IMPROVEMENTS IN TURN-WREST PLOUGHS, APPLICABLE TO SINGLE FURROW, DOUBLE FURROW, AND TRIPLE TURN-WREST PLOUGHS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Huxtable, of Brayford, in the Parish of High Bray,
in the County of Devon, Agricultural Machinist and Implement Maker, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TURN-WREST PLOUGHS, APPLICABLE TO
SINGLE FURROW, DOUBLE FURROW, AND TRIPLE TURN-WREST PLOUGHS."
Sealed the 7th May 1878, and dated the 8th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Huxtable at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th November 1877.
JOHN HUXTABLE, of Brayford, in the Parish of High Bray, in the County of
Devon, Agricultural Machinist and Implement Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TURN-
WREST PLOUGHS, APPLICABLE TO SINGLE FURROW, DOUBLE FURROW, AND TRIPLE
TURN-WREST PLOUGHS."
This Invention refers to and is for improvements on that class of ploughs called
turn-wrest ploughs, which whether working to or from the starting end of the field
will turn the furrow slices all in the same direction.
And the first part of the Invention relates to arrangements employed for con-
necting the front part of the beams. This is effected by means of a tube or hollow
bar placed in a transverse position to the said beams, and made permanent at one
beam, the other being made with a boss through which one end of the tube or
hollow bar passes, and is kept in position by means of set screws or other suitable
arrangements. The said tube or hollow bar also answers the purpose of draught
bar, to which the horses are attached, while the hollow part receives the slide of
furrow wheel, by which any desired width of furrow can be ploughed. The before-
mentioned arrangement is also applicable to double-furrow ploughs (not turn-
wrests).
The second part of my Invention relates to the side draught part of the plough,
by which means it can be made to draw either to land or furrow independently, or
of ploughing one furrow or two alternately without alteration after being once set
for this purpose. The tube or hollow bar before mentioned is fitted with a clip or
mortice piece, and a boss is made on such clip or mortice piece, on which boss a
[Prins hd I

page_text: hake is fitted, and is capable of turning on the same; the hake carries a gravity
ball and lever. As the plough is thrown over for the purpose herein-after mentioned
the said gravity ball will always find its way downwards, and turn the hake, and
give more or less side draught to the plough, according to the position of draught
chain on the said hake, the same having holes made therein for adjusting the said
chain.
The third part of my Invention relates to the front furrow wheel arrangements.
The outer end of furrow wheel slide is made round and enlarged, over which a
flanged disc or box is fitted, and is made capable of turning on the round part of
wheel slide. The said box or flanged disc has arrangements for carrying the vertical
shaft of furrow wheel. As the plough is thrown over for the purpose the weight or
gravity of the wheel will cause it to change and adapt itself for either sets of
ploughing tools. The before-mentioned furrow wheel slide has a slot hole made on
its side, near the enlarged round part, into which a catch is inserted and hung
on a bolt or pin, and is made capable of falling by its own weight from right to left,
or vice versa. As the plough stands in working position the said catch abuts into
a corresponding notch made on the edge of the box, which carries the vertical shaft
of furrow wheel, and locks the same. As the plough is thrown over to a horizontal
position for reversing the handles the said catch falls out of the notch before
mentioned and liberates the furrow wheel, which is then free to change for either
sets of ploughing tools intended for work, and again locks the wheel in a rigid
manner.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to the hind furrow wheel and bandles.
The hinder part of beams are fitted with a box, and a corresponding piece is fitted
into such box and made firm to the handles. The said handles and piece together
are made capable of being rotated in the, before-mentioned box, and kept rigid,
when desired, by means of a catch and set screws, or other suitable arrangement.
The said hinder furrow wheel is also connected to the handles, and is rotated with
The said wheel can be made adjustable
same to suit either sets of ploughing tools.
to any desired height. The bandles can also be made to reverse horizontally when
the plough is also in that position, and made rigid by a lever catch and slotted link.
When this arrangement is employed a hinder furrow wheel is used of such diameter
as to match either the top or under set of hinder ploughing tools without alteration
to the wheel relative to the beams.
.
Another part of my Invention relates to the method of fixing coulters having
round shafts, whereby more freedom from choking is obtained when ploughing land
having weeds, stubbles, and other accumulations lying on the surface. This is.
effected according to my Invention by the employment of a peculiar shaped four-
claw coulter bracket, fitted with loops and set screws. The coulters are placed cross-
ways one to the other, so that the extra length of shaft (which is necessary to
provide for the wear of coulter) shall come behind that of the other, and obviate
the difficulty before mentioned, whichever sets may be at work. On one side of
the beam or beams a rib is fastened to provide for land and furrow adjustment, ie,
for one coulter, while the before-mentioned coulter bracket carries another rib for
the other coulter.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Huxtable in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th May
1878.
JOHN HUXTABLE, of Brayford, in the Parish of High Bray, in the County of
Devon, Agricultural Machinist and Implement Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TURN-
WREST PLOUGHS, APPLICABLE TO SINGLE FURROW, DOUBLE FURROW, AND TRIPLE
TURN-WREST PLOUGHS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in that class of ploughs called
turn-wrest or one-way ploughs, which whether working to or from the starting end
of the field will turn the furrow slices all in the same direction. Parts of these
improvements are applicable to single furrow, double furrow, and triple turn-wrest
ploughs, and also to double furrow ploughs not turn-wrest.
The first part of the Invention relates to arrangements employed for connecting
the front part of the beams. This is effected by means of a tube or hollow bar
placed in a transverse position to the said beams, and made permanent at one beam,
the other being made with a boss, through which one end of the tube or hollow bar
passes, and is kept in position by means of set screws or other suitable arrange-
ments. The said tube or hollow bar also answers the purpose of draught bar, to
which the horses are attached, while the hollow part receives the slide of furrow
wheel, by which any desired width of furrow can be ploughed. The before-
mentioned arrangement is also applicable to double furrow ploughs (not turn
wrest).
The second part of my Invention relates to the side draught part of the plough,
by which means it can be made to draw either to land or furrow independently, or
of ploughing one furrow or two alternately without alteration after being once set
for this purpose.
The tube or hollow bar before mentioned is fitted with a clip or
mortice piece, and a boss is made on such clip or mortice piece, on which boss a
hake is fitted, and is capable of turning on the same; the hake carries a gravity
ball and lever. As the plough is thrown over on its side or to a horizontal position
for the purpose of reversing the handles the said gravity ball will always find its way
downwards and turn the hake, and give more or less side draught to the plough,
according to the position of draught chain on the said hake, the same having holes
made therein for adjusting the said chain.
The third part of my Invention relates to the front furrow wheel arrangements.
The outer end of furrow wheel slide is made round and enlarged, over which a
flanged disc or box is fitted, and is made capable of turning on the round part of
wheel slide. The said box or flanged disc has arrangements for carrying the vertical
shaft of furrow wheel. As the plough is thrown over for the purpose before
mentioned the weight or gravity of the wheel will cause it to change and adapt
itself for either sets of ploughing tools. The before-mentioned furrow wheel slide
has a slot hole made on its side near the enlarged round part, into which a catch is
inserted and hung on a bolt or pin, and is made capable of falling by its own weight
from right to left, or vice versa. As the plough stands in working position the
said catch abuts into a corresponding notch made on the edge of the box, which
carries the vertical shaft of furrow wheel and locks the same. As the plough again
assumes a horizontal or position on its side the said catch falls out of the notch
before mentioned and liberates the furrow wheel, which is then free to change for
either sets of ploughing tools intended for work, and again locks the wheel in a
rigid manner.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to the hind furrow wheel and handles.
The hinder part of beams are fitted with a box, and a corresponding piece is fitted
into such box and made firm to the handles. The said handles and piece together
are made capable of being rotated in the before-mentioned box, and kept rigid,
when desired, by means of a catch and set screws or other suitable arrangement.

page_text: The said hinder furrow wheel is also connected to the handles, and is rotated with
same to suit either sets of ploughing tools. The said wheel can be made adjustable
to any desired height. The handles can also be made to reverse horizontally when
the plough is also in that position, and made rigid by a lever catch and slotted link.
When this arrangement is employed a hinder furrow wheel is used, of such
diameter as to match either the top or under set of hinder ploughing tools without
alteration to the wheel relative to the beams.
Another part of my Invention relates to the method of fixing coulters having
round shafts, whereby more freedom from choking is obtained when ploughing
land having weeds, stubbles, and other accumulations lying on the surface. This is
effected, according to my Invention, by the employment of a peculiar shaped four-
claw coulter bracket, fitted with loops and set screws. The coulters are placed
crossways one to the other, so that the extra length of shaft (which is necessary to
provide for the wear of coulter) shall come behind that of the other and obviate
the difficulty before mentioned, whichever sets may be at work. On one side of
the beam or beams a rib is fastened to provide for land and furrow adjustment, i.e.,
for one coulter, while the before-mentioned coulter bracket carries another rib for
the other coulter.
It must be distinctly understood that my improvements are for such turn-wrest
ploughs as are turned upside down at the headlands for bringing alternatively the
right or left sets of ploughing tools into working position.
And in order that my Invention may be understood and readily carried into effect,
I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the Figures
respectively.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a double furrow turn-wrest plough constructed
according to this Invention when in a position for work.
Figure 2 is also an elevation of the plough when on its side for being reversed at
the headlands.
Figure 3 is a side view of the tube or hollow bar fixed to the beams of the
plough at the fore end; Figure 4 is an end view of same.
Figure 5 is a side view of the coulter bracket as attached to the beam, shewing
the coulter stems or shafts in position; Figure 6 is end view of same.
Figure 7 is a plan of the slide of furrow wheel; and Figure 8 is an end view
of the enlarged round part over which the flanged disc is fitted, also shewing
the angle pieces that determine the distance for the front furrow wheel to travel.
The flanged disc is represented by Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, which are respectively
back, side, and front views, and plan of the same.
Figure 13 is an end elevation of the slide of furrow wheel with the flanged disc,
vertical wheel, stem, and catch shewn in position.
Figures 14, 15, 16, are respectively side view, end view, and plan of the catch for
holding the front furrow wheel securely in position.
Figure 17 is a plan of the arrangement for locking the handles firmly to the beams
of the plough, and shews also the central guide bar which imparts steadiness
to the handles, and to which bar is shewn a crank for actuating the lever by
means of which the plough is enabled when desired to plough one furrow or two
alternately.
Figure 18 is a side view of the fore part of that beam to which the tube or
hollow bar is secured, shewing the set screws for adjusting the furrow wheel to its
required position.
A, A¹, are the beams of the plough, to which are attached the double sets of
ploughing tools; these beams are set to any desired breadth by means of the expanding.
screws and nuts B, B¹. The hollow bar C is secured to the beam A' at its end,
while the other end of the said hollow bar is free to slide through the boss D which
is formed on the end of the beam A. The set screw E is used to jamb the hollow.
bar C, and hold it securely when in the desired position; F, shewn separately at:
Figures 7 and 8, is the slide of the furrow wheel; and K represents the enlarged

page_text: round part, over which the flanged disc or box L, Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, is fitted;
the said flanged disc or box carries a projecting piece at P, which is free to work in
the recess P of the enlarged round end k of the furrow wheel slide F.
The pro-
jecting piece P before mentioned in the flanged disc L abuts against the two angle
pieces or arms P" and P on the enlarged round end K, and so determines the
position of furrow wheel at each semi-revolution of same. The flanged disc or box L
is also provided with two grooved projections 1, 1, in which the vertical shaft or
stem M of the furrow wheel rests, and is held in position by means of the clip.m;
O, Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16, is the gravity catch carried by the pin P1111, and free
to work in the slot N of the furrow wheel slide F; when the plough is in position for
work the catch O abuts into the notch Q, Figures 12 and 13, cut in the flange of the
dise L, and thus holds the furrow wheel steady in its work; the flanged disc L is
held in position on the enlarged round end K of the furrow. wheel slide F by means
of set screw L¹.
In turning the plough over on its side at the headlands for reversing the handles,
the catch O will fall out of the notch Q of the flanged disc L by its own weight, as
shewn at O, Figure 2, and liberate the furrow wheel G, when it assumes a position
similar to that shewn at Figure 2, and as the plough is again brought into working
position for the return furrow, the said catch O again locks the furrow wheel G
rigidly.. The set screws C, C, on Figure 18 are for the purpose of adjusting
the furrow wheel G more perfectly relatively to the front sets of ploughing tools; the
slot hole on same admits of the furrow wheel slide being adjusted to its required
position. The set screw C¹ jambs the said furrow wheel slide the other way and
keeps it perfectly rigid.
In turning the plough over at the headlands for reversing the handles as before
mentioned, and at the same time to secure them in desired position I employ the
following arrangements:-The box T, Figures 1, 2, and 17, which is attached to the
beams A, A¹, has a recess made in its face into which the projection U is attached,
and the handles R, R, are fitted free to revolve. The outer part of the projection U
is made with a jaw, in which is supported a catch X, the said catch when in the
groove V¹ on the outside of the box T. holds the handles rigidly in the desired
position, and the set screw W also jambs the parts together. The catch X is actuated
by the rod X. The said rod being guided while in action by an eye made in the
name plate attached to the handles R, R.
The hind furrow wheel S is supported by means of the stems St, S¹, passing
through mortice pieces or clips S attached to the handles R, R; the wheel 'S and
the stems S¹, S¹, can be adjusted to the required position by means of the set
screws S¹¹, S, but instead of this a slot or slots might be made in the stems S¹, S¹,
and the axle on which the furrow wheel S revolves be adjusted to any desired
position in such slots. When it is required to plough alternately one or two furrows,
then the centre guide bar t which is attached to the handles R, R, turns with them.
The fore end of the said guide bar t is supported and turns in a bearing A" fixed
between the beams, and in revolving causes the crank t¹ to pass from side to side
between the beams, and carries with. it the rod or lever t". Upon the other end of
lever is made a fork y enclosing the clip or mortice piece H, to which is attached
the hake I and lever and weight J¹, J; when the set screw h in the clip or mortice
piece H is screwed up and made firm on the hollow bar C, it follows that the clip
or mortice piece H cannot move on the hollow bar C, and consequently no alteration
is made in the line of draft; but when the set screw h is loose the clip or mortice
piece H will be free to slide on the hollow bar C, so that when the screw t111,
Figure 2, is tightened up it forms a fulcrum on which the lever t¹¹ moves.
When the handles R, R, are reversed the centre guide bar t turns, carrying with
the crank t¹, and acting upon the lever t¹, causing the clip or mortice piece H to
move from side to side on the hollow draft bar C. The coulter bracket Z, shewn
separately in Figures 5 and 6, is of a peculiar shape, having four claws, two on each
side; the coulters are represented by the letters Y, Y, and are kept in position on the
said bracket by means of loops or set screws Z¹ and Z. The set screws at Z" are

page_text: used for setting the coulters more or less vertical as may be required; the claws
which are visible are shewn at Z1, which claws and set screws together keep the
coulters from driving back from their desired position while in work.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be or may be performed, I would observe in conclusion
that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the
Invention secured to me by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
are,―
Firstly. The employment of a tube or hollow bar which connects the front part
of beams, and also answers the purpose of draft bar, by which the implement is
drawn, while the hollow part receives the furrow wheel slide which is adjustable
therein, as described applicable to turn-wrest ploughs and double furrow ploughs (not
turn-wrest).
Secondly. The combination and arrangement of parts and mechanism for the
turning and locking of the front furrow wheel as described, applicable to single,
double, and triple furrow turn-wrest ploughs.
Thirdly. The methods of and means for reversing the handles with the wheel
connected therewith, and also the adjustment of the said wheel to its required
position as described, applicable to single, double, and triple furrow turn-wrest
ploughs.
Fourthly. The construction and arrangement of the coulter bracket, by which
means the coulters can be fixed crossways, so that the extra length of shaft which is
necessary to provide for the wear of coulter shall come behind that of the other, and
a perfect adjustment obtained to each coulter independently, as described, applicable
to single, double, and triple furrow turn-wrest ploughs.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Huxtable, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN HUXTABLE. (L.S.)