IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR REAPING AND MOWING
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas James Smith, of the Firm of Robertson,
Brooman, and Company, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London,
Patent Agents, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR REAPING AND MOWING."-A communication from abroad by Cyrus
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas James Smith
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 30th March 1870.
I, THOMAS JAMES SMITH, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and
Company, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINES FOR REAPING AND MOWING," communicated to me from abroad
by Cyrus Hall Mc Cormick, of Chicago, in the United States of America,
to be as follows:-

page_text: Archibald Brooman, on the 7th day of December 1850, the 11th day of
October 1852, and the 18th day of November 1861 respectively, and also
to certain modifications thereof, as herein-after described.
The object of the first part of the Invention is to secure a comparative
arrangement of the gearing, together with a wide range of vertical
adjustment for the main frame and cutting apparatus, and this is
effected by mounting the main driving wheel on an axle supported in
bearing adjustable in the arc of a circle around the connective shaft,
and mounting the main shaft which intersects the main axle in a
bearing, which also serves as the guide or slide on which the bearing
of the main axle on that side of the driving wheel is adjusted.
Secondly. To regulate the height of the cutting apparatus from the
ground by raising and lowering the main frame bodily upon its axis by
means of a lever and a thurst bar acting directly upon the periphery of
the driving wheel.
Thirdly. In varying the angle of inclination of the guard fingers
relatively to the ground by means of a lever and crank acting on the
rear end of the tongue to tilt the frame on its axis.
Fourthly. To secure a strong stiff frame without extending the finger
beam across the frame; constructing the frame of two longitudinal s
side timbers, united in rear by a bar of metal set up edgewise and bent
inward at its end to conform to the inclination of the side timbers, to
which they are securely bolted.
Fifthly. To bring the finger beam opposite the driving wheel and to
secure it firmly to the frame at that point by securing the heel end of 2
the finger beam firmly to a butt slide or flanged bracket securely bolted
to the frame.
Sixthly. To render the machine compact and casy to turn by setting
the finger beam forward at an acute angle to the line of draft, so that
the divider end shall run in advance of the heel end.
Seventhly. In securing the divider to the finger beam by a socket
constructed so as to allow the front edge of the grain wheel to run in
advance of the rear edge of the finger beam, and thus secure a more
perfect balance of the machine.
3
Eighthly. In a novel device for adjusting the height of the divider 3
end of the cutting apparatus.

page_text: Ninthly. In a novel method of mounting the shipping lever which
throws the rake-driving mechanism into or out of gear upon the sliding
box, which supports one end of the main axle.
And, tenthly. In counterbalancing the rake by giving increased
weight to the recl rib on the side of the shaft opposite to the rake
arm.
The frame is composed of two longitudinal side timbers diverging
slightly from front to rear, and connected at their back ends by a
bar of metal having its edges bent inward to conform to the inclina-
tion of the side timbers, to which it is firmly secured. The frame
is supported by a driving wheel, the axle of which is mounted in
bearings adjustable in the arc of a circle around the countershaft. This
is done by preference by mounting the stubble end of the main axle in
a radius bar or sector plate which is pivoted to the counter shaft or a
point coincident therewith. The grain end of the axle in like manner is
mounted in a slide box moving on a fixed guide or sector plate curved
in an arc of which the countershaft forms the centre. The axle can
be fixed at any desired elevation by means of a pin or detent taking into
notches on the sector plates. The draught pole vibrates vertically on a
pivot and can be raised and lowered and held at any desired elevation
by means of a lever pivoted on the main frame and connected with the
rear end of the tongue or pole by a crank and link. A spring detent
lever on the lever before mentioned takes into one of a series of holes in
a sector plate on the frame and locks the pole in the desired position.
This device enables the machine to be rocked on its supporting wheels
to vary the angle of the cutters and fingers relatively to the ground.
The seat for the driver is secured on a spring standard on the outer rear
corner of the frame and a foot rest is also secured on the outer frame
timber. In order to raise or lower the machine bodily to regulate the
height of cut a lever is pivoted on the main frame or on a post oxtending
above the frame. This lever is hinged to a thrust bar which acts
directly upon the periphery of the driving wheel. In order properly
to guide the movements of the thrust bar it is pivoted to one end of a
radius bar, the other end of which is pivoted to a post, thus producing
a sort of "parallel motion" of the lever, thrust bar, and link. To raise
the machine the locking bolts of the sectors referred to are loosened,
the attendant then raises the lever and passes a pin through the thrust
bar below it, the lever is then depressed and the frame raised up on the

page_text: driving wheel, the thrust bar serving as a fulcrum. A guide on the
post keeps the thrust bar in place. The machine is then fixed in its
elevated position by tightening the bolts on the sector plates. Instead
of a pin a ratchet might be formed on the thrust bar and a spring pawl
be hung on the lever to take into the ratchet. The finger beam is
shorter than those described in the previous Patents mentioned, that is to
say, its inner or heel end terminates at the outer side of the inner frame
timber where it abuts against and is securely bolted to a flanged casting
or bracket. This bracket is by preference extended upward nearly to
the top of the inner frame timber, to which it is firmly secured by bolts
passing through the bracket, the frame timber, and the flanged of the
rear cross bar, thus securing strength sufficient to compensate for the
termination of the finger beam at that point. According to this mode
of construction the finger beam can be united to the frame at a point
opposite to or within the plane of the driving wheel, instead of passing
behind it, as in the former Patents; the finger beam is also set at an
accute angel to the line of draft, so that the divider end of a finger
beam in a full-sized machine shall run, say, about eighteen inches in
advance of the heel end thereof; this mode of construction will be
beneficial in side draft. The finger beam terminates at the inner line
of the divider, and has secure thereto a socket plate, in which is a guide
for the cutter. A socket is secured upon the grain side of the divider
or platform by means of adjusting bolts or screws passing through slots
in the socket, by which means it may be set higher or lower and held
in any desired position. A grain wheel turning loosely on an axle is
mounted in a sliding block which moves vertically in guides in the
socket plate. The sliding block and plate are corrugated, so as firmly
to interlock when clamped together, which is done by screwing up the
nut on the outer end of the axle. The axle may be set up or doun by
loosening the nut, moving the axle into the desired position, and then
screwing it up again. The grain wheel is preferably set at an acute
angle to the line of draft inclining towards the tongue, as this arrange-
ment enables the machine to turn more readily. An internally geared
spur wheel on the driving wheel drives a spur pinion on a counter shaft,
which carries a bevel wheel; this drives a corresponding pinion on a
crank shaft, so that the cutters are driven by a crank and pitman in the
usual way. The box of the crank shaft is cast in one piece with the
sector, and serves as a guide for the main axle, so that the crank
shaft is allowed play around the counter shaft as the machine is raised

page_text: or lowered, and thus always remains in gear without binding or straining
the mechanism. As the main axle terminates at the inner side of the
sector plate the crank shaft can move past it without obstruction, thus
greatly increasing the extent to which the machine can be adjusted up
or down on its wheels.
The mechanism for driving the cutters can be thrown into or out of
gear by a shipping lever acting on suitable clutch mechanism on the
counter shaft.
The mechanism for driving the rake can also be thrown into or out
of gear by a shipping lever, which moves a sprocket or chain wheel
endwise on the main driving shaft, the said wheel being driven from
the driving wheel by a clutch, the lever being mounted on the sliding
box of the main axle, so as to conform to its adjustment.
A rake similar in its general construction to that shown in the
Specification of the Patent of 1861, herein-before referred to, is mounted
on a frame and driven by a chain incircling the sprocket wheel on the
main axle, and a similar one on the rake shaft. A sprocket pulley on
the frame keeps the driving chain taut.
Instead of using a counterbalance, such as shown in the former
Patent, it is preferred to increase the weight of the reel ribs nearly
opposite the rake, either by enlarging its dimensions or by metal strips
or weights sufficient to counterbalance the rake.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas James Smith in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th September 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
JAMES SMITH, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and Company, of
166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Thomas James Smith, Her special
licence that I, the said Thomas James Smith, my executors, administrators,

page_text: and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas James Smith, 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
tem 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
MACHINES FOR REAPING AND MOWING," (a communication from abroad by
Cyrus Hall Mc Cormick, of Chicago, in the United States of America,)
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas James Smith,
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
samic was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas James Smith, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
The improvements herein-after referred to relate to certain alterations,
additions, and modifications of the machines or apparatus for reaping and
mowing grain and serials by horse-power such as were patented by
Richard Archibald Brooman on the 7th December 1850, the 14th
October 1852, and the 18th November 1861, all of which Inventions
were communicated by the said Cyrus Hall Mc Cormick to the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, and which machines have been known as
"The McCormick or The American Machine."
"
"
The object of the first part of the present Invention is to secure a more
compact arrangement of the gearing together with a wide range of
vertical adjustment for the main frame and cutting apparatus, and this
is effected by mounting the main driving wheel on an axle supported in
bearings adjustable in the arc of a circle around the counter shaft, and
mounting the crank shaft which intersects the main axle in a bearing,
which also serves as the guide or slide on which the bearing of the main
axle on that side of the driving wheel is adjusted.
Secondly. To regulate the height of the cutting apparatus from the

page_text: means of a lever and a thrust bar acting directly upon the periphery of
the driving wheel.
Thirdly. In varying the angle of inclination of the guard fingers
relatively to the ground by means of a lever and crank acting on the rear
end of the tongue or pole to tilt the frame on its axis.
Fourthly. To secure a strong stiff frame without extending the finger
beam across the frame by constructing the frame of two longitudinal
side timbers united at the rear by a bar of metal set up edgewise, and
bent inward at its end or ends to conform to the inclination of the side
timber or timbers to which they are securely bolted.
Fifthly. To bring the finger beam opposite the driving wheel, and to
secure it firmly to the frame at that point by securing the heel end of
the finger beam firmly to a butt slide or flanged bracket which is
securely bolted to the frame.
Sixthly. To render the machine compact and easy to turn by setting,
the finger beam forward at an acute angle to the line of draft, so that
the divider end shall run in advance of the heel end.
Seventhly. In securing the divider to the finger beam by a socket
constructed so as to allow the front edge of the grain wheel to run in
advance of the rear edge of the finger beam, and thus secure a moro
perfect balance of the machine.
Eighthly. In a novel device for adjusting the height of the divider.
end of the cutting apparatus.
Ninthly. In a novel method of mounting the shipping lever which
throws the rake driving mechanism into or out of gear upon the sliding.
box which supports one end of the main axle.
Tenthly. In counterbalancing the rake by giving increased weight to
the recl rib on the side of the shaft opposite to the rake arm,
herein-after described.
all
as,
Eleventhly. To driving the rake automatically from the upper chain
wheel or sprocket pulley to avoid the tension on the rake shaft.
Twelfthly. To certain means of stopping and starting the rake either
automatically or by hand while the reel with which it is connected
continues to revolve.
Thirteenthly. To means of regulating or determining the size of the
bundles or slicaves by governing the rotation of the rake relatively to

page_text: the driving wheel by pins or studs on the upper chain wheel acting on
the rake shipping mechanism.
Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 is an elevation of the stubble side of a
reaping and mowing machine, with a portion of the frame broken away;
Figure 3 is a similar view of the grain side with the platform in section
through the line r, a, of Figure 1, and the rake and reel removed; Figure 1
is a front elevation or face view of the eccentric or cam guide; Figure 5
is a rear elevation on an enlarged scale of the main driving wheel, its
axle and mechanism connected therewith detached; Figure 6 is a side
elevation of the grain wheel and its supporting and adjusting mechanism;
Figure 7 is a vertical central transverse section through the same; and
Figure 8 is a plan view with the cutter bar thrown forward at the
divider end at an acute angle to the line of draft.
The frame is composed of two longitudinal side timbers A, A',
diverging slightly from front to rear and connected at their back ends
by a bar A of metal having its edges bent inward to conform to
the inclination of the side timbers to which it is firmly secured.
The frame is supported by a driving wheel B, the axle of which is
mounted in bearings adjustable in the arc of a circle around the counter
shaft. This is done by preference by mounting the stubble end of the
main axle in a radius bar or sector plate 6 (Figure 2) which is pivotted to
the counter shaft P or a point coincident therewith; the grain end of
the axle in like manner is mounted in a slide box 6' (Figure 5) moving on
a fixed guide or sector plate 6º (Figure 3), curved in an arc of which the
counter shaft forms the centre. The axle can be fixed at any desired
elevation by means of a pin or detent taking into notches on the sector
plates.
The draught pole vibrates vertically on a pivot c, and can be raised
and lowered and held at any desired elevation by means of a pin or
detent taking into notches on the sector plates lever C' pivotted on the a
main frame, and connected with the rear end of the tongue or pole by a
crank and link, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. A spring lever c¹ on
the lever C takes into one of a series of holes in a sector plate c³ on the
frame, and locks the pole in the desired position. This device enables
the machine to be rocked on its supporting wheels to vary the angle of
the cutters and fingers relatively to the ground. The seat D for the
driver is secured on a spring standard d on the outer rear corner of the
frame, and a foot rest D¹ is also secured on the outer frame timber.

page_text: In order to raise or lower the machine bodily to regulate the height
of cut, a lever K is pivotted on the main frame or on a post L extending
above the frame. This lever is hinged to a thrust bar k, which acts
directly upon the periphery of the driving wheel, as shown in Figures 1, 2,
and 3. In order properly to guide the movements of the thrust bar it is
pivotted to one end of a radius bar 1, the other end of which is pivotted
to a post L, thus producing a sort of "parallel motion" of the lever thrust
bar and link. To raise the machine the locking bolts of the sectors b, b³,
before referred to arc loosened; the attendant then raises the lever K
and passes a pin through the thrust bar below it; the lever K is then
depressed and the frame raised up on the driving wheel, the thrust bar
serving as a fulcrum. A guide on the post L keeps the thrust bar
in place. The machine is then fixed in its elevated position by tightening
the bolts on the sector plates. Instead of a pin a ratchet might be
formed on the thrust bark and a spring paul be hung on the lever K to
take into the ratchet. The finger beam is shorter than usual, that is to
say, its inner or heel end terminates at the outer side of the inner frame
timber A', where it abuts against and is securely bolted to a flanged
casting or bracket E of the forms shown in Figures 1 and 3. This
bracket is, by preference, extended upward nearly to the top of the
inner frame timber, to which it is firmly secured by bolts e passing
through the bracket, the frame timber, and the flange of the rear cross
bar A, thus securing strength sufficient to compensate for the termination
of the finger beam at that point. According to this mode of construction
the finger beam can be united to the frame at a point opposite to or
within the plane of the driving wheel instead of passing behind it as in
the former Patents. The finger beam may also be set at an acute
angle to the line of draft, as in Figure S, so that the divider end of the
finger beam in a full-sized machine shall run, say, about 18 inches in
advance of the heel end thereof. This mode of construction will be
beneficial in side draught. The finger beam terminates at the inner
line of the divider G, and has secured thereto a socket plate g, Figure 1,
in which is a guide for the cutter. A platform H may be secured to the
finger beam in any proper well known way.
A socket is secured upon
the grain side of the divider or platform by means of adjusting bolts or
screws i passing through slots in the socket, by which means it may be
set higher or lower, and held in any desired position, see Figure 6.
A grain wheel J turns loosely on an axle ; mounted in a sliding
block, which moves vertically in guides in the socket plate. The sliding

page_text: block and plate are corrugated so as firmly to interlock when clamped
together, which is done by screwing up the nut on the outer end of the
axle. The axle may be set up or down by loosening the nut moving the
axle into the desired position and then screwing it up again.
The
grain wheel is preferably set at an acute angle to the line of draught,
inclining towards the tongue, as in Figure 8; this arrangement enables
the machine to turn more readily. An internally-geared spur wheel O
on the driving wheel B drives a spur pinion o (Figure 2) on a counter
shaft P, which carries a bevil wheel p; this drives a corresponding
pinion on the crank shaft R, so that the cutters are driven by the
crank and pitman in the usual way. The box of the shaft is cast in
one piece with the sector 6º, and serves as a guide for the main axle, so
that the crank shaft is allowed play round the countershaft as the
machine is raised and lowered; thus it always remains in gear without
binding or straining the mechanism. As the main axle terminates at the
inner side of the sector plate 6, the crank shaft can move past it without
obstruction, thus greatly increasing the extent to which the machine can
be adjusted up or down on its wheels.
The mechanism for driving the cutters can be thrown into or out of
gear by a shipping lever P' acting on suitable clutch mechanism on the
counter shaft.
The mechanism for driving the rake can also be thrown in or out of
gear by the shipping lever S, which moves the chain wheels endwise on
the main driving shaft, the said wheel being driven from the driving
wheel by the clutch &¹, as seen in Figure 5, the lever S being mounted
on the sliding box of the main axle, so as to conform to its
adjustment.
The rake in these Figures is similar in general construction to that
shown in the Patent of 1861 before referred to; it is mounted on the
frame L, L', and driven by a chain encircling the wheels 8 and T,
an additional chain wheel T¹ being employed to keep the chain taut.
Instead of using a counterbalance such as that shown in the former
Specification I employ an increased weighted bar on one of the reel ribs,
as shown in Figure 2, either by making the bar thicker or by fixing
metal plates on it.
In Sheets 5 & 6 of the Drawings I have shown some modifications
of the mechanism for governing or actuating the working of the rake as

page_text: well as a re-arrangement of some of the driving mechanism, all of which
will be well understood by referring to the Figures thereon.
Figure 9 is a plan or top view of a machine in which the modifications
above mentioned are represented; Figure 10 is a side view of the same,
partly in section, taken through the line x, x, of the previous Figure;
Figure 11 shows the rear elevation of the rake driving and shipping
mechanism detached, while Figure 12 is a side elevation of the same;
Figure 13 shows the devices for throwing the cutters into and out of
gear; and Figure 11 is a plan of the rake shipping apparatus; and
Figure 15 a diagram showing portions of the frame and gearing;
Figure 16 showing the sector plate or radius bar and slide block, in
which the main driving shaft is mounted.
A represents the main frame; B, the platform; and C, the grain
wheel. The driving wheel D is mounted on a shaft d, the grain end of
which runs in a bearing in a radius bar d' on the inner side of the main
frame, while the stubble end of this shaft runs in a bearing in a sliding
block & moving in an arc-shaped guide e, having a curve of the same
radius as the radius bar d'. The guide e is formed on the box or bearing
which sustains the crank shaft E. An internally geared spur wheel F
drives a spur pinion on a counter shaft f¹; this pinion is thrown into
or out of gear by means of the lever G, which slides the pinion endwise
on the shaft. This shaft carries a stud or pin 1, which locks in the
recess 2 in the pinion when it is in gear, but runs loosely in another
recess 3 in said pinion when out of gear (see Figure 14). This
constitutes a very convenient shipping arrangement. A bevil wheel H
on the countershaft drives a bevil pinion on the crank shaft, and thus
actuates the cutters. The bevil wheel II, it will be observed, is in linc
with the sliding block &ª and guide e, while the crank shaft lies outside
of it. By this means the frame can be raised or lowered by means of
the radius bar d¹ and block without the main axle striking the crank
shaft. A sprocket pulley I on the main axle is encircled by a chain i,
which passes over a sprocket wheel I' on the reel shaft J; the sprocket
wheel is fastened on and revolves with the reel shaft. The rake head K
is mounted on an inclined arm K', pivotted in bearings about at right
angles to the reel shaft. The bracket in which these bearings are formed
is fixed on a sleeve revolving loosely on the reel shaft. An arm /
pivoted on this bracket carries a friction roller running in a cam

page_text: By
groove in a plate M fixed on the recl support. A counter balance L is
also attached to this arm. An inclined arm N is mounted on a collar o'
turning loosely on the reel shaft independantly of the collar which
carries the rake. A rod n' connects this arm with the rake arm, and
link connects it with the arm carrying the friction roller.
this means the rake when in gear is carried round with the reel, and at
proper intervals turned on its trunnions at right angles to the rake shaft
so as to deliver the grain behind the driving wheel and out of the path of
the team in cutting the succeeding swath. In order to drive the rake
directly from the sprocket wheel instead of from the reel shaft, I form
a ring O on the sprocket wheel hub, having four recesses o arranged
equidistantly around its periphery, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. A
collar O¹, which carries the inclined arm N which actuates the rake also
carries an elbow lever O held in one of the recesses o by a spring. A
lever R rocks on a fulcrum r, and is held up by a spring 1 (see
Figure 12). This lever has an incline ³, Figure 11, on its upper side,
forming a groove through which the elbow lever o passes during a part
of its circuit. Two guide plates 8, t, are set up edgewise, and pivoted
at their forward ends to play laterally on the rocking lever being pressed
inward by a spring. A wedge on a rocking lever
between these plates, and forces them out laterally.
is removed the elbow lever of is forced to one side by the incline ‚ª², and
its nose is lifted from the recess o. Consequently the rake stops, and
owing to the relative arrangement of this elbow lever and the rake arm
this stoppage always occurs just as the gavel is discharged from the
platform. The reel continues to run. To start the rake again the
plate 8 is forced out laterally by the wedge; when this is done a pin v
on the sprocket wheel bears down the rear end of the rocking lever R
and releases the elbow lever o², whose spring immediately locks it in the
next recess in the ring O that comes round. The rake then continues to
work until the wedge is removed. By placing four pins equidistantly
in the sprocket wheel the rake will stand still during one-fourth of a
revolution of the reel. When two equidistant pins are used the rako
will remain still during one-half a revolution of the reel. When one pin
only is used the reel will make two revolutions to every one of the rake.
I am thus automatically enabled to regulate the size of the gavels or to
stop the rake at the end of any revolution by hand, and thus to carry
the gavel around a corner. When the rear end of the rocking lever Ris
depressed the rake and reel revolve together without stopping.
enters the space
When this wedge

page_text: I have in the foregoing description and annexed Drawings referred to
and shown a machine somewhat similar in shape and build of that known
as "the Mc Cormick," and to which the above improvements are specially
applicable, but I do not exclusively claim them either combined or
singly to that machine, as some or all of them could with certain
modifications be made to act in various other machines which are used
for the same purpose. Whether such machines are supported upon one
main bearing wheel and a grain wheel as in the machine before referred
to, or to those machines which have two or more main bearing wheels,
whether the finger beam is rigid with the main frame or arranged ou
supports or pivots so that it can be turned up for reducing the width.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, claim is made,-
Firstly. To the method of raising and lowering the frames of reaping
and mowing machines by means of a thrust bar and lever being made to
act directly upon the periphery of the bearing or driving wheel, in the
manner herein-before described and represented.
Secondly. The method of and apparatus for varying the inclination of
the guard fingers relatively to the ground, as herein-before described and
shown.
Thirdly. The construction of the frame and the means of uniting the
rear ends of the side timbers or bars by a metal brace set on edge, in the
manner as herein-before described and represented.
Fourthly. The construction of the shoe and mode of securing the heel
end of the finger beam to the frame whether the finger beam is set at an
acute angle or at right angles to the line of draft, as herein-before
described and represented.
Fifthly. Claim is made to the method of setting the front edge of the
grain wheel in advance of the rear edge of the finger beam, in the
manner and for the purposes herein-before referred to.
Sixthly. The method of raising, lowering, and securing the grain
wheel of reaping machines, as before described and shewn.
Seventhly. The methods of counterbalancing the rake of reaping
machines whether the rake receives a continuous rotatory motion with
the reel or only a motion at the will or desire of the driver, substantially
as described and shown.

page_text: Eighthly. The box which forms a bearing or support for the crank
shaft and the slide for supporting the main axle whereby the height of
cut is adjusted, as hercin-before described and shown.
Ninthly. The combination of the sprocket wheel on the reel shaft with
the clutch mechanism for driving the rake directly from the sprocket
wheel instead of from the reel shaft, all these parts being constructed
and operating substantially as set forth.
Tenthly. The combination of the reel, the rake, the rocking lever, and
the shifting guides, all these parts being constructed and operating
substantially as set forth to enable the driver to throw the rake into gear
relatively to the reel beaters at the proper moment.
And also the combination of the continuously rotating reel, the rake
turning loosely on the reel shaft, the spring elbow lever on the rake
collar, the pins on the sprocket wheel, and the shifting guides, all these
parts being constructed and operating substantially as herein-before set
forth for the purpose of automatically regulating the size of the gavels.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas James Smith, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Thirtieth day of September One
thousand cight hundred and seventy.