IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1877. A communi-
cation from abroad by Louis Armand Gédéon du Magny, of l'Isle Jourdain
(Vienne), France.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by Louis Armand Gédéon du Magny, of l'Isle
Jourdain (Vienne), France.
This Invention relates to a reaper and mower rectilinearly arranged in relation to
the motive power which is common to both.
The principal improvements consist in the construction of the apparatus of iron;
in the addition of a cast-iron cover or cap enclosing the toothed gearing, and in a
lever arm or blade drawing the crop or sheaf upon the apron or platform of the
reaper.
The machine is composed of two main parts:-
1°. The mowing apron or platform, with single scythe or cutter.
2°. The reaping or mowing apron or platform, with several shears.
The driving part is a carriage moved by oxen or horses, and narrower than the
two aprons or platforms.
The driving wheels A, A, (see Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawing) carry upon their axle two toothed bevil wheels gearing with a third bevil
wheel set upon the shaft B, which is the main axle.
The arrangement of toothed gearing is covered by a cast-iron cap fixed to the two
double T iron pieces C, C, supporting the driver's seat, which is S shaped. The
support for the driver's feet is fastened to the same cap or cover, which lengthens
into the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding a part of the shaft B. On the Drawing
it is shown held by angle irons to the iron cross beams C, C.
If oxen are to be yoked the pole F is attached to the cap, and will easily accom-
modate itself to the head movements of the cattle.
If horses are to be harnessed the pole F is removed, and the main trace bar, which
supports the two others, one for each horse, is secured to the hook E.

page_text: Mowing Apron or Platform (see Figures 1 and 2).-At between 8 and 9 feet or
thereabout from E (which length is about occupied by the beasts) are two wheels of,
say, 20 inches in diameter, which serve to guide and support either the mowing or
the reaping apron or platform. Upon the axle of the two wheels is fixed a frame,
carrying at its lower part the grease box, through which passes the shaft B, and
pivoting upon its centre so as to turn in every required direction without the
slightest divergence from the proper course. At its upper part is firmly fixed a
socket or step supporting a pulley G with a chain, herein-after referred to.
The shaft B carries a toothed wheel, and an eccentric is fixed to the end, which
eccentric by a lever motion actuates the scythe. The eccentric communicates by a
connecting rod E, F, with a lever which pivots upon its centre X, and is connected
by its other end V with N, forming part of the scythe which pivots on its centre at
P. It has a movement of the amplitude of from 5 to 7 feet.
It will be understood that the scytho may be modified.
The scythe is double or single, and may have a double cutting edge, so as to cut
the grass both in its come and go motion.
The axle of the wheel H is supported by a bearing bolted to the platform, which
is fixed by four arms to the axle of the guiding wheels. This platform or apron
may be easily removed by taking out the bolts which attach it to the axle and the
frame.
Reaping Apron or Platform (see Figures 4 and 5).-When it is desired to reap,
The
another platform or apron is fixed in a similar manner to that of the mower.
shaft B then gears with a wheel, upon the axle of which is set another similar wheel,
but inversely, and which gears with the wheel L.
Upon the axle of the wheel L is set an eccentric M, in connection by the rod N
with the frame of the top blades or shears, to which it communicates a reciprocating
motion. Upon this same axle is set a grooved or fluted cylinder, which supports
and moves the apron or platform T. Connecting rods P attached to this axle com-
municate the movement to the two end cylinders.
At the end is fixed an inclined plane framed on its two sides by a gallery, which
permits the laying of the crop lightly in swaths. This apron or platform is attached
to the axle of the guide wheels and to the frames in the same manner as the mowing
platforın, and is removable with the same facility.
Rye requiring to be cut at a height of about 16 inches, the platform may be
raised for that purpose; the extreme end wheel of B gears by its upper part with
the lower horizontal bevil wheel. Iron bolts hold the platform to the curved iron
stays O, and at the point R there is a joint which permits the platform always to
remain horizontal.
An arm or blade held by a spring to the platform T enters the crop, throws
it upon the platform, and draws it along the inclined plane to lay it gently upon
the ground without shaking out the grain, and even in bundles for sheaves, if
desired.
When this blade or arm reaches the point where the inclined plane begins it is
pressed down by an iron gallery, which keeps it hidden until it reaches the point at
which it issues at the other end of the apron or platform.
I may improve and modify the sheaf drawer and the arm or blade.
The entire arrangement is governed by the aid of the wheel X (Figs. 1, 2, and 3),
upon the axle of which is set a chain pulley communicating with the pulley G by
an endless chain.
The dismounted platform may be placed right and left of the seat in inclined
positions to obtain more length without hindering the beasts.