PRATERA MAIINA MIGDIVng DRANTHA AMPROVEMENTS AND MOWING M PROVISIONAL SP
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, John
Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, all of Spittlegate Iron
Works, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, for the Invention of
PRATERA
MAIINA MIGDIVng "
DRANTHA
AMPROVEMENTS
AND MOWING M
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Hornsby, James
Edwin Phillips, John Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on
the 4th December 1874.
We, RICHARD HORNSBY, JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, JOHN INNOCENT,
and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, all of Spittlegate Iron Works, Grantham,
in the County of Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its obiect improvements in reaping and mowing

page_text: The main carrying and driving wheel of the machine is mounted upon
a quadrant lever having its centre on the main frame, and the height of
the wheel is adjusted by means of a connecting rod passing from the
quadrant to the main frame. The connecting rod has a nut upon it
capable of being turned by a lever carrying a pawl which takes into
notches in a ring encircling the nut. The pawl is thrown over from sido
to side to reverse the motion.
The main wheel has a separate boss which can be removed when it
becomes worn and replaced by a new one, and it also carries a ring of
spur teeth which also is in a separate piece, and can be renewed if
broken; it drives an intermediate wheel on an axis at the quadrant
centre. On the same axis are two rings of bevilled teeth, the smaller
gearing into a corresponding bevilled wheel gives motion to the axis of
the rakes and beaters, and the larger drives a bevilled pinion, having on
its axis a spur wheel, and this gears with a pinion on the axis of the
knife crank. This arrangement of gear admits of the cutting apparatus
being placed in a line with the axis of the main carrying wheel. The
knife is withdrawn when necessary through the wheel. This position of
the knife allows of the arms of the rakes and beaters being made shorter
than is usual, and we control or govern them so that the rakes or beaters
revolve in different courses.
In order to be able to alter the speed of the rakes and beaters as cir-
cumstances may require, the axis is divided into two lengths, an upper
and a lower, they can be connected by a sliding clutch, and so one speed
is obtained. For another speed the clutch is shifted so as to uncouple
the two lengths of the axis and simultaneously to clutch a pinion
mounted loosely on the lower part of the axis. This pinion then drives
another on a short intermediate axis which is geared with the upper
length of the rake and beater axis in such manner as to give the speed
desired.
We govern the beaters and rakes in the following manner:-We joint
them to a boss arranged to turn on a fixed stem or axis which above the
boss is bent or cranked and receives a collar, links connect the rakes
with the collar and so they are controlled. The beaters are governed by
other links connecting them with a collar or bar turning on a pin which
is adjustable along an arm keyed to the top of the stem or axis, around
which both the rakes and the beaters rotate. Or the rakes and beaters

page_text: may be governed by a cam fixed on the top of the stem or axis. The
cam has two tracks upon it, and each rake or beater can be made to
take one or other track at pleasure. In the one case it leaves the cut
crop lying on the platform, passing over it, and in the other case it clears
the platform and lays the sheaf on the ground. The track taken by
cach rake or beater is determined by a switch, and this switch is con-
trolled by a cam on an axis which is turned step by step by teeth or
projections on its axis working in connection with others on the rakes
or beaters. By changing the cam and its driving gear every alternate
rake or beater, or every third or fourth may be made to clear the
platform as the nature of the crop may render most convenient; or by
means of a treadle the rakes or beaters may at the pleasure of the driver
be prevented from clearing the platform.
The main wheel is provided with a scraper to clear the soil from its
3 surface. The scraper is set obliquely across the face of the wheel, and
it is mounted on the end of a stem on which it can pivot freely. The
stem is held in a socket provided to receive it, and the stem is bent so
that by turning it on its socket the scraper can be set to the wheel
whatever the height at which the wheel is adjusted to run.
In some cases we cover the fore parts of the fingers with jackets of
sheet stecl. In this way we steel both the points of the fingers and also
the cutting edges, and sometimes we mount lifters made of malleable
cast iron upon some of the fingers. These fingers are specially constructed
to receive the lifters which are jointed to them immediately over the
knife, and these fingers terminato in upright horns which pass through
corresponding slots in the lifters and serve as guides. There are set
screws in the lifters which abut upon the fingers immediately behind
the horns and prevent them descending below the point to which they
are set.
The knife clips are provided with spring pressure pieces which bear
lightly and equally upon the top of the knife bar. We sometimes carry
the knife bar upon open fingers at a distance from the front of the finger
bar. The fingers are formed with recesses in them to receive the knife
bar and allow it to work below the surface of the finger bar, with which
surface the knives or cutters are level or nearly so. The knife clips
have projections on their under sides to support the knife bar at the
back. There is an iron divider at the further end of the finger bar to

page_text: divide the crop and lead the portion to be cut towards the platform.
Around the outer side of the platform is an upright fence of sheet metal,
and above this is an inclined shelf, by preference of wood, to support the
crop after it has been cut, and cause it to be delivered without breaking
the straw. The oil holes in the machine are provided with sliding covers
to exclude dirt. The hole is formed at one extremity of a trough-like
cavity which is provided with a cover of corresponding form. The cover
is held on by a washer plate which is secured by a screw passed down
through the washer plate and also through a holo in the cover which is
slotted to the extent requisite to allow the necessary freedom of motion.
A coiled spring enclosed in the cavity holds the cover in place, covering
the oil hole except when it is purposely slidden off so as to expose the
hole and admit oil. The pole is provided with an eye at its end for
attaching the breast bar, which is strapped to the horses' collars. The
breast bar is provided with a ram's horn ring, and hooks on to the eye of
the pole.
In double wheel mowers we obtain a better distribution of the weight
on the two wheels by placing the driving ring of teeth on the outer
wheel, and the pinion which it drives is mounted on a long axis
extending across the space between the wheels, and at its end it carries
the bevilled wheel which drives the pinion upon the axis of the knife
crank from which a short connecting rod passes to the knife. The gear
wheels are lodged in a recess formed for them in the frame, and are thus
efficiently enclosed and protected so that they cannot become entangled
with the cut crop.
The wheels are put on to the axes when the axes are in their places.
The same arrangement of gear is applicable where a long connecting rod
is employed, the finger bar then being carried on the other side of the
machine, the connecting rod extending back across the space between
the two main wheels. The slade or cast frame to which the finger bar
is fixed is as is usual jointed to the main frame so that the finger bar
can be raised into an upright position for travelling and passing gate-
ways. A latch on the main frame catches a projection in the slade and
retains it when raised. At the joint connecting the slade with the main
frame a shield is formed extending over the knife crank and preventing
it coming into contact with obstructions on the land. There is the
usual lever for lifting the finger bar when at work, and to retain it at
any desired height. The catch on the lever which takes into notches in

page_text: a fixed arc is formed hollow and a spring is lodged partly within it.
The spring acts to throw the catch with more certainty into the notches,
or the spring may be applied in the grip between the handle of tho
lifting lever and the catch lever which is jointed upon it.
The pole of these machines and the driver's scat are fixed to a bridge
piece which is supported over the axle of the main wheels. The polo
and seat can be shifted upon the bridge piece and set a little to one sido
or the other as may best suit the particular work on which the machino
is employed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, John
Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th June 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
HORNSBY, JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, JOHN INNOCENT, and GEORGE
THOMAS RUTTER, all of Spittlegate Iron Works, Grantham, in the
County of Lincoln, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin
Phillips, John Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, Her special license
that we, the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, John
Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Richard Hornsby, James
Edwin Phillips, John Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, our
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 REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, John
Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, our executors or administrators,

page_text: by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us or them, 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 we, the said Richard Hornsby and James
Edwin Phillips, on behalf of ourselves and the said John Innocent and
George Thomas Rutter, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping and mowing
machines.
The main carrying and driving wheel of the machine is mounted upon
a quadrant lever having its centre on the main frame, and the height of
the wheel is adjusted by means of a connecting rod passing from the
quadrant to the main frame. The connecting rod has a nut upon it
capable of being turned by a lever carrying a pawl which takes into
notches in a ring encircling the nut. The pawl is thrown over from side
to side to reverse the motion. This improvement is shown at Figure 1
of the Drawings hereunto annexed. This Figure represents a longi-
tudinal section of a reaping machine in which this and some other of our
improvements are embodied. a is the main carrying and driving wheel,
the axis of which is carried by the quadrant b turning on an axis c
which is carried by the frame of the machine. The quadrant has also
jointed to it a rod c* as in the Specification of a former Patent granted
to some us. The forward end of this rod has a screw thread cut
upon it, upon which screws a nut d. This nut bears against a spring e
interposed between it and an abutment carried by the framing. In the 3
periphery of the nut are a number of notches, as shewn in the end view
of the nut at Figure 2. f is a lever capable of turning freely around
the nut. This lever carries a pawl f' which can be thrown over from
side to side so as to engage with the notches in the nut on either side of
the lever, by which means the nut can readily be turned by the lever in
either direction desired and the main carrying and driving wheel thus
raised or lowered. We claim as respects this part of our Invention the

page_text: comumed arrangeme vially as aUOTO MODDING
driver of the machine to readily raise or lower the main carrying or
driving wheel.
The main wheel we form with a separate boss which can be removed
when it becomes worn and replaced by a new one, and it also carries a
ring of spur teeth, which also is in a separate piece, and can be renewed
if broken. This arrangement is shown at Figures 3 and 3* (Sheet 2).
g is the boss secured to the casting forming the main wheel by bolts g',
and is the ring of teeth also secured to the main wheel by the lugs
and bolts . We claim combining with the main wheel of a reaping
machine both a moveable boss and ring of teeth as above described. The
ring of the teeth drives an intermediate wheel on an axis at the quadrant
centre, as shewn at Figures 1 and 3. On the axis of this intermediate
wheel are two rings of bevelled teeth i and k. The smaller marked i ·|
gears into a corresponding bevilled wheel, which gives motion to a
toothed wheel on the axis of the rakes and beaters, as shewn in
Figure 1. The toothed wheel is above the main driving wheel, and
the stud which carries it is close up to the main wheel so that the
toothed wheel partly overhangs the wheel. The up-and-down movements
of the rakes and beaters is controlled or governed in the manner sliewn,
so that they travel in different courses, as is herein-after more fully
described. When a cam or cams are employed for controlling the
movement of the rake and beater arms they may similarly be placed
above the main wheel and partly overlapping it as well as the toothed
wheel by which they are caused to revolve, so that their axis may be
placed close up to the main wheel as above described. An arrangement
of this kind is shown at Figure 1*, Sheet 3. The larger ring of teeth
marked (see Figure 1) drives a bevelled pinion k' having on its axis a
spur wheel, and this gears with a pinion on the axis of the knife
crank as shewn. This arrangement of gear admits of the cutting
apparatus being placed in a line with the axis of the main carrying
wheel, the knife being withdrawn when necessary through the wheel.
This position of the knife, together with placing the axis of the beaters
and rakes close up to the main wheel and with the toothed wheel which
drives the rakes, and the mechanism which controls their movement
above it allows of the arms of the rakes and beaters being made shorter
than is usual, the parts also being brought closer to the main wheel a
better balance is obtained.

page_text: We claim the combined arrangement of gearing, substantially as
above described, for driving the axis of the rakes and beaters and the
crank axis which gives motion to the knife, substantially as above
described.
We also claim the general arrangement of the -machine, substantially
as above described, so that the arms of the rakes and beaters may be
shorter than is usual, at the same time that they and the mechanism for
driving them are brought more over the main wheel, so that a better
balance is obtained.
In order to be able to alter the speed of the rakes and beaters, as
circumstances may require, we divide the axis which transmits motion
to the axis of the rakes into two lengths, an upper and a lower; they
can be connected by a sliding clutch, and so one speed is obtained. For
another speed the clutch is shifted so as to uncouple the two lengths of
the axis, and simultaneously to clutch a pinion mounted loosely on the
lower part of the axis. This pinion then drives another on a short
intermediate axis, which is geared with the upper length of the rake and
beater axis in such manner as to give the speed desired. This arrange-
ment is shewn at Figuro 4 (Sheet 1). is the divided axis for
transmitting motion from the ring of teeth on the main wheel to the
axis which carries the rake and beater arms; is the loose pinion upon
the lower half of the divided axis. This pinion gears with another on
the intermediate axis m, at the upper end of which is a larger pinion
gearing with a pinion on the upper half of the divided axis. n is a clutch
capable of sliding to and fro on the lower half of the divided axis.
When the clutch is made to engage with the upper half of the divided
axis one speed is obtained, as above mentioned, whilst when the clutch
is made to engage with the pinion l' the rakes are driven at a quicker
snood

page_text: which is adjustable along an arm keyed to the top of the stem or axis,
around which both the rakes and beaters rotate. This arrangement is
shewn at Figure 1, and also at Figure 4. The arms are jointed to a
boss o, on which is the toothed wheel, by which the rakes and beaters
are revolved. The boss o turns on a fixed stem or axis o*, which above
the boss o is cranked, as shewn, and carries a collar p to which the rake
arms are connected by links p*. To the top of the crank is fixed an
arm p', shewn in plan view at Figure 5. The arm has a slot formed in
it through which passes a pin p²; the pin is adjustable along the slot,
and can be fixed in any desired position. The pin has mounted upon
it a collar p³, to which the beater arms are connected by links, as
shewn.
In the arrangement shewn at Figure 4 there are six arms; the
number of arms employed may however be varied. The arms aro
independent one of the other, as shown more clearly in plan view at
Figure 6, and the links which connect them to the collars on the crank
pins are constructed so as readily to be attached to either of the collars,
so that any one of them may quickly be set to act cither as a beater or
as a rake to deliver the cut crop off the platform of the machine. Thus
either one, two, three, or all of the rakes may be set to deliver the cut
crop, and by combining such an arrangement with the power of driving
the rakes at variable speeds the rakes may be driven at whatever speed
is best adapted for the crop to be cut, and yet the bundles or sheaves of
crop may be delivered of any size desired.
In order that the links p* may readily be connected to either of the
collars p, p³, the ends of the links are cranked, as shewn, so that the
crank ends may drop into holes in either of the collars; and the cranked
ends carry spring bolts p', as shewn at Figure 7, which spring outwards
and retain the links p*. The bolts can readily be pushed back, and the
links lifted out of the holes if it is desired to detach them from one of
the collars and connect them to the other.
We would state that we are aware that it is not generally new to
govern the movements of the rake and beater arms by linking them to
collars capable of turning around fixed crank pins, nor to give by this
means a different motion to the rakes and beaters, we do not thereforc
claim the same, but we claim as respects this part of our Invention the
combined arrangement of apparatus substantially as above described and

page_text: shewn at Figure 1, and also at Figures 4 and 6, for controlling the
movement of the rake and beater arms of reaping machines; also con-
structing apparatus for controlling the movement of the rake and
beater arms of reaping machines (where their movements are controlled.
by crank pins as above described) in such a manner that any of the arms &
can readily be coupled to the collars turning upon either of the crank
pins, so that they may be quickly set either to act as beaters or
rakes.
Our next improvement relates to controlling the movement of the
rakes and beaters by a cam fixed on the top of their stem or axis. The 1
cam has two tracks upon it, and each rake or beater can be made to take
one or other track at pleasure. In the one case it leaves the cut crop
lying on the platform, passing over it; and in the other case it clears
the platform and lays the sheaf on the ground.
The track taken by each rake or beater is determined by a switch, and 1
this switch is controlled by a cam on an axis, which is turned step by
step by teeth or projections on its axis working in connection with others
on the rakes or beaters.
By changing the cam and its driving gear every alternate rako or
beater, or every third or fourth, may be made to clear the platform as
the nature of the crop may render most convenient; or by means of a
treadle the rakes or beaters may, at the pleasure of the driver, be
prevented from clearing the platform.
the boss, to which the rake
has, as in the arrangements
which it is revolved. The
Ono arrangement of apparatus for controlling the movement of the
rake and beater arms in this manner is shewn at Figures 8 and 9. 2
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the apparatus, and Figure 9 a horizontal
section of the same. In these Figures o is
and beater arms are jointed, and this boss
previously described, a ring of teeth 2, by
boss turns upon a stud or pin carried by the standard q, forming part of a
the framing of the machine. The standard also carries the fixed cam g¹,
around a portion of the circumference of which are two tracks, along
either of which the rollers q² carried by the arms can be caused to travel,
according as they are directed by the switch 23. This switch is jointed
to a rod q', around which is a coiled spring 9", which tends constantly to 3
draw the switch into the position shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 9,
and so cause the rollers q² to travel along the outer track of the cam q';

page_text: the rake arms which carry the rollers would then simply act as beaters,
and would not sweep off the cut crop from the platform of the machine,
but if the switch is pressed outwards by the rod q' into the position
shown by the full lines in Figure 9 the rollers will follow the inner track,
and the rakes will sweep the crop off the platform. The back end of the
rod q' is jointed to a lever q, the short arm of which is at times acted
upon by 'a cam qº on the axis q' in such a manner as to move the switch
outwards. The cam is free to slide endwise upon its axis, but is held up
by a spring 2 to keep it in position to act upon the lever q. It can
however be drawn downwards at any time by the driver pulling a cord qº,
the lever q' being then free from the cam. The switch will be turned
by the spring q¹ into the position shown by dotted lines, and none of the
rakes will then deliver.
Upon the axis q' which carries the cam is a toothed wheel q" which
may conveniently be formed either as shewn at Figures 10 or 11; this
wheel is from time to time acted upon by teeth carried on the interior
of the boss o just above the ring of teeth 2 by which the boss is driven.
A step-by-step motion is thus given to the axis which carries the cam,
which can be regulated by the form of whicel placed upon the axis, and
the number of teeth upon the boss which act upon this wheel, thus
cither every alternate rake may be caused to deliver, or every third,
fourth, or other number of rakes, as desired. This arrangement of
apparatus for controlling the movement of the rakes we also use in
combination with driving apparatus, such as shewn at Figure 4, so that
the speed at which the rakes are driven may be varied; thus, the rakes
may be revolved at the speed best adapted for the crop to be cut, whilst
at the same time the cut crop may be delivered in sheaves of any size
deciund
We also use the above-described rake controlling apparatus, together
with the arrangement of gearing herein-before described and shewn at
Figure 1, for giving motion to the knife and rakes.
•
A modification of the above-described rake controlling apparatus is
shown at Figures 12 and 13. In this arrangement the cam is placed
within the boss o to which the arms are jointed in place of outside of it,
as in the arrangement shown at Figures 8 and 9. The same letters of
reference are used as in Figures 8 and 9, and the action of the parts is
"

page_text: '
precisely the same, so that it is unnecessary to give any further
description of them.
Another modification is shewn at Figures 14 and 15; Figure 14 is a
vertical section of the apparatus; and Figure 15, a plan view;
thc same
letters of reference are employed as in the previous Figures. The teeth
which are to give motion to the cam axis q' are upon the top of the
boss o to which the rake and beater arms are jointed, and this cam axis
is mounted upon a plate carried on the top of the stud or axis upon
which the boss revolves. The switch q³ is worked by a rod passing up
through the plater, and connected to an arm on the axis ; the
spring q tends to turn the axis and raise the switch whenever it is free
to do so, but the switch may be lowered by the action of the cam 2° on
the cam axis q7, as in the previous arrangements. The arm on the
axis q' can be drawn out of the way of the cam by means of an arm q
on the axis q¹³, which passes down through the stud or axis upon which
the boss o revolves. On the lower end of the axis q¹³ is an arm with
a cord attached to it, by pulling which the rakes may be prevented from
sweeping the crop off the platform, as before explained. A side view
of the cam and switch for controlling the movement of the rakes is
shown at Figure 16.
We would state that we are aware that it has before been proposed to
control the movement of the rake and beater arms of reaping machines
by means of a cam with a double track and with a switch to cause the
rollers on the arms to travel in one track or the other as desired, and that
the movements of such switch have been controlled by a cam on an axis
to which a continuous revolving motion has been imparted. We do not
therefore claim the same, but we claim the combined arrangements of
apparatus substantially as above described for controlling the movements
of the rake and beater arms of reaping machines.
We also claim controlling the movements of the switch by a cam or
arm on an axis, to which a step-by-step movement is given by teeth, on
the boss to which the rake and beater arms are jointed, substantially as
above described.
The main wheel of reaping machines we provide with a scraper to clear
the soil from its surface in the. manner shown at Figure 17, Sheet 1.
The scraper is set obliquely across the face of the wheel, and it is
mounted on the end of a stem, on which it can pivot freely. The stem

page_text: is held in a socket provided to receive it, and the stem is bent so that by
turning it in its socket the scraper can be set to the wheel whatever the
height at which the wheel is adjusted to run.
We claim the application of a scraper to the main wheel of reaping
machines in the manner above described.
-
In some cases we cover the fore parts of the fingers with jackets of
sheet steel. In this way we steel both the points of the fingers, and also
the cutting edges. A finger covered in this manner is shown at
Figures 18 and 19. The finger is formed with a blunt point, and the
point itself is formed by the jacket. The jacket is formed of sheet steel
bent to the form desired with its edges coming together, or nearly so, on
the under side of the finger, and the jacket is secured to the finger by a
pin s as shown.
We claim affixing an outer jacket of sheet steel to the fingers in the
manner.above described.
Sometimes we mount lifters made of malleable cast iron upon some of
the fingers in the manner shown at Figures 20 and 21. These fingers
are specially constructed to receive the lifters, which are jointed to them
at t immediately over the knife, and these fingers terminate in upright
horns, which pass through corresponding slots in the lifters, and serve
as guides. There are set screws in the lifters, which abut upon the
fingers immediately behind the horns, and prevent them descending
below the point to which they are set.
We claim the combined arrangement of the lifter with its adjustable
screw stop and finger, with its horn to steady the lifter as it rises
or falls.
In some cases we provide the knife clips with spring pressure pieces,
which. bear lightly and equally upon the top of the knife bar. A plan view
and side view of a knife clip formed in this manner are shown at
Figures 22 and 23, and a modification of the arrangement is shown at
22* and 23*.
We claim applying spring pressure pieces to the knife clips as above

page_text: The fingers are formed with recesses (u) in them to receive the knife
bar (u') and allow it to work below the surface of the finger bar, with
which surface the knives or cutters (²) are level, or nearly so. The
knife clips have projections (u³) on their under sides to support the knife
bar at the back. In some cases also we arrange the knife bar to rest
upon every second, third, or fourth finger in place of on all the fingers
as heretofore.
We claim carrying the knife bar of a reaping machine, substantially
in the manner above described.
In some cases we employ an iron divider at the further end of the
finger bar to divide the crop and lead the portion to be cut towards the
platform. Around the outer side of the platform is an upright fence of
sheet metal, and above this is an inclined shelf, by preference of wood, to
support the crop after it has been cut, and cause it to be delivered with-
out breaking the straw. This arrangement of divider, inclined shelf,
and sheet metal fence is shown at Figures 25 and 26.
We claim the combination of these in the manner shown.
In some cases we provide the oil holes in reaping machines with
sliding covers to exclude dirt in the manner shown at Figures 27 and 28,
Sheet 2. The hole (v) is formed at one extremity of a trough like
cavity, which is provided with a cover (¹) of corresponding form. The
cover is held on by a washer plate (v³) which is secured by a screw
passed down through the washer plate, and also through a hole in the
cover which is slotted to the extent requisite to allow the necessary
freedom of motion. A coiled spring enclosed in the cavity holds the a
cover in place, covering the oil holo except when it is purposely slidden
off so as to expose the hole and admit oil.
We claim the combined arrangement above described for covering
over the oil holes.
In double wheel mowers we obtain a better distribution of the weight 8
on the two wheels by placing the driving ring of teeth on the outer
wheel, and the pinion which it drives is mounted on a long axis
extending across the space between the wheels, and at its end it carries
the bevilled wheel which drives the pinion upon the axis of the knife
crank from which a short connecting rod passes to the knife. The gear
wheels are lodged in a recess formed for them in the frame, and are thus
3

page_text: efficiently enclosed and protected so that they cannot become entangled
with the cut crop. The wheels are put on to the axes when the axes are
in their places.
A plan view of a double wheel mowing machine with its gearing
arranged in the manner above described is shown at Figure 29, and a
section at Figure 30. a is the outer wheel carrying a ring of teeth
gearing into a pinion on the shaft b, which extends across the space
between the main wheels, and carries a bevil wheel which drives a pinion
on the crank shaft e for giving motion to the knife. The same arrange-
ment of gear is applicable where a long connecting rod is employed in
the manner shown at Figure 32, the connecting rod extending back
across the space between the two main wheels.
We claim the combined arrangements of double wheel mowing
machines, substantially as above described, the ring of teeth for driving
the knife being fixed to the outer wheel, and the gear wheels being
lodged in a recess formed for them in the frame.
The slade or cast frame to which the finger bar is fixed is as is usual
jointed to the main frame, so that the finger bar can be raised into an
upright position for travelling and passing gateways. A latch (d) on
the main frame catches a projection on the slade and retains it when
raised. At the joint connecting the slade with the main frame a shield
(e) is formed extending over the knife crank, and preventing it coming
into contact with obstructions on the land. There is the usual lever for
lifting the finger bar when at work and to retain it at any desired height.
The catch on the lever which takes into notches in a fixed are may be
acted upon by a spring applied in the grip between the landle of the
lifting lever and the catch lever, which is jointed upon it in the manner
shewn at Figure 30.
The pole of the machines and the driver's seat we fix to a bridge piece
f which is supported over the axle of the main wheels. The polo and
seat can then be shifted upon the bridge piece and set a little to one side
or the other, as may best suit the particular work on which the machine
is employed. This arrangement is shown at Figure 30, and in a
separate view Figure 31.
When shafts are used for a single horse machine they may similarly
be fixed to a bridge picce along which they may be shifted. When
shafts are used the draft rod from the draft whipple tree may be con-