Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1887
Complete Left, 27th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 4th May, 1888
I, RUDOLF SACK of Katharinenstrasse Leipzig in the Empire of Germany
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
-
This invention relates to the cultivation of the soil and consists in certain improve-
ments in the process of cultivating and in apparatus therefor.
For this purpose under the surface of the field are placed systems of pipes
connected in suitable ways with mains for the supply to or withdrawal of water air
manure liquids or gases and the like from the soil. Cocks are arranged to enable
parts of the system to be set in action only. Stand pipes are also arranged for
ascertaining the pressure in the respective part of the system. Over the cocks, which
are perferably arranged in a line, upon the field is placed a rail track upon which a
locomotive engine travels, this engine may be retired into an engine house and there
work pumps ventilators and other devices in connection with the pipe system. In
the field the engine drives a windlass for drawing ploughs harrows and other imple-
ments over the field. In the windlass the rope is crossed over two pulleys to more
effectually prevent slipping of the same. The rope is carried by a pulley upon the
other side of the field the said pulley being mounted upon a truck riding on a rail
track, or upon a frame carried upon supporting frames set at intervals along the side
of the field. The locomotive is provided with water from the before mentioned cocks,
the plugs of the same being operated by hollow pins allowing the water to rise from
the cocks to the surface whence a flexible pipe leads it to the locomotive tank. The
carriage upon which the ploughs harrows and the like are fixed and which travels
across the field is formed of two beams connected together at the centre of the carriage
and directed upwardly away from each other. At the centre is fixed by a ball joint,
the main wheel frame. The outer ends of the beams carry small wheels below and
seats for the drivers above, along their length they are provided with ploughs colters
or harrows or other implements fixed by cross frames, or direct thereto.

page_text: There is also arranged upon the field a drain ditch, a pond and a manure pit. The
latter is provided with compartments and means for filtering off the liquid manure,
and for the collection of ammonia and other gases generated, said compartments
being in connected with pumps and ventilators in the engine house for forcing said
fluids into the soil by the pipe system.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System of Cultivating Land and Apparatus therefor.
I RUDOLF SACK of Katharinenstrasse, Leipzig, in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
This invention relates to the draining and irrigating of land, the distribution of
manure liquid or gaseous thereto and generally to the improvement thereof for
agriculture and it consists in an improved system, being a combination of a pipe
system with certain reservoirs and mechanical devices whereby water may be supplied
to or withdrawn from under the surface soil liquid or gaseous manure supplied thereto,
air driven therein or drawn therefrom, so that the condition thereof may be rendered
more favourable to the growth of plants or crops and the cultivation made more or
less independent of meteorological conditions.
A further object of this invention is to adapt said pipe system for the supply of
water to traction engines etc. employed in the ploughing of the ground and other
operations of agriculture.
The invention also consists in improved machinery hereinafter described whereby
ploughs, harrows, reapers and such like implements may be.drawn over the land,
and in certain improvements in balance ploughs adapted to be drawn over the land
by machine power.
Referring to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates a cross section on a large scale of a rail track traversing the land
showing the construction of valves for supplying water from the pipe system to a
locomotive traction engine on said rails.
Fig. 1a is a plan view of one of said valves with a part of the main supply
pipe.

page_text: drained or irrigated at all parts. In Fig. 20 each system K consists of four parallel
pipes connected and led into one at each end. In Fig. 21, each system consists of
one central pipe L' L' etc. having along its length a number of equidistant relatively
short branch pipes.
The tank c beforementioned is connected by pipes with the pond A and if the tank c
is on the same level as said pond it will be filled by allowing water to flow therein
from the pond.
The engine house contains a pump whereby the water in the tank c may be forced
into the pipes f, g, or one of them, or water drawn from said pipes into the tank,
superfluous water passing from the tank to the pond A-by a suitable overflow pipe b.
If the tank is above the level of the pond A, the water may be pumped from the
pond into the tank when necessary by the pump. The engine house further contains
a ventilator or blower for blast and suction, and a pulsometer, a well d may also be
sunk under the engine house and a water reservoir e placed in connection therewith,
a wind motor being arranged for storing water in the said reservoir e.
The engine
for operating the pump and blower is preferably a steam engine similar to so called
traction engines and of requisite power for instance 5 to 8 horse power.
The engine may then operate the mechanical devices in the house and may, when
necessary, be driven out for the working of ploughs, harrows, reapers and such like
machines.
For this purpose, the main supply pipes fg preferably follow a direct line across
the field so that the said locomotive engine may follow this line, (on rails H or other-
wise) being at all times conveniently situated for drawing ploughs etc. on either side of
the line and for obtaining water from the valves arranged at intervals I, II, III, IV, etc.
along said line.
A further constituent of the system is a manure pit B so constructed and connected
by pipes with the blower and pump in the engine house, that the manure placed in
the pit may be drained and the liquid obtained therefrom, filtered to separate solid
particles, and pumped into the pipes diluted with so much water from the tank c as
may be requisite, also that the gases arising from the manure may likewise be trans-
ferred to the soil by means of the blower; also that artificial compost or manure may
be treated in the same manner and transferred to the soil through the pipe system in
a gaseous or liquid form.
The special arrangements are preferably as follows
The ends of the main pipes f g terminating at a depth of about one metre in the
tank care of iron and provided with suitable flanged junctions for connecting them
with the various pipes from the pump, (preferably a centrifugal pump) blower,
pulsometer and water reservoir.
same.
The tank c is about 2 meters in depth (below the surface) and is connected by the
pipe bunder the ditch a with the pond À said pipe extending to the bottom of the
The pond is preferably of the same depth and its water surface must be kept
5 or 10 centimeters below the level of the terminations of the main pipes fg. The
pond A is filled at a¹ by the water from the ditch a the superfluous water flowing off
at a The manure pit B is one meter deep and made watertight, its bottom being
covered with pipes draining longitudinally towards the liquid manure tank C. Over
these pipes is placed a layer of coal ashes or coke dust about 40 to 60 centi-
meters in depth, for filtering the liquid manure from solid matter and permitting
the former to drain into the tank C which is at a lower level. The manure pit
may have a particular compartment B¹ in which chemical or other soluble manures
may be dissolved the liquid passing to the tank C whence it may be drawn by the
pump through pipe f provided with a valve or cock so that the quantity of liquid
drawn from the pit may be regulated according to the strength required to be
mixed with the water drawn through b. The walls of the manure pit extend
upward above the surface of the ground and the pit is covered in for retained
gases generated therein, the latter being drawn off and mixed with air through
pipe by means of the blower which forces it into the soil through the pipe
system.

page_text: The valves D at the stations I, II, III, etc. are represented in Fig. 1. in elevation
and vertical section and in Fig. 1a in plan. The plugs D² are provided with a
passage way equal in sectional size to the cross section of the pipes for the
admission or emission of liquid etc. from the pipes fg. They are however provided
with tubular stems Q closed above the screw caps or plugs R and have an additional
lateral passage D³ whereby water from the pipes for y may arrive into the stems Q
and thence into hose or the like screwed to the upper end thereof. Metal cylinders O
protect the plug stems Q, the said cylinders being closed by caps D* substantially
level with the surface of the ground, the stems Q terminate in fixed hexagonal
collars D by which they may be turned for opening or closing the valves.
The said stems likewise carry an indicator i, a dial De being arranged thereunder
for showing the position of the valves. The valve casings are connected together
below by bars or rods bolted to tongues k on the valve casings the same
securing the valve casings against lateral movement in case of too forcible turning
of the valves whereby the joints of the pipes fg might be loosened or broken.
The plough carriage or other implement is drawn over the field by means of an
endless rope A¹ the same being carried on two pulleys V and Y one at each side of
the field and mounted on carriages U D' whereby they may be moved in parallel
directions along the field. One of said pulleys Y serves to drive the plough and this
pulley is carried on a suitable truck D coupled to a locomotive engine F¹ whereby
the said truck is moved along the field and the Y thereon driven for the moving of
the plough carriage across the field. Preferably a rail track H is laid along the field
in the direction in which the locomotive and pulley truck are to be moved and if the
locomotive be a traction engine of construction generally employed in agriculture
tyres of or iron are temporarily fixed on the peripheries of the wheels to enable
the engine to run upon such rails.
If the opposite pulley carriage be also a truck running upon rails as in Fig. 26 or
if it be such as hereafter described the two pulleys will always remain parallel and the
endless rope A¹ passing over them at an equal and necessary tension.
The engine F carries the driving pulley G¹ the same geared by belt m with the
pulley Z upon shaft Z journalled in bearings N' N¹ on the truck D. On said shaft
are loosely revolvable two bevelled wheels XX' gearing with the large bevelled
wheel P. Said wheels X X have, on their inner sides clutch teeth QQ and on the
shaft Z is a sleeve W splined to revolve with said shaft, and having clutch teeth at
each end whereby it is adapted to engage with the teeth Q, or Q, so that the
respective bevelled wheel X or X' may be geared with the shaft Z and the large
bevelled wheel P¹ revolved thereby in one or other direction. The shaft of the bevel
wheel P¹ carries the rope pulley Y and the rope A' may therefore be drawn in either
direction.
The sleeve W is controlled by the lever V¹ in the usual manner. Since the rope A¹
would be liable to slip if passed around the pulley Y only, the pulley T revolvably
held on a pin adapted to be fixed at a suitable distance on the arm S is arranged so
that the rope may be crossed thereover as shown in Fig. 23 the rope is prevented
from trailing off the groove of this pulley by the arms a b. The pulley T is preferably
somewhat inclined to the horizontal plane so that friction at the crossing of the rope
is avoided. The arm S is pivoted at $1 to the frame of the truck D' and is capable of
being moved about its pivot in a horizontal plane, it is supported by a semicircular
rail S and runs thereon by means of wheels S3 journalled in block S. It will be
seen from the dotted line representation in Fig. 23 that when the rope A' is drawn
in the one or other direction the wheel T and arm S are drawn automatically to one
side or the other more or less according to the difference of strain on the two lengths
of the rope A¹
To enable the locomotive to act simply for driving the pulley Y and not for the
moving of the truck I provide on the latter a windlass consisting of a drum capable
of being rotated by power through tooth gear, and hand levers for the coiling thereon
of a rope which may be anchored along the track and thus for drawing the truck and
and locomotive along the track when desired.

page_text: The weights no pq, which may be boxes full of sand or ballast, pig-lead, or other
weighty material serve to hold the truck firmly against the lateral pressure produced
by drawing the plough or other instrument through or over the ground.
The opposite or remote bight of the rope A' is carried by the pulley V on the truck
or carriage U, this truck may be a simple truck running on rails laid across the field
as in Fig. 26 or it may be of the following construction and supported in the manner
hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 3 to 8.
Along the line to be followed by the pulley V are arranged at desirable and equal
distances apart, frame B° consisting of a firm base plate B2 firmly spiked and
anchored down by spikes B³ and anchor spikes B4, on said base plate is a vertical
frame B so arranged as to best withstand the force of the ploughing. In said frame
is a central vertical, preferably conical socket B and laterally thereof, on each side
horizontal sockets B. The vertical socket serves to receive a pin C3 bearing revolvably
on the upper end thereof a wheel C2 having on its lower edge a flange C³. The
horizontal or lateral sockets B' serve to receive wheels 18 provided with gudgeons B
lying in bearings on the sides of the sockets, the wheels B8 have on each edge of their
peripheries flanges B¹º.
The sockets are similar for all the supports B° so that the pin C¹ with wheel (² and
the wheels B may be arranged in any of the series.
The pulley Vis pivoted centrally on a frame U consisting of two rails E' E'
connected together at intervals by cross strips E³, the rail E2 is an angle iron, the
lower edge of which runs on the wheels B8 aforesaid, the other rail E is a flat or
Trail having a side bearing surface adapted to rest against the wheel C² on the side
remote from the plough so that the pull of the latter is met by the bearing of the
rail E¹ firmly on the wheel C.
The frame U is preferably of such length and the supports B° are at such distance
apart that the frame may extend over three supports in the manner shown in Fig. 7.
In moving it along the track formed by said supports it will never be supported by
less than two supports and will therefore be always held in line. It will be seen that
at least three wheels 18 and three pins C₁ with wheels C³ are required. As the
frame U is moved along the track the said wheels may be taken from the support just
left and placed on the one over which the frame is about to pass. When ploughing etc.
over that part of the field which lies to the other side of the track of supports B° the
frame U is reversed and the wheels B are arranged in the corresponding sockets B7
on that side of the track.
The beam A" of the plough carriage is constructed of flat or angle iron pieces
rivetted or bolted together to form a suitable frame of the general shape shown in
Figs. 9 and 11.
In the centre of the beam are two corresponding blocks Z Z hemispherically
hollowed out in their opposed faces to receive and hold between them the ball a
which is bored through and screw threaded to receive the screw spindle having
preferably a flat thread.
The spindle is journalled in the rectangular frame d² carrying, rigidly fixed to its
lower part the wheel axle d¹. The spindle f traverses the upper bar of the frame d²
and carries lever handles by which it may be turned. It will be seen that the
beam A is therefore supported by the ball and socket joint a¹ Z in such a manner
that the beam may move freely in a vertical plane. A slight lateral turning or twisting
of the beam is also permitted the same being limited by the abutment of the
spindle against the edges of the blocks Z. The ploughs will therefore remain level
in spite of any small tilting of the axle d¹ by inequalities in the ground traversed by
the wheels.
To prevent the ball a' from turning horizontally in the cheeks Z Z, the said ball
carries two pins a projecting, the one to the front the other to the rear between
the faces of the blocks Z Z.
By turning the spindle ƒ the ball a¹ being unable to participate in the rotary move-
ment is carried up or down the spindle and the beam A is raised or lowered
accordingly. The spindlef being however journalled in the wheel frame, the beam A"

page_text: is capable of a horizontal swinging movement about the axis of the spindle that is to
say the wheel frame d² is free to move for the steering of the plough while the plough
beam remains parallel to the general line of draft.
The beam carries two cross bars e¹ el terminating in hooks and to these hooks
are attached chains 6
connected to eye bolts on the base of the wheel
frame d².
The chain or rope A¹ by which the plough is drawn is also attached to the base of
the wheel frame. When tension is applied to the rope A¹ the plough beam is tipped
thereby and the ploughshares or other implements on the rear part of the beam are
brought into operation as shown in Fig. 9 owing to the leverage produced by the
manner of attaching the chains 611 6.
The axle d¹ carries on the furrow side a wheel journalled upon it but on the land
side the axle is bent vertically upward, and to such upward extension an arm is
clamped said arm carrying the axle pin for the land wheel. The relative height of the
wheels may thus be adjusted according to the depth of furrow. At each end of the
beam is likewise a wheel ¹ for supporting the respective end of the beam when in
operation. Seats are likewise provided for the driver, one at each end of the beam
so that his weight may assist the leverage of the ploughs etc. in the soil. Fig. 25
shows the steering rod, the same consisting of a bar having bolted to it two plates o 0
forming a fork the outer ends of said plates being pivoted laterally to the upper bar X
of the wheel frame d. The steering rod may therefore swing vertically over from
one end of the beam to the other. Rest brackets fl fll notched on their upper edges
are provided for supporting and retaining the steering rod.
Referring to Figs. 12 to 18. The frames supporting the ploughshares and colters
are connected by hook clamps to the beam A" so that by setting them at desired angle,
different breadths or distances of furrow may be made. The rods i also hold the
frames in the position desired.
The wheels may be carried by the frames instead of by the beam A". The manner
of attaching harrows to the frame and the frame to the beam is shown in Figs. 16
and 18.
The rail track H may be of the usual gauge and may then be connected to a railway
system. The rail tracks H¹ H" serve for small trolleys for conveying manure onto the
field or for enabling the workmen to move quickly over the track for opening or
closing the station cocks etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is,
1. The combination in a pipe system for the purpose set forth of a main supply pipe
capable of withstanding pressure with branch systems divided each from the main
pipes by cocks each branch system having a stand pipe whereby pressure therein may
be ascertained.
2. The combination with a pipe system comprising main and branch pipes in connection
substantially as set forth of a tank in communication with said main pipes, a pond in
communication with said tank, an overflow ditch to said pond a covered manure pit
having means for mechanically filtering liquid manure, mechanical means, comprising
a motor a pump and a blower and pipe connections substantially as described, whereby
water or air may be forced into or drawn from said pipe system and liquid or gaseous
manure supplied thereto for the purpose set forth.
3. In a pipe system, main supply pipes in combination with branch systems and a
valve connecting each branch system with main pipe, said valve having a spigot plug a
tubular stem to said spigot, hexagonal collar on each stem and plug for closing the
upper end of said stem as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination with a pipe system for the purpose set forth of a manure pit
comprising a chamber for reception of manure, a draining floor to said chamber a
layer of mechanically filtering material above said floor, a tank for receiving the
filtered products and a chamber for treatment of chemical manure, said manure pit

page_text: being covered, together with pipe connections, and a pump and blower whereby the
liquid or gaseous manure may be forced into said pipe system.
5. In steam cultivators, the combination on a movable carriage of a horizontal
pulley Y bevelled wheel P¹ on shaft of said pulley shaft Z¹ pulley Z on said shaft
bevelled wheels X X¹ and clutch mechanism QQ, W together with pulley T and
pivoted arm S substantially as set forth.
6. In steam cultivators, a movable engine a carriage having pulley Y adapted to be
driven by power in either direction by said engine and having pulley T and arm S as
set forth, a windlass h on said carriage pulley V in combination with carriage U and
endless rope A¹ substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In steam cultivators the combination of a series of blocks B° having sockets for
the reception of wheels substantially as set forth with a frame U adapted to run on
said wheels and pulley V on said frame substantially as and for the purpose
described.
8. In balance ploughs the combination of the beam A" with frame d² supported by
wheels screw spindle f journalled in said frame and ball a¹ threaded for the passage
of said spindle together with cheek bearings Z Z on said beam adapted to hold said
ball a' as and for the purpose set forth.