AN IMPROVEMENT IN DRILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRILLING CORN, GRAIN, SEEDS, PULSE, AND MANURE
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, the Right
Honorable CHARLES CALLIS Baron, WESTERN, of Rivenhall, in the County of
Essex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Third day of November, in the second year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Charles Callis Baron Western, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Charles Callis Baron Western, my exors,
admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Callis Baron
Western, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN DRILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRILLING CORN, GRAIN, SEEDS,
PULSE, AND MANURE;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that
I, the said Charles Callis Baron Western, shall cause a particular description
of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the.
said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles Callis Baron Western, do hereby declare that the nature of my,
[

page_text: said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed and
carried into effect, are particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention consists,
Firstly, in the addition of a pair of wheels, of a peculiar form, to the fore
part of a drilling machine of the usual construction, or what is more commonly
known by the name of the "Suffolk Lever Drill;" and in an apparatus
attached to these wheels, by which the course or direction of the machine is
governed whilst in motion, so as to counteract the unequal or irregular draught
of the horses, by which the corn, grain, seeds, pulse, or manure, will be
deposited in a more unform and regular manner than heretofore.
Secondly, in the application of hinges to the levers on which the funnels and
pipes, which convey the seed to the rows or furrows are fixed) and by which
they are kept at their proper distance and perfectly parallel to each other,
whilst the grain or seed is being deposited in the ground.
And, thirdly, in the application of iron sockets to the said levers for the
purpose of fixing the coulters or shares which form the rows or furrows
to receive the corn, grain, seeds, pulse, or manure, in a more firm and effectual
manner than heretofore.
.
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In the Drawing hereunto annexed I have shewn three several views of a
drilling. machine, and have colored only those parts to which my improve-
ments refer; and, in order to make my Invention more clearly understood, I
will describe generally the several parts of the machine, and refer more
particularly to those parts to which my improvements relate.
Figure 1 is a side view of the drill as it would appear in a working state.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, the seed box, and the apparatus connected
therewith, being removed. Figure 3 is a vertical section, taken on the
line A, B. C, C, is the framing of the machine; to this are attached the
wheels D, D, which carry the whole machine. E, E, is a long box or hopper,
extending the whole width of the framing, and divided by a partition into two
divisions, the upper portion of which contains the corn, grain, seed, pulse, or
manure, whence it passes through the narrow slit or opening of the partition
into the lower chamber, where it is taken up by the cup wheels. This box rests
at each end upon two adjustable levers F, F, and is connected to the framing
by a link in the centre at G, G. Within the lowest portion of the box or
hopper are a series of wheels H, (one only being shewn in the section,)
mounted upon a long spindle, having its bearings in the ends of the box. These
wheels have small cups projecting from them on either side, which take
up the corn, grain, seed, pulse, or manure, as they fall from the hopper,

page_text: and in their revolution' convey it down through the funnels and pipes I'; 1,
into the ground. At one end of the spindle of these wheels is fixed a pinion
which gears into a toothed wheel fixed on one of the naves of the wheels D,
which gives motion to the cup wheels H. In order to regulate the rate
of speed at which the corn, grain, seeds, pulse, or manure shall be sown, or the.
quanty delivered, the box is made to rise out of gear by the depression
of a lever J, turning on a fulcrum at K, so that a larger or smaller pinion. may
be fixed on the spindle as occasion may require; and L, L, are two guides, in
which a stud, fixed to the end of the lever and to the box, moves while
it is being lifted out of gear. The box is also lifted out of gear by these
means, when the machine has been driven the whole length of the rows or
furrows, in order that no corn, grain, seeds, pulse, or manure may be deposited
while the machine is being turned round, the funnels I' are fixed by latches
to the inside of the box, immediately under the cups of the wheels H; and
the pipes I' are suspended loosely by chains and links to each other, and to
the funnels, the lower pipes being fixed in holes in the levers M, M, which
levers move up and down (according to the inequalities of the land) upon
hinges N, which hinges form the second feature of my improvements, and to
which I will hereafter more particularly refer."
O, O, are iron sockets (forming the third part of my Invention) fixed to the
levers, and into which the upper part of the shares or coulters which form the
furrows or rows for the seed to fall in are fixed by wedges, so as to admit of
being adjusted. P is the share or coulter, and Q a sheath fixed to it, which
acts as a guide to the lowermost pipe, and directs the corn, grain, seeds, pulse,
or manure into the furrows formed by the shares. The levers, whilst in-
action, are suspended loosely by chains passing over a long roller R, and have
weights S at their ends, which give the proper pressure to the shares or
coulters, and thus produce the requisite depth of the rows or furrows. The
weights are capable of being changed from a larger to a smaller size, as the
quality of the land may require a greater or lesser pressure upon the levers. At
one end of the roller R is a toothed wheel and handle T, by which the levers
are wound up so as to lift the coulters out of the ground whilst the machine is
being turned; and a slotted lever U, which has a stud in it, is allowed to drop
into one of the teeth after they are raised to their proper height, and there
hold them fast. As the machine is passing over the surface of undulating
ground, or when the corn, grain, seed, pulse, or manure is nearly expended, it
is necessary to adjust the angle of the seed box, which should be kept as nearly
level as possible, in order that the corn, grain, seed, pulse, or manure may be
delivered equally to the cup wheels. This is effected by turning the handle

page_text: of the long horizontal screw V, which, passing through the jointed levers and
stays W, W, will raise or lower the front or back of the box into the required
position, the box turning on its fulcrum at G, G. X, X, are two strong irons
for the purpose of scraping off the mud or dirt that may accumulate on the
wheels. Z, Z, are bearings for the iron rod which forms the angle on which
the levers turn.
'
I will now proceed to describe those parts of the machine to which my
improvements refer. On the framing C, C, I attach a strong arched
framing a, a, which forms the bearing for the pivot of the fore axle b. c' is a
strong pin which passes through the end of the frame and through the fore axle,
forming the centre in which it turns. This pin also fastens the draught hook d
to the frame a, and is further secured by means of two strong wrought iron
stays h, h, which are bolted to the frame a. To this hook is connected by a link
the main whipple tree e, at each end of which are linked the smaller whipple
trees ff, to which the traces are attached. The main whipple tree is alsó
connected at either end to the fore axle by chains y, y, which hang loosely
when the machine is going in a straight line, but are brought into action while
the horses are turning the machine round. At each end of the fore axle bare
cast iron wheels x, x, the peripheries of which are feathered off to a sharpe edge
for the purpose of cutting or dividing a clod or lump of earth which would
otherwise impede the course of the machine. These wheels turn in bearings
bolted to the under side of the fore axle, and the fore axle is curved or bent
down from the centre pin on either side, towards its ends, in order to acco-
modate itself to the lesser diameter of the fore wheels. On the top of the
frame C, C, is fixed a footboard i, with a hollow seat j, for the man to sit upon
who guides or steers the machine; this seat also serves as a receptacle for tools
and 'other implements required for the machine. At the front of the 'foot-
board is firmly bolted a plummer block 9, of wrought iron, in which is
mounted a socket or nut k, which receives the screw 1 of the steering shaft m.
At one end of this shaft is a wheel n, with handles, by which the machine is
guided in its course. The opposite end of this shaft has two collars, between
which a forked standard works, the lower part of which standard has a pin o,
passing freely through the fore axle, and fastened by a nut on the under side,
forming, with the plummer block g, an universal joint. p is a small pin or
key, which keeps the end of the axle within the forks of the standard; and
when it is desired to turn the machine round, this pin must be withdrawn,
which will allow the force axle to turn round, independently of the shaft m.
It will therefore be evident, from the foregoing description, that should
either of the horses draw unequally, so as to turn the machine out of its proper

page_text: course, and place the fore axle in the position shewn by the dotted lines, the
man having the charge of the steering of the machine would immediately turn
the wheel'n, so as to screw back the fore axle into a right angled position, and
thus keep the fore and hind wheels in a straigh line with the required course
of the machine.
Y .
.
In Figures 4 and 5 I have shewn two separate views of my improved joints:
or binges N, the former being a plan, and the latter a section, taken through
the centre of the same. It is formed of cast iron, the broad end being cylin-
drical, which is accurately bored out to receive the axle r, on which it turns.
This axle is also turned, so as to fit accurately the joints or hinges; the sides, of
the hinges are formed so as to fit the ends of the levers, and are fastened
thereto by bolts passing through the holes s. It is desirable that the end of
the hinge should be as broad as the width of the 'rows will admit, in order that
it may get a long bearing on the axle r, by which the levers will be kept in a
perfectly parallel line to each other, and only be allowed to move up or down
should the coulters or shares strike against any lump of earth, or pass over
unequal ground. The spaces between the ends of the levers are filled by
washers u, which fit on to the axle. One of these is shewn attached in Figure 8.
The machine, as shewn in the Drawing, is calculated to contain eighteen
levers, although seventeen only are shewn; but it frequently happens that a
lesser number may be required, according to the nature of the seed, or the
judgment of the farmer who sows it. For this purpose a portion of them may
be removed from the axle, which may be detached from, its bearings at Z, Z,
by unscrewing the the nuts t,t; in this case a number of washers of cast iron,
brass, or any other suitable metal, must be placed on the axle, so as to fill up
spare left by the removal of the levers, and again tightened up to each other
by the nuts t, t, when they will be ready for action; also the funnels 1' in the
seed box are provided with doors for a similar purpose, which, being thrown
back, close up the mouths or openings into the pipes I, which formerly the
grain fell through, and throw the seed back again into the box or hopper.
the
$1.
Figures 6 and 7 exhibit respectively a plan and section of my improved
metal socket, by which the coulter or share is fixed. This socket is con-
structed to fit the coulter so close on the sides that no wedges are
admissible, and consequently all lateral movement of the coulter is prevented.
In the front and hind part of the sockets spaces are left for wedges, to fasten
the coulter to its required depth and perpendicular inclination. It is fastened
by a top plate to the levers by means of pins or screws at v, v, and the lower
part passes through the levers.

page_text: Having thus described the several parts of my improvements, I would have
it understood that I claim as my Invention,
Firstly, the addition to a drilling machine of a fore axle and pair of fore;
wheels of a peculiar construction,' and of an apparatus for guiding and directing
the course of the machine so as to counteract the unequal draft of the horses
and keep the machine in its proper course, so that the rows of corn shall be
perfectly straight and parallel to each other; and by which means, in many
cases, the horse hoe may be safely used, and in all cases the hand hoe may be
used more readily and effectually than heretofore.
Secondly, in the application of my improved metallic joints or hinges to the
levers, by which they are kept perfectly parallel to each other, and in a line
with the course of the machine.
Lastly, in the application of metal sockets to the levers, by which the shares
or coulters are fastened thereto, in lieu of the mortices formerly made in the
levers.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Callis Baron Western, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of April, One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-nine.