IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM CULTIVATORS, AND IN THE AND IN THE MEANS FOR OPERATING SUCH AND OTHER LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Romaine, of 12, Chapel Street, Bedford
Row, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM CULTIVATORS, AND IN THE
Sealed the 23rd November 1858, and dated the 25th September 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Romaine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th September 185<.
J, ROBERT ROMAINE, of 12, Chapel Street, Bedford Row, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM CULTIVATORS, AND IN THE MEANS FOR
OPERATING SUCH AND OTHER LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements upon the steam cultivators, for
which I have already obtained Letters Patent, the object being to facilitate
the working of such machines. In order that the steering wheels may
answer readily to the hand of the attendant, I effect a readjustment of the
weight of the machine upon the wheels, by advancing the crank shaft and
placing it between the driving and the steering wheels. To permit of this, I
remove the steam cylinders from the bottom of the smoke box ofthe boiler in the
front of the machine, and place them somewhat in the rear under the fire box
between the inside longitudinal plates of the main framing, which, in this in-
stance, is built separate from the boiler, and bolted afterwards to longitudinal
Price 8d1

page_text: angle pieces rivetted to the boiler.
And in order to provide room for the
steam cylinders, I use a cylindrical fire box instead of a square one, and place
it within the shell of the boiler. In order to avoid the danger of the inside fire
box not being covered with water when the machine is descending inclines, I
fix within the shell of the boiler an inclined plate, which extends from the
smoke box end of the boiler to a point above the fire box, somewhere about
in a line with the point of suspension of the main framing of the machine.
This plate forms a steam chamber, which dips a little below the water line at
the smoke box end, and rises gradually above the water line as it proceeds
towards the fire box end of the boiler, where it terminates in an open mouth.
The chamber thus formed allows the globules of steam to rise freely to the
surface of the water, and the steam as it is generated enters the chamber on
its way to the steam dome. This dome is divided into two distinct compart-
ments by a partition, so as to obtain two separate streams of steam to the
cylinders by two distinct induction pipes; or, I may obtain the same object,
viz,, a better distribution of the weight on the bearing wheels, and still retain
the common locomotive boiler with square fire box in the same position as I
have it at present, by placing the steam cylinders in an inverted position on the
top of the smoke box; the piston rods working in a vertical line or slightly
inclined thereto above the crank shaft, which passes underneath the smoke
box, and revolves in bearings fast on the front transverse plate of the main
framing. The steam cylinders are bolted to a bed plate in the form of a
saddle, encircling and made fast to the smoke box; by this latter arrange-
ment 1 get more room underneath the boiler for the different speeds of the
driving gear, and am also enabled to remove the levers, friction cones or
clutches from immediately alongside the large driving wheels, where they are
subject to dirt, &c, falling from the said wheels, and place them within the
inside longitudinal plates of the main framing. The water tanks in this
arrangement will form a prolongation of the smoke box or shell of the boiler,
ending in the front of the machine in the shape of a T, to which the outside
plates of the main framing are attached; but in the first described arrangement
the tanks will be placed at the sides of the boiler, and form part of the main fram-
ing. Thedigging frame I lengthen, using for its fulcrum the advanced crank shaft;
the action of the rotary digging cylinder will, consequently, be more steady.
To communicate rotary motion to the digging cylinder from the crank
shaft, I employ longitudinal shafting, revolving in bearings fast on the
digging frame, and driven by mitre or bevil gearing, the gearing next the
cylinder being boxed up to protect it from stones, dirt, &c.
To prevent the slip of the driving wheels of locomotive steam engines,

page_text: whether plain wheels are used or wheels mounted with an endless or detached
portable railway apparatus, I mount between these wheels an arrangement of
rotary spades or picks, which, as the engine moves forward, enter the ground
to any given depth. These spades or picks are bolted radially to discs, or
otherwise secured to naves or centre pieces mounted and revolving loosely on
short cranks or eccentrics, which are keyed fast to a shaft hat runs in
bearings, carried by springs attached to the main framing of the machine.
The object of these spades or picks is, that when the driven wheels slip, they
will form an abutment for stud pins or bolts projecting laterally from the rim
of the wheels, and thus prevent them from slipping further over the groun d
For wheels mounted with endless or detached railways, the stud pins may
project laterally from the sides of the said railway. When the spades or
picks are not required for use, they are lifted out of contact with the ground
by levers and screws.
To facilitate the turning of the engine at the headlands and other places, I
propose to place under the near wheel, or under that particular wheel which
for the time being acts as a centre around which the other wheels travel, a
portable turntable, consisting of two lubricated circular plates, the under one
of which forms a bearing for the upper one, and is provided, if required, with
antifriction rollers. When the engine to be turned round is of light weight, I
may use a single plate of iron or other hard substance, with a concave upper
surface, and well lubricated to accomplish the same object.
This part of my Invention, it will be understood, is applicable not merely to
digging machines, but to locomotive steam engines in general, whether
employed for traction on common roads, ploughing, or other like field
labor. I simplify the steering apparatus by dispensing with the self-acting
clutches and springs on the upright spindles of the front wheels, by providing
sliding bearings for the transverse shaft that carries the two worms, and
throwing it and the two worms out of contact with the worm wheels, relieving
the steering wheels from any controlled action in turning round; the transverse
shaft when in gear is acted upon from the platform behind by levers and bevil
gearing. Instead of employing the pressure in the steam boiler acting on
columns of water in conjunction with hydraulic cylinders for hoisting, lowering,
and suspending the digging apparatus, I now propose to employ a given dead.
weight for the same purpose, as being more constant and uniform in its action
than steam pressure.
With these improvements and slight changes in the general arrangement of
minor details, such as strength of parts, adding springs to the main axle,
arranging scarifying tines, broadshares, &c., between the digging frame for

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Romaine in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th March 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
ROMAINE, of 12, Chapel Street, Bedford Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Robert Romaine, Her special license that I, the said Robert
Romaine, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Robert Romaine, 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 "IMPROVE.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM CULTIVATORS, AND IN THE MEANS FOR
OPERATING SUCH AND OTHER LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Robert Romaine, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, 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 Robert Romaine, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates, firstly, to various improvements in the details of
construction of the steam cultivators, for which I have already obtained
Letters Patent; and, secondly, to means of facilitating the working of such
machines, and the turning of traction engines generally.

page_text: In Sheet. I. of the accompanying Drawings, forming part of this my
Specification, Fig. 1 shews, in longitudinal section, my steam cultivator in
its improved form, the chief object being to illustrate the improvement in
the construction of the boiler and the mode of hanging the digging frame;
Fig. 2 is a plan of the implement with the boiler removed, shewing the
manner of driving the digging cylinder; Fig. 3 is a detached plan view of
the back end of the fixed frame of the implement, shewing the means of
counterbalancing a portion of the weight of the digging cylinder and frame;
Fig. 4 is a detached view of part of Fig. 3; Figures 5 and 5ª are side views
of two modes of disengaging the steering apparatus shewn in plan at Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the machine, shewing the position of the
steam cylinders under the round fire box of the boiler, the water tanks, and
a tapering steam chamber contained in the boiler. The section of the steam
cylinders and the framing is taken at e, f, Fig. 2; the section of the boiler
at c, d, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the boiler and steam
chamber taken at the line a, b, Fig. 1, shewing the proximity of the bottom
plate of the chamber to the top row of tubes, and a different manner of
constructing it to that shewn in Figures 1 and 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional plan
of the steam dome taken at g, h, Fig. 1, and shewing a partition which
divides the dome into two compartments.
In Sheet II., Fig. 9 is a partial side elevation of a somewhat different
arrangement of steam cultivator, the outside plates of the framing and one of
the large driven wheels being removed; in this arrangement the steam
cylinders are inverted and placed above the boiler, being carried by a saddle
piece. The water tank is partly in section, so as to shew the meaus used for
raising and lowering the front part of the boiler and framework. Fig. 10 is a
transverse section of Fig. 9, taken at a, a, and shewing in red lines the steering
wheels and their connections, by means of which the front end of the imple-
ment is carried; Figures 11 and 12 are detached front and end views of a bed
plate or saddle piece for carrying the steam cylinders, but differing in con-
struction from the saddle piece shewn in Figures 9 and 10, by being
constructed of wrought-iron plates like a box or double girder, and by being
extended far enough outwards from the boiler or smoke box to allow the
outside plates of the inain framing to be bolted thereto, forming a rigid
transverse stay for the whole machine; Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive are end and
side views of two modes of constructing the apparatus I employ to prevent the
driven wheels of locomotive steam engines from slipping round without
advancing the load they carry, whether the said locomotives be employed on
land or for traction on common roads. In Fig. 23, Sheet III., the means

page_text: for erecting the same object is surewn as applied
railways.
In Sheet III., Figures 17 to 25 inclusive are views illustrating the con-
struction and use of the detached portable turntables which I employ for
turning locomotive steam engines round, or partly so, at headlands and other
places, whether the wheels of such locomotives be fitted or not with an endless
or portable railway.
In order that the nature of my Invention may be clearly understood, I will
first briefly indicate the character and object of the several improvements, and
I will then proceed to describe them more fully by reference to the Drawings.
To ensure that the steering wheels shall answer readily to the hand of the
attendant, I effect a readjustment of the weight of the machine upon the
wheels by advancing the crank shaft, and placing it between the driving
and the steering wheels. And to permit of this change, I remove the steam
cylinders from the bottom of the smoke box of the boiler in the front of the
machine, and place them somewhat in the rear under the fire-box, between
the inside longitudinal plates of the main framing, which in this instance is
built separate from the boiler, and bolted afterwards to longitudinal angle
pieces rivetted to the boiler; and to provide room for the steam cylinders, I
use a cylindrical fire-box instead of a square one.
In order to avoid the danger of the inside fire box not being covered with
water when the machine is descending inclines, I fix within the shell of the
box an inclined plate, which extends from the smoke box end of the boiler
to a point above the fire box, somewhere about in a line with the point of
suspension of the main framing of the machine. This plate forms a steam
chamber, which dips a little below the water line at the smoke box end, and
rises gradually above the water line as it proceeds towards the fire box end of
the boiler, where it terminates in an open mouth; the chamber thus formed
allows the globules of steam to rise freely to the surface of the water, and the
steam as it is generated enters the chamber on its way to the steam dome.
This dome is divided into two distinct compartments by a partition, so as to
obtain two separate streams of steam to the cylinders by two distinct induction
pipes; I also propose in substitution for the arrangement above noticed to obtain
a better distribution of the weight on the bearing wheels, and still retain the
common locomotive boiler with square fire box in the same position as I have
it at present by placing the steam cylinders in an inverted position on the top
of the smoke box, the piston rods working in a vertical line or slightly inclined
thereto above the crank shaft, which passes underneath the smoke box, and
revolves in bearings fast on the front transverse plate of the main framing,

page_text: The steam cylinders in this instance are bolted to a bed plate in the form of a
saddle encircling and made fast to the smoke box, by which arrangement I get
more room underneath the boiler for the different speeds of the driving gear,
and I am also enabled to remove the levers, friction cones, or clutches from
immediately alongside the large driving wheels, where they are subject to
collect dirt,&c. falling from the said wheels, and place thein within the inside
longitudinal plates of the main framing. The water tanks in this arrangement
will form a prolongation of the smoke box or shell of the boiler ending in the
front of the machine in the shape of a T, to which the outside plates of the
main framing are attached; but in the first described arrangement the tanks
will be placed at the sides of the boiler, and form part of the main framing.
The digging frame 1 lengthen, using for its fulcrum the advanced crank
shaft, the action of the rotary digging cylinder will consequently be more
steady. To communicate rotary motion to the digging cylinder from the crank
shaft, I employ longitudinal shafting revolving in bearings fast on thedigging
frame and driven by mitre or bevil gearing, the gearing next the digging
cylinder being boxed up to protect it from stones, dirt, &c.
or
To prevent the slip ofthe drivingwheels of locomotive steamengines, whether
plain wheels are used or wheels mounted with an endlessor detached portable
railway apparatus, I mount between these wheels an arrangement of rotary
spades or picks, which as the engine moves forward enter the ground to any
given depth. These spades picks are bolted radially to discs, or otherwise
secured to naves or centre pieces mounted and revolving loosely on cranks or
axles carried by springs attached to the main framing of the machine. The
object of these spades or picks is, that when the driven wheels slip, they will
form an abutment for stud pins or bolts projecting laterally from the rim of the
wheels,and thus prevent them from slipping further over the ground; forwheels
fitted with endless or detached railways, the stud pins may project laterally
from the sides of the said railway. When the spades or picks are not required
for use they may be lifted out of contact with theground by levers and screws.
To facilitate the turning of the engine at the headlands and other places, I
propose to place under one or both of the hind wheels a portable turnable
consisting of two lubricated circular plates, the under one of which forms a
bearing for the upper one, and is provided, if required, with antifriction rollers.
When the engine to be turned round is of light weight, I may use a single
plate of iron or other hard substance with a concave upper surface, and well
lubricated, to accomplish the same object. This part of my Invention, it will
be understood,is applicable not merely to digging machines, but to locomotive
steam engines in general, whether employed for traction on common roads,

page_text: ploughing, or other like field labor. I simplify the steering apparatus by dis-
pensing with the self-acting clutches and springs on the upright spindles of
the front wheels by providing sliding bearings for the transverse shaft that
carries the two worms, and throwing it and the two worms out of contact with
the worm wheels, thus relieving the steering wheels from any controlled action
in turning round; the transverse shaft when in gear is acted upon from the
platform behind by levers and bevil gearing. Instead of employing the
pressure in the steam boiler acting on columns of water in conjunction with
hydraulic cylinders for hoisting, lowering, and suspending the digging
apparatus as formerly suggested, I now propose to employ an adjustable dead
weight for the same purpose, as being more constant and uniform in its
action than steam pressure.
I will now proceed to describe more in detail my improvements in steam
cultivators, whereby the working of such machines is facilitated. In Sheet I.,
Fig. 1 is a chamber A, formed in the steam space of the boiler B, to prevent
the water in the boiler from flowing towards the smoke box end when the
machine is descending an incline, and uncovering the crown plate of the
internal fire box. This chamber is made of thin plates (the pressure being
the same on both sides), supported at the fire box end by the perforated
plate a¹, or by an attachment to the shell of the boiler, and at the other end
by pieces of angle iron attached to the boiler as seen in Fig. 6. This
chamber may also be formed in the manner shewn at Fig. 7, that is, by
vertical and inclined plates bolted to the shell of the boiler and to each other.
The steam from the chamber A is conducted by the short pipe j into the
steam dome C, where it is divided into two compartments by means of the
partition i, as shewn at Fig. 8. A cock c' is placed in the smoke box to draw
off any condensed water from the chamber A.
In the plan view Fig. 2, the main framing E is shewn as braced together
by short transverse plates and angle iron pieces bolted to each other; its
attachment to the round fire box is better seen in Fig. 6, and so is also its
connection with the steam cylinders U, U, and the water tanks T, T. The
centres of the steam cylinders U, U, are in a line with the cranks of the
crank shaft W, and these cranks are connected with the piston rods of the
cylinders in the usual manner. The crank shaft W runs in plummer blocks
m, m, m, m, fast on the framing E, and carries at its opposite ends the bevil
pinions M1, M2, for driving the bevil pinions L, L1, which are fast upon the
parallel shafts N, N. These shafts N, N, are supported in brackets n, n,
attached to the sides of the digging or hanging frame D.
braced together by the transverse girders D', D¹, shewn by
The frame D is
dots in Fig 1. It

page_text: has for its fulcrum the crank shaft W, and straps connected to the frame D
encircle the outside plummer blocks, m, m, through which the ends of the
crank shaft W pass. The digging cylinder P is carried by the plummer
blocks n¹, n¹, and is driven by the double set of bevil gearing L, M, which
are protected at each side from stones and dirt by boxes F, F, on either
side of the machine; G is the small wheel for bearing up and carrying a portion
of the weight of the digging apparatus and the frame D, and by it the
depth of the digging may be regulated by shifting the wheel axle into one or
other of the series of holes pierced in the boxes F, F (see Figure 1). The
hoes, scarifying tines, or cultivating instruments O, O, O, are bolted to the
transverse girder D',and when it is required to operate upon a breadth of land
greater than the breadth of the frame D, brackets may be bolted to the sides
of the frames D, as shewn at 01, 0'; X, X, are the fly wheels on the crank
shaft W; Y, Y, are the upright spindles of the steering wheels; Z, Z, are
segments keyed to the spindles Y. Into these segments gear the worms Y,Y,
which are fast on the transverse shaft z. In Figure 2 one of these worms is
shewn in gear with one of the segments Z, the other being out of gear with
its segment; d, d¹, (see Figure 5,) are openings or slots in the frame E to
receive the brass bearings of the shaft z and the wedges e¹. In Figure 5 the
wedge e¹ is shewn on the inside of the bearing brass, thus throwing the shaft z
out of gear with the segment worm wheel, and disengaging the steering
apparatus. Figure 5ª shews a modification of the last plan for disengaging
the steering apparatus and wheels, and also dispensing with the self-acting
clutches described in my Patent of One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
seven; g' is a feather sliding in a groove in the upright spindle Y, and in
the boss of the worm. wheel Z; it is supported and kept in its place by the
spring h¹ which is fast on the wheel Z. The spring and feather may be
placed, as shewn in this Figure, in front of the spindle, or they may be
placed behind the spindle and segment, as shewn in Figure 2. The spindle
Y being loose in the worm wheel Z, it is only necessary to press the feather
and spring back to relieve the spindles and steering wheels from all control.
Both plaus of disengaging the steering apparatus may be acted upon from
the platform behind by means of levers, &c., similar to those described in
my Patent of One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
the large driven wheels, and w¹ the front steering wheels. In Figure 3,
the back end of the frame E is shewn as made of the same breadth as
the digging frame D. It is bolted to the middle part of the frame E by
bending the ends of the plates inwards, or putting filling-up pieces to bolt
through. Q, Q, are two heavy counterweights which slide on the levers R,R,
W are

page_text: and are kept in any position required by the tightening screwso¹,0¹. The levers
R are loose on the ends of the transverse shaft t, and they are furnished with
projecting studs 6, 61, that fit in between the arms of spur wheels I, I, which
are fast on the shaft t, and gear into vertical rack rods H. Into these rods
also gear spur pinions K, K, which are fast on the transverse shaft q (see
Figure 1); m', m', are adjustable pins to hold the levers R, R, in position
when not at work, and f, f, two hand wheels fast on the shaft q around the
shaft t, which is loose in its bearings; a series of helical springs S is wound,
one end of each spring being made fast to one of the several collars o, which
are keyed fast to the shaft t. The springs are severally made fast at their
other ends to a ratchet wheel r, which turns loosely on the shaft t, enabling
the springs S to be wound or unwound to the elasticity required; the
rachet wheels being kept in their proper places by the pawls p, p, which
work loosely on stud pins on the brackets s, better seen in Figure 4.
It will be readily perceived that as soon as the digging cylinder is
dropped to the proper depth of digging, it will cause the spur wheels I, I,
and the transverse shaft t to turn round and wind up the whole of the
springs S, making them sustain a greater weight than when the digging
cylinder is up, and in proportion as the ever varying distance between the
hanging frame D and the fixed frame E increases or diminishes, so in pro-
portion will the springs S sustain a greater or lesser weight; thus they act
as a supplementary power in aid of the dead counterweights Q. With regard
to these weights Q, Q, they have the reverse action of the springs, in so far as
being set by means of the movable levers R, R, and the projecting studs 1, 1,
at or near the horizontal position, they lose the power to sustain the weight of
the hanging frame in proportion as the levers R, R, assume the vertical
position, and as the distance increases between the fixed and hanging frames.
That portion of the weight of the digging apparatus required to be carried by
the wheel G is as variable as the soils acted upon, but is generally much less
than the weight carried by the weights Q and springs S, and is therefore
easilyraised and lowered bymeans of the handwheels f, fand the pinionsK,K,
both fast on the shaft q, which is loose in its bearings. The intention of
this suspending apparatus is to render the digging cylinder and frame Das
completely self acting as possible, not only by enabling it to follow the
inequalities of the surface of the ground, but also when the cutters strike any
hard substance, such as stones, &c., assisting the digging apparatus to rise
immediately out of the ground. This result, it will be understood, is attained
by reason of the greater portion of the weight of the frame D being suspended
from the fixed frame E.

page_text: In Sheet II., Figures 9 and 10 shew the manner in which I
propose to
mount the steam cylinders, and transmit the motion of their pistons to the
driving shaft, when the square fire-box is retained. B is the boiler, provided
with a square fire-box, to which are rivetted plates p, p, and also angle iron
pieces 2, 21, at each side to connect the fire-box to the frame E. The frame E
is bolted also to the angle iron pieces z2, 2, 3, at each side, which in their
turn are bolted to cross plates h, h, rivetted to the shell of the boiler; x, x,
are horn plates, one at each side, in which are formed curved slots to receive
the bearings of the main axle. These slots are curved on purpose to accom-.
modate the main axle and common springs (the latter not shewn) in their
up-and-down movements. The front ends of the springs work loosely on stud
pins as fulcrums, and are placed in a horizontal line with the centres of the
driven wheels W, W; the driving pinions of the large spur wheels attached
to the wheels W₁ are also placed in the same horizontal line to avoid wear
and tear. ¹, x, are hanging plates attached to the frame E for carrying the
transverse shafting, on which is mounted the spur gearing y¹, y', y', y', used
for propelling the machine; W is the crank shaft working in plummer
blocks m;
V is the bed plate or saddle piece, to which are bolted the
inverted steam cylinders U, U; it is made either in one or more pieces, and
attached by bolts to the angle iron ring u', encircling the boiler or smoke box.
The dotted lines v' indicate the reversing bar and lever mounted on the top of
the boiler, and connected to a short transverse shaft, and by links at each
side to the moving parts of the engines, which work between the vertical
ribs of the saddle piece V. ¹ is the induction pipe, and the eduction
pipe. W¹, W, are the large driven wheels, and w¹ the small steering wheels;
T is the water tank, the lateral extension of which is indicated by red liues in
Fig. 10; through this tank a hole is left large enough to permit of the
cleaning out the tubes in the boiler. A vertical screw and rod wo for raising
and lowering the front end of the machine passes through a vertical tube in
the frout end of the tank, (which is shewn in section at Figure 9, and in red
lines in Figure 10,) and is made fast on the under side to the hand wheel v, by
which it is worked from the ground; it is encircled by a helical spring s¹,
which bears the weight of the front part of the machine, and neutralizes the
effect of any sudden jerks. is a screw nut formed with two projecting studs
to carry loosely two bars q', 2', which form the balancing beam to which the
spindles Y of the front or steering wheels w¹, (already described in my former
Patents,) are connected. is a fast-speed pinion; andu, a slow-speed pinion
keyed to the crank shaft W.
At Figures 11 and 12, the bed plate V is shewn formed by two vertical and

page_text: two horizontal plates rivetted together with angle iron or otherwise. c is the bed
plate for the steam cylinders; and b, the bed plate for the double crank shaft
W. The outside plates E', E', shown broken off at Figure 12, lead to the front
part of the machine, and are attached to the projecting boxes (through which
the spindles Y,Y,pass), forming part of the water tank T. The outside plates
of the framing E, E, lead to the back end of the machine. Both outside
'plates are firmly bolted at d, d, to angle iron pieces rivetted to the ends of the
saddle piece, as shewn by dots. a,a,are two angle iron rings through which the
boiler is passed, and through which the shell of the boiler, smoke box, or tank
is bolted; sufficient room is allowed between the vertical plates to get at the
working parts of the steam engines from each end of the box or saddle piece,
for the purpose of cleaning and repairing. Holes and sliding shutters are
placed at the front side for the purpose of oiling, &c., and a cover is also
provided for each end, so that most of the moving parts are boxed up to
protect them from dust, &c. The steam cylinders, besides being coated with
felt, &c., are cast with steam jackets to prevent condensation.
At Figures 13 and 14, the mode of preventing the slip of the driven wheels
is shewn; A, A¹, are sets of spades, picks, or mattocks, firmly secured to
centre pieces or naves which revolve loosely on short stud axles which form
'the extremities of a crank shaft B'. This shaft is mounted loosely in bear-
ings G¹, G, that are suspended by common bearing springs and shackles
attached to the framework E. Keyed to the crank shaft B' is a lever C¹, by
the raising or depression of which by means of a regulating screw, (as shewn
at P¹, Figure 16,) or otherwise, the crank shaft will be turned on its axis, and
caused to raise the spades or picks out of or depress them into the ground;
Fare projecting stud pins or bolts let into the fellies or rims of the driven
wheels W, W¹, at certain distances. When the space under the main axle
of the driven wheels is occupied by a tank, or otherwise, the biting apparatus
is placed alongside the driven wheels, as shewn in Figures 15 and 16. The
springs D¹, D', in that case will have to carry, press, and lift up the series of
spades, and therefore the several plates of the springs are held together by the
clips a³, and the springs are made adjustable vertically. One end of the
springs D' works loosely on a fulcrum K', which is situated at any convenient
part of the framework or boiler, and the other end of each spring has a slot
in it to receive a screw P¹, which presses through it, and by means of two
flanches, made fast to the screw rod, retains a hold of the spring. This
screw P¹ works through anut and journal d³ fixed to the framework or boiler,
and it receives an axial motion from the hand wheel b', for the purpose of
raising or lowering the spring as required. The action of this biting appa-

page_text: ratus is, that when the spades or picks A¹ are depressed or driven into the
ground, they will form abutments against which the projecting studs F¹ will
meet with resistance enough to prevent them, and therefore the large driven
wheels, from slipping or revolving round without advancing the machine or
the load they carry.
The modes of constructing and using the detached portable turntable for
turning a steam cultivator or locomotive engine, whether in the field or
elsewhere, is shewn in Sheet III., wherein Figure 17 is a plan, and Figure 18
a section, of the simplest form, the same being a circular plate or disc with a
slightly concaved upper surface. This may be employed for turninglocomotive
engines of light weight at headlands and other places. Figure 19 is a section,
and Figure 21 is a plan, of a turntable with antifriction rollers arranged in a
skeleton frame, and turning round a centre pin. This arrangement is suitable
for turning locomotive engines of heavyweight at headlands and other places.
Figure 20 shews another form which may be employed when the weight to be
turned is not very heavy. It consists merely of two plain surfaces well
lubricated, the upper one turning round on a fixed centre pin. Figure 22 is a
plan,and Figure 23 is a section of a turntable arranged with friction rollers, but
without a centre pin. It is shewn in the act of facilitating the turning of an
engine, fitted with a pair of wheels carrying an endless or portable railway.
This turntable is larger than the others, and is employedwhen the locomotive
to be turned requires to travel a little sideways. This is especially requisite
where the digging or cultivating implements employed are of a greater breadth
than the outside breadth of the large driven wheels W', W₁, so that the
digging cylinder or implement of cultivation in turning half round or
nearly so, may not overlap too much the strip of land previously cul-
tivated, but be exactly or nearly in a line with the outside of such strip of
land. The wheel on the turntable is scotched by a wedge placed between
the wheel and the portable rail while the other wheel on the ground is driven
round, forming a much larger radius than if the wheel on the turntable were
turning on its own centre, as it would do if a small turntable were employed;
by forming, therefore, a larger radius with the outside driven wheel, I am
enabled to turn the locomotive so as to take up a new strip of land exactly
in the position required, and also to relieve the portable railway of a good
deal of the strain thrown on the ears and other attachments to the wheels.
Figures 24 and 25 illustrate the mode of turning my improved cultivator
by running both the driven wheels upon the turntable; in this instance the
driven wheels are thrown out of gear, and a biting wheel W² in gear with
the crank shaft W is let down on to the ground. This wheel as it is

page_text: rotated will take a firm hold of the ground, and cause the engine to move
round the turntable as its fulcrum.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of improvements in the
construction of steam cultivators, and in the means for operating such and
other locomotive steam engines," and explained the manner of carrying the
same into effect, I wish it to be understood that, under the above in part
recited Letters Patent, I claim the several improvements above enumerated
and described with reference to the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Romaine, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Witness,
JOHN CLARKE,
66, Chancery Lane.
ROB. ROMAINE. (L.S.)