IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PLANTING GRAIN AND SEED, AND AN IMPROVED SEED FEEDER AND METER FOR PLANTING MACHINES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Freer, of Rothley, in the County of Leicester,
Agricultural Implement Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINES FOR PLANTING GRAIN AND SEED, AND AN IMPROVED SEED FEEDER
AND METER FOR PLANTING MACHINES."
Sealed the 1st August 1856, and dated the 20th February 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Freer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
February 1856.
I, JOHN FREER, of Rothley, in the County of Leicester, Agricultural Im-
plement Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PLANTING GRAIN AND SEED, AND AN IMPROVED
SEED FEEDER AND METER FOR THE PLANTING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
The grain and seed planting machines are adapted to steam, horse, or
manual power.
The planting machines consist of a number of wheels
attached to a suitable framework at regular distances apart; the number of
wheels and the distance between them can be varied at pleasure; round the
circumference of each wheel are fixed planters for making holes and de-
positing the seed. If required, the planters can be placed in a single row in
the centre of each wheel; but in order that the ground may be more fully
and regularly occupied with the seed, and the productiveness of the soil thereby
increased, I prefer placing two rows of planters on each wheel, one row in.

page_text: advance of the other. By this arrangement each seed is kept at a regular
distance from the others. The wheel to, which the planters are connected is
about one-half the diameter of the entire wheel. The planters, when open to
let out the seed, are nearly square at the points; 5/8ths of an inch square
internally is the size I consider most suitable. Endways, the same size is
continued from the point to the root, but sideways they enlarge in a taper
form, and at the root are more than double the width. The planters are cast
with two sides and one end, the other end or tongue is centered near to the
root of the planter, and by moving to and fro, between the sides, opens or
closes the point of the planter as required. The length of the planter is about
9 inches, but is not intended to enter the earth more than 3 inches. At the
root of each planter is formed a hopper, the mouth of which opens in the
direction of the planter point. When the mouths of these hoppers arrive at
a vertical position the seed drops into them, and is conveyed by them to the
root or seed bed of the planters, where it remains until the points of the
planters descend near to the earth, when the seed by its own gravity falls to
the point of the planter, and is ready, after the hole is made, to be let out
into the earth. Each planter is fitted with a piston, and whatever may be
the internal form or size of the open planter at the point, the point of the
piston is made to fill it. For the sake of simplicity, I connect the pistons
together in pairs by shafts of hoop iron extending across the centre of the
wheel, so that the piston of one planter is connected with the piston of another
planter on the opposite side of the wheel. The pistons move to and fro in
the planters about 4 inches, and the length from point to point of the
pistons is 4 inches less than the diameter of the planter wheel. About
4 inches from each piston point is placed an arm about 1 inch long, pro-
jecting at a right angle. This arm passes through the planter side in a groove
the same length as the stroke of the piston. When the planter has pene-
trated the soil the proper depth, the piston arm comes in contact with a slide,
which causes the piston to descend, open the planter, and drop the seed in the
earth. While the bottom planter piston is thus falling outwards, that of
the top one is falling inwards, and at the same time closes the point of the
planter. When the piston has receded to the middle of the planter there is
sufficient room for the seed to fall past the piston to the point of the planter.
The pistons of the two planters remain in the same position until, by the half
rotation of the wheel, the bottom planter takes the place of the top one. The
planters on the ascending side of the wheel are all open, with the points of the
pistons level with the points of the planters; but on the descending side of
the wheel the pistons are withdrawn, and the planters closed ready to re-enter
"

page_text: the soil. When the ground is in a good state, the weight of the wheel will be
sufficient to cause the planters to descend to the proper depths, but additional
weight can be added when needful. The framework for guiding the planter
wheel consists of a horizontal bar on each side of the wheel, and a circular
bar in the middle of the wheel between the two rows of planters. In order to
combine strength with lightness, the circular bar is braced to the horizontal
bars. On the top of the circular frame is placed the seed hoppers and seed
measurer for holding and delivering the seeds, and also two short bars placed
at an incline for causing the descent of the pistons. On the rising side of the
wheel are fixed to the circular frame knives for cleaning the sides and points
of the planters, and also pulleys for carrying sets of blocks connected by end-
less chains for cleaning the spaces between the planters. When on the
pulleys the blocks are nearly side by side, but on the rising side the sets are
separated by means of a wedge, which forces them between the spaces of the
rising planters. The rotation of the top pulley gives motion to the secd
measurer. On the bottom of the circular frame is placed a guard, somewhat
in the form of a skate iron, but much broader, for the purpose of preventing
the planters entering too deep in soft soil; the guard is placed between the
two rows of planters, and by raising or lowering the guard with a screw, the
depth of the planters in the soil can be regulated at pleasure. In the middle
of the horizontal bars are fixed the bearings in which the wheel revolves, and
at one of the ends is a joint similar to the joint of a drill lever. To allow the
wheel to rise and fall, the joint is attached to a bar connected with the shafts
for the horse. The seed measurer is a circular plate about the same diameter
as the width of the wheel, and has holes near to its circumference. Each
hole holds a sufficiency of seed for one planter; and as the different seeds vary
in form and bulk, several plates of different thickness and form of hole will be
necessary for each planter wheel. The measurer rotates upon a fixed smooth
plate or table placed horizontally above the planters, and has an opening on
each side of the wheel, to allow the seed to fall from the measurer into a spout
leading to the planter hoppers. When turning at "land's end," these spouts
are closed by means of slides, and the seed, instead of entering the planters,
falls into a small box to prevent waste of seed. A circular hopper, about
8 inches high, surrounds the top side of the measurer, which is supplied with.
seed about one inch deep, except at the delivering points, where the measurer
is kept clear of seed the space of about 2 inches, by means of partitions.
circling inwards, which prevent seed being drawn from the hopper, except
that which has sunk in the holes of the measurer. The partitions over the
holes are fixed by springs, so that when they overfill, the seed is allowed to

page_text: per
pass without injury. Within the partitions a small wheel is placed with
spikes on the circumference, which enter the holes of the measurer, and
cause the seed to drop at the proper time.. The rotating centre which gives
motion to the measurer is hollow, and sufficiently large to admit à bar
passing through it; this bar is made fast to the framework, and ascends
pendicularly above the measurer, for the purpose of supporting the reserve seed
hopper. Upon the bar near to the measurer is fixed a plate, which forms the
bottom of the hopper. The hopper is small and round at bottom, but large
and oval at top. When closed, it rests upon the fixed bottom before men-
tioned, but when open it is lifted from the bottom by means of a screw on
the top of the standard, and the seed rushes out all round into the lower
hopper. The higher the hopper is raised from the bottom the deeper the
lower hopper is filled with seed. In order to ensure the perfect closing of
the planters before they enter the soil, a small spring is placed on each piston
shaft. When the pistons are drawn in towards the middle of the planters,
these springs come in contact with the inner ends of the planter tongues, and
forcing them outwards, the contrary ends at the point of planters are turned
inwards, and thus the planters are closed.. In the foregoing Specification
where measurements have been given, they admit of variation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Freer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
August 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN FREER,
of Rothley, in the County. of Leicester, Agricultural Implement Maker, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in. the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Freer, Her. special licence that I, the said John Freer, my.
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Freer, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN

page_text: MACHINES FOR PLANTING GRAIN AND SEED, AND AN IMPROVED SEED FEEDER AND
METER FOR PLANTING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Freer, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Freer, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings annexed, that is
to say:-
My improved planting machinery consists of a number of planting wheels
revolving in frames, and having round their circumference a series of planters
of the construction to be presently explained. The frames of the planting
wheels are fixed in a main framework at regular distances apart. The
number of planting wheels and the distance between each may be varied at
pleasure. The planters may be placed in a single row round the periphery of each
wheel, or in order that the seed may be better scattered or distributed over a
certain space of ground, and the yield thereby increased, I place two rows of
planters on each wheel, and divide the wheel into two parts, so as to form a
double wheel, each part having its series of planters round the circumference,
so arranged that the planters of each series may do the work alternately. By
this arrangement the seeds are kept at regular intervals from each other, and
the hoe can pass freely between them.
Figure 1 of the Drawings annexed is a side elevation of a planting machine
constructed according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of
the planter wheels detached with its frame, having the side of the hopper
removed. Figure 3 is a section of the wheel through the axis. This wheel is
here shewn as a double wheel, or wheel with two sets of planters. A is the
planter wheel divided into two parts, each having its series of planters B, B'.
C is the planter wheel frame. The planters may be cast separately and bolted
on to an iron rim D. The centre or nave E of the wheel is connected to the
rim D by radial spokes F, F, which may be four in number, and intersect at
right angles, as shewn in the Drawing, or they may be otherwise arranged.
When the planters are cast singly, their external form may be made to resemble
the teeth of a hand saw, in order the more readily to enter and leave the earth,"
as shewn in the Diagram of the planting wheel, Figure 4, but for tenacious.

page_text: soils the planters are cased up, so as to lie flush and form a smooth periphery.
Each planter wheel or double wheel carries its own supply of seed, which is
delivered to it from a hopper G, which, as also the seed meter to be presently
described is mounted on the planter wheel frame C. The frame consists of
two bars C¹, one on each side of the wheel, and projecting beyond it both back
and front. The back ends of the bars are brought together at H, and they are
jointed in front to a bracket I, attached to the main or general framework J.
Each half of the planting wheel is mounted in a bearing i in the side bars C',
and the two halves or parts of the wheels are united by a hoop. or. hoops K,
placed vertically between them. Each wheel may be worked separately
by attaching the joint to a bar connected with the shafts for the horse, if
worked by animal power. Figure 5 is a sectional view or diagram'sbewing my
improved planters. Each planter bas two side pieces, tongues, or ribs L, L, and
is fitted with a piston M, which is placed between the tongues, and has a rēci-
procating motion imparted to it by means to be presently described. The end m
of this piston is of such a size is precisely to fit the point or orifice N of the
planter. This point or orifice is square, or nearly so. The size I prefer is-five-
eighths of an inch square internally, although I do not in any way limit myself
thereto; one of the said pieces or ribs L'is fixed, and the other L' moveable.
The fixed tongue L is bent in such manner 'as to lie in a curve or angle, or
form an elbow, the receding point or 'angle proper, being about midway of the
length of the planter. The moveable tongue L' is centred at , and when moved
by the piston, approaches and recedes from the end of the fixed tongue at Nat
the point, so that when the piston is moved inwards the moveable tongue is
brought close up against the fixed tongue L, and the point of the .planter
closed; when the piston is moved in an outward direction, the moveable tongue
is brought away from the 'fixed tongue, and the point of the planter opened; but
when the piston is moved a little further outward its end closes the point of the
planter. To ensure tlie perfect closing of the points of the planter before they
enter the soil, a small spring may be placed on the shaft of each piston when
the pistons are drawn in towards the middle of the planters; these springs
come in contact with the inner ends of the moveable tongue, and forcing them
outwards, the outer ends at the point or opening are turned inwards, and the
points of the planters, closed..
I now proceed to describe the manner in which the pistons are worked. I
connect the pistons of each side of the wheel in pairs by connecting rods O
(one of which only is shewn in the Drawings), extending across the wheel through
the centre thereof, that is to say, the piston of any one planter B is connected
to the piston of the planter B diametrically opposite to it. Each piston is pro-

page_text: vided with an arm P, projecting therefrom at right angles. These arms pass
through grooves Q, formed in the side of the planters of the length required by
the length of stroke of the piston. These arms P come in contact with a slide,
which at the proper moment forces the piston up and opens a planter on one
side, while the piston of the planter exactly opposite is forced down and closes
that planter; or instead of a slide I mount a cogged wheel R on a short
shaft fixed to the frame C at the outer side of the wheel, or, in the case of a
double wheel, to each side thereof I fix on the side of the planter wheel, round
the circumference thereof, as many projecting pins or pegs S, S, S, as there are
planters. As the wheel revolves these projecting pins come in contact with
the cogs R', R', of the wheel R, and bring it round, thereby bringing the cogs
against the piston arms P, P, and so working the pistons. In planters
intended for plain wheels the moveable tongue L' has a lip or piece 2 projecting
backwards, which fits into a sunken part of the wheel to prevent the soil.
getting in behind the tongue. Endwise the same size is continued from the
point of the planter to the back or root, but sideways they are enlarged in a
taper form, so that at the root they may be more than double the width. The
seed from the hopper G on the frame is conveyed down a shoot T, of which
there is one to each set of planters, or to each side of the double wheel, and
hence into chambers or cells U, U, one to each planter, the mouth opening in,
the direction of the point of the planter. These cells U, U, are formed as
follows:-In one side of the planter, at a suitable distance from the point,
they commence enlarging, and the gradual enlargement is continued to the.
rim, on to which the planters are formed or fixed. The space, thus formed is
divided off into chambers or cells U, U, for holding and directing the seed;.
they are cast open, but to prevent the earth from entering them, a circular or
conical casing V is fitted round them, and firmly secured to the frame of the,
planter wheel by circular rings v, v, which have arms v projecting backward,.
and meeting at H; an opening is formed in this casing V, into which the shoot
Jeads to direct the seed into the chambers or cells. The casing being stationary.
this opening is always opposite the lower end of the shoot T, whatever be the.
position of the wheel. When in the course of the rotation of the wheel the,
mouth of each cell U is brought successively in, nearly a vertical position,:
the seed drops into it, and is carried into the root or seed bed of the planter,.
where it remains until, as the point of each planter descends near-the-earth,
the seed by its own gravity falls to the point, and after the hole has been made.
to receive it the piston is pushed down, and opens the point of the planter,.
the seed drops into the earth, the piston pushing it before it until it.
leaves the machine, and falls into the hole or rut made for it in the soil, and

page_text: closing up the orifice N, prevents the entrance of earth, which would otherwise
choke or stop the machine. The movement of the piston is so arranged that
when the planter is in the position for receiving the seed the piston is at the
top of its stroke, or nearly so, so that the tongues L, L', are brought up close
together, and the point or orifice closed. The piston is kept out of the planters
until the point or orifice is brought into contact with a scraper. While the
piston of the bottom planter B is thus falling outwards, the piston of the top
or opposite one connected to it is falling inwards, and at the same time closes
the point of the planter. The pistons of these two planters remain in the samo
position until by the half rotation of the wheel the bottom planter takes the
place of the top one. The planters on that part of the periphery of the wheel
which is moving upward are all open, with the ends of the pistons flush with
the points of the planters, while in those on that part of the periphery which
is descending the pistons are withdrawn, and the planters closed ready to
re-enter the soil. When the ground is in a good state the weight of the wheel
will be sufficient to bring the planters down to the proper depth, but additional
weight can be added when needful. The divisions between the planters may
be made sharp, so as to enter the soil readily. Knives or scrapers for cleaning
the sides and points of the planters are fixed on the hoop between the sides of
the wheel; pullies may also be affixed for carrying sets of blocks connected by
endless chains for cleaning the spaces between the planters. When on the
pullies the blocks are nearly side by side, but on the rising side the sets are
separated by a wedge, which forces them between the spaces of the rising
planters. The rotation of the top pulley may be employed to give motion.to
the seed measurer. Scrapers x, for cleaning the planters, may be mounted on
levers or arms X attached to the axis of the planter wheel, or of each side
thereof. A presser wheel X', or small grooved wedge, is fixed to the outer end
of the lever X beyond the scrapers, for the purpose of filling in the holes or
ruts made by the planters. On the bottom of the frame C is placed a guard,
somewhat in the form of a skate iron, but much broader, for the purpose
of preventing the planters from entering too deeply into soft soil. This guard
(not shewn in the Drawings) is raised or lowered by means of a screw, whereby.
the depth to which the planters are to descend into the soil may be regulated
at pleasure.
The main or general framework J, to which the wheel frames are all attached,
may be so constructed as to allow as much clear space as may be between the
travelling or carrying wheels. This framework is composed of side, front,
and back bars, with a top bar above the planter wheels, to which the axle is
stayed, and to which the shafts are fixed. The main axle er axle of the carry-

page_text: ing wheels may be cranked, so as to rise over the planter wheels; or the inner
ends are divided and turned at right angles near the wheels, and bolted to the
sides of the framework and stayed to the top bar, as before stated. Or instead
of the shafts being extended across the machine, the carrying wheels Y are
mounted on a stud y fixed in the bracket I, attached to the side bars of the
framework bolts y. A roller is placed at the back of the frame, to raise
the planter wheels clear of the ground when the machine is travelling from
field to field. This roller is worked by a screw or by a hand wheel 2¹, fixed
on the roller axis Z, and prevented from turning backward by a ratchet and
paul, or it may be otherwise worked. The roller is connected by a chain ³
to the part where the side bars C¹ meet behind the planter wheel..
The planting machine may be worked by steam, manual, or animal power.
Instead of having a number of planting wheels A connected to the framework
J, one such wheel only may be employed.
I now proceed to describe my improved seed meters or measurers. My
seed meter is a circular plate, about the same diameter as the width of the
wheel, and is pierced with cups or holes near its outer edge, each hole being
intended to contain a sufficient quantity of seed for one planter. Several
plates of different thickness and form of holes should be provided for each
planter wheel, to suit different sizes and shapes of seeds. The meter rotates
upon a fixed smooth plate or table, placed in a horizontal position above the
planters, and having an opening on each side of the wheel, to allow the seed
to fall from the meter into the shoot T leading to the cells U, U. When
turning at "land's end," the shoots are closed by means of slides, and the
seeds, instead of entering the planters, fall into a box provided to prevent
waste. A circular hopper surrounds the top side of the meter, which is sup-
plied with seed, except at the delivering points, where the meter is kept clear
of seed to a certain extent by means of partitions or guides curved inwards,
which prevent any seed from being drawn from the hopper, except that which
has sunken in the holes of the measurer. The partitions over the holes are
fixed by springs, so that when they are filled to excess the seed may pass with-
out injury. A small wheel is placed within the guides, with pins or points on
the circumference, which enter the holes of the measurer, pick out the seed,
and drop it at the proper time. Rotary motion is imparted to the meter by a
hollow boss, through which passes an upright or standard, made fast to the
frame, and extending above the meter for the purpose of supporting the
reserve seed hopper. Upon this upright, and near the meter, is fixed a plate,
which forms the bottom of the hopper. The hopper is circular at. bottom

page_text: but widened out into an oval shape at top. When closed, the hopper rests
upon the fixed bottom before mentioned, but when open it is lifted from the
bottom by means of a screw on the top of the upright or standard, and the
seed rushes out all round into the lower hopper. The higher the hopper
is raised from the fixed bottom the deeper will the lower hopper be filled with
seed.
Another arrangement of seed meter or measurer which I adopt is shewn in
Figure 2. a is an endless chain, of the description shewn detached in Figures
6 and 7 (side and front views respectively), and having cups 6, 6, mounted on
it, projecting from the sides of the chain alternately in contrary directions,
that is to say, the first to the right, the second to the left, the third to the right,
the fourth to the left, and so on. This chain passes under a chain wheel d,
(mounted on the frame, and travelling in a chamber e, into which the said
hopper leads) and over a smaller chain wheelf in the upper part of the chamber
Motion is imparted to the wheels d and f and chain a by a crank g on the axle
of the upper chain wheel f¹, driven by a connecting rod h on a crank h¹; on
the axle of the cogged wheel R. The rod h is shewn as partly broken away
in the Drawing. The cups on the endless chain feed the seed alternately to
the right and left hand spouts T, leading to each side of the wheel or set of
planters.
C.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the improved construction, general arrangement, and method of action
of the planting machinery herein-before described, consisting of a number of
revolving planter wheels fitted in frames, and provided with planters connected
to or formed on a hoop or rim, and fed with seed, all as herein-before described
and represented in the Drawings annexed.
Second, the general construction of the double planter wheel, provided
with two sets of planters, herein-before described and represented in the Draw-
ings annexed, together with the method of action thereof, as herein-before
explained.
Third, the construction and method of action of the improved planter
herein-before described, especially in so far as regards the arrangements for
opening or closing the planter by means of a moveable rib or tongue; also
forming the end of the tongue with a back lap or projection to fit into a
sunken part of the wheel, in the manner and for the purpose herein-before
described.
Fourth, the arrangement for working the planter pistons the revolution
of the wheel

page_text: Fifth, the employment of springs on the piston shafts to close the planters,
as herein-before described.
Sixth, the arrangements for cleaning the spaces between the planters by
blocks, connected by endless chains, forced between the spaces by a wedge, all
as herein-before described.
Seventh, the attaching of the pistons of two opposite planters together by a
connecting rod extending across the wheel, so that while the piston of the
downward planter is descending into the earth to let out the seed, the piston
of the opposite planter may be drawn in, to prepare it for another supply of
seed, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the employment of a guard for preventing the planter entering too
deeply into soft soil, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the employment in each planter of an internal piston, which, after
the planter has made a hole in the soil, follows the seed until it has left
the machine and is deposited in the earth, all as herein-before described.
Tenth, the improved seed meters herein-before described, together with the
arrangements for giving motion thereto, and the parts in connexion therewith,
herein-before described.
Eleventh, the surrounding of the top of the meter with a hopper for the
purpose of covering the same with seed, except at the delivering points, and
the employment of partitions or guides for preventing the meter from drawing
seed from the hopper, as herein-before described.
Twelfth, the constructing of the upper hopper in such manner that it may
be raised from its bottom, in order that the seed may rush out all round into
the lower hopper for the purpose of supplying the meter with seed, all as
herein-before explained.
And lastly, the arrangements and contrivances for feeding or supplying grain
and seed, herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Freer have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixteenth day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty six
JOHN FREER. (L.S.)