figure 3d is a section
or back view, to shew the inclination of the wheel to the horizon. The wheel
is represented as twenty-two inches in diameter, and the angle to the horizon
as about 55°. Figure 4th shews the near side of the plough. F is a thin
plate, the only use of which is to prevent a small stone from falling betwixt the
rini of the wheel and the near side handle so as to stop the wheel.
In land
free of small stones the plate F may be omitted. In tempering the wheel the
under side of the rim is in the straight line of the under side of the share.
The outside of the rim at the bottom is in the straight line of the near side of
the share, and the plane of the wheel is set so that a straight ruler being laid
on it parallel to the horizon may be at the same time parallel to the line of
draught. In all these, however, some latitude may be allowed, as experience
may direct.
The said Henry Liston further declares that these two Inventions are
independent of each other, that is to say, that the mould board above described
may be used with a sole and side plate in the usual way, and the inclined
wheel may be used with mould boards of my description, and that there is
nothing peculiar in the manner of employing ploughs made with these or either
of these improvements in the operations of tillage.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at
Edinburgh, North Britain, the Eighth day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and fourteen, and of the reign of our Sovereign Lord
George the Third, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, &c., the fifty-fourth year.
The above-named Charles Broughton and Edward McMillan, the sub-
scribing witnesses to the execution of the foresaid writ of Specification, being
solemnly sworn and interrogated, make oath and say, that they were present,
and did see the within and above named. Henry Liston sign, seal, execute, and.
of his own act and deed deliver, the above writ of Specification, and that the.

page_text: EDW Mc MILLAN.
Sworn before me, the Ninth day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and fourteen years,