IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTERS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRAIN
AND GRASS HARVESTERS." - A communication from abroad by David
Osborne, of Auburn, State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 1st August 1862, and dated the 4th June 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 4th June 1862.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTERS," to be as follows.:-
The object of this Invention is to make a grain and grass harvester
capable in its general construction and in its operation of being changed from
a grass mower to a grain reaper, and vice versa, and yet perform effectually
the functions due: to each operation. Thus, for one purpose the cutter or
finger bar must. be flexible and follow the undulations of the ground over
which it passes, but under the control of the operator tending, the machine,
and for the other it must be rigid and be carried at a fixed distance above

page_text: the ground, influenced certainly by the ground over which the driving or
supporting wheel or wheels pass (but when mowing grass it is always under
the control of the operator, who rides upon the machine and with a lever or
its equivalent governs the cutting apparatus as to height and raises it over any
obstruction in its path). The cut grain may be raked off the platform of
the machine either by hand or automatically, and the machine may be worked
with or without a reel as may be preferred.
The leading characteristic of this machine, and one which pervades all its
modifications, is the manner of connecting the cutting apparatus to the main
supporting wheel by a hinged joint, so that either may follow the undulations
of the ground over which they pass without influencing the other. This in
cutting grass is highly important.
The following are the main points of novelty in the machine :-
1. Mounting the driving wheel on a vibrating segment plate which is
jointed to the main framing, and by means of an arc or rim rigidly
attached to the framing controlling the vibrating motion of the segment
plate.
2. Hanging the seat of the driver to a standard on the main framing
and connecting it by strap pieces to the axle of the driving wheel. This seat
consists of a long hinged lever projecting over the driving wheel, and one
of the strap pieces is fitted with a foot supporter for the attendant. By this
arrangement of the seat the weight of the driver will nearly balance the
weight of the machine, and thus the greater part of the weight, both of the
driver and the frame, will be thrown upon the driving wheel instead of the
frame dragging upon the ground.
3. The cutters employed are of the scolloped kind, and the rivets which
fasten the cutter blades to the cutter bar project above the blades and below
the bar, one or both, and suitable slots are made through the guards to allow
these projecting rivets to pass through. The object of these rivets is to
clean out any clogging matter that may adhere to the guard and which
would, if not removed, materially impede the action of the cutters.
4. For raking the cut produce off the platform automatically the rake is
jointed to an arm hinged to the main framing, and it is operated by means
of a connecting rod and link attached to a crank shaft, which receives its
motion at the pleasure of the attendant through bevil gearing actuated by
the axle of the driving wheel. A clutch arrangement, actuated by a spring
in one direction and by a hand lever near the driver's seat in the other,
throws the crank axle into and out of motion, and a ball-and-socket joint
coupling two parts of this axle together allows for the variation in the level

page_text: of the main framing. The hand lever is notched to allow of it being set in
different positions, and by a kind of trigger action the rake may be stopped
after making one sweep of the platform. If otherwise set it will work con-
stantly or the attendant may direct its operation at pleasure. i
5. Placed around the spur teeth on the driving wheel, and covering also
the pinion which gears into those teeth, is a guard or shield for the purpose
of protecting them from dirt and straws.
6. The reel axle, instead of being supported at both of its ends as is usual,
is supported only at or near the main frame; by thus dispensing with the
outside reel supporter which is apt to catch and hold the straw, a frequent
cause of obstruction to the machine, is removed. The reel is carried by a
post hinged to the main framing, and is capable of being raised or depressed
at pleasure, the fulcrum of the post being the axle of the spur pinion which
gears with the teeth on the driving wheel. On this axle is keyed a band
pulley, which receives an endless band, that passes over a larger pulley on the
reel shaft, and thence upwards over a tension pulley carried by a stud on the
reel post. By this driving arrangement the length of the belt is not affected
by the moving of the reel forward or backward.
7. The locating of the attendant's seat, when the raking is to be effected
by hand, in such manner with regard to the cutting apparatus and the
delivery side of the platform that he will be enabled to draw and deliver
the "gavel" into an unobstructed space by an easy swing of his arms..
8. Constructing the finger bar of angle iron which, besides its lightness
and strength, admits of having the platform or platform bar conveniently
attached to it, and allows of having the fingers connected to it by horizontal
bolts, which offer no obstruction to the grain or grass.
9. Combining with a transverse rod and lifting wheel (mounted on the
cutter frame) a hand. lever and suitable catch by which the driver from his
seat may raise or lower the cutting apparatus, or allow it to run upon the
ground, as may be preferred or desired.
10. The use of a peculiar form of runner on the main frame, which is
curved upwards, so that it may rise up on to and crush down the cut grass or
other crop in its path, and thus make a smooth track for the next round of
the machine.
11. Connecting the sickle bar of à grain or grass harvester to a crank
wheel that has a series of wrist pin holes at various distances from its centre
of motion, for the purpose of varying the length of stroke of the sickle bar to
suit the particular condition of the material to be cut.
12. Making the outer shoe in two parts so that the under part may be

page_text: readily unshipped from the upper, the nose of the upper part fitting into a
socket in the under part. In the rear of this outer shoe is a track clearer
composed of tapering curved steel fingers which lie in the line of traction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th December 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special licence that 1, the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTERS," being a com-
munication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing, under my hand
and seal, 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 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The object of this Invention, as. communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, is to make a grain and. grass. harvester. capable, in its general
construction, and in its operation, of being changed from a grass mower to a

page_text: grain reaper, and vice versa, and yet perform effectually the functions due to
each operation, which differ in some material points. Thus, for instance, in
cutting grass the cutting apparatus must run close to the ground, and receive
all its rising and falling motions from the ground over which it (the cutting
apparatus) passes, and uninfluenced by the inequalities of the ground over
which the driving or supporting wheel or wheels passes. In cutting grain
the cutting apparatus must be set up above the ground at a suitable height,
and be there maintained in a firm, rigid manner, but so that it may be raised
to pass any intervening obstruction, or adjusted from time to time as circum-
stances may require. For one purpose, therefore, the cutter or finger bar
must be flexible, and follow the undulations of the ground over which it
passes, but under the control of the operator tending the machine, and for the
other it must be rigid, and be carried at a fixed distance above the ground,
influenced certainly by the ground over which the driving or supporting wheel
or wheels pass, but when mowing grass it is always under the control of the
operator, who rides upon the machine, and with a lever, or its equivalent,
governs the cutting apparatus as to height, and raises it over any obstructions
in its path. It is tlic: the construction of a machine having both this flexible
and rigid capacity within itself, that forms the subject of the present Invention,
such machine being capable also of being raked off by hand, or automatically,
and worked with or without a reel, as may be preferred.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figures A and B, Sheet I., show the
manner of constructing the frame and connecting it to the drive wheel, the
gearing and details being omitted the better to illustrate the principle of the
machine.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 represent the machine as arranged for cutting
grain, and as being furnished with an automatic rake to clear the platform of
the cut grain, and deliver it in gavels on the ground, out of the line of the
return swath of the machine.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 represent the machine as adapted to the cutting of
grass or grain, the raking off of the platform being done by hand, the delivery
point being at about the same place as with the automatic raking mechanism,
shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 represent the machine as adapted for
cutting grass alone. The same general principle of construction-and operation
pervade these several modifications, which I shall proceed to describe seriatim.
In Fig. "A," C, C, C, represent a frame to which the finger beam D is
attached at its rear, and the tongue E at its front. F is the main supporting
and driving wheel. Its axle or journal a is connected to a sector plate G,

page_text: and the sector plate is connected at 6 to the main frame C, so that it and 'the
wheel F can freely swing on the connection at b, and thus the main frame
and the main wheel can move vertically, independently of each other, the
frame being uninfluenced by any elevation or depression of the ground over
which the main wheel may be passing, and the main wheel being uninfluenced
by any elevation or depression in the ground over which the finger bar and
cutting apparatus may be passing. This would be the condition and operation
of these parts when the machine was used for mowing grass, but to adapt it
to the cutting of grain other devices are necessary. On the frame C there is
an arc or sector plate H, against or close to which the hinged sector plate G
moves, and by means of shoulders or catches d in one plate, and pin holes e
in the other, the frame may be made rigid with the wheel, or the extent of
the downward motion of the finger bar and cutting apparatus may be defined,
whilst they may freely rise to any inequalities in the ground over which they
pass. Thus, by means of these sector plates, the cutting apparatus may be
set up at any regulated height, and held there for cutting grain, or it may
float over the ground uninfluenced by the main driving wheel, as is desirable
in cutting grass, and this is one of the leading characteristics of the Invention.
frepresents a shaft, which receives motion from the main wheel through a cogged
rim in the main wheel and pinion on the shaft gearing into it, and from this shaft
by bevil gears and other shafting the cutters may be driven, all of which, however,
is clearly shewn in the Drawings hereafter to be more particularly described.
On the frame C there is an upright I, to which the driver's seat J is pivoted
and stirrups g, g, extend from this seat (see Fig. B) to the axle a, so that the
weight of the driver shall add traction to the wheel. This seat can be adjusted
upon the upright I, and also to the stirrups, so as to bring the weight of the
driver more or less over the centre of the wheel. On the outside of the main
wheel there is a foot support h for one of the feet of the driver, his other foot
resting at (Fig. A), on the frame C, so that in his position he rides astride
and straddles the wheel. In the other Drawings the position and construction
of the seat is varied and modified.
Having thus briefly referred to the elements of the machine, as illustrated
by the Figures A and B, I will now procced to describe the several modifi-
cations and details used in applying these general principles to practice for
cutting and delivering grain in suitable gavels upon the ground out of the
way of the next return swathe of the machine, and in cutting grass and leaving
that in good position upon the ground. And in describing the Figures from
1 to 14, I shall endeavour to use the same letters of reference throughout
for similar parts of the machine.

page_text: Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet II., A represents the main
frame of the implement to which the finger bar, cutting apparatus, platform,
reel, and a portion of the driving gear are connected, and B is a supplemental
or segmental frame pivotted to the main frame A. To this frame B the main
driving and supporting wheel C is connected, as well as the driver's seat, and
likewise some of the gearing. There is attached to the main driving wheel C
a bevil pinion that turns with that wheel. This pinion gears into and turns a
bevil wheel a on one end of a shaft b, and at the other end of this shaft is a
crank D for operating the rake E as follows:-A rake post F is hinged at c to
a projecting portion of the main frame A, the hinge joint being so arranged
that the rake post may swing towards and from the grain side of the platform,
but not in the line of the advancing motion of the machine; a connecting rod
or bar G is pivotted to the rake post F at the point d, and its other end is
pivoted to the wrist pin e of the crank D, so that, this crank and connecting
rod define the swinging, motion of the rake post, or limit the extent of its
motion. To the top of the rake post is pivotted the shank or handle E of the
rake or fork E; this shank extends beyond its pivotted point, and at or near
its end has a pitman I connected with it, which pitman also extends to and is
connected with the wrist pin e of the crank D. It will thus be seen that the
crank D gives a compound motion to the rake by swinging the rake post
towards and from the outside divider or fence by means of the pitman G, and
causing it to rise and fall and then be drawn back over the platform, and
mainly by the pitman I, but partially by the pitman G. The fork, in going
towards the outside divider, first rises and advances in a curved line, and then
descends to the outer side of the platform; but in returning it sweeps the
stalks off. from the platform, leaving them in a compact gavel on the ground.
If the rake were allowed a continuous motion, the gavels gathered by it would
be of different sizes and in bad condition to be bound; it is therefore arranged
that the rake shall be thrown out of motion at every revolution of its gear
wheel, and be held out of motion at the will of the driver or conductor until
sufficient grain has accumulated on the platform to make the proper sized
gavel, when it is thrown into action again and sweeps the platform. This is
effected as follows:-In the back of the bevil gear a there is a series of teeth
or notches f, and upon the shaft 6 there is a sleeve or boss J, carrying an arm
K, which boss and arm are pressed up towards the teeth of the wheel a by a
spring L. The boss has grooves cut in it which slip over or upon feathers on
the shaft b, and when the arm K is in one of the notches f, the shaft b is set
in motion and operates the rake; but when the arm K is thrown out of its
notch, or any of them, it moves the boss back and disconnects the wheel a

page_text: from the shaft b; the rake then stops instantly although the wheel a continues
to run with the main driving wheel. For throwing the arm K.out. of gear a
lever M is used, which extends from near the driver's seat to a point near the
perimeter of the gear. wheel a, where it is hinged as at g to a toggle trigger‘h,
which is pivotted at i to the supporting piece N, so that when the lever M is in
the position shewn in Fig. 2 and in black in Fig. 3 the rake will continue to
run, but when the lever M is dropped, as shown in red in Fig. 3, the trigger h
is thrown out, so that when the arm K comes around to it, it (the arm) will
come in contact with the trigger and be forced out of its tooth in the wheel
and rest upon the trigger, thereby instantly stopping the rake shaft and
crank and the rake itself. When enough stalks have accumulated on the
platform to make a gavel, the driver again draws up the lever M, and the armi
I being released is thrown into one of the notches f by the spring L, and
the rake is again in motion. There is a guide arm j near the upper end of
the lever M, and two notches 1, 2, in the lever itself. If the lever be secured
to the guide j.by its notch 1 the rake will be thrown out of action and remain
out so long as this notch is used. If the lever be secured by its notch 2. to
the guide j, the rake will be in action and so remain as long as this union is
continued. Thus the driver can control the motion of the rake at his will
keeping it in or out of action as circumstances may require. It has been
said that the rake post is connected to the main frame, and yet that it is
driven from the main wheel which is on the supplemental frame, and the main
frame is raised and lowered and sometimes left free to raise and lower itself in
conforming to the inequalities in the surface of the ground or fixing the height
at which the cutters are to work. This being the case provision must be made
to allow the fork or rake to follow the platform as it is raised or lowered and
without cramping its gear, which is not correspondingly raised and lowered.
This is accomplished by means of an universal joint k in the rake shaft b which
allows the two frames all their requisite play or adjustment and leaves the rake
free to accommodate itself to the platform at any of its positions. O is the reel
post; it is bolted to the main frame at 1, so that it may when necessary to swing
the reel farther into, towards, or from the standing grain be moved on this bolt
or fastening. A guide and supporting piece P is connected to the main frame
or to two uprights Q, R, on the main frame, and has a curved slot m in it,
so that by means of a nut and bolt n the reel post may be adjusted and
supported by the guide piece. This makes the reel post rigid and firm when
it is adjusted, and the nuts are run up on to the bolts. Upon the reel post
is fixed or placed a buckle: or slide S, which for convenience is clamped to
the post at any proper height: by a cam lever. o, which makes the slide.easily

page_text: that has two bearings p, p,
adjustable on the reel post. A yoke T is formed on or connected to this slide
one upon each of its ends, in which the reel shaft
U is supported and turns. The use of an outside reel support is thus avoided.
The reel shaft and the reel receive motion from a pulley 9 on the strap v,
which is driven (through a pinion which it carries) by the spur teeth on the
wheel C. An endless belts, passing around this pulley q, is carried upwards
to a loose tension pulley t on an arm u, near the top of the reel. post, and
takes into the groove of a large pulley V on the end, of the reel shaft, bearing
upon it with sufficient friction to drive it.
When the reel is raised or lowered
the belt. will continue to drive it without any adjustment of the belt being
required; nor will the tension of the belt s be changed by turning the reel
post on its bolt 7, as the bolt is concentric with the pulley 7.
The rake or
fork E traverses parallel to and just behind the finger bar, so that it comes
against the butt ends of the straws and sweeps them towards the gavelling
space at the main frame side of the platform, and this side W is made oblique
so that the heads of the stalks which lie towards the rear of the receiver or
platform will arrive at the edge thereof whilst the butt ends are still on the
receiver or platform, and the moment the heads come in contact with the
stubble the machine advancing the gavel is drawn off on to the ground in good
shape for binding, or rather the stubble holding on to the heads, the machine
passes out from under the gavel and hence there is no dribbling of the straws
as is the case when the gavel is thrown off by mechanism that is advancing
with the machine and continues to deliver as it advances. The supplemental
or segmental frame B, which carries the driving wheel C, is pivotted or hinged
to the main frame at a point v, which point is also the centre of the pinion w,
that is driven by the spur teeth Y of the main wheel, so that the latter as it
rises or falls rolls around the pinion and always keeps in gear with it.. The
rear of the supplemental-frame is an arc of a circle and moves in or against
an arc X on the main frame, so that by means of a pin the two frames may
be held or their. motion controlled, or by the removal of the pin they may
move independently of each other as either may happen to be influenced by
the ground over which they or any of their connected parts may for the time
being be. moving. As the spur teeth Y on the wheel C run close to the
ground they would be liable to injury from stones or other obstructions, or to
become clogged with dirt, straws, grass, &c. So also the pinion w would be
liable.to damage, and particularly to catching and winding up straws, grass, &c.
To obviate this a guard or shield is provided. This guard or shield could not
be on the main frame because the driving wheel rises and falls independently
of the main frame, or the main frame must be raised and lowered sometimes

page_text: on the auxiliary frame to regulate the height of the cutters, and one would
interfere with or fail to be a protection to the other. There is therefore cast
or permanently attached to the supplemental frame by means of arms x the
shield, which curves around in close proximity to the periphery of the spur
gear Y, and protects it from injury or from clogging. This shield extends
around the pinion w to protect it also. The shaft that carries the pinion w
has upon its opposite end a bevil wheel b¹, that gears into and drives a small
bevil pinion on the crank shaft c¹, and to the crank wheel d¹ on this shaft
the pitman 9 that drives the cutters e¹ is attached. The cutters are of the
scolloped kind, and the rivets which fasten the cutter blades to the cutter bar
project above the blades and below the bar, one or both, and suitable slots are
made through the guards f¹ to allow these projecting rivets to pass through.
The object of these rivets is to clean out any clogging matter that may adhere
to the guard, and which would if not removed materially impede the action
of the cutters. B₁ is the finger bar; it may be of wood or iron, and when
of iron it may be made of angle iron, as being both strong and light, and as
affording peculiar facilities for uniting the fingers or guards f¹ to it, as also the
platform C, or the platform bar when such a bar is used. D' is the outside
supporting wheel, and E¹ the outside divider. The platform C is of a
trapezoidal form and has a fence F¹ surrounding two of its sides. G¹ is the
reel which as well as its shaft is supported only at the main frame end of the
platform; it projects form the bearing over to the outer side of the platform.
By using the overhanging reel the outside reel supporter may be dispensed
with, and thus one cause of the grain hanging on or to the outside of the
machine is removed. His the driver's seat; it is supported and may be
adjusted to any proper height on the standard R by means of the bolt h¹ and
slot ¹. In close proximity to this seat there is a small lever j¹ that works a
shipper rod k¹ for moving the pinion w in and out of gear with the spur teeth
Y on the main driving wheel, so as to start or stop the cutting apparatus
when necessary. The seat block I¹ may extend rearward, so that if it is
desirable to take off the automatic rake, and employ a man to do the raking
by band that may be done, a seat being secured at for him, or he may sit
astride of the seat block and brace himself by his legs and feet on the frame
of the machine; or when the machine is used without the self-acting rake
attachment, a raker's seat A' may be attached to the machine, as represented
in Fig. 4, the front end of the seat block or supporter I being secured to the
standard R by means of a bolt a¹, and resting on the frame of the machine
at b¹. Fig. 5 represents a modification of the device for throwing the rake in
and out of gear, in which a spring lever 11 is pivotted at 12 to the crank K;

page_text: the end of this spring lever is pressed in between the cogs f of the bevil
wheel a, and is disengaged from the bevil wheel by means of the lever M,
the lower end of which is provided with a cam slot 13 through which the bolt
In
14 passes. By this arrangement the piece h, Fig. 3, is dispensed with.
the segmental plate B (see Fig. 4) there is a series of holes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
for receiving a pin, and on the arc piece X there is a projection 9 (Fig. 1).
By means of a pin 10 inserted in any one of the holes in the plate B coming
against the projection or shoulder 9, the required height of the cutting
apparatus may be defined and regulated; or by removing the pin 10 the
cutting apparatus will rest upon the ground and follow the undulations thereof
as in mowing grass.
Figures 6, 7, and 8, Sheet III., shew a modification of the machine arranged
for cutting grain and delivering the gavels by hand. The raker's seat A' is
placed over the vacant space behind the main frame A, and in the angle made
by the main frame and the oblique delivery side W of the platform, so that
the raker sitting upon the seat A, and looking towards the falling grain, can
by a direct movement of bis rake across the platform, or by a sweep of his rake
in a circular part, draw the gavel off somewhere along the side W and allow it
to drop where it will be out of the way on the next return of the machine. In
the sector plate B, 15 represents the axle of the driving wheel C, the other
parts being similar and similarly lettered to the first described arrangement:.
Fig. 8 shows the finger bar as made of angle iron, and having a horizontal
and a vertical rib m², which are light but give great strength to the finger bar.
The fingers or guards flare bolted to the vertical part of the finger bar by
horizontal bolts, as shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 8; n' represents the sickle
bar, and e¹ one of the sickle blades connected to it; C' represents the platform,
and C is a platform bar which lies snugly in the angle. iron finger bar, giving
strength to that bar when it has to carry the platform as in. cutting grain.
But when the machine is converted into a grass mower, this platform bar
and the platform may all come off together, leaving the finger bar light when
it does lighter work. In Fig. 7 the reel is shewn in red lines.
Fig. 9, Sheet IV., shews in perspective view, and Fig. 10 in longitudinal
section, another modification of the improved harvester. The same letters
indicate like parts as those shewn in the Figures before referred to.
In Fig. 9
p shews the bevil gear on the crank shaft c¹. The crank wheel d', shewn
detached at Fig. 11, to which the pitman g' is attached for driving the sickles
e', is furnished with a series of wrist pin holes 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, which
are successively more remote from the centre, so that by shifting the wrist pin

page_text: from one hole to the next greater or less length of stroke of the sickle may
be had.
On a projecting portion J' of the frame there is an arc q' furnished
with catches or indentations, into which a spring bolt shoots and holds when
released. This spring bolt is connected to a rod s¹ that lies close under a
lever t¹ extending towards the operator's or attendant's seat, so that he may
grasp and operate it for raising or lowering the cutting apparatus. To the
lever is attached a link u¹ by one of its ends, the other end being connected
to. a crank von a rod w¹, that runs along the finger bar B¹. The outer end
of this rod w¹ is bent around to form a crank arm x¹, on which the outside
supporting wheel D' is placed. When the operator desires to raise the cutting
apparatus he draws back the lever s' and bolt ¹, and then raising the lever t',
which is pivotted to J at y', it turns the rod w¹, and through the crank and
wheel D¹ raises up the cutting apparatus; then releasing the lever s', the bolt
shoots into one of the notches on the arc q', and holds up the cutting apparatus
at the desired height. By reversing this operation the cutting apparatus may
be lowered to any desired position, even to allowing it to run upon the ground.
The object in uniting the two levers s¹ and t¹ is that the attendant may with
one hand operate both levers as his grasp covers both. When the attendant
rides on the seat A¹ one of his feet may find a support at z¹ and the other one
may rest upon a stirrup on the end of the axle, as shown in Figures "B"
and 7. The seat support I may be supported on the segmental plate B by
means of a brace 22. The outside divider or shoe E may be made in two
parts, the part K', Fig. 13, being fastened to the end of the finger bar B', and
furnished with suitable openings through which the sickle bar n¹ and the last
sickle blade may freely work, so as to clean out any clogging matter that might
otherwise pack in them; the other portion of the shoe L, Fig. 14, has a
pocket 23 formed in it, into which the point of the part K' enters, and a screw
24 unites both. In some cases the part K' alone may be used, but if a longer
or larger shoe be desired then the part L' may be added to it.
clearer swivelled to the rear of the shoe E¹ so that it may rise
also turn around on its swivel joint. The tines of this track clearer may be
made of stout wire or wood slightly curved as shewn, and they may taper
towards their points for the sake of elasticity and lightness. This track
clearer when applied to a mower is set at an angle to the line of traction of
the implement in order that it. may receive an axial motion from being drawn
over the ground, its object is to throw the swathe inwards and prevent its
lying on the uncut grass. The leading characteristic of the improved machine,
and one which pervades all its modifications, is the manner of connecting the
'
M¹ is a track
and fall, and

page_text: cutting apparatus to the main supporting wheel, so that either may follow
the undulations of the ground over which they pass without influencing the
other. This in cutting grass is highly important.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements in the
Construction of Grain and Grass Harvesters, as communicated to me from
abroad, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish
it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I.
claim,-
First, mounting the driving or main supporting wheel and connecting
it with the cutting apparatus in the manner. and for the purpose above
described.
Secondly, arranging the seat of the driver so that his weight will nearly
balance the weight of the machine, and thus the greater part of the weight,
both of the driver and the frame, will be thrown upon the driving wheel instead
of the frame dragging upon the ground.
Thirdly, I claim the use of rivets or their equivalents when projecting above
and below the cutters in connection with the recesses or opening in the fingers
for these rivets to work through, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose set forth.
Fourthly, an automatic raking apparatus arranged and operating substan-
tially as herein described and represented, and also in combination therewith
the mechanism described by which the conductor from his seat can set
the rake in motion at will or cause it to stop after making one sweep of the
platform.
Fifthly, applying the supplemental pivoted frame a guard or shield for
protecting the gearing from dirt, straws, &c., as described.
Sixthly, mounting the reel in the manner and for the purpose above
described.
Seventhly, with reference to Sheet III., locating the raker's seat with regard
to the cutting apparatus and the delivery side of the platform, so that he may
draw and deliver the gavel into an unobstructed space by an easy swing of
his arm substantially as described.
Eighthly, constructing the finger bar of angle iron, which besides its lightness
and strength admits of having the platform or platform bar conveniently attached
to it, and allows of having the fingers connected to it by horizontal bolts, which
offer no obstruction to the grain or grass.
Ninthly, with reference to Sheet IV., I claim the means above described for
enabling the driver from his seat to raise or lower the cutting apparatus,
or allow it to run upon the ground, as may be preferred or desired.

page_text: Tenthly, the turned up or runner form of the main frame, so that it may
rise up on to and crush down the cut grass, &c. in its path, and thus make a
smooth track for the next round of the machine.
Eleventhly, connecting the sickle bar of a grain or grass harvester to a
crank wheel that has a series of wrist pin holes at various distances from its 5
centre of motion for the purpose of varying the length of stroke of the sickle
bar to suit the particular condition of the material to be cut as described.
Twelfthly, making the outer shoe in two parts and uniting the same
together as and for the purpose set forth.
Lastly, I claim the track clearer M³ constructed and operating as set 1
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Fourth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)