Improvements in Ditching and Excavating Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ditching and Excavating Machines.
I, HENRY CARTER of Albion in the County of Orleans and State of New York,
United States of America, Machinist, 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:-
My Invention relates to an improvement in machines for cutting and clearing or
excavating ditches or trenches and more particularly to that class of ditchers which
operate by means of a plough or share and having a large elevating wheel fitted with
scoops to lift and discharge the soil.
The object of the invention is to so improve the construction of the machine for which
Letters Patent of the United States of America were granted to myself dated the
28th day of June 1887 and numbered 365,580, that the machine will be more
compact, effective in operation, and durable, and capable of being manufactured at a
less cost.
The Invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims..
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specifi-
cation, in which figure 1 is a plan view of the machine. Figure 2 is a side elevation,
with one. of the guide wheels removed. Figure 3 is a rear elevation. Figure 4 is a
vertical section, taken near the centre of the machine. Figure 5 is a vertica! section,
through a portion of the dumping shear plate and elevating wheel, illustrating a
bucket being dumped. Figure 6 is a similar view, illustrating the mechanism for
restoring the bucket to its normal position. Figure 7 is a side elevation of a bucket,
and a partial side elevation of the wheel. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bucket
detached. Figure 9 is a plan view of a portion of the elevating or bucket wheel,
illustrating the application to the bucket spindles of a spring brake adapted to retain
the buckets normally in a receiving position. Figure 10 is a longitudinal section, on
line 10-10 figure 9. Figure 11 is a sectional detail view, illustrating the means
employed for raising and lowering the plough share. Figure 12 is a vertical section
through the plough share support.. Figure 13 is a plan view of the support, and
figure 14 is a perspective view of the plough share detached. Figure 15 is a trans-
verse vertical section, on line 15-15 figuré 2, and figure 16 is a partial side elevation
of the tongue, and a vertical section through the tongue clevis and adjusting device.
Figure 17 is a plan view of the friction trip roller and bearing for the same, and
figures 18 and 19 are side elevations of the standards in which the share-manipulating
mechanism, illustrated in figure 11, is journaled. Similar letters and figures of
reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
In carrying out the invention, the frame of the machine consists of an essentially
perpendicular arch 20 in the lower end of which the elevating or bucket wheel 21 is
journaled, the periphery of the wheel at one or both sides being provided with an
inwardly-extending flange 22 at a right angle to the tire. At or near the centre of
the arch at each side a beam or bar 23 is rigidly secured, in any approved manner,
which frame beams or bars extend horizontally in parallel lines forward and to the
rear of the elevating or bucket wheel, as shewn in figures 1 and 2. Between the.
lower extremity of the arch 20 and the frame beams or bars 23, the inner ends of two
lower frame bars or beams 25 are secured to said arch and the said lower bars or .
beams 25 extend in parallel lines rearward and upward to a contact with the extremity
of the main horizontal frame beams or bars, being attached thereto, and upward to
support and sustain a seat 26. Upon one side of the machine, the left for instance, a
segmental plate 27 is secured at its ends to one of the main horizontal frame beams 23

page_text: in such manner that the said plate will conform to the radius of the elevating or
bucket wheel and extend independent of said wheel from its periphery a distance
upward therefrom, practically constituting a fender. This fender is likewise secured
to the inner face of the arch. Upon the opposite, or right-hand, side of the machine
a short segmental fender plate 28 is firmly fastened to the right-hand frame beam or
bar 23 between its centre and its rear extremity and to the arch 20 between its centre
and its, upper end, as best shewn in figure 2. Upon the right-hand side of the
machine one end of a curved fender plate 29 is firmly attached to the main frame
beam or bar 23 horizontally aligning the equivalent end of the left-hand fender 27.
The other end of the right-hand curved fender 29 is carried diagonally over and above
the elevating wheel in direction of the rear of the machine, practically to a contact
with the inner face of the left hand fender 27, as best shewn in figures 1 and 2. The
object of the curved fender 29 is to conduct the dirt carried upward by the elevating
wheel to one side of the ditch and act as a dumping or shear plate. To this end a
chute 30 is hinged to the yoke 20 and the fender, said chute being capable of vertical
movement. The hinge attachment of the chute is effected by projecting an arm 31
from the outer face of the fender beyond the edge of the elevating wheel, as shown in
figure 2, and carrying one end of the chute to a pivotal contact with the forward face
of said arm, the other end of the chute being notched to receive the forward end of
the fender. By reason of this hinged connection of the chute with the frame of the
machine, the elevating wheel may work effectually in a very deep ditch, as should the
chute strike the bank it will automatically accomodate itself thereto and continue to
effectually deliver the dirt a proper distance from the edge of the ditch. When the
machine is withdrawn from the ditch, the chute drops to its normal position. The
tongue 32 is hinged or pivoted between the forward ends of the main side bars 23 of
the frame and a guard rail 33 is secured to the left hand member of the arch 20 at its
top, which guard rail, extending over and following the curved line of the fender 29,
is attached to the forward extremity of the corresponding portion of the right hand
frame bar or beam 23, as shewn in figure 2. A space intervenes between the guard
rail and the upper edge of the fender 29, through which the buckets of the elevating
wheel travel.
A series of buckets 34, illustrated in detail in figure 8, are pivoted to or journaled
in the left-hand flange 22 of the elevating wheel, the said buckets being ordinarily
arranged around the entire periphery of the wheel about twelve to fourteen inches
apart. The buckets consist of a body portion A, preferably rectangular in cross-
section, from one end of which a blade A2 is projected at a right angle outward, the
under or bottom edge of the blade and the corresponding edge of the body being pre-
ferably bevelled to constitute a cutting edge. The end of the body opposite to that
carrying the blade A' is ordinarily rounded off at its bottom edge, as shewn at a in
figure 8, and carried essentially-perpendicular upward to form a wing or arm A² of
less width than the body. The upper extremity of the arm or wing A² is bent
horizontally inward parallel with the blade, whereby a lug a¹ is produced and the
outer edge of the arm or wing is curved, as best shewn at a2 in figure 8, by producing
a concavity at or near its centre. The construction of the bucket is completed by
attaching a pintle or post 35 to one face of the body near its curved end which pintle
extends horizontally outward parallel with the blade A¹.
At proper intervals upon the inner face of the periphery of the elevating wheel,
bearings 36 are secured, preferably tubular, for the reception of the posts or pintles of
the buckets, as shewn in figures 9 and 10. The bearings 36 abut at one end against
the left-hand elevating wheel flange but do not extend entirely across the periphery
of the wheel, being stopped slightly beyond its centre, as shewn in figure 9. The
pintles of the buckets are passed through suitable apertures in the said left-hand wheel
flange into the several bearings 36 and project beyond the latter having secured upon
their projecting ends a sleeve 37, as shewn in figure 10, preferably provided with a
roughened exterior surface.
When the buckets are attached to the elevating wheel and are in position for

page_text: entering the earth, the upper edge of the blade bears against the outer peripheral
surface of the wheel and the arms or wings extend upward in direction of the rear of
the machine, as best illustrated in figure 2.
The revolution of the bucket is controlled by spring brakes 38, best illustrated in
figure 10, one brake being adapted to exert tension upon two opposed bucket pintles
or shafts. The brake consists of a spring bar B of suitable length curved upward at
its centre and two brake shoes B¹ in the backs of which the respective ends of the
spring bar are inserted, the front face of the shoes being concaved for contact with the
bucket sleeves 37 and when said sleeves are roughened the concave face of the shoes
is treated in similar manner. One end of the spring bar B of the brake is threaded
and provided with a lock nut B2 whereby more or less tension may be extended upon
the pintles or shafts of the buckets to cause them to revolve tightly or loosely in their
bearings as occasion may demand. The sleeves 37 not only serve to provide an
increased contact surface for the brake shoes but also retain the bucket pintles or
shafts in their bearings.
a
From the inner face of the left hand frame side bar 23, preferably directly forward
of the yoke 20, a pin 39 is horizontally projected and forward and above the pin
friction roller 40 is journaled upon the upper edge of said side bar, as best shewn
in figure 5...
In
The friction roller 40 is properly journaled in a horizontal bearing sleeve 41 secured
to the frame side bar 23 and projecting a distance outward therefrom, as shewn in
figure 17, the shaft or spindle 42 of the wheel being made to extend beyond the outer
face of the sleeve, which projecting end is threaded and provided with a lock nut 43.
This long bearing of the friction roller considerably lessens the friction and thereby
renders the shaft or spindle less liable to wear. Between the forward end of the left
hand fender 27 and the dumping or shear plate 29, a pipe roller 44 is journaled.
the action of the elevating wheel, after the buckets have received their load they are
carried upward by the said wheel until the curved edge of the bucket wing or arm A²
is brought into contact with the piu 39 whereupon, as the elevating wheel moves
forward, the blade of the bucket is elevated, the said arm or wing travelling over the
friction roller 40 until, when opposite the rear end of the delivery chute where the
bucket blade is at its greatest height, the load carried thereby is impinged upon
the shear plate 29 from whence it falls upon the delivery chute.
The lug a¹ limits the upward throw of the buckets and the curve in the wing or
arm of said buckets, permits the blade to be carried very near the delivery chute before
the load is dumped. This movement of the buckets is illustrated in figures 5 and 7.
The blades of the buckets in their forward and downward travel pass between the
shear plate 29 and the upper guard rail, the latter serving somewhat to clean them and
also to guide large clots of earth down the chute. When the blades strike the pipe
roller 44 they are restored to their normal or receiving position and in this position
pass downward to take another load.
The plough standards 45 are projected rearward and downward from the yoke 20
being pivoted thereto or to a block secured to the yoke one at each side of the
elevating wheel and the shoe 46 of the plough share to which the lower ends of
the said standards are attached is preferably cast in one piece, as shewn in figures 12
and 13.
The plough shoe consists of a curved inclined base wall D held between two side
pieces D¹ having a vertical recess d produced in their outer face in which the lower
end of the plough standards is inserted, as shewn in figure 2. The side pieces D' have
a rear extension d' between which the lower end of a segmental rack 47 is pivoted,
the said rack having its teeth produced upon its outer face. The rack is projected
upward through the side bars of the frame to the rear of the elevating wheel
and is operated to raise and lower the plough shoe in a manner hereinafter set
forth.
The right hand side piece of the plough shoe is provided with a mould board 48 to
aid in packing the dirt in the buckets as they pass over the shoe in their upward
movement, which mouldboard is best shewn in figures 2 and 14.

page_text: The lower end of the base wall D of the plough shoe projects beyond the side
pieces and is provided upon its upper face at this point with a diagonal recess d²,
the lower extremity of said wall being also diagonal, as best shewn in figure 13.
In this recess the plough share 48ª is secured, illustrated in detail in figure 14.
As a matter of economy and cheapness the plough share 48 is made in two pieces E
and E. The section E, being the main portion or body of the share, is secured in
the recess d² by a bolt, rivet, or equivalent fastening device, and is provided with an
upturned end e located upon the side of the shoe carrying the mould board, as shewn
in figure 2. The second section E is the point and is secured to the main section at
one end, its cutting edge being projected beyond the cutting edge of the main section
and the shank to the rear for attachment to, and contact with, the plough shoe.
A throat is formed at the rear of the machine to retain the material lifted by the
buckets in the same when in a horizontal position. The throat consists of two side
pieces 49 curved to the radius of the elevating wheel and secured to the plough
standards at one end, the upper ends of the side pieces 49 meeting the fenders 27 and
28, as best shewn in figure 2, in which figure one side piece is omitted to illustrate
more clearly the construction of the throat. The back of the throat consists of a
curved preferably longitudinally-slotted plate 50 extending downward to the rear of,
and a free contact with, the shoe of the plough share. This back plate is suspended
by two spring hangers 51 secured to its rear at the bottom, one at each side, the
upper ends of said spring hangers being firmly attached to a bar 52 held transversely
in the main side bars of the frame. The back plate 50) of the throat further acted
upon by a spring 53 secured to the forward face of the rack bar 47. It will be
observed, from the foregoing description, that the back of the throat is spring-actuated
rendering it capable of yielding to permit the upward passage of large houlders and
similar articles. It will be further observed that as the plough is capable of telescoping
upon the spring-back of the throat, ample clearance is obtained when needed for the
passage of stones and the plough shoe in its movements effectually cleans the throat.
The smooth or forward face of the rack 47, utilised in raising or lowering the plough,
is made to engage with a friction roller 54 journaled in the frame at the rear of the
elevating wheel and the forward or toothed face is made to mesh with a pinion 55
fast to a shaft 56, journaled in the frame which shaft also carries a bevel gear 57
meshing with a horizontal bevelled pinion 58 secured to the lower extremity of a
perpendicular shaft 59 provided at its upper end with a hand wheel 60 convenient to
the drivers seat.
The shafts 56 and 59 are journaled in perpendicular opposed bangers 60° and 61
of peculiar construction, illustrated in detail in figures 18 and 19. The hangers are
secured to the frame of the machine, the hanger 60 being provided with a vertical
integral sleeve 62 upon its inner face in which the perpendicular shaft 9 is journaled
and a collar 63 integral with the sleeve in which one end of the shaft 56 has a
bearing the other end of this shaft having a bearing in a similar collar 64 formed
upon the hanger 61, as shewn in figure 19.
The two hangers are also provided with collars or apertures 65 at their upper end
to journal a treadle shaft 66, the treadles 67 whereof are secured to the extremities of
the shaft for engagement by the driver's feet. Upon this treadle shaft a pawl 68
is fixed capable of contact with the pinion meshing with the rack 47, as shewn in
figures 1 and 11.
:
The tongue 32 is pivoted between the forward ends of the main side bars 23 of
the frame and upon said side bars a bail 70 is secured through which a threaded
bolt 71 is passed having a reduced lower end adapted to enter an aperture in a
second bail 72 fast to the inner end of the tongue at its upper face. Thus it will
be observed that by raising or lowering the bolt 71 the tongue may be raised or
lowered and the line of draft thereby changed; this construction is fully. illustrated
in figures 15 and 16. A curved essentially rectangular clevis 73 is entered over the
tongue directly in front of the bail 72, which retains it upon the tongue, and to the
bottom bar of the clevis at its centre the whiffletree 74 is pivoted.... Beneath
the whiffletree an evener 75 is fulcrumed, and the ends of the evener are attached to

page_text: links 76 pivoted at one end to the plough standards below their centre by chains 77
whereby it will be seen that the draft is directly upon the plough. By providing
the tongue with a clevis, as above described, the tongue may be made much shorter
and the clevis is free to slide back and forth. A perpendicular arch or clevis 78 is
fulcrumed at, or near, the centre of its members, upon the frame arch 20 at, or near,
the top of the latter.
The machine is guided in its work in a ditch and yet permitted to have ample
vertical movement, or incline to the front or rear, by means of an essentially U-shaped
carriage 79 grooved to slide over the pivoted arch or clevis 78 and provided with
friction rollers 80 in the groove for contact with the edges of the clevis to relieve
friction, as illustrated in figures 3 and 4. From the lower end of each member of
the carriage an axle 81 is projected, which is preferably given a slight downward
inclination and braced by stay rods 82 in any approved manner. Each axle is
provided with a wheel 83 adapted to travel upon the surface of the ground and when
the carriage is applied to the machine, the axles at their intersection with the stay
rods 82 are connected with the forward ends of the side bars 23 of the frame by
detachable rods 84.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what: I
claim is;
:
1. In a ditcher, the combination, with an elevating wheel provided with a series of
buckets journaled thereon, of a brake consisting of a spring rod provided with a
brake shoe at each end capable of contact with the pintles or shafts of two opposed
buckets, substantially as shewn and described.
2. In a ditcher, the combination, with an elevating wheel provided with a series
of bearings upon its inner periphery extending partially from side to side and buckets
provided with a pintle or shaft journaled in said bearings, of a sleeve secured to each
bucket pintle and a brake consisting of a spring rod and a brake shoe secured at each
end of said rod capable of contact with the sleeves of opposed bucket pintles,
substantially as shewn and described.
3. In a ditcher, the combination, with an elevating wheel provided with a series of
bearings upon its inner face extending partially from side to side and buckets
provided with a pintle or shaft journaled in said bearings, of a sleeve secured upon
one end of each bucket pintle and a brake consisting of a curved spring bar threaded
at one end a brake shoe attached to each end of said rod capable of contact with
the sleeves of opposed bucket pintles and a lock nut screwed upon one end of the rod,
substantially as shewn and described and for the purpose specified.
4. In a ditcher, the combination, with an elevating wheel and a series of buckets
journaled thereon comprising a body having a blade extending at one end at a right
angle outward and an arın or wing vertically projected from the opposite end of the
body provided with a concaved outer edge and terminating in a horizontal stop lug,
of a brake consisting of a spring bar a brake shoe at each end of the bar and means,
substantially as described, for forcing the brake shoes apart, as and for the purpose
specified.
5. In a ditching machine, the combination, with the elevating wheel, of a series of
buckets journaled thereon comprising a body a blade extending at a right angle
from one end of the same in contact with the wheel periphery a vertical arın projected
upward from the opposite end of the body provided with a curved outer edge a stop
lug extending from the top of the arm and a pintle attached to the body near one
end, substantially as shewn and described.
=
6. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame an elevating wheel journaled in the
frame and a series of angled buckets journaled upon the elevating wheel the vertical
member whereof is provided with a rear curved edge and a stop lug integral with
its top, of a delivery spout hinged to the frame a trip-pin secured to the frame and a
friction roller above said pin, both adapted for contact with the curved member of

page_text: the buckets, substantially as shewn and described, whereby the load is delivered
from the buckets to the chute when the former is near the latter, as set forth.
7. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame an elevating wheel journaled in the
frame a series of angled buckets journaled upon the elevating wheel, the vertical
member whereof is provided with a rear curved edge and a stop lug and a spring
brake contacting with two opposed bucket pintles, of a trip-pin secured to the frame
and a friction roller above said pin both adapted for contact with the curved member
of the bucket and a delivery chute hinged to the frame above the stop-pin and
roller, substantially as shewn and described.
8. In a ditching machine, the combination, with the frame, of a delivery chute
hinged thereto whereby the said chute will accomodate itself to ditches of various
depths, substantially as specified.
9. In a ditching machine, the combination, with the frame an elevating wheel
journaled in the frame and buckets pivoted in the wheel, of a delivery chute hinged
to one side of the frame and means, substantially as described, for tripping the buckets,
as and for the purpose specified.
10. The combination, with the elevating wheel of a ditching machine and a
series of angle buckets pivoted thereon, of brake shoes contacting with the pintles
of opposed buckets and a spring bar connecting said shoes, substantially as shewn
and described.
11. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame an elevating wheel journaled
therein and buckets journaled upon said wheel, of a trip-pin and friction roller
adapted to engage with the buckets said friction wheel being provided with a long
spindle held to revolve in an extended sleeve projected from the frame, substan-
tially as shewn and described.
12. In a ditcher, the combination, with the frame, of a long sleeve horizontally
secured to the frame, a spindle journaled in said sleeve and a friction trip-pulley
secured to said spindle, substantially as shewn and described and for the purpose
specified.
13. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame an elevating wheel journaled in
the frame and a series of angle buckets journaled upon the said élevating wheel
of a trip-pin and friction roller. secured to the frame adapted for contact with
the outer edge of the vertical member of the buckets to dump the latter, and a
horizontal roller journaled in the frame adapted for contact with the inner edge of
the vertical member of the buckets to restore the same to their normal position,
substantially as set forth.
14. In a ditcher, the combination, with an elevating wheel and a series of
buckets journaled thereon, of a throat formed at the rear of the wheel provided with a
yielding back substantially as shewn and described.
15. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame, an elevating wheel journaled in
said frame and buckets journaled upon the wheel, of a throat constituting a portion of
the frame at the rear of the wheel and provided with a spring back independent of its
sides, substantially as shewn and described.
16. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame an elevating wheel journaled in said.
frame, buckets journaled on said wheel, and a throat formed at the rear of the whee
having a spring back of plough standards pivoted to the frame and a shoe secured to
said standards capable of telescoping upon the spring back of the throat, substantially
as shewn and described.
17. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame an elevating wheel journaled
in said frame, angled buckets journaled in said wheel, means, substantially as
shewn and described, for tripping and readjusting the buckets, and a throat formed
at the rear of the elevating wheel having a spring-back, of plough standards
pivoted to the frame a shoe grooved to receive said standards capable of telescoping
upon the spring back of the throat, a two-piece plough share attached to the shoe
and means, substantially as shewn and described for raising and lowering the said
plough shoe, as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 18. The combination, with the frame of a ditching machine, of two opposed
standards secured to said frame one standard being provided with an integral
sleeve-bearing, capable of journaling a shaft, and an aperture in said sleeve capable
of journaling a shaft at a right angle to the standard the opposed standard being
provided with apertures capable of journaling both said shafts, substantially as shewn
and described.
19. A standard adapted to journal a shaft and having a sleeve integral with one
face thereof, provided with an aperture capable of receiving a shaft at a right angle
to the standard, substantially as shewn and described.
20. In a ditcher, the combination, with the frame and a bail secured transversely of
the frame, of a tongue pivoted to the frame beneath the bail, a bail secured to the
tongue beneath the frame bail and a set screw passed through the frame bail to a
contact with the tongue bail, substantially as shewn and described, whereby the tongue
may be raised or lowered, as set forth.
21. In a ditcher, the combination, with the frame and a tongue pivoted in the same,
of a clevis held to slide upon the tongue and a whiffletree attached to the said clevis,
substantially as shewn and described.
22. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame, plough standards pivoted to the
central arch of the frame and a tongue pivoted in the forward end of the frame, of a
clevis having curved sides held to slide upon the tongue, a whiffletree attached to the
clevis an evener attached to the whiffletree and chains connecting the evener and
plough standards, substantially as specified.
23. In a ditcher, the combination, with a frame having a central yoke and a
U-shaped clevis fulcrumed upon said yoke, of a grooved U-shaped carriage pro-
vided with friction rollers adapted for contact with the said clevis, axles projected from
said yoke and drive or guide wheels held to revolve upon the axles substantially as
shewn and described whereby the machine is guided by the carriage and drive wheels
npon the ground, the elevating wheel of the machine permitted to sink to any desired
depth, and the frame of the machine is given vertical movement when desired, as set
forth.
Dated this 11th day of February 1890