IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Foulkes Shillington, of No. 19,
College Square North, Belfast, Ireland, for the Invention of "Im-
TMT
No text detected.
Sealed the 9th October 1868, and dated the 13th April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Foulkes
Shillington at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 13th April 1868.
I, THOMAS FOULKES SHILLINGTON, of No. 19, College Square North,
Belfast, Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
The object of the first part of my Invention is the cutting of grass
or crops of grain in such a way that when cut all the ears or heads
will have a tendency to fall in the same direction and not become
entangled. To accomplish this object I arrange the cutters or knives
to move only in one direction while cutting instead of giving to them
a reciprocating motion as hitherto. I make the sickle or knife bar
in which the cutters are comprised either flexible or rigid. When

page_text: the sickle is made flexible I attach the cutters to a chain, cord, or
strap which runs horizontally round a pulley at each end of the finger
bar. The pulley which is nearest to the main frame has suitable
notches or teeth to catch the flexible sickle and is driven by gearing
from the driving wheel. On each side of the finger bar I place a tube
having a longitudinal slot along its entire length. The flexible sickle
in its passage between the two pulleys herein-before mentioned passes
through the tubes, and the cutters pass along through the longitudinal
slots in the said tubes projecting in the usual way in the direction
of the crop to be cut. When the sickle is made rigid I construct it
in the usual manner by fixing steel cutters to a thin bar, but instead
of giving to the said sickle the usual reciprocating motion I attach
it at each end to a crank or excentric which is placed at each end
of the finger bar in a similar position to that of the pullies herein-
before mentioned. The excentric nearest to the main frame is driven
by gearing from the driving wheel and is connected by a belt with
the excentric at the opposite end of the finger bar so that both
excentrics may revolve at the same speed. When in action the sickle
works in the same manner as an ordinary connecting rod between
two cranks. In its forward motion the said sickle projects through
and between the fingers of the finger bar, and after proceeding the full
length of the stroke in one direction it is drawn back by the excentrics
into the inside of the finger bar, which is made hollow to receive it.
I also make the fingers for my improved machine of a peculiar shape,
that part of such fingers above the slot through which the cutters, pass
projecting beyond the part below the said slot. The said fingers are
broader at the middle than at any other place and are made taper or
gradually smaller both towards their point or outer extremities and also
towards the finger bar. The object of this construction is that when
the crop is pulled against the fingers by the motion of the cutters,
the upper or projecting part of the fingers will throw all the grain
in an opposite direction to the course of the sickle, while the taper
part of the said fingers will give the grain when falling an inclination
backwards towards the tilting platform. As the cutters enter the
fingers on one side only I make the fingers straight on the opposite
side to which the cutters enter, and I make the slot through which
the said cutters pass wider towards the straight side, so that in case
the cutters on entering the slot carry anything in with them they may
not become wedged.

page_text: Another part of my Invention consists in making mowing and reaping
machines reversable, that is to say, so that they may be readily
changed to cut the grass or crop either at the right or left hand of
the machine. The main frame is made circular and in two parts.
The first of the circular parts of the frame has a deep groove running
in the direction of its circumference, and to this frame I attach the
body of the machine. The second circular part of the frame is made
to fit into and slide around freely in the groove of the first part, and
to this second part of the frame I attach the shafts or pole. I fix
also to the second part of the frame a stopper, which fastens or locks
the said part to the first part and prevents its moving round, but
which on being pressed by the driver's foot allows the second part to
move freely on the first part. I make the finger bar with a row of
fingers on each edge instead of on one edge only as heretofore. When
my improved flexible sickle is used no extra cutters are required for
the extra number of fingers because the sickle in passing round the
pulley at the ends of the finger bar passes through the two slotted
tubes and is the same on one edge as on the other. When rigid
sickles are used, whether constructed in the ordinary manner or according
to my improved method herein-before described, I fix to the same
a double row of cutters, that is a row of cutters on each edge, so that
it may cut at either edge accordingly as the machine is drawn in one
direction or another. When a mowing or reaping machine made
according to the second part of my Invention is being used, and the
crop on the left hand of the machine is lying inconveniently for being
cut, the driver by placing his foot on the stopper may disconnect the
two circular parts of the main frame, turn his horses round, connect
the two parts of the frame again, and proceed in the opposite direction,
the grain being then on his right hand. The action of the machine
will then be reversed and the cutters will move in the necessary
direction for cutting from the edge of the finger bar which is now
next to the uncut crop. When either the flexible or rigid sickles.
herein-before described are used for a non-reversible machine, I make
the cutters in the form of an obtuse or right-angled triangle and
sharpen them at one edge only. The object of this mode of con-
struction is to shorten the links of the chain of which the flexible.
sickle may be composed and to enable a greater number of cutters
to be fixed to the same length of sickle than has heretofore been
accomplished.

page_text: The object of another part of my Invention is to facilitate the
collection of the crop into sheaves when cut and to lay it on the
ground in such a manner as to leave a clear track for the machine to
pass over in coming back. For laying the cut crop on the ground I
use an openwork tilting platform hinged to the finger bar, as has been
heretofore used, but in order to throw the cut crop as far as possible
from the standing crop I make about one-third in length of the
tilting platform at the end next the standing crop flexible and without
openings. This part of the platform may be formed either of strong
canvas or of wood lathes joined together by a chain cr cord. I attach
the end of this flexible portion of the platform which is next to the
standing crop to a wooden shaft hinged to the outer end of the finger
bar in such a manner that it cannot touch the ground but is held
up almost perpendicularly. The other end of the said flexible part is
attached to the openwork platform. When collecting the crop the
openwork platform is held up by the attendant's foot in the usual
manner, and the flexible portion being attached to it is conveniently
held up also. When enough of the crop has been collected the platform
is allowed to fall down again, and the flexible portion being held up
at the outer end and let down at the inner end forms an inclined
plane. The cut crop slides down this inclined plane till it reaches
the openwork of the platform and is thereby delivered and deposited
on the ground.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Foulkes Shillington, in the Great Seal 25
Patent Office on the 13th October '1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
FOULKES SHILLINGTON, of No. 19, College Square North, Belfast,
Ireland, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her 30
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of April, in the year.
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Thomas Foulkes Shillington, Her special

page_text: cutters pass projects beyond the part below the said slot. The said
fingers are broader at the middle than at any other place, and are made
taper or gradually smaller towards their point or outer extremity, and
also towards the finger bar. When the crop is pulled against these
fingers by the motion of the cutters, the upper or projecting part of the
fingers will throw all the grain in an opposite direction to the course of
the sickle, while the taper part of the said fingers will give the grain when
falling an inclination backwards towards the tilting platform. As the
cutters enter the fingers on one side only, I make the slot or aperture
through which the said cutters pass wider towards the side at which
the cutters leave the fingers, so that if the. said cutters on entering
the slot carry anything in with them they may not become wedged in
the fingers. Although I provide the finger bar with a row of fingers
on each edge instead of on one edge only as heretofore, no extra cutters
are required for the extra number of fingers, because the "sickle" in
passing round the pulleys at the ends of the finger bar and through
the grooves or guideways on each side of the finger bar acts in the
same manner on both sides of the said bar.
Another part of my Invention consists in making my improved
mowing and reaping machines reversible, that is to say, so that they
may be readily changed to cut the grass or crop either at the right
or left hand side of the machine. For this purpose the main frame of
the machine is made in two parts, preferably circular. One of these
parts of the frame has a deep groove or channel extending around its
periphery, and to this part of the frame I attach the body of the machinc.
The second part of the frame is made to fit into and slide freely in the
groove in the first part, and to this second part of the frame I attach
the shafts or pole to which the horse or team is connected. I also fix to
one part of the frame a stopper which fastens or locks the said part to
the other part and then prevents its moving round, but which ou being
pressed by the driver's foot or otherwise allows the second part of the
frame to move freely on the first part. When a mowing or reaping
machine made according to the second part of my Invention is being
used, and the crop on the left hand of the machine is lying in-
conveniently for being cut, the driver by placing his foot on the stopper
may disconnect the two parts of the main frame, turn his horses round,
connect the two parts of the frame again, and proceed in the opposite
direction, the grain being then on his right hand. The action of the

page_text: machine will then be reversed and the cutters will move in the
necessary direction for cutting on the edge of the finger bar which is
now next to the uncut crop. In constructing a non-reversible machine
I make the cutters in the form of an obtuse or right-angled triangle
and sharpen them at one edge only. The object of this mode of
construction is to shorten the links of the chain of which the flexible
sickle may be composed and to enable a greater number of cutters to
be fixed to the same length of sickle than has heretofore been
Figure 1 is a plan partly in section of my improved machine;
Figure 2 is an end elevation also partly in section of the same; Figure 3.
is a section of portions of the said machine; Figure 4 is a section on
the line x, x, Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side clevation of the said
machine; Figure 6 illustrates a detached portion of the same; Figure 7
is a plan of a machine constructed according to a modification of my
improvements; Figure 8 is a rear end elevation partly in section of the
same; Figure 9 is a section on the line y, y, Figure 7; Figure 10 is a
side elevation of the said machine; Figure 11 illustrates portions of
the same; Figures 12 and 13 illustrate further modifications of my
improved machine; Figures 14, 15, 15, 16, 17, and 17* illustrate
detached portions of my Invention drawn to an enlarged scale. Like
letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
I will first describe the machine illustrated in the Figures from 1
to 6. The main frame a, whose construction is herein-after more fully
described, is made of suitable strength to support firmly the working
parts of the machine. The said frame is provided with a bearing b
for carrying the axle c and with suitable means for supporting the
wheels, shafts, and other connections by which motion is communicated
to the operative parts of the machine. The endless chain or band of
cutters e revolves horizontally around two pullies e, f, one of which
is placed at each end of the finger bar e¹. The pulley which is nearest
to the main frame a has notches or teeth on its periphery or is otherwise
suitably formed to prevent its slipping round without driving the
"sickle." The said pulley is keyed upon the vertical shaft or spindle g,
which is supported in a bearing on the bracket a¹ and is driven by the
bevel wheel and pinion g', g. The bracket a', which is secured by.

page_text: screws, bolts, or otherwise to the frame a, has a socket a² formed on
its lower end into which the finger bar e¹ is fastened and by which it
is firmly connected with the frame a. The bevel wheel g' is keyed on
the shaft h, on which is also firmly fixed the pinion g³. Motion is
imparted to the shaft h through the spur wheel i, which revolves on
the stud j and gears into the pinion g³, and also into the internally
toothed spur wheel k. The said internally toothed wheel is attached
to the carrying wheel 2, which revolves on the main axle c. With
the wheels arranged in the proportions shown in the Drawings the
chain pulley will make about twenty revolutions to one revolution of
the carrying wheel, but I do not limit myself to this or any other
proportion or arrangement of gearing. A cross bar a* of cast iron
or other suitable metal is bolted or otherwise secured at both ends
upon the frame a and supports the stud j and one end of the shaft
or axle c. The part of the shaft c outside the carrying wheel is
made in the form of a loop c', and is bolted to the cross bar a*.
The pinion works in this loop or aperture in the said shaft. The
pitch lines of the wheels and pinion are indicated by dotted lines in
Figure 4.
In the application of the second part of my Invention to this machine
the main frame a is made circular and in two parts. The first part a³
of the circular frame has a deep groove a* extending around its periphery
and carries the operative parts of the machine. The second part a³
of the frame is formed to fit and work freely in the groove a', and
to this part as of the frame the shafts m or pole are attached, as
shown in Figure 1. A stopper n, shown detached in Figure 3, is
attached to the part a³ of the frame and is provided with a bolt or pin n¹,
which passes through both parts of the said frame and is kept in that
position by the spring n³ until pressed by the foot or otherwise. While
the pin n¹ remains in this position the two parts of the frame are securely a
locked together, but when drawn back the part as of the frame may
be moved freely around in the groove a* in the other part of the frame.
The finger bar e¹ has a row of fingers e³ on each edge, so that either
edge of the said bar may be presented to the crop, and it is obvious
that as the endless "sickle" or series of cutters travels over and between a
the pulleys e and f the knives or cutters d project in the same manner
from each side of the finger bar, and consequently no extra cutters
are required to co-operate with the additional series of fingers. The
hinged cover o is used to keep the cut grass or crop from falling on

page_text: the knives at the back of the finger bar e¹; when the machine is
reversed the said cover is turned over and serves to cover the knives
on the opposite side of the finger bar e¹. When grain crops are to
be cut a tilting platform of the usual construction may be attached in
a similar manner to the finger bar e. When the crop on the right
hand of the machine is lying inconveniently for being cut the attendant
by placing his foot on the stopper n may readily disconnect the two
parts a, a, of the circular frame a; he then with his horses turns
the part a³ upon the part a³, connects or locks the two parts of the
frame together again, reverses the cover o, and proceeds in the opposite
direction, having the crop on his left hand. The cutters will then
move in the necessary direction for cutting at the edge of the finger
bar, which is now presented to the standing crop. The finger bar is
provided with a guide e* shown detached in Figure 6.
When my machine is provided with two carrying wheels the same
may be placed within the circular frame, but I prefer to construct
the said machine as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. The frame a,
which is constructed of cast-iron or other suitable material, carries on
the top a swivel table composed of two iron plates p³, p², the lower
plate p is preferably cast on the frame a and the upper one p³
is attached to the pole, as shown in Figure 10.
This plate p
moves freely upon the bolt p which passes down through the frame a
and forms the axis of the part p³. The stopper " is mounted on the
upper plate p, and its bolt n¹ passes down through a hole in both plates,
thereby locking them together. The stopper n is kept in this position.
by the spring n³ until pressed by the attendant's foot or otherwise.
The bolt then rises out of the hole and allows the swivel table to be
adjusted, this adjustment being effected in the manner already described.
Holes pare formed in two opposite positions in the plate p', as shown in
Figure 7, so that when the machine is adjusted to cut in either direction
the bolt n¹ may connect the two plates p', p³, together. The frame a
is mounted on the axle c on which the carrying wheels revolve. The
carrying wheel has attached to its inner side an internally toothed.
spur wheel which gears into the pinion i, the latter being cast or
otherwise secured on the side of the wheel ¹. The wheel and pinion ¿¹
and revolve on the stud j which is fixed in the frame a, and the
wheel, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 9; gears into the pinion g³,
which slides horizontally on the shaft r to allow the mechanism to

page_text: be adjusted in and out of gear with the wheel k, as will be hereafter
described. The iron plate s is fixed to the frame a and serves as a
guard or cover for the gearing. The main axle c is made hollow
and the part of the same adjacent to the wheel is formed with a
loop cas before described to receive the pinion g³ which works freely
inside the said loop or open part. The shaft r, which revolves freely
inside the axle c, extends from the carrying wheel and projects
through the eye of the other carrying wheel F. On this projecting
part of the said shaft is fixed the mitre wheel g', which gears into
the mitre wheel g on the vertical shaft g, as clearly shown in Figures
8 and 10. The said vertical shaft is provided with the universal joint q
or with any other. suitable connection which will allow the finger
bar to follow the undulations or inequalities of the ground. Attached
to the outer end of the axle c is the bracket a¹ to the lower end of
which the finger bar e¹ is hinged. The bearing a for the shaft g
is cast on the front of the bracket a¹. The finger bar e¹ is constructed
in the same manner in both the machines herein illustrated and is
herein-after more fully described. The said bar is bolted to the
socket a², which is hinged to the bracket a¹ by bolts passing through
two perpendicular jaws a', as shown in Figure 10. The chain wheel
or pulley, which has notches or teeth on its periphery to act on the
joints of the "sickle
or series of cutters, is keyed on the shaft g
below the universal joint. The said wheel revolves inside the socket a³
which has a bearing at the top and bottom to support the end of
the shaft g. The bolts which fasten the socket a³ to the finger
bar e pass through oblong holes in either the bar or socket, which
holes allow the said finger bar to be adjusted into or out of the socket
so that the necessary tension may be given to the "sickle." To elevate
the finger bar e¹ when the machine is not working, or to raise the
said bar over any obstructions, the lever t is placed on the top of
the main frame, and is provided with a spring stopper which
catches in the notches and thereby holds the finger bar at any
required elevation. The lever t is connected with the finger bar e¹
by the chain which passes through the guide on the bracket
a. A lever u is provided for the purpose of throwing the mechanism
into and out of gear with the internally toothed wheel k. The
said lever is connected to the bar u, whose end is formed with a
stud or projection u³ to lie in the groove g' in the pinion g³. Suitable
notches are arranged at the top of the frame a for retaining the

page_text: lever in any desired position. The pinion is attached to the
shaft by a sunken key or other device, which causes the said pinion
to rotate with the shaft but leaves it free to slide horizontally on the
same.
In Figures 12 and 13 I have illustrated the application of crown
wheels g* to my machine instead of the mitre wheels shown in Figure 8.
In this case the bracket a' is hinged or jointed to the socket a³ at
a point on the line of intersection of the pitch lines of the crown.
wheels; no universal joint will then be required.
The construction of the finger bar e¹, fingers e², and cutters d is
more clearly illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17.
The bottom of the finger bar e¹ is an iron plate es having the edges
turned up all round, as shown in Figure 15. The angle irons e* are
rivetted to the plate e³, and together with the turned up edges of the
said plate form a channel for the "sickle" or series of cutters to
travel in at each edge of the finger bar e¹. The iron plate e" is
screwed down to the sole plate e and rests on the angle irons e*,
forming a cover for the pulleys e and f, and the chain, cord, or belt of
the cutters. The outer end of the finger bar e¹ is made pointed or
V-shaped, as shown in Figure 1, the apex or point es projecting beyond
the line of the knives in such a way that in passing around the end
of the finger bar the knives may recede gradually into the groove or
guideway through which they project, and in this manner free them-
selves from any substance adhering to them.
.
The sickle as herein-before described is made in the form of an
endless series of cutters d, which may be attached to a band, belt, or
chain of any suitable kind. I prefer to construct them, as shown in
Figures 14 and 15, in such a manner that the said knives or cutters,
which are made in the usual triangular shape, form part of the links of
a chain. I prefer to construct the driving pulley or chain wheel f
which is placed at the inner end of the finger bar as shown in Figure 14.
The said pulley which is keyed on the vertical shaft g has suitable
teeth f on its periphery to act upon the sickle, but the pulley e at the
outer end of the finger bar will not require such teeth. The slots or
apertures in my improved fingers e² are just wide enough to allow the
knives to enter on one side, but their width is greatly increased towards
the opposite side, as shown by the sectional view, Figure 15*, to prevent
the wedging of the knives with grass or corn; as already explained.

page_text: These fingers have a cutting edge at both the bottom and top, and the
knives d are sharpened alternately at the bottom and top, as shown
in Figure 14, that is to say, the knives 1 have their bevelled edge
on the under side, while the intermediate knives 2 have their bevelled
edge on the upper side. The object of this arrangement of the knives
is to have a sufficient number thereof cutting against both the bottom
and top of the slot or aperture in the fingers to prevent the wedging
of any object or substance in the same. If desired, however, the said
knives may be otherwise arranged. I sometimes construct the fingers
without slots, as shown in Figure 17; in this case I prefer to place the
fingers above the knives. The cutting edge of the finger is provided with
a steel plate v, and is bevelled away from the knives d in order to present
a keener edge and to prevent the wedging of grass or other substance
between the knives and fingers. In using these fingers above the knives
the latter must have all the bevelled edges on the lower side.
The seats for the drivers or attendants are not shown in the Drawings,.
but the same may be arranged upon the machine in the usual
manner.
Having thus fully described my said improvements, and shown how
the same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice,
I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise form
and arrangement of the parts herein shown and described, as the same
may be varied without departing from the essential principles of my
Invention; but I claim,-
First. Constructing a reaping or mowing machine with cutters which
act upon the crop by a continuous rectilinear movement in one
direction.
Second. The flexible sickle composed of a continuous or endless
series of knives or cutters, constructed and arranged upon a band, belt,
or chain, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. Arranging and operating the said endless series of cutters
to travel horizontally around pulleys on the finger bar, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
•
Fourth. The combination of the said endless series of knives or
cutters with the pulleys e, f, and with a finger bar e¹ provided with a
fingers e on one or both sides and with grooves or other guideways,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: Fifth. Constructing the main frame of a reaping or mowing machine
in two parts fitted together, and arranged in combination with the
working parts of the machine and with the pole or shafts, and provided
with a suitable locking device, so that by turning one of the said parts
of the frame upon the other the machine may be reversed or adjusted
to cut the crop on either side, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The fingers e², constructed substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The endless series of cutters d and the finger bar e', with
a single or double row of fingers es,.constructed, arranged, and operating
together and in combination with a reversible frame supported on suitable
main or driving wheels and with the wheel gearing and other parts of
the machine, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Foulkes Shillington, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
sight
THOMAS FOULKES SHILLINGTON. (L.S.)