IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHING, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN OR CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th June 1877. A communication from
abroad by Alfred Debains, of Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineer.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHING, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN OR CONNECTED THEREWITH.' A communication from abroad by Alfred
Debains, of Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineer.
This Invention relates to an improved system of ploughing by steam, and to
improved apparatus to be employed in carrying out the same, and it consists,-
1st. Of a system or mode of steam ploughing with one portable engine held in
position by a brake while the plough is at work, and caused by the movement of a
draught rope to traverse at right angles to the furrows a distance equal to twice the
width of the furrows last ploughed, when the plough has travelled twice across the
field, such plough being fixed to the ground by an anchor, whilst the engine hauls
itself along by drawing against it, the self-acting anchor also advancing a distance
equal to that traversed by the engine by any suitable appliances.
2nd. Of a system or mode of steam ploughing with two portable engines, each
of which hauls itself along by drawing directly against an anchor placed in front, while
the plough is drawn by the engine with its brake on.
3rd. In the.addition to portable engines of a small tender carrying a water tank,
a coal bunker, a tool box, and screw jacks, and upon which the engine driver is
stationed.
4th. Of improvements to be applied to what is known as Howard's appa-
ratus, in order to adapt the same to the system of ploughing with one engine,
and also with a view to ensure their more regular working, as herein-after
described.
5th. The employment in damp weather when the ground is wet of small U irons,
which are placed end to end under the wheels to form rails and reduce the pressure
per square inch.
In carrying out this Invention as applied, for example, to Howard's apparatus, one
engine only being employed, the frame and fore carriage of the engine are modified
in the following manner :-The breadth of the wheels is increased to, say, about 10
D
011

page_text: or 12 inches, in order to reduce the pressure per square inch upon the ground, and
the liability to the sinking of the wheels when the ground is wet.
The foro carriage of the engine is provided with two vertical shafts, upon which
are fixed two horizontal grooved pulleys over which two ropes are passed; in front
of these pulleys there are arranged two forks, which support the rope as it is payed
out, and prevent it from falling under the wheels.
Upon the two extremities of the frame of the fore carriage there are placed two
discs which support it,. and prevent the engine from being dragged into the field
when the engine hauls the plough directly.
Between the two wheels on the same side of the engine, there is also placed a brake
which is capable of being pressed against them, when it is desired to retain the
engine in one plan; this brake is worked by a lover which may be attached to a
rack near the stoker.
On the other, side..there is arranged a steering apparatus, which by means of a
screw acts upon one of the fore wheels and alters the direction.
Behind the engine there is placed a small tender connected to and securely attached
to the same by means of two shafts or connections, which embrace the fire-box, and
which are held in position by two bolts before and behind the fire-box.
Behind the tender, provided with four discs, which may be placed upon wheels
when the engine is travelling, is situate the winding or hauling gear of what is known
as Howard's system, provided at its front part with a guide for hauling in the rope.
This guide is composed of a horizontal shaft sliding in bearers, and which is provided
in two places at a distance equal to the length of one of the drums with two vertical
pulleys, which cause one rope to wind itself up in the same manner as the other rope
is unwound; and vice versa.
On leaving this guide the ropes pass over rollers, placed under the tender and
under the ash box, to the pulleys in front of the engine.
+.
The tender also carries two boxes or receptacles, by preference of sheet iron, one
forming a water tank, which serves to feed the engine when working, and is connected
to the pump by a screwed pipe and an india-rubber tube; the other to hold
coals, and underneath there is. placed a tool box. The two boxes or receptacles are
connected by a small floor for the stoker to stand upon.
On one side of the tanks there is placed a belt guide with upright rollers.
The rear axle of the tender is provided with a pin or ring bolt, and is capable of
being steered by means of steering gear similar to that placed in the front part of
the machine.
When it is required to shift the apparatus to another field, the tender is placed
upon wheels and drawn away like au ordinary cart.
According to another mode of carrying out this Invention two portable engines
are employed, each of a power of, say, 8 or 10 horses.
These engines, which may be of any suitable construction, are each mounted upon
a frame, carrying at its rear part a small tender which may be detached if required;
this tender carries two receptacles, the one containing the supply of coal, and the
other the water required for the engine.
On one engine there are placed two druins, one horizontal and the other vertical,
the horizontal drum being situate underneath the engine, and serving to wind in the
rope drawing the plough, whilst the other, (vizt, the vertical drum), is placed in the
front part of the engine, and serves to draw the engine itself forwards; or two
vertical drums may be placed on each side of the engine, such drums having motion
imparted to them by toothed gear.