IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PUL- VERIZING AND CLEANING THE SOIL, AND SCATTERING SEED, GUANO, BONE DUST, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES THEREON
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Walmsley, of the Town of Berlin, in the
County of Waterloo and Province of Canada, Farmer and Waggon
Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PUL-
VERIZING AND CLEANING THE SOIL, AND SCATTERING SEED, GUANO, BONE DUST,
AND OTHER SUBSTANCES THEREON."
Sealed the 10th May 1864, and dated the 14th November 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Walmsley at the
Office of the Cominissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
November 1863.
I, JOHN WALMSLEY, of the Town of Berlin, in the County of Waterloo
aud Province of Canada, Farmer and Waggon Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PULVERIZING
AND CLEANING THE SOIL, AND SCATTERING SEED, GUANO, BONE DUST, AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES THEREON," to be as follows:-
The Diagram, Figure 1, represents a side elevation of the machine. The
letters A, F, represent the bottom fixed frame of the machine or carriage.
The whole of the machine above the letters A, F, represents that part of it
which contains and measures the seed guano or other substance. Itisattached
to the fixed frame A, F, by suitable staples and hooks or by bolts, and may be
detached when the cultivator only is used. The machine moves on two
wheelswhich have distinct functions, the driving wheel T with spikes V, being
keyed fast upon the iron driving shaft or axletree W, by which a revolving
[Prise 8d.1

page_text: motion is given to the two cog wheels H and M, which turn the culti
vator J. I sometimes use two driving wheels T; the other wheel Y (Figure 2)
is loose upon the axletree to facilitate the motion of the machine in turning
in any direction. H is a peculiar cogwheel, with perforations fitted to receive
the pinion cogs of wheel M; M is a peculiar pinion cog wheel with similar
perforations, both wheels being so adapted to each other that in their revo-
lution the pinions of wheel M enter the perforations of wheel H, and the
parts of wheel H between each of its perforations cover the perforations in
wheel M, so that their pressure forces out of the perforations in wheel Many
dirt which would otherwise clog it, while the pinions of wheel M, acting as
above described, enter the perforations of wheel H, clear them of any obstruc-
tion, and thus both wheels are kept clean, and free to give a revolving motion
to the cultivator J. J is the cultivator for pulverizing and cleaning the soil
and consisting of a square or round central iron shaft running in iron boxes in
the two side pieces of the fall N, and upon which are fixed any number of
curved teeth arranged in a spiral form, so that only one may be at the greatest
depth in the soil at the same time, the other teeth in the same quadrant then
being less and less deep. I prefer the teeth to be of wrought iron with steel
points, but cast iron may do for light soils. The curvature of the teeth must
be nearly an S, so as to cause the points to enter the soil easily. K is a
band passing round a pulley fixed on the driving shaft or axletree W and the
pulley No. 1 of the seed elevator (E, Figure 2) which it revolves; L is a
band passing round the pulley No. 1 and the pulley No. 2 of the seed caster
(K1, Figure 2) which it revolves; N is a moveable framework called the fall,
which pivots upon the axletree W in a manner herein-after described, and
may be raised or lowered so as to cause the teeth of the cultivator J to enter
the soil more or less at pleasure; O is a rack wheel turning an iron rod,
around which two chains P are wound for the purpose of raising or lowering
the fall N, and thereby raising or lowering the working position of the culti-
vator J; Q is a sinall iron traction rod ths to an inch in diameter (of
which there is one ou each side of the machine) hooked into the projecting
cap of the box of the axle of the cultivator J (see Figure 3) and connected
by an eye bolt with the double tree R, which moves in the staple S, to which
double tree the ordinary double tree and whipples for the horses may be
attached by a clevis in the usual manner; X is a wooden tongue of the
ordinary description attached to the frame A, F, not in the centre but nearer
to the driving wheel T, in order to assist in overcoming the side draught.
The Diagram Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section of the machine.
B is a small box, having a bevelled bottom to contain the seed or other

page_text: substance to be sown or scattered; C is a slide, moved up and down by hand,
to regulate the quantity of seed or other matter which may pass into the
chamber D to be taken up by the elevator E; D, the chamber in which the
seed elevator E is fixed; E, the seed elevator, with its adjustable buckets
X, X, X, X, X, (see Figure 5). G, a bevelled board, upon which the
seed or other matter falls from the buckets of the elevator, which board may
be adjusted to the position of the buckets by hand by sliding simply up or
down; H, perforated cog wheel, described under Figure 1; K¹ is a fluted
cylindrical seed caster, which receives the seed or other substances from the
board G and scatters it on the soil; M, perforated pinion cog wheel, described
under Figure 1; N, the moveable framework, called the fall, consisting of two
side pieces and two cross pieces U connecting them behind the cultivator J.
Each of the side pieces is connected with the axletree W by a clevis (Figure 4)
through which the axletree runs freely, so as to admit of an up down motion
of the fall, which thus pivots upon it. The two screw bolts which connect
the said clevis with the frame may be taken out, and the fall and cultivator
removed at pleasure; P, a chain (of which there is one on each side of the
machine), wound round the iron rod by the motion of the rack wheel O for
the purpose of lowering the cultivator J, and which is connected with the fall N
by suitable staples fixed in the cross piece U. Q, one of the traction rods
mentioned under Figure 1, which are so attached to the cultivator J as to
keep it at the depth of working to which it is first adjusted except when casual
obstacles cause it to rise to surmount them, as mentioned herein-after; R, a
double tree, moving in the staple S, to which the ordinary double tree for the
horses is attached by a clevis, placed not in the middle of it, but like the
tongue x, nearer to the driving wheel'T, in order to overcome the side draught;
Y, the supporting wheel, loose upon its axle, as described Figure 1; Z, an
iron coupling plate, with a slot in it, riding upon the axletree W (one on each
side of the machine), and fastened to the fixed frame A, F, by screws, so as to
be easily removeable for repairs. A key or pin through its arms under the
axle keeps it steady in its place.
The machine may be used for four distinct purposes, viz., 1, simply as a
pulverizer and cleaner, either with or without detaching the seed-measuring.
apparatus, which is removable for that purpose; 2, it may be used to scatter
seed or other substances on the soil, and to harrow it in by the cultivator, and
the quantity scattered may be varied at pleasure by the adjustable apparatus
already described; 3, it may be used without the cultivator simply for
scattering lime or other substances on the soil, and for this purpose the fall
may be detached or not at pleasure; 4, the seed-casting apparatus may be

page_text: made to sow in drills by the adaptation thereto of mechanical arrangements
for that purpose well known to mechanics, and which therefore are themselves
no part of my improvements.
As to the first of these four operations.--The bands K and L being first
detached and the seed-n.easuring apparatus removed (except when it is
retained inactive for the sake of giving weight to the machine), the fall N is
adjusted by means of the rack wheel and catch O and chains P, so as to cause
the teeth of the cultivator to be capable of scooping into the earth to any depth
which may be required, and of which their size and strength make them
capable. If the cultivator meets with any obstacle not too much above the
surface, as, for example, a stone or stump, as soon as the first tooth strikes it,
without penetrating, the resistance of the obstacle (the traction power con-
tinuing) causes the cultivator to reverse its motion, the fall, freely pivoting on
the axle W as aforesaid, rises in consequence, and the cultivator is lifted
upon the stone, and this reverse motion continues until the stone is passed
over, and the cultivator is again brought into work by the weight of the fall,
which descends when there is no longer any resistance to the penetration of
the teeth. The fall N is therefore self-acting, so far as regards surmounting
casual obstacles which the cultivator cannot penetrate. While the cultivator
pulverizes the soil its revolution on its own axis causes the teeth todrag up all
weeds and rubbish, and lay them upon and leave them upon the surface of the
soil. If it is necessary, as it usually is, to go over the same ground several
times at the same or at increasing depths, still the revolving motion has the
same effect upon the rubbish. That which was first laid upon the top is not
buried, but is again deposited, or remains deposited thereon, together with any
more that may be brought up by the second or repeated operation.
As to the second operation.-The seed to be sown or scattered is put into
the seed box B. The slide C is drawn up to allow a sufficient quantity of seed
to run from the seed box B into the chamber D, to supply the elevator E.
The elevator itself is adjusted by the upper lip of each bucket having a pivot
or small rod at each end, which goes into a small arched slot in an iron or
other circular frame, which may itself be moved so as to open and close the
buckets, as may be required, while the inferior edge of each bucket works on
a rod or other hinge to allow of the said opening and closing (see Fig. 5).
One motion closes or opens all the buckets x, x, simultaneously to the width
required, but the width actually required to sow any required quantity per acre
must be ascertained by experiment on the particular seed or substance
distributed, and when ascertained the operator will mark it for his own future
use, When the buckets are adjusted, the frame at each end of the elevator

page_text: is made fast by thumbscrews (see Fig. 5), and the bevelled board G (Fig. 2)
is then adjusted to their position by sliding up or down by hand. The bands
K and L (Fig. 1) are adjusted on their respective pulleys, and when in motion
the seed elevator empties its buckets upon the bevilled slide G (Fig. 2), from
which the seed fails upon the fluted seed caster K' (Fig. 2), which by its
revolutions distributes it with sufficient equability on the soil. The moveable
bevilled slide G is adjusted by hand to the varying position of the buckets
caused by their being more or less closed. The cultivator J being adjusted to
the depth required in the manner already described, will harrow in the seed as
it is sown.
As to the third operation. The manner in which this may be performed is
sufficiently apparent from what has been already said.
As to the fourth operation. Remove the seed caster K (Fig. 2), and
instead thereof affix an ordinary drilling apparatus, so as to receive the seed
from the slide G, which being easily done by any mechanic well acquainted
with such machinery, will not need further description. Care must be taken
that the drills are large enough to receive the greatest quantity of seed which
may ever be discharged from the elevator. The two wheels T (Fig. 1) and
Y (Fig. 2, and their mode of operation respectively, are sufficiently described
in the explanation of the Diagrams, and are both important parts of my
improvements. The two peculiar cog wheels H and M, and their respective
modes of action, have been sufficiently described in the explanation of the
Diagram No. 1.
It now only remains to describe the application of the power of traction.
The traction rods Q are hooked to the double tree R, which moves in the
staple S. They are also attached to the box of the axle of the cultivator J,
and for this purpose the cap of the box is prolonged (see Fig. 3), and a hole
bored in it to receive the hook of the rod. The whole traction power being
thus applied to the cultivator itself, it is evident that the effect of it is to keep
the teeth of the cultivator depressed to the utmost depth for which it is
adjusted, saving when it encounters obstacles which reverse its motion, as
described. The clevis, by which the ordinary double tree and whipples for
the horses are attached to the double tree R is placed not in the centre of it,
but nearer to the driving wheel T, in order to overcome the side draught.
The tongue X is similarly placed for a similar reason, but the main use of it
is to turn the machine to the right or left, as required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Walmsley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th May 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WALMSLEY, of the Town of Berlin, in the County of Waterloo and Province
of Canada, Farmer and Waggon Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, inthetwenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Walmsley, Her special licence that I, the said John Walmsley,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the
said John Walmsley, 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
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PULVERIZING AND CLEANING THE SOIL, AND
SCATTERING SEED, GUANO. BONE DUST, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES THEREON," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Walmsley, my executors
or administrators, by an instruinent in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, 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 in 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 John Walmsley, 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 thereof, that is to say:-
The Diagram, Fig. 1, represents a side elevation of the machine. The
letters A,F, represent the bottom fixed frame of the machine or carriage. The
whole machine above the letters A,F, represents that part of itwhich contains
and measures and sows the seed, guano, or other substance. It is attached
to the fixed frame A, F, by suitable staples, hooks, or bolts, and may be
detached when the cultivator alone is used. The driving wheels T and Y,
with spikes V, are loose upon the axletree, but are firmly held by common
ratchet couplings, which operating in the usual manner (too well known to

page_text: need description) release either one or the other wheel when it is required to
turn the machine out of the straight line. When in motion the said wheels
or one of them turns the iron driving shaft or axletree W, by which a
revolving motion is given to the two cog wheels H and M, which turn the
cultivator J. H is a peculiar cog wheel, with perforations fitted to receive
the pinion cogs of wheel M; M is a peculiar cog wheel, with similar perfora-
tions, both wheels being so adapted to each other that in their revolution the
pinions of wheel M enter the perforations of wheel H, and the parts of
wheel H between each of its perforations cover the perforations in wheel M,
so that their pressure forces out of the perforations in wheel M any dirt which
would otherwise clog it, while the pinions of wheels M, acting as above
described into the perforations of wheel H,clear them of any obstruction, and
thus both wheels are kept clean, and free to give a rotatory motion to the
cultivator J as aforesaid; J is the cultivator for pulverizing and cleaning the
soil, and consists of a square or round central iron shaft running in iron boxes
in the two side pieces of the fall N, and upon which are fixed any number of
curved teeth arranged in a spiral form, so that only one may be at the
greatest depth in the soil at the same time, the other teeth in the same
quadrant then being less and less deep. I prefer the teeth to be of wrought
iron with steel points, but cast iron may do for light soils. The curvature
of the teeth must be nearly an S, so as to cause the points to enter the soil
easily; K is a band passing round a pulley fixed on the driving shaft or
axletree W, and the pulley No. 1 of the seed elevator (E, Fig.2,) which it
revolves; L is a band passing round the pulley No. 1 and the pulley No. 2
of the seed caster (K, Fig. 2) which it revolves; N is a moveable frame-
work called the fall, which pivots upon the axletree W in a manner herein-
after, described, and may be raised or lowered so as to cause the teeth of the
cultivator J to enter the soil more or less at pleasure; O is a rack wheel
turning on an iron rod, around which two chains P are wound for the purpose
of raising or lowering the fall N, and thereby raising or lowering the working
position of the cultivator J; Q is a small iron traction rod. ths to an
inch in diameter (of which there is one on each side of the machine) hooked
into the projecting cap of the box of the axle of the cultivator J (see separate
Fig. 3),,aud connected by an eye bolt with the double tree R, which moves
in the staple S, to which double tree the ordinary double tree and whipples
for, the horses may be attached by a clevis in the usual manner; X is a
wooden tongue of the ordinary description attached to the frame A, F.
The Diagram Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of the machine. Bis
a small box having a bevelled bottom to contain the seed or other substance

page_text: to be sown or scattered; C is a slide moved up or down by hand to regulate
the quantity of seed or other substance which may pass into the chamber Dto
be taken up by the elevator E; D, the chamber in which the seed elevator E
is placed; E is the seed elevator with its adjustible buckets X,X,x,x,x,
(see separate Fig. 5); G is a bevelled board upon which the seed or other
substance falls from the buckets of the elevator, which board may be adjusted
to the position of the buckets by hand by sliding simply up or down; H is a
perforated cog wheel described under Fig. 1; Kis a fluted cylindrical seed
caster which receives the seed or other substances from the board G and
scatters it on the soil; M is a perforated pinion cog wheel described under
Fig. 1; N is a moveable framework called the fall, consisting of two side
pieces, and one or more cross pieces U connecting them behind the cultivator
J, each of the side pieces is connected with the axletree W by a clevis (see
separate Fig. 4), through which the axletree runs freely, so as to admit of an
up-and-down motion of the fall which thus pivots upon it. The two screw
bolts which connect the said clevis with the frame may be taken out and the
fall and cultivator removed at pleasure. P is a chain (of which there is one
on each side of the machine) wound round the iron rod by the motion of
the rack wheel O, for the purpose of raising or lowering the cultivator J, and
which is connected with the fallNby suitable staples fixed in the cross pieceU;
Q is one of the traction rods mentioned under Fig. 1, which are so attached to
the projecting cap of the box of the axle of the cultivator J as to keep it at
the depth of working to which it is first adjusted, except when casual obstacles
cause it to rise to surmount them as mentioned herein-after; R is a double
tree moving in the staple S to which the ordinary double tree for the horsesis
attached by a clevis ; Y is one of the driving wheels mentioned under Fig.1;
Z is an iron coupling plate with a slot in it riding upon the axletree W (one
on each side of the machine), and fastened to the fixed frame A, F, by screws,
so as to be easily removable for repairs. A key or pin through its arms under
the axle keeps it steady in its place. A, A, is a rake with arms pivoting
upon hooks or any other suitable attachment to the back frame of the fall N
for the
purpose of gathering together the weeds or other substances cast upon
the surface by the cultivator when cleaning the soil.
The machine may be used for four distinct purposes, namely,(1), simply as
a pulverizer and cleaner, either with or without detaching the seed-measuring
apparatus, which is removable for that purpose; (2), it may be used to scatter
seed or other substances on the soil, and to harrow it in by the cultivator, and
the quantity scattered may be varied at pleasure by the adjustible apparatus
already described; (3), it may be used without the cultivator simply for

page_text: scattering lime or other substances on the soil, and for this purpose the fall
may be detached or not at pleasure; (4), the seed-casting apparatus may be
made to sow in drills by the adaptation thereto of mechanical arrangements
for that purpose well known to mechanics, and which therefore are no part of
my improvements.
As to the first of these four operations.-The bands K and L being first
detached and the seed-measuring apparatus removed (except when it is
retained inactive for the sake of giving weight to the machine), the fall N is
adjusted by means of the rack wheel and catch O, and chains P, so as to cause
thet eeth of the cultivator to be capable of entering the earth to any depth
which may be required. If the cultivator meets with any obstacle, not too
much above the surface, as, for example, a stone or a stump, so soon as the
first tooth strikes it, without penetrating, the resistance of the obstacle (the
traction power continuing) causes the cultivator to reverse its motion, the fall,
freely pivoting on the axle W as aforesaid, rises in consequence, and the
cultivator is lifted upon the stone, and this reverse motion continues until the
stone is passed over, and the cultivator is again brought into work by the
weight of the fall, which descends when there is no longer any resistance to
the penetration of the teeth. The fall N is therefore self-acting, so far as
regards surmounting casual obstacles which the cultivator cannot penetrate
While the cultivator pulverizes the soil its revolution on its own axis causes
the teeth to drag up all weeds and rubbish, and lay them upon and leave
them upon the surface of the soil. If it is necessary, as it usually is, to go
over the same grounds several times, still the revolving motion has the same
effect upon the rubbish. That which was first laid upon the top is not buried
but is again deposited thereon, together with any more that may be brought
up by the repeated operation.
As to the second operation.--The seed to be sown or scattered is put into
the seed box B. The slide C is drawn up to allow a sufficient quantity of
seed to run from the seed box B into the chamber D to supply the elevator E.
The elevator itself is adjusted by the upper lip of each bucket having a pivot
or small rod at each end, which goes into a small arched slot in an iron or
other circular frame, which may itself be moved so as to open and close the
buckets as may be required, while the inferior edge of each bucket works on a
rod or other things to allow of the said opening and closing (see Fig. 5); one
motion opens sand closes all the buckets X, X, X, X, X, simultaneously to
the width required, but the width actually required to sow any required
quantity per acre must be ascertained by experiments, and when ascertained
the operator will mark it for his future use. When the buckets are adjusted

page_text: the frame at each end of the elevator is made fast by thumbscrews (see
Fig. 5), and the bevelled board G (Fig. 2) is then adjusted to their position
by sliding up or down by hand. The bands K and L (Fig. 1) are adjusted
on their respective pullies, and when in motion the seed elevator empties its
buckets upon
the bevelled slide G (Fig. 2), from which the seed falls upon
the fluted seed caster K (Fig. 2), which by its revolutions distributes it with
sufficient equability on the soil. The moveable bevelled slide G is adjusted
by hand to the varying position of the buckets caused by their being more or
less closed. The cultivator J being adjusted to the depth required in the
manner already described, will harrow in the seed as it is sown.
As to the third operation.-The manner in which this may be performed is
sufficiently apparent from what has been already said.
As to the fourth operation.-Remove the seed caster K (Fig. 2), and
instead thereof affix an ordinary drilling apparatus, so as to receive the seed
from the slide G, which being easily done by any mechanic well acquainted
with such machinery, will not need further description. Care must be taken
that the drills are large enough to receive the greatest quantity of seed which
may ever be discharged from the elevator. The two peculiar cog wheels H
and M and their respective modes of action have been sufficiently described
in the explanation of the Diagram, Fig. 1. It now only remains to describe
the application of the power of traction. The traction rods Q are hooked to
the double tree R which moves in the staple S. They are also attached in a
peculiar manner to the box of the axle of the cultivator J, and for this purpose
the
cap of the box is prolonged (see Fig. 3), and a hole bored in it to receive
the hook of the rod. The effect of this is to increase the leverage acting on
the teeth of the cultivator in proportion as they are depressed.
What I claim as my Invention is,
(1.) The revolving cultivator with its curved teeth arranged upon a second
shaft, driven by cog wheels or other gearing, as applied to agricultural
implements for breaking, cleaning, and excavating the soil.
(2.) The fixing of the second shaft of the cultivator on which the curved
teeth are placed in a self-acting fall, by which casual obstacles can be readily
surmounted, as described.
(3.) The adjustible fall itself which regulates the depth to which the teeth
of the cultivator shall enter the soil, but so freely that it may rise out of it and
sink into it again as before when an obstacle is in the way, and which also
makes the cultivator capable of a backward motion, for the purpose of rising
and surmounting the obstacle, as described; but I do not confine myself to
this particular form of the fall, nor to this precise mode of communicating the

page_text: said motions, the self-actingelevation and depression and the back ward motions
themselves being substantial principles which I claim as applied to agricultural
machines for pulverizing, cleaning, and excavating the soil.
(4.) The mode in which the traction power is applied to the cultivator, so
that the leverage operating upon the teeth is increased as the fall is depressed,
namely, by attaching the draw rods to the fall at any point at a distance from
the pivot on which it works, and behind it.
(5.) The application to rotatory cultivators of the peculiar cog wheels H
and M, which clean each other when in work, as described.
(6.) The application to spiked driving wheels (Y and T) of self-acting
ratchet couplings for the same in machines for breaking, cleaning, and
excavating the soil.
(7.) The adjustible elevator and apparatus for measuring and sowing
seed or other substances broadcast, or in drills, and its combination with a
revolving cultivator, such as is above described.
(8.) The application of the rake A, A, to the cultivator, as described.
Dated at Berlin, in the County of Waterloo and Province of Canada,
this Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-four.
JOHN WALMSLEY. (L.s.)