IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MOWING AND REAPING
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Mingay Garrard, of 52, Gracechurch Street,
in the City of London, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE=
"
Sealed the 30th August 1867, and dated the 2nd March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Mingay Garrard at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd March 1867.
I, GEORGE MINGAY GARRARD, of 52, Gracechurch Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MOWING AND REAPING," to be as
follows:-
The object of these improvements is to afford various facilities in the use of
apparatus employed in performing the operations of mowing and reaping.
Supposing the apparatus to be arranged for the operation of mowing the
draft framing is supported by brackets from the axis of the main or driving
wheels, and these or other brackets descend below this axle to support by
axes or hinge joints bearing arms for the support of the ends or other parts of
the finger bar, the object of these joints being to admit of the finger bar rising
or falling with the undulations of the ground or for the depth of its action to
'

page_text: be otherwise regulated. The fore ends of these bearing arms are formed as
shoes or sledges, or may have wheels to aid them in following the surface of
the ground when in operation. Chains from these bearing arms passing over
multiplying pulleys upon an axis with a crank handle or other lever motion
to them are used to raise the finger bar and parts carried thereby out of
operation or to regulate the depth of operation when required. The finger bar
and the knife bar carried thereby are placed to operate in front of the driving
wheels and slightly over or beyond one of them. Reciprocating motion is
given to the knife bar by a connecting rod operated by a crank stud carried
by one end of an axis, the other end of which has applied to it a bevelled
tooth pinion the teeth of which gear into the teeth of a bevelled tooth wheel
on an axis carried by brackets below the main axle; this bevelled tooth whicel
is connected to its axle by preference by clutch connection, and the axle lias
motion given to it by a pinion at one end of it gearing into teeth applied on
one of the driving wheels. The axis carrying the crank stud at one end and
the bevelled tooth pinion at the other is supported in bearings carried by a
bearing arm or frame, the rear end of which is supported to turn on the axis
of the bevelled tooth wheel gearing into the bovelled tooth pinion or other
suitable axis, whilst the fore end of this frame or arm is provided with a
supporting wheel or a sledge or shoe to facilitate its following the undulations
of the ground. The supporting wheel or the shoe or sledge to this frame is
placed in front of the crank motion above referred to so as to protect it from
being interfered with by the cut grass or other material; this arm or frame
may also be connected to one of the bearing arms of the finger bar by a link
or connecting rod; this arm or frame may thus be connected with one of the
bearing arms of the finger bar, so as to be at liberty to follow the undulations
of the ground in conjunction with or independently of the bearing arms of the
finger bar. Hinge bearing arms or frame or arms and frames as thus arranged
may be applied to mowing machines such as are now commonly used, which
have an overhanging finger bar and two driving wheels; this is effected by
attaching such a finger bar to a bearing frame or arm, one or more, as
convenient, similar to those already described, which frame or arm or arms or
frames, duly strengthened, is or are carried at the most convenient point or
points between the two driving wheels.
When the apparatus is to be used for reaping or cutting long strawed crops
the finger and knife bars are required to be at a greater distance in front of
the axis of the driving wheels to allow the cut corn to fall without obstruction;
this may be effected by simply lengthening the bearing arms, or to prevent
the main axle being an obstruction it may be dispensed with, the driving

page_text: wheels being made to revolve on short lengths of axle or upon studs. For
eutting long strawed crops the centre carrying the bearing arms may be
continued through the machine in the form of a spindle, and this spindle may
be placed further to the rear of the machine. The sheaves are delivered by
reciprocating delivery boards, a drop platform, and a contrivance which serves
to rake the sheaf off from the drop platform, all of which are contained
between the two outer finger bar bearing arms, but these parts may occupy &
larger space by extending to the knife, spindle, bearing arm, or frame. The
reciprocating boards reciprocate in a line at right angles with the line of
advance of the machine; they urge the cut corn in those lines and to one side
of the machine. A drop platform is placed on the side of the machine, to
which the straw is urged; it is situated so as to receive the cut corn in the
most convenient manner. The reciprocating boards deliver the cut corn on
to the drop platform, which when sufficient corn to form a sheaf is collected,
is made to fall in the manner of such platforms now generally used, and thus
it will deliver a sheaf. The length of the reciprocating boards and the width
of the drop platform generally make up the dimensions of the width of the
cut of the machine, but these parts may occupy a larger space by extending
from the outer bearing arm to the arm or frame of the crank spindle or
axis. The reciprocating boards are actuated by a crank spindle having four.
or other number of cranks for as many reciprocating boards and connecting
rods; this spindle is worked underneath the boards.
The raking apparatus is constructed as follows:-The drop platform in.
the direction of its length, that is, in lines running in the direction of the line:
of advance of the machine, has a convenient number of slots or openings; these
slots are open at the end furthest from the finger bar. Along these slots and
coming up from below them works prongs or tines; they are so contrived that
while the sheaf is accumulating on the platform they shall remain stationary.
at a convenient point, say near the joint or hinge of the drop platform, and.
when the platform is made to fall that they slide along the openings and so
urge the sheaf to leave the platform. The manner of accomplishing this is by
hook-shaped or other convenient shaped pieces of iron attached to the tines.
underneath the platform; they accomplish the passage along the slots in the
following manner:-When the platform falls these hooks are made to fall on:
the ground, in which they catch; the machine moving forward causes them
to travel to the end of their stroke. The tines are made to come through the
platform to a convenient length; they are made by preference to double up.
in returning to their position at the finger bar end of the slots; they are male.
to regain their position at this end by springs of metal or india-rubber assisted

page_text: by their own gravity. The reciprocating boards are required to rise vertically
above each other in order to effect the work intended for them. This is
accomplished as follows:-They near each end or at convenient distances
apart rest on and work on guides, but instead of these guides being parallel
with the surface of the boards they form an angle with them; they are in
effect wedges placed underneath the boards; these guides work in suitable
apertures attached to the finger bar, bearing armns, or other parts in that
neighbourhood. The boards being made to reciprocate on these guides it will
be understood that they must rise and fall in vertical planes. The platform.
may drop and rise by the action of the hand or foot of the driver, or it may
act by a cam on the driving wheel nearest to it..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Mingay Garrard in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
MINGAY GARRARD, of 52, Gracechurch Street, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Mingay Garrard, Her special licence that I, the said George
Mingay Garrard, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said George Mingay Garrard, 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 APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MOWING AND REAPING," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Mingay Garrard,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument 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.

page_text: leclare the nature of the said invention, and a what manner
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The object of these improvements is to afford various facilities in the use of
apparatus for performing the operations of mowing and reaping.
But that the Invention may be fully understood I will, by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, proceed to describe means pursued by me in carrying
the same into effect,
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a plan view, and Figure 2. a longitudinal section of parts
of apparatus arranged for mowing standing grass according to my Invention
Figures 5 and 6 show portions separately, in order that their construction may
be better understood. In each of these views the same letters indicate
corresponding parts wherever they occur. a, a, a, is the main or draft framing
which is affixed to brackets b, 6', and be formed to receive the axis c of the
main wheels c', c. These brackets½2, or there may be others applied
for the same purpose, descend as shown below the axle c, and the brackets 6,61,
support by the axes d the rear end of the frame e, whilst the bracket 62 by an
axis & supports the bearing arm e¹; the bearing frame e and the bearing
arm e' at their other ends support the finger bar f. The object of the bearing
frame e and the arm e¹, being thus capable of moving on axes d, d, or it may
be other suitable joints, is to admit of the finger bar f rising or falling with
the undulations of the ground, or for the depth of its action to be otherwise
regulated. The fore end of the bearing frame e is formed to receive a bearing
wheel 93 the bearing arm e¹ has a shoe or sledge h, but they may both be
fitted with either wheels, or shoes, or sledges. The object of these fore ends
of the bearing frame e and of the arm e¹ being thus provided with supporting
wheels, shoes, or sledges, is to aid them at those parts in following the surface
of the ground when the apparatus is in use. The bearing frame e and the
bearing arm el are attached to one end of a chain i, the other end of which is
attached to a pulley j, and this pulley.j is applied on an axis or shaft j', which
is supported so as to be capable of revolving in bearings j, and it is provided
with a crank handle, by which it may be readily caused to revolve, or
partially so, and thereby give motion to the pulley j to raise or lower the
bearing frame e and the bearing arm e¹, the finger bar and parts connected
therewith, and thereby regulate the depth of their operation, or to raise them
out of operation when required. The finger barf and the knife bar k carried

page_text: thereby are placed as shown to operate in front of the wheels c1, c2, and so as
slightly to project over or beyond the wheel c. Reciprocating motion is
imparted to the knife bar k by a connecting rod 7, one end of which is by pin
joint connected at to one end of the knife bar, whilst the other end of this
rod is by pin joint connected to a crank stud formed on or affixed to one
end of the axis m, which is supported with capability of revolving in bearings
carried by the frame e, and at its other end this axis m has applied to it a
bevilled toothed pinion m³, the teeth of which gear into the teeth of a bevilled
tooth wheel n, which is capable of turning on the axis d. This bevilled toothed
wheel n is by preference connected to its axis d so as to be caused to revolve
with that axis by a clutch connection o, and the axis d has motion given to it in
the revolution of the wheel c¹ by the teeth of a wheel caffixed to the wheel c
gearing with the teeth of a pinion c affixed on the axis d. The supporting
wheel, or shoe, or sledge to the frame e is placed in front of the crank motion
above referred to, so as to protect it from being interfered with by the cut
grass or other material. This frame e is connected to the bearing arm e by
the finger barf; or there may be another bearing arm e similar to the arm e
placed a short distance from the frame e, as shown by Figures 3 and 4, to
support the two ends of the finger bar f, and such extra bearing arm may
be connected to the frame e by a link or connecting rod to act as a tie, but
applied as shown so as to admit of the fore ends of these arms e, e, following
the undulations of the ground to a slight extent independently of the frame e.
In this case instead of the connecting rod 7 being attached to the knife bar k
by a pin joint it is better at that part to be provided with a ball-and-socket
joint. The binge bearing arm or frame e, as arranged in Figures 1 and 2,
may be applied to mowing and reaping machines, such as are now commonly
used, and which have an overhanging finger bar and two driving wheels.
This may be effected by attaching such a finger bar to a bearing frame or arm
having a spindle and crank, and parts acting therewith similar to that already
described, which frame or arm duly strengthened is carried by brackets such
as 6 and b', at the most convenient point between the two driving. wheels, by
preference as close as practicable to the inner main or driving wheel. Figures
7 and 8 show by horizontal and vertical sections a modification in the form
of the end frame e, and in the mode of connecting the finger bar f thereto,
together with a method of working the knife bar k when applying the improve-
ments to mowing machines for standing grass, such as are now in use. In
this case the finger bar f is attached to the frame e by means of the circular
strap t, which embraces the circular plate u so as to turn thereon concentrically
with the axle m, such plate u being affixed to or forming part of the frame e.

page_text: The object of the finger bar f being thus attached to the frame e by a strap or
ring working on a fixed grooved circular plate or block placed concentrically
with the centre of the crank rod m is to enable the bar f when.overhanging
to rise or fall with variations in the level of the side lying ground without
the connecting rod altering the angle at which it works, or to retain these
parts in the same relative position at all times.
In the arrangement shown by Figures 1 and 2 I use one of the main wheels
only as a driving wheel, namely, the wheel c¹ which carries the toothed
wheel. The main axle c in this case does not revolve, and both of the main
wheels c', c, are free to turn on it.
In the arrangement shown by Figures 3 and 4 both main wheels c¹ and c³
are used as driving wheels, and the main axle c revolves; the spur wheel
is made with external teeth and is keyed on the main axle independently of
the main wheel c'. These main wheels cause the main axle to revolve by
pawls and ratchets as is usual in other mowing machines.
Figures 1 and 2 shew hay making apparatus or a contrivance by which
the cut grass may be laid lightly on the ground to facilitate its being made
into hay by the action of the sun and air; this apparatus is worked by toothed
wheels r,, from the centre or spindle d, as shown, and consists of a barrel P
capable of revolving on the main axle and of tines q inserted in it so as to be
easily removable. The toothed wheel is attached to the barrel by a key,
or it may be cast on if preferred; this apparatus may be made to drive in a
contrary direction, and a pitch chain or strap used in the place of the spur
wheels. When the apparatus is to be used for reaping or cutting long
strawed crops the finger and knife bars are required to be at a greater
distance in front of the axis of the driving wheels to allow the cut corn to
fall without obstruction; this may be effected by simply lengthening the
bearing arms, or to prevent the main axle being an obstruction such axle
may be dispensed with, the main or bearing wheels being in that case made
to revolve on short lengths of axle or upon studs carried by brackets b, b'.
The axis d carrying the bearing arms may be continued through the machine
in the form of a spindle to supply the place of the main axle, and serve as a
tie or connection to the parts, and this spindle may be placed further to the
rear of the machine; those parts of the brackets b, b', 6, above the main
axle or centre may be taken up higher and carried further back, and be
connected by a wooden or other frame. These are carried back in order that
the frame may not be an obstacle to the falling corn. The draught framing
I by preference form of wood, and that part of it overhanging the finger bar
may be dispensed with, as it is not essential when the brackets are connected

page_text: by the wooden frame. The sheaves are delivered by a drop platform which
may be of the ordinary construction; this platform occupies the whole length
of the finger bar, as is usual with other reaping machines, and it is joined to it
by hinges; it may be worked by the foot of the driver, when the machine will
be worked as a manual delivering machine.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying
the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to
the precise arrangements of parts shown and described as these may be varied;
but what I do claim is the arranging or combining parts of apparatus
employed in mowing and reaping whereby the finger bar is supported on
bearing arins or a bearing frame and bearing arm or arms turning on hinge
joints or axes of motion at their rear end, and supported on wheels, sledges,
or shoes at their fore end to admit of the finger bar and parts carried thereby
following the undulations of the ground, such hinge joints or axes of motion
being applied below the main axle, and whereby such finger bar and parts
carried thereby may operate in front of the main or bearing wheels and
slightly project over or beyond one of them, and whereby the crank axle for
giving motion to the cutter or knife bar is supported by an arm or frame
capable of turning on an axis of motion from brackets 6 at its rear end below
the main axle, whilst the fore end of such frame is supported by a wheel
skid or shoe to enable it to follow the undulations of the ground, substantially
as explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Mingay Garrard, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
GEORGE M. GARRARD. (L.S.)