Improvements in Manure Distributors.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 14th July, 1897-Accepted, 28th Aug., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Manure Distributors.
We THOMAS HOSEA MOTLEY of Grainthorpe, Lincolnshire, Farmer, and WILLIAM
HADDON OWEN, of Louth, Lincolnshire, Solicitor, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to mechanism for distributing guano or other
manure of a like nature on the land. This mechanism may be used by itself, or may
In such
form part of a machine for sowing seeds, commonly known as a drill.
machines or drills, the manure is usually carried in a hopper, whence it is discharged
and distributed over the land, as the machine proceeds, at the same time as the seed
is sown.
A difficulty is found to arise in such machines, by reason of the manure, from
various causes, becoming caked in the hopper, so that it cannot readily be delivered
therefrom.
Many devices have been employed for obviating this difficulty, so as to render it
unnecessary for the attendant, from time to time, to stir up and loosen the contents
of the hopper, as is often now the case, to promote its delivery; and to the same end
the present invention is directed.
According to this invention, the hopper containing the manure to be distributed
consists of a long box extending across the machine and approximately V shaped in
cross section. In the lowest part of the hopper is the slot through which the manure
is to be discharged.
The hopper, on either side of the discharge slot, is composed of a board capable of
sliding endwise to and fro in suitable guides, so as to keep in motion the contents of
the hopper, and prevent it from becoming caked.
Beneath the slot is a roller, constantly rotated by suitable gearing actuated by the
travelling wheels, when the machine is in motion.
The reciprocation or endway movement of the slides above mentioned is effected
by the rotating roller, preferably by means of an obliquely mounted disc, which
engages with notches in the slides, and, by its rotation in an ever-varying vertical
plane, moves the slides to and fro as desired.
The rotating roller receives the manure from the hopper for distribution, and,
when the manure is used with seed, passes it to the drills, which may be
arranged in any suitable manner, to facilitate distribution. The roller is divided,
at intervals of its length, by flanges, between which are set distributing blades.
To prevent clogging of these roller blades by the manure, they are made
alternately to retire within the roller, and to project again, when required, to assist
in carrying over the manure from the hopper.
In the above described machine, it will be seen that the advantages of an
agitator within the hopper are obtained, combined with an efficient non-clogging
distributing device, without, however, complicating the mechanisın, or appreciably
enhancing the cost of the machine.
In conclusion, we would repeat that the machine may be used for the
simultaneous delivery of manure and seeds, or it may be used for distributing

page_text: manure alone broadcast on the land, in which case the funnels of the seed drill are
not employed.
Dated this 2nd day of November 100e
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.
We THOMAS HOSEA MOTLEY of Grainthorpe, Lincolnshire, Farmer, and WILLIAM
HADDON OW. N of Louth, Lincolnshire, Solicitor, 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:-
The present invention relates to mechanism for distributing guano, or other manure
of a like nature, on the land. This mechanism may be used by itself, or may form
part of a machine for sowing seeds, commonly known as a drill. In such machines
or drills, the manure is usually carried in a hopper, whence it is discharged, and
distributed over the land, as the machine proceeds, at the same time as the seed
is sown.
A difficulty is found to arise in such machines, by reason of the manure, from
various causes, becoming caked in the hopper, so that it cannot readily be delivered
therefrom.
Many devices have been employed for obviating this difficulty, so as to render it
unnecessary for the attendant, from time to time, to stir up and loosen the contents
of the hopper, as is often now the case, to promote its delivery, and to the same end
the present invention is directed.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown just so much of a manure
distributing machine as will serve to illustrate this invention.
Fig. 1 is a back view;
Fig. 2 is a transverse section; and
Fig. 3 is a partial plan.
Figs. 4 and 5 are side views, respectively, of the right and left of the machine.
According to this invention, the hopper containing the manure to be distributed
consists of a long box, A, extending across the machine, and approximately V shape
in cross section. In the lowest part of the hopper is the slot a, through which the
manure is to be discharged.
The hopper, on either side of the discharge slot, is composed of boards, B and C,
capable of sliding endwise to and fro in suitable guides, so as to keep in motion the
contents of the hopper, and prevent it from becoming caked.
Beneath the slot is a roller D, constantly rotated by suitable gearing e, e, actuated
by the travelling wheel E, when the machine is in motion.
The reciprocation or endway movement of the sliding boards above mentioned is
effected by the rotating roller, preferably by means of an obliquely mounted disc F,
which engages with a notch b, provided with antifriction rolls, in the slide B, and, by
its rotation in an ever-varying vertical plane, moves the said slide to and fro, as
desired.
The movement of the sliding board B may, if necessary, be made more easy, by
providing antifriction rollers of small diameter, suitably arranged to bear against the
board B and support its weight. No such rollers, however, are shewn in the
drawings.
The sliding board C, which is placed within the back of the box A, beneath the
thin apron a (see Fig. 2), and has its ends projecting beyond the ends of the box

page_text: (see Fig. 1), is supported by short links g, g. These links g g, are jointed to the
arins h, h, and the latter are secured to the horizontal shaft H by means of a feather
or its equivalent. The shaft H is mounted in bearings in the hopper frame, and is
capable of rotation, so as to lift or lower the sliding board C by means of the arms h h
and links g, g, in order to adjust its height vertically, thereby widening or narrowing
the delivery slot a. G is a hand lever, by which the rotation of the shaft H is effected.
The reciprocation of the sliding board C is effected by means of a rock lever I
fulcrummed (see Figs. 3 and 5) at the middle of its length to a bracket arm at the
end of the box A. One end is jointed to the sliding board B, while the other is jointed
to the end of the link rod i, the other end of which is jointed to a lug on the sliding
board C (see Figs. 1 and 3). It will thus be seen that when the board B is moved
longitudinally by the disc F, the shaft I is rocked, and thus moves the board C to
and fro in the opposite direction, together with the supporting arms h, h, which slide
easily on the shaft H, although keyed thereto by a feather, as above stated.
The roller D which receives the manure from the hopper, is furnished with
alternately projecting and retiring radial blades d, which inove in and out as the
roller rotates, and facilitate the delivery of the manure. The blades are caused to
move endwise by the concave brackets D1, wherein the roller D rotates (see Fig, 2),
and which are supported from the framing of the hopper in any suitable
manner.
As the roller rotates, the projecting ends of the blades d come against their
brackets, and are thereby depressed, so that the opposite ends are, in turn,
caused to project. The object of this arrangement is to keep the blades clear,
and prevent the manure from caking on them.
jare funnels which are used to deliver the manure, together with seed, which,
under ordinary circumstances, would be carried in a hopper, not shown in the
drawings.
In the above described machine, it will be seen that the advantages of an agitator
within the hopper are obtained, combined with an efficient non-clogging distributing
device, without, however, complicating the mechanism, or appreciably enhancing the
cost of the machine.
In conclusion, we would repeat that the machine may be used for the simultaneous
delivery of manure and seeds, or it may be used for distributing manure alone
broadcast on the land, in which case, the funnels of the seed drill are not employed
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. Providing the hopper of inanure distributors, on either side of the delivery slot,
with a reciprocating sliding board arranged and operating as described, and for
the purpose set forth.
2. A manure distributor having reciprocating sliding boards near the delivery
slot of the hopper, one of which is adjustable, and having a delivery roller
furnished with projecting and receding distributing blades, as described with
reference to the drawings.
Dated this 14th day of Iul.. 1007