IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND HARVESTING CORN, GRASS, AND OTHER CROPS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Whitworth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd June 1853.
I, JOSEPH WHITWORTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND HARVESTING CORN, GRASS,
AND OTHER CROPS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, first, in improvements in machines for cutting
corn and other standing crops, and relates to that part of the machine
by which the corn or other crop when cut is formed into sheaves.
An endless belt, of about a yard in width, is carried over three
drums; the foremost of these drums, or that which, as the machine
advances, comes towards the standing crop, is fixed lower than the
others, in order that the corn, when cut, (which is accomplished by
cutting instruments in the ordinary manner,) may fall on to the endless
belt.

page_text: The belt is furnished, at suitable distances apart, with hooks, into
which bands of straw or other material are laid for binding the sheaf,
and an intermittent motion is given to the endless belt, so that, when
a sufficient quantity of corn or other standing crop has fallen on to the
belt to make a sheaf, the belt by being rapidly moved in the direction
contrary to that in which the machine is drawn, is carried with the
corn upon it towards the back of the machine where the band is tied,
and a sheaf is formed during the time that another portion of the
endless belt is receiving the crop as it is being cut down.
The second part of my Invention consists in improvements applicable
to a mowing machine, for which Letters Patent were granted to me in
1849.
My present improvement consists in the application of two or more
revolving cutters, in place of the single cutter previously used, and in
the mode of communicating motion to them, and of adjusting their
distance from the ground.
The third part of my Invention consists in an improved machine for
collecting and laying bay or grass in swathes or ridges.
It consists of a frame set obliquely to the forward motion of the
machine, and at an angle to the surface of the ground, mounted upon
two wheels drawn by a horse or other power. The frame carries two
endless chains or bands running over rollers; upon the chains or bands
a number of boards or rakes are fixed parallel to each other. The
frame radiates from the axle of the top roller, and adjusts itself to the
inequalities of the ground.
As the machine moves forward, a cog wheel fixed to one of its
wheels, or a pulley with an endless belt, sets the rollers in motion; the
rakes or boards are carried round on the endless chains or bands, and
being brought into contact with the grass or hay collect it into ridges.
The fourth part of my Invention consists of a machine for loading
hay. A frame is mounted on two wheels; to this frame are attached
the bearings of a pair of rollers, one of which is near the ground, and
An endless chain or band work
the other near the top of the frame.
ing in an inclined direction, furnished with rakes or collectors, passe
over these two rollers; and when the machine is in motion the col

page_text: lectors in passing along the ridges raise the hay from the ground, draw
it up an inclined plane or carrier plate fixed to the frame, and deposit
it in a suitable receptacle. This receptacle is made to revolve slowly,
so that the hay may be equally distributed within it. The receptacle
is so constructed that it may, when full, be transferred from its carriage
to the stack, and deposit it's contents at a single operation.
The receptacle may be dispensed with, and that part of the machine
consisting of the endless chain or band, rakes, and inclined carrier
plate, may be applied to and deliver the hay into an ordinary cart.

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Whitworth, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd June 1853.
nb
I, JOSEPH WHITWORTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND HARVESTING CORN, GRASS,
AND OTHER CROPS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, first, in improvements in machines for cutting
corn and other standing crops, and relates to that part of the machine
by which the corn or other crop when cut is formed into sheaves.
An endless belt, of about a yard in width, is carried over three
drums; the foremost of these drums, or that which, as the machine
advances, comes towards the standing crop, is fixed lower than the
others, in order that the corn, when cut, (which is accomplished by
cutting instruments in the ordinary manner,) may fall on to the endless
belt.

page_text: The belt is furnished, at suitable distances apart, with hooks, into
which bands of straw or other material are laid for binding the sheaf,
and an intermittent motion is given to the endless belt, so that, when
a sufficient quantity of corn or other standing crop has fallen on to the
belt to make a sheaf, the belt by being rapidly moved in the direction
contrary to that in which the machine is drawn, is carried with the
corn upon it towards the back of the machine where the band is tied,
and a sheaf is formed during the time that another portion of the
endless belt is receiving the crop as it is being cut down.
The second part of my Invention consists in improvements applicable
to a mowing machine, for which Letters Patent were granted to me in
1849.
My present improvement consists in the application of two or more
revolving cutters, in place of the single cutter previously used, and in
the mode of communicating motion to them, and of adjusting their
distance from the ground.
The third part of my Invention consists in an improved machine for
collecting and laying hay or grass in swathes or ridges.
It consists of a frame set obliquely to the forward motion of the
machine, and at an angle to the surface of the ground, mounted upon
two wheels drawn by a horse or other power. The frame carries two
endless chains or bands running over rollers; upon the chains or bands
a number of boards or rakes are fixed parallel to each other. The
frame radiates from the axle of the top roller, and adjusts itself to the
inequalities of the ground.
As the machine moves forward, a cog wheel fixed to one of its
wheels, or a pulley with an endless belt, sets the rollers in motion; the
rakes or boards are carried round on the endless chains or bands, and
being brought into contact with the grass or hay collect it into ridges.
The fourth part of my Invention consists of a machine for loading
hay
"A frame is mounted on two wheels; to this frame are attached
the bearings of a pair of rollers, one of which is near the ground, and
the other near the top of the frame. An endless chain or band work-
ing in an inclined direction, furnished with rakes or collectors, passes
over these two rollers; and when the machine is in motion the col-

page_text: lectors in passing along the ridges raise the hay from the ground, draw
it up an inclined plane or carrier plate fixed to the frame, and deposit
it in a suitable receptacle. This receptacle is made to revolve slowly,
so that the hay may be equally distributed within it. The receptacle
is so constructed that it may, when full, be transferred from its carriage
to the stack, and deposit it's contents at a single operation.
The receptacle may be dispensed with, and that part of the machine
consisting of the endless chain or band, rakes, and inclined carrier
plate, may be applied to and deliver the hay into an ordinary cart.