Improvements in Revolving Fork or Harrow, and in the Attachment of the same to Plough.
Year: 1884

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 3rd day of September 1886, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
Improvements in Revolving Fork or Harrow, and in the
Attachment of the same to Plough.
I CALEB BARKER of Shadwell Thetford in the County of Norfolk Estate Agent
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING
FORK OR HARROW AND IN THE ATTACHMENT OF THE SAME TO PLOUGH to be as
follows:-
:-
A circular frame with teeth or prongs fixed to it on its outer (or near its outer).
edge such circular frame to turn on an axis attached to a lever such lever to be
attached to a rod or bolt so as to allow such lever to rise and fall so as to allow
the frame with the teeth or prongs to adapt itself to the unevenness of the land
ploughed without disturbing the plough in its work such rod or bolt with lever
attached to be fixed to the plough in such a position that the revolving frame is
held at a certain angle so that when the plough is drawn forward the frame will
revolve and the teeth or prongs will fork out the grass from the furrow that is
being ploughed unto the furrow that was previously ploughed or will harrow or
level each furrow as it is ploughed.

page_text: Improvements in Revolving Fork or Harrow, and in the
Attachment of the same to Plough.
I CALEB BARKER of Shadwell, Thetford in the county of Norfolk, Estate
Agent do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN REVOLVING FORK OR HARROW AND IN THE ATTACHMENT OF SAME TO PLOUGH
"
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 improvements in revolving forks or harrows and in the
method of attaching the same to ploughs and the invention consists in so con-
structing the fork or harrow that when held at an angle to the ground and
direction of travel of the plough by suitable means such as are hereinafter described
and the plough is drawn forward the frame of the fork or harrow will revolve and
the teeth or prongs thereof will fork out the grass from the furrow which is being
ploughed onto the furrow which has just been ploughed, or when held nearly
horizontally will harrow or level each furrow as it is ploughed. Further the
revolving fork or harrow is attached to the plough in such a manner as to allow
the frame with the teeth or prongs to rise and fall and so automatically adjust
itself to the unevenness of the land ploughed without interfering with the plough
whilst working.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawings in which figure 1, sheet 1, represents
a plan and figure 2, sheet 1, a sectional elevation of a revolving fork or harrow
constructed according to my invention and having teeth suitable for levelling and
harrowing or forking a light soil; figures 3, 4 and 5, sheet 1, are detached views
illustrating the method of attaching the fork or harrow to a plough; figures 6,
and 7, sheet 1, are perspective views, shewing what is known as a "Gallows"
plough with the revolving fork or harrow applied thereto; figures 8, and 9, sheet 1,
are a plan and sectional elevation respectively shewing a revolving harrow having
teeth suitable for levelling and harrowing heavy soil; figures 10 and 11, sheet 2,
are a plan and sectional elevation respectively of a revolving fork or harrow
suitable for levelling, harrowing or forking heavy soil; figures 12, to 16 sheet 2,
are detached views illustrating the method of attaching the fork or harrow to a
plough for the purpose of forking the land; figures 17 and 18, sheet 2 are
perspective views shewing the fork or harrow so applied to an ordinary plough.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 are drawn to a scale of about one eighth full size;
figures 10, to 16 about one sixth full size and figures 6, 7, 17 and 18 about half
an inch to one foot. Similar letters in all the figures represent similar parts.
I will first describe my invention by reference to figures 1 to 7; a, is the frame
of the revolving fork or harrow formed as shewn in figure 2, with a divided rim
in which are inserted the teeth or prongs b, having a flange or collar c, and a screw

page_text: thread d, formed on their inner ends; the said screw threaded ends pass through
clips or clamps e, which clip over the divided rim and screw nuts f, are then screwed
onto the said ends of the teeth or prongs; this arrangement allows of the teeth or
prongs being adjusted radially in the frame a, and of employing any required
number of the said teeth or prongs; the frame a, is formed with a boss g, for
receiving an adjustable spindle h, which passes through a slot i, in a bar or lever j,
shewn in elevation at figures 3, and 4 whereby the position of the frame on the
bar or lever can be adjusted; the bar or lever j, lies parallel with the surface of the
frame a and is provided at its lower end with a socket or hinge k, formed at an
angle as shewn to give the required angle to the frame a; through the socket or
hingek, passes loosely a bar l, shewn in elevation at figure 5, fixed to the body
of the plough by means of a slotted projection m, (or by separate holes or clasps)
which allows of regulating the height of the frame from the ground; the rod 1, has
a vertical slotted rod m², at its outer end whereby it is supported as shewn at n,
figure 6, the said rods l, and m³, serving to adjust and hold the frame a, at its
proper angle; the bar or lever j, works hingewise on the rod 1, when the revolving
frame is required to adjust itself automatically to the unevenness of the land when
using the revolving frame as a harrow or to level the ground ploughed; it can
however be fixed on the rod 1, as hereinafter described if required to be used as
a fork or for very heavy lands or for heavy ploughs; the outer and upper end of
the bar or lever j, is attached at o, to a chain p, (or to a rod, wire or rope) for
supporting the said end and for drawing the fork or harrow along with the plough
as shewn in figure 7.
The operation of the improved revolving fork or harrow is as follows:-
When the plough is drawn forward with the revolving frame a, attached at a
proper angle by a chain p, lever j, and bar 1, the teeth or prongs b, on the low
side of the frame a, on coming in contact with the ground will cause the frame a,
to revolve at such an angle that the teeth or prongs as soon as they cominence to
rise from the ground will describe a circle upwards and outwards from the plough
so that their highest point will be slightly before the centre on the outer or far
side of the plough and their lowest point will be slightly behind the centre on the
side nearest the plough, the front teeth and those descending will be pointing
forward and those behind ascending will be crooming forward and outwards so as
to comb through each furrow as it is ploughed and fork out the grass if set deep
or if set fleet and nearly horizontal will harrow or level the land ploughed and the
bar or lever j, being jointed and lying parallel with the surface of the revolving
frame a, will allow the revolving frame with the teeth or prongs b, to automatically
adjust itself when required to the unevenness of the land without interrupting the
work of the plough.
The harrow shewn in figures 8 and 9 is similar in construction to that
herein before described and shewn in figures 1 and 2, with the exception that the
teeth or prongs b, are of a different shape to serve for levelling and harrowing
heavy lands; and are fixed by means of screw bolts and nuts d, and f, which pass
through the divided rim a, and the upper end of the teeth or prongs which clip or
clamp the said rim as shewn; the teeth or prongs are somewhat of the shape of a
scimitar twisted at the lower and outer end so as to present the edge of the blade
towards the direction in which the harrow rotates and thereby facilitate the
breaking of the soil.
In the fork or harrow shewn in figures 10 and 11 suitable for forking, harrowing
and levelling heavy lands, the frame a, is formed of a circular flanged plate; the
flange is provided with a number of holes a¹, in which are inserted the teeth or
prongs b, of the shape shewn in the drawing; the inner ends of the teeth are
similar in construction to those shewn in figures 1 and 2, and receive a screw
nut f, to fix them to the frame a. The means shewn in figures 12, to 16 for
attaching the revolving fork or harrow to the plough when it is required for
forking the land consists of a screw threaded rod or bar r, shewn in elevation at

page_text: figures 12, and 13 and having an eye 8, which receives the spindle of the frame a,
the said spindle passing first through the slot i, of the bar.j, figures 3 and 4; the
screw threaded end of the rod or bar r, is passed through one of the boles, in the
vertical rod or bar m¹, shewn in elovation at figures 14 and 15, which bar m³, is
fixed to the plough frame by means of a strap t, shewn in plan at figure 16; nuts
are passed over the screw threaded end of the rod or bar r, and the frame a, will
be held rigidly in any position to which it may be adjusted. This method of
attachment may also if required be employed for fixing the fork or harrow shewn
in figures 1, 2, 8 and 9.
q, figures 6, 7, 17 and 18 is a short or half breast or mould board which I prefer
to employ instead of the usual breast or mould board made in different shapes to
suit the various kinds of soil and which partly turns the soil into the revolving
fork or harrow which revolves at the back of or behind the said breast or mould
board and receives the partly turned soil from the short fixed breast finishes
turning it and at the same time forks the grass from the furrow onto the furrow
that was previously ploughed.
Although I have shown my improved revolving fork or harrow with the hinged
lever or bar j, on the side of the revolving frame next the plough, it will be evident
that it may be placed on the other side or before or behind or below; further
I have shewn the said hinged lever or bar j, provided with a slot i, for adjusting the
axis h, of the frame a, but this adjustment may be effected by means of separate
holes or by the lever or bar j, being made in two pieces so as to slide one over the
other.
The above described means of attachment may of course require to be varied to
suit different horse and steam ploughs and different lands.
Although I have described-and-shewn means for rigidly fixing the fork or harrow
when required it will be evident that it may be made a fixture-without having
means-for-automatic adjustment the revolving frame-at-the-same-time-being held
at the required-angle-and-revolving-at-the-back-of the-short breast or mould board
as-hereinbefore-described.
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 with a plough of a revolving fork or harrow having
means for automatic adjustment substantially as described and so constructed
and arranged that when the plough to which the fork or harrow is attached is
drawn forward the frame will revolve and the teeth or prongs will fork out the
grass from the furrow which is being ploughed onto the furrow which was
previously ploughed or will harrow or level each furrow as it is ploughed
substantially as hereinbefore described.
(2). The combination of a plough having a short or half breast with a revolving
fork or harrow having means for automatic adjustment constructed substantially
as described whereby the soil is turned and forked at the same time substantially
as herein before described.
(3). The combination with a revolving fork or harrow such as those described
and shewn in the drawings and having adjustable tecth or prongs, of a hinged
lever or bar for allowing the frame to be held at the required angle and to
automatically adjust itself to the unevenness of the land ploughed, the said lever or
bar and revolving frame being provided with means for adjusting the position of
the said frame on the plough and on the lever or bar substantially as hereinbefore
described and represented in the accompanying drawings.
(4). The combination of the revolving forks or harrows hereinbefore described
baving teeth suited to the purpose for which they are to be applied with the
hinged and slotted lever or bar j, slotted or porforated roda l, and m, and chain p,
or its equivalent all arranged substantially as hereinbefore described a d represented
in figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: means of
(5). The combination with the revolving forks or harrows and
attaching the same to a plough as hereinbefore described and shewn in figures 1
to 11 of the parts for rigidly fixing the revolving frame at the required angle when
forking substantially as herein before described and represented in figures 12 to 18
of the accompanying drawings.
(6). The improved revolving forks or harrows herein before described and
represented in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: I CALER BARKER of Shadwell Thetford in the County of Norfolk Estate Agent
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING
FORK OR HARROW AND IN THE ATTACHMENT OF THE SAME TO PLOUGH to be as
follows:-
A circular frame with teeth or prongs fixed to it on its outer (or near its outer)
edge such circular frame to turn on an axis attached to a lever such lever to bo
attached to a rod or bolt so as to allow such lever to rise and fall so as to allow
the frame with the teeth or prongs to adapt itself to the unevenness of the land
ploughed without disturbing the plough in its work such rod or bolt with lever
attached to be fixed to the plough in such a position that the revolving frame is
held at a certain angle so that when the plough is drawn forward the frame will
revolve and the teeth or prongs will fork out the grass from the furrow that is
being ploughed unto the furrow that was previously ploughed or will harrow or
level each furrow as it is ploughed.
·

page_text: .
I CALEB BARKER of Shadwell, Thetford in the county of Norfolk, Estate
Agent do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN REVOLVING FORK OR HARROW AND IN THE ATTACHMENT OF SAME TO PLOUGH
"
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 improvements in revolving forks or harrows and in the
method of attaching the same to ploughs and the invention consists in so con-
structing the fork or harrow that when held at an angle to the ground and
direction of travel of the plough by suitable means such as are hereinafter described
and the plough is drawn forward the frame of the fork or harrow will revolve and
the teeth or prongs thereof will fork out the grass from the furrow which is being
ploughed onto the furrow which has just been ploughed, or when held nearly
horizontally will harrow or level each furrow as it is ploughed. Further the
revolving fork or harrow is attached to the plough in such a manner as to allow
the frame with the teeth or prongs to rise and fall and so automatically adjust
itself to the unevenness of the land ploughed without interfering with the plough
whilst working.
**
"
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawings in which figure 1, sheet 1, represents
a plan and figure 2, sheet 1, a sectional elevation of a revolving fork or harrow
constructed according to my invention and having teeth suitable for levelling and
harrowing or forking a light soil; figures 3, 4 and 5, sheet 1, are detached views
illustrating the method of attaching the fork or harrow to a plough; figures 6,
and 7, sheet 1, are perspective views shewing what is known as a Gallows
plough with the revolving fork or harrow applied thereto; figures 8, and 9, sheet 1,
are a plan and sectional elevation respectively shewing a revolving harrow having
teeth suitable for levelling and harrowing heavy soil; figures 10 and 11, sheet 2,
are a plan and sectional elevation respectively of a revolving fork or harrow
suitable for levelling, harrowing or forking heavy soil; figures 12, to 16 sheet 2,
are detached views illustrating the method of attaching the fork or harrow to a
plough for the purpose of forking the land; figures 17 and 18, sheet 2 are
perspective views shewing the fork or harrow, so applied to an ordinary plough.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 are drawn to a scale of about one eighth full size;
figures 10, to 16 about oue sixth full size and figures 6, 7, 17 and 18 about half
an inch to one foot. Similar letters in all the figures represent similar parts.
I will first describe my invention by reference to figures 1 to 7; a, is the frame
of the revolving fork or barrow formed as shown in figure 2, with a divided rim
in which are inserted the teeth or prongs b, having a flange or collar c, and a screw
thread d, formed on their inner ends; the said screw threaded ends pass through
clips or clamps e, which clip over the divided rim and screw nuts f, are then screwed
onto the said ends of the teeth or prongs; this arrangement allows of the teeth or
prongs being adjusted radially in the frame a, and of employing any required
number of the said teeth or prongs; the frame a, is formed with a boss g, for
receiving an adjustable spindle h, which passes through a slot i, in a bar or lever j,
shewn in elevation at figures 3, and 4 whereby the position of the frame on the
bar or lever can be adjusted; the bar or lever j, lies parallel with the surface of the
frame a and is provided at its lower end with a socket or binge k, formed at an
angle as shewn to give the required angle to the frame a; through the socket or
binge k, passes loosely a bar, shewn in elevation at figure 5, fixed to the body
of the plough by means of a slotted projection m, (or by separate boles or clasps)
which allows of regulating the height of the frame from the ground; the rod I, has

page_text: a vertical slotted rod m', at its outer end whereby it is supported as shown at n,
figure 6, the said rods l, and m³, serving to adjust and hold the frame a, at its
proper angle; the bar or lever j, works hingewise on the rod 1, when the revolving
frame is required to adjust itself automatically to the unevenness of the land when
using the revolving frame as a harrow or to level the ground ploughed; it can
however be fixed on the rod 1, as hereinafter described if required to be used as
a fork or for very heavy lands or for heavy ploughs; the outer and upper end of
the bar or lever j, is attached at o, to a chain p, (or to a rod, wire or rope) for
supporting the said end and for drawing the fork or harrow along with the plough
as shewn in figure 7.
The operation of the improved revolving fork or harrow is as follows:-
When the plough is drawn forward with the revolving frame a, attached at a
proper angle by the chain p, lever j, and bar 1, the teeth or prongs b, on the low
side of the frame a, on coming in contact with the ground will cause the frame a,
to revolve at such an angle that the teeth or prongs as soon as they commence to
rise from the ground will describe a circle upwards and outwards from the plough
so that their highest point will be slightly before the centre on the outer or far
side of the plough and their lowest point will be slightly behind the centre on the
side nearest the plough, the front teeth and those descending will be pointing
forward and those behind ascending will be crooming forward and outwards so as
to comb through each furrow as it is ploughed and fork out the grass if set deep
or if set fleet and nearly horizontal will barrow or level the land ploughed and the
bar or lever j, being jointed and lying parallel with the surface of the revolving
frame a, will allow the revolving frame with the teeth or prongs b, to automatically
adjust itself when required to the unevenness of the land without interrupting the
work of the plough.
The harrow shewn in figures 8 and 9 is similar in construction to that
hereinbefore described and shewn in figures 1 and 2, with the exception that the
teeth or prongs b, are of a different shape to serve for levelling and harrowing
heavy lands; and are fixed by means of screw bolts and nuts d, and f, which pass
through the divided rim a, and the upper end of the teeth or prongs which clip or
clamp the said rim as shewn; the teeth or prongs are somewhat of the shape of a
scimitar twisted at the lower and outer end so as to present the edge of the blade
towards the direction in which the harrow rotates and thereby facilitate the
breaking of the soil.
In the fork or harrow shewn in figures 10 and 11 suitable for forking, harrowing
and levelling heavy lands, the frame a, is formed of a circular flanged plate; the
flange is provided with a number of holes a¹, in which are inserted the teeth or
prongs b, of the shape shewn in the drawing; the inner ends of the teeth are
similar in construction to those shewn in figures 1 and 2, and receive a screw
nut f, to fix them to the frame a. The means shewn in figures 12, to 16 for
attaching the revolving fork or harrow to the plough when it is required for
forking the land consists of a screw threaded rod or bar r, shewn in elevation at
figures 12, and 13 and having an eye s, which receives the spindle of the frame a,
the said spindle passing first through the slot i, of the bar j, figures 3 and 4; the
screw threaded end of the rod or bar r, is passed through one of the holes, in the
vertical rod or bar m², shewn in elevation at figures 14 and 15, which bar m², is
fixed to the plough frame by means of a strap t, shewn in plan at figure 16; nuts
are passed over the screw threaded end of the rod or bar r, and the frame a, will
be held rigidly in any position to which it may be adjusted. This method of
attachment may also if required he employed for fixing the fork or harrow shewn
in figures 1, 2, 8 and 9.
q, figures 6, 7, 17 and 18 is a short or half breast or mould board which I prefer
to employ instead of the usual breast or mould board made in different shapes to
suit the various kinds of soil and which partly turns the soil into the revolving
fork or harrow which revolves at the back of or behind the said breast or mould
board and receives the partly turned soil from the short fixed breast finishes

page_text: turning it and at the same time forks the grass from the furrow onto the furrow
that was previously ploughed.
Although I have shewn my improved revolving fork or harrow with the hinged
lever or bar j, on the side of the revolving frame next the plough, it will be evident
that it may be placed on the other side or before or behind or below; further
I have shewn the said hinged lever or bar j, provided with a slot i, for adjusting the
axis h, of the frame a, but this adjustment may be effected by means of separate
holes or by the lever or bar j, being made in two pieces so as to slide one over the
other.
The above described means of attachment may of course require to be varied to
suit different horse and steam ploughs and different lands.
Although I have described and shewn means for rigidly fixing the fork or harrow
when required it will be evident that it may be made a fixture without having
means for automatic adjustment the revolving frame at the same time being held
at the required angle and revolving at the back of the short breast or mould board
as hereinbefore described.
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 with a plough of a revolving fork or harrow so constructed
and arranged that when the plough to which the fork or harrow is attached is
drawn forward the frame will revolve and the teeth or prongs will fork out the
grass from the furrow which is being ploughed onto the furrow which was
previously ploughed or will harrow or level each furrow as it is ploughed
substantially as hereinbefore described.
(2) The combination of a plough having a short or half breast with a revolving
fork or harrow constructed as described whereby the soil is turned and forked at
the same time substantially as herein before described.
(3). The combination with a revolving fork or harrow such as those described
and shewn in the drawings and having adjustable teeth or prongs, of a hinged
lever or bar for allowing the frame to be held at the required angle and to
automatically adjust itself to the unevenness of the land ploughed, the said lever or
bar and revolving frame being provided with means for adjusting the position of
the said frame on the plough and on the lever or bar substantially as hereinbefore
described and represented in the accompanying drawings.
(4). The combination of the revolving forks or harrows hereinbefore described
having teeth suited to the purpose for which they are to be applied with the
hinged and slotted lever or bar j, slotted or perforated rods 7, and m, and chain p
or its equivalent all arranged substantially as herein before described and represented
in figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
(5). The combination with the revolving forks or harrows and means of
attaching the same to a plough as hereinbefore described and shewn in figures 1
to 11 of the parts for rigidly fixing the revolving frame at the required angle when
forking substantially as herein before described and represented in figures 12 to 18
of the accompanying drawings.
(6). The improved revolving forks or harrows hereinbefore described and
represented in the accompanying drawings.