IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DIGGING OR CULTIVATING LAND PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL STEAM ENGINES GENERALLY
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Romaine, late of Canada West, but now
residing at Beverley, in the County of York, Gentleman, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DIGGING OR CULTIVATING LAND
PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL STEAM ENGINES
GENERALLY"
Sealed the 30th March 1858, and dated the 6th October 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Romaine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
October 1857.
I, ROBERT KOMAINE, late of Canada West, but now residing at Beverly,
in the County of York, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DIGGING OR CULTIVATING LAND,
PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL STEAM ENGINES
GENERALLY," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to increase the efficiency of the steam culti-
vators for which Letters Patent have already been obtained in Great Britain
on my behalf. In order to facilitate the traverse of such engines over the
land, I apply to the running wheels a novel arrangement of portable way,
which forms a kind of endless platform for each of the wheels to run on.
Pendent from the engine boiler, or other convenient part of the engine or
framing, are rods fixed 1.ear the wheels, and connected to the bottom of these
07

page_text: rods by a ball-and-socket joint, is a rotating skeleton frame. In this frame
radial slots or openings are made to receive drums, which are free to turn
therein, and to move radially in their slots. The frame is shaped and
arranged so that it shall stand at a slight angle to the ground, and allow
only the drums at the side near the wheel to, touch the ground when the
pressure of the wheel is upon them. As the engine is driven forward the
platform will be forced to turn on its centre, and thus bring a drum in
position to receive the rolling wheel as it passes from the drum that it has
just rolled over, and in this way the drums are in succession brought round
from the rear to the front of the advancing wheel.
To facilitate the turning of the engine at the headland, I cause the driven
running wheels, which work loosely on their axles, to revolve simultaneously
in opposite directions. This I effect by providing two spur pinions for gearing
into the spur teeth of each of the running wheels, and as the shaft of one
pinion acts as an intermediate shaft for driving the other (when required to be
driven), it will be obvious that a reverse motion may be obtained by throwing
one into and the other out of action by means of a clutch or other analogous
contrivance. It will be understood, that although both wheels are similarly
provided with this driving gear, yet, in order to turn the engine it will only be
necessary that the motion of one of the running wheels be reversed.
For the purpose of steering the front or leading wheel or wheels, I employ
steam power, which I apply either through the agency of an hydraulic
piston or through bevil gearing; the leading wheels are mounted in forked
bearings, the vertical stems of which carry a worm wheel, through which
an axial motion is imparted to the forked bearing. A horizontal rack rod
gears into the worm wheels, and carries at about the middle of its length a
piston, which works in a water-tight cylinder carried by the boiler or
framing of the engine. Water is admitted to opposite ends of this cylinder
from vertical tubular chambers in the water tank of the engine. When the
leading wheels are required to be turned, steain from the boiler is let on to
one or other of these columns, and the water is thus forced forward into the
cylinder, and made to act on one side of the piston contained therein. The
piston being thus propelled will communicate through its rod the required
axial motion to the forked bearings, and thus turn the wheels into the
required direction; or, the like effect may be produced by causing the piston
or pistons of one or more cylinders to act on ropes wound round sheaves
affixed to the stems of the forked bearings.
When using bevil gearing for turning the forked bearings, I take the
motion from a worm on the shaft, which passes through the hollow axle of the

page_text: driven running wheels, and receives motion directly from the steam cylinders.
To reverse the motion, it will be understood, that a pair of bevil pinions,
capable of sliding on their shaft, will be required for the pair of wheels.
In my former Patent I have explained that I employ a digging cylinder (the
periphery of which is furnished with cutters or digging bars) for operating upon
the land. I now propose to mount the digging cylinder in a hanging frame,
and to sustain it at the required level by means of regulating rollers or skid g
which run on or slide over the land; this frame will have the bosses of the
running wheels for its fulcrum; and for the purpose of raising and lowering it,
similar means to that described for turning the steering wheels may be applied.
In order, however, that the weight of the hanging frame and cylinder may not
bear entirely on the regulating rollers or skids, I provide the hydraulic piston
rod with an additional and smaller piston and water-tight cylinder to receive
the constant pressure of a column of water; and by means of a cord or chain
connecting the piston rod and hanging frame together, this small piston will
sustain a portion of the weight of that frame. When, however, the frame is
required to be raised to lift the digging cylinder off the ground, the column of
water is made to act on the larger piston, and so in like manner when the
frame is to be depressed the water is let on to the other side of that piston;
the regulating rollers are carried by arms jointed to the frame. To prevent
the straining of the hanging frame, it is connected with the main framing
of the engine by vertical racks, which gear into spur wheels, mounted on a
transverse shaft. To equalize the pressure on the regulating rollers at
opposite sides of the engine, I mount them on separate shafts and connect
them together by mitre wheels.
In order to compensate for the irregularities of the surface over which the
engine travels while in action, I connect the leading wheels together by a
balance beam, which has its fulcrum under the boiler; or I connect these
leading wheels together by a rope, the ends of which are coiled round sheaves
mounted on the framing. To enable the elevation of the engine to be adjusted
to facilitate its travelling up or down inclines, I fit the stem of the forked
bearings which carry these wheels with an hydraulic plunger, and cause these
plungers to work in vertical cylinders carried by the engine frame, and
connected together by a branch pipe. Water being let into these cylinders
from the boiler will form an hydraulic packing, which may be increased or
diminished in amount as thought desirable, and so maintain the engine in a
horizontal position. For driving the digging cylinder, I use spur gearing
placed within the cylinder, in order to protect the gearing from the accumu-
lation of dirt and refuse matters. For the sake of obtaining compactness

page_text: and simplicity of construction, I propose to use oscillating steam cylinders,
which I place below the boiler, and connect the piston rods directly to the
crank shaft.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Romaine in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th April 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
BOMAINE, late of Canada West, but now residing at Beverley, in the County
of York, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Robert Romaine, Her special license that I, the said Robert Romaine,
my executors, administrators, and assigus, or such others as I, the said Robert
Romaine, 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
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 MACHINERY FOR
DIGGING OR CULTIVATING LAND, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO
AGRICULTURAL STEAM ENGINES GENERALLY," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Robert Romaine, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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
inonths next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Romaine, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto aunexed, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The chief object of this Invention is to increase the efficiency of the steam
cultivators for which Letters Patent have already been obtained in Great
Britain on my behalf, by facilitating their traverse over the land, and also
by bringing the operating parts more completely under the command of
the attendant.

page_text: In order to improve the travelling powers of the implement, I apply to the
running wheels a novel arrangement of portable way, which forms a kind of
endless platform for each of the wheels to run on, and this part of my Inven-
tion I also propose to apply to agricultural steam engines generally.
In the accompanying Drawings forming part of this my Specification, Fig. 1,
Sheet I., shews in side elevation so much of the boiler and one of the main
carrying and driven wheels of the implementor engine, as is necessary to shew
the position of the wheels in the act of rolling over one of the drums of the
endless platform or revolving way, and the pendant carrying the platformway;
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same, with the drums which support the
weight of the engine being shewn in elevation. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one
of the platform ways, shewing a spur pinion fast on the latter and gearing into
spur teeth fixed to the side of one of the main carrying and driven wheels,
to prevent the latter slipping on the drums. Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of
the skeleton frames of the platform way, fitted for six drums, and fixed on a
stationary pendant. Fig. 5 is a plan view of another skeleton frame for four
drums, and where a loose pendant is employed, having a pendulous motion
at right angles to the machine's line of motion. Figures 6 and 7 shew, in
end and side views, the mode of supporting the loose peudant and ball.
Figures 8 and 9 are sections of different sized drums.
In Sheet II., Fig. 5* is a longitudinal elevation of the digging machine
without the revolving platform way, shewing the position of the oscillating
steam cylinders, the pitch lines in red, of the spur gearing under the boiler
for propelling the machine, and also, the pitch lines in red, of the spur gearing
for actuating the digging cylinder; Fig. is a plan of the same, with the shell
of the boiler removed, shewing one of the main driving and carrying wheels
in section, the steam or hydraulic cylinder for actuating the steering apparatus,
and also the hydraulic cylinders for raising, lowering, and sustaining the
weight of the digging cylinder and the digging frame. Fig. 7" is a front end
view, shewing a steam or hydraulic cylinder adapted to one wheel steering
apparatus. Fig. 8* is a front end view, with steering wheels removed,shewing
the clutch for throwing into and out of gear the spur wheels used for driving
the two main carrying wheels simultaneously in opposite directions to each
other for the purpose of turning round at headlands and other places.
In Sheet III., Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 4, are plan views, illustrating
the manner in which locomotive carriages, on engines whose driving wheels
are either plain or fitted with portable or endless railways, may turn round in
an area of their own length, by means of driving the said wheels simultaneously
in opposite directions to each other. Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18, are detached

page_text: views of a self-acting clutch on the upright forked spindles of the steering
wheels. Figure 18* shews another mode of actuating the steering apparatus
by means of a worm fast on the main crank shaft, and also exhibits in red the
pitch lines of another set of spur gearing, for actuating the digging cylinder,
and concealed within that cylinder. Fig. 19 shews an outline of the fixed
frame of the implement and the hanging or digging frame, with regulating
skids, and also the apparatus for throwing into and out of gear the clutches
on the forked spindles of the steering wheels; Fig. 20 is a front end view,
shewing the regulating apparatus for the steering wheels. Fig. 21 is a view
shewing the means of raising and lowering the front end of the boiler by
steam power, and also the means of adjusting the weight on the steering
wheels. Fig. 22 is an end view of the hanging or digging frame, shewing
how the weight on the two regulating wheels is adjusted Figures 23 and 24
are two views of the compensating apparatus shown in Fig. 22, when applied
to the front or steering wheels.
I will now proceed to describe my improved apparatus for facilitating the
traverse of the implement over the ground. In Sheet I., Figures 8 and 9
are drums of different sizes, made either hollow or solid, of wood and metal or
other suitable material, and of a diameter to suit the bearing surface required;
they are carried or suspended by their necks in the circular skeleton frame,
Fig. 4, and are free to move radially or turn round therein. The top and
bottom plates a5 are case-hardened, and made fast to each other by means of
countersunk bolts or rivets ja passed through the neck of the drum. The
circular skeleton frame, Fig. 4, is formed with a semi-spherical centre and a
flanch, on which the semi-spherical cap 65 is bolted, enclosing the ball on the
end of the fixed pendant c5, allowing the frame to have a universal motion, as
seen in section in Fig. 2; c5, pendant and ball, bolted fast to the inside plates
c2 in a line cutting the centre or axis of the main driving wheels, and on
which the skeleton frame revolves by its centre, having for its fulcrum that
particular drum on which the main running or carrying wheel presses for
the time being, as seen in Fig. 1. d³, six radial slots or openings to receive
the drums; these slots always allow the skeleton frame to travel forwards
or backwards in a line with the centre of the main carrying wheels. It will
be understood that the forward or backward motion of the machine causes
the skeleton frames to revolve on their centres and around the ball, bringing
fresh drums in succession under the main carrying wheels, while at the
same time the skeleton frames themselves are being carried backward or
forward in the line of motion of the machine.
In Fig. 5, the openings e5 to receive the drums are circular, the radial

page_text: travel of the frame from the drums not being absolutely necessary in this
case, on account of the pendulous motion of the loose pendant at right angles
to the line of motion of the machine allowing the skeleton frame to travel
partly around its fulcrum, viz, that particular drum on which the main carrying
wheel presses for the time being. The skeleton frame may be made in one
piece, or the rings fo may be made separate and bolted fast to the semi-
spherical centre piece, and to each other. The rings are shown as made
separate, and attached together by hinges h5, and working loosely on the
countersunk stud bolts in the centre piece of the frame, allowing the rings
and drums to accommodate themselves to the inequalities of the soil. By
referring to Figures 6 and 7, the mode of mounting the loose pendant and ball
for carrying the skeleton frame (Fig. 5) will be clearly seen. The pendant is
made in the shape of a T, and is supported in bearings 95 made fast to the
inside plates c². The main carrying or driven wheels are prevented from slip-
ping on the drums by means of the spur gearing attached to the sides of the
felloes of those wheels, and taking into spur pinions k³, k5, fast on the centre
piece of the skeleton frame, as seen in Figures 2 and 3. The platform way
may be set at a much greater inclination from the horizontal line than seen in
Fig. 2, by shortening the pendants and increasing the swell of that part of the
skeleton frame which encircle the drums at about a line with their centres.
Sheet II., Figures 5" to 8" inclusive. A is the outside framework, firmly
attached to the boiler B by means of the metal boxes Y, Y, the four stays X,
and the two hollow axles I, I, and braced together at the hinder end by the
tubular stays k, k; C, C, the main carrying and driven wheels, made with
broad tyres to give them a proper bearing on loose ground. When, however,
the revolving platforms are applied, the tyres may be considerably diminished
in breadth; D, D, are the front or steering wheels; E, E, two oscillating
steam cylinders fitted with the necessary pumps, reverse motion, &c., whose
piston rods are attached directly to the double-crank shaft F, and whose
trunnions oscillate in bearings on the metal frame E', which is firmly attached
to the front of the fire box and to the inside frame or plates C2, C². By
placing the steam cylinders and crank shaft nearer the smoke box end of the
boiler an intermediate shaft might work through the hollow axles if thought
necessary; G and H are two transverse shafts mounted in bearings on the
inside plates C2, and intended, by means of the gearing which they carry, to
drive the carrying wheels C either forward, backward, or simultaneously in
opposite directions. Mounted loosely on the ends of these shafts are four
pinions Q, which are cast with friction plates upon their inner sides; on the
same shafts are also mounted four friction plates or discs T2, fitted with

page_text: collars, as seen best in Fig. 8ª, which slide on feathers on their respective
shafts, and press against the friction plates on the pinions Q. The plates Ta
are pressed against the friction plates of the pinions Q by forked levers
encircling the collars. The shaft H carries a pair of spur wheels which are
keyed fast thereto, and gear into a pair of spur wheels which are loose on the
sbatt G, and are capable of being thrown into or out of action respectively by
means of a clutch Z2. The pair of spur wheels Z, Z, by connecting the shafts
G and H together, necessarily revolve at the same speed and in opposite
directions. To turn the machine therefore on its centre and in a space of its
own area, it is only necessary that one of the pinions Q at each side of the
machine on each of the shafts G and H be thrown into contact with the
friction plates T2, when a simultaneous movement of both the main carrying
and driven wheels will take place in opposite directions to each other. The
action of this turning round of the machine is more clearly shewn in
Figures 9 to 14, Sheet III., and will be more particularly described here-
after. K, K, are side rods connecting the main crank shaft or any inter-
mediate shaft with the shaft M', working through the digging cylinder. This
shaft carries at its opposite ends the cranks p, p, and to it are also keyed two
pinions g, g, which gear into two annular spur wheels i, i, fixed to and
concealed within the barrel or digging cylinder O, on which the digging bars
or cutters are bolted. This cylinder is fitted at its ends with large trunnions
t, t, which revolve in bearings made fast to the frame T.
In Fig. 18, Sheet III., another mode is shewn for driving the digging
cylinder (the cylinder having in this instance smaller trunnions t); y,g, are
two pinions made fast on the shaft M', which passes through the centre of
the digging cylinder; h, h, are intermediate spur wheels fast on their shafts
gearing into the annular spur wheels i, i; the pitch lines of the gearing are
shewn in red. By the adoption of either of these arrangements for driving
the digging cylinder it will be seen that the gearing will be effectually pro-
tected from injury from stones, &c. thrown up by the cutters.
In Sheet II., Fig. 6, the crank shaft F carries a pair of fly wheels P,
which are cast with bosses for crank pins; and R, R, are large annular spur
wheels attached to the carrying wheels C.
I will now explain the manner in which I actuate the steering wheels for
the purpose of bringing the machine more completely under the command of
the attendant. N, N, are two worm or spur wheels loose on the vertical
forked and cranked spindles r. r. These wheels have each two recesses in
their bosses at opposite points to receive male clutches, which run loose on
feathers on the spindles r,r; q', q', are worms or racks running in bearings

page_text: on the frame A, and gearing into the wheels N, N. These racks are keyed
fast on the ends of the piston rods q2 which work in the hydraulic cylinder m¹.
This cylinder is bolted to the smoke box of the boiler, and it is fitted with
two pistons, which are carried by the rods q2, and are placed back to back.
The pipes,, form communications between the opposite ends of the
cylinder m' and the two cylinders or columns of water k, l, which are placed
inside of the feed-water tanks Y', Y'; a two-way cock in connection with
the boiler and with the upper ends of the columns of water k', ', is provided
at n. By means of a long handle or rod carried back to the platform A¹,
where the engine driver stands, the two-way cock n' may be worked. It will
be readily seen that to give an endway motion to the rack q', q', so as to
steer the front wheels D, D, to the right or left, it is only necessary to let
steam on to one of the columns of water k', when the pressure of steam
will cause the piston to traverse in the cylinder m' and impart the required
motion through the racks to the wheels N and the forked spindles 7' which
carry the steering wheels. A square head and nut is shewn on the end of the
worm q' for a hand wheel to work the steering apparatus when there is not
sufficient steam in the boiler, otherwise common toothed gearing would answer
equally well in place of the wheels N, N, and the worm racks q', q¹; or a
shaft may be brought back to the platform A¹, one end being furnished with
a hand wheel for the steersman, the other with a spur pinion working into
spur teeth formed on the under side of the rack rods q', q'.
In Fig. 6 another mode is shewn for steering. J, J, seen in red, is an
endless wire rope or band attached to the pistons, and wound two or three
times round the wheels N, which would in this case be grooved sheaves,
thus dispensing with the rack rods.
In Sheet III., Figures 19 and 20, will be seen the means by which the
clutches s, s, are thrown out of gear with the wheels N, N, one apparatus
being provided for each side. N¹, N¹, are rack rods, on the tops of which
are foot plates for the driver to press upon; they gear into spur wheels (not
seen) fast on the longitudinal shafts N2, N2, which move in bearings on the
frame A, and carry helical springs S2, S3, and excentrics S³, S3; S4, S4, are
upright rods attached by a joint to the forked levers N³, N3, which levers
encircle the clutches S, S, and have for their fulcrums studs bolted to the
upper sides of the metal boxes Y. One end of the springs S2 is made fast to
the frame A and the other to the shaft N³, their use being to press upwards
the rack rods N¹, N', and simultaneously draw downwards into gear the
clutches S, S. The excentrics S³, S³, are made fast on the shaft N², but
cranks may be substituted with the same result. In case the
engine driver

page_text: should forget to throw the clutches out of gear before commencing the
operation of turning the machine round, provision is made to avoid breakage
by making the clutches S, S, self-acting in throwing themselves out of gear
with the wheels N. Fig. 15 is a view of the clutch S out of gear with the
wheel N; Fig. 16 shews the clutch in gear; Fig. 17 is a plan of the clutch;
and Fig. 18 is a section of the same taken at a and b, Fig. 17. M is a flanch
cast with the clutch S, with two projecting lugs on the under side at opposite
points forming inclined planes; two corresponding inclines n,n, are attached
to the sides of the metal boxes Y, Y. Whenever, therefore, the spindles r, r,
are driven round by the machine about a quarter turn, the flanches M,M, of
the clutches mount the incline planes n, n, liberating the wheels N, N, and
allowing the spindles r, r, and the steering wheels D, D, to assume any angle
they may require. When the machine has to travel backwards for any
distance, the clutches and spindles will be driven round a full half turn,
when the projecting lugs on the flanches M will again be pressed into gear
(by the springs S2) with the wheels N, N, so that the front wheels D, D;
may be steered in the required direction.
power is
Another mode of actuating the steering wheels by means of steam
shewn in Fig. 18. a is a large worm fast on the end of the main crank
shaft F, and a¹ is a pinion gearing into the worm a, and carried by a shaft c,
which runs in bearings on the frame A. At its opposite end this shaft c
carries a tube c4, which slides over a feather on the shaft, and is fitted with
a pair of mitre or bevil pinions c' and c³. These pinions are intended to gear
into a bevil pinion c³ made fast on a transverse shaft fitted with worms for
driving the wheels N of the steering wheel spindles. A collar is turned on
the pinion c¹ to receive the ends of the forked lever V, which has its fulcrum
on the frame A. V₁ is a connecting rod leading back to the platform and
attached to an upright lever, seen broken off, to be worked by the steersman,
who is only required to throw either of the pinious c¹ or c² into gear with the
wheel c³ to obtain the proper movements for steering to the right or left.
In Sheet II., T is a light metal frame for carrying the digging eylinder O;
it is secured to the main framing A by straps T, which pass around circular
plummer blocks bolted to the framing A, and carrying the ends of the crank
shaft F. The frame T therefore moves on a fulcrum having the centre of the
crank shaft and of the large carrying wheels C as its centre. The sides of the
frame T are braced together at their hinder end by tubular stays p', p', and
they are also braced through the digging cylinder by the tubular stays o¹,0¹,0¹.
In its up-and-down movement the frame T is guided by the lateral friction
rollers,, which press against the frame A. To maintain the frame T

page_text: always parallel with the frame A, two vertical rack rods X, XI, are attached
loosely to a stud on the frame T, and gear into spur wheels X2, X2, one on
each side of the frame A, which wheels are fast on the ends of the transverse
shaft U. This shaft U revolves loosely in bearings on the frame A, and
carries also at one end a worm wheel and clutch e, gearing into a worm d¹,
worked by a crank handle (not shewn), for raising and lowering the frame T
when there is not sufficient steam in the boiler. In order to raise and lower
the frame T, and also to keep a portion of its weight from bearing on the
skids F and wheels d (which are the appliances used for regulating the depth
of cut), I employ steam power in hydraulic cylinders similar to that described
for steering the machine; n2 is a two-way cock to let on steam to either of
the columns of water in the cylinders, ; m2 and m³, large and small
hydraulic cylinders bolted at each end to the frame A, and at the sides to the
fire box of the boiler; they are supplied with a pressure of water or steam from
the columns ka, k², by means of the tubes l, l; k is a two-way cock for cutting
off the pressure from the large cylinder m²; P1, P2, are large and small
pistons made fast to opposite ends of the piston rod m4, which passes through
a stuffing box where the two cylinders m², m³, join together; s¹ is a small
stuffing box through which passes a flexible rod or wire attached to the piston
rod m4, shewn by a dotted blue line; this flexible rod is again attached at the
other end to a wire rope, also seen in blue, wound round the double-grooved
sheave t¹, and the single-grooved sheave t, both revolving horizontally in
bearings on the frame A. The wire rope is also wound round or passes over
the vertical sheaves t³, ts, t,ts, revolving in bearings on the ends of the frames
A and T. In order to sustain a portion of the weight of the digging cylinder
and frame T, and prevent them from bearing too heavily on the wheels d, a
constant pressure is maintained in the small cylinder m³ against its piston, but
when it is desired to raise the frame T to a sufficient height to lift the digging
cylinder clear of the ground, it is further necessary to let the pressure of the
steam into the large cylinder m². It will be understood that the hydraulic
cylinders for steering and for raising the digging apparatus may be bolted or
attached to the boiler or framework longitudinally instead of transversely, if
thought desirable. To regulate the depth of the digging and sustain a portion
of the weight of the frame T and digging apparatus, I use either of the ways
shewn in Figures 5*, 6ª, Sheet II., or Figures 19 and 22, Sheet III.; d, d,
are broad rollers or wheels revolving on stud axles fast on the levers e², e².
These levers are attached loosely to the tubular stay o¹. A number of holes
(not shewn) are drilled into the frame T at each side, at given distances apart,
in a curved line; to suit the curve the levers take, moveable stud pins are used

page_text: to connect the levers e, e², to the frame T',and hold them in a suitable position
for regulating the depth of cut required.
To prevent all inequality of pressure upon the steering wheels and the
wheels attached to the digging frame, I use a compensating arrangement
which will distribute the weight equally on the pair of wheels. Fig. 22,
Sheet III., shews in elevation an arrangement applied to the digging frame T.
In this Figure p', p', are tubular stays on the end of frame T; d, d, are the
bearing wheels carried by the cranked axles B1, B2, fast on the ends of the
shafts U1, U2. One end of the shaft U¹ is carried by a bearing on the frame
T, and the other end by a bearing on a vertical stud shaft U³, which is inade
fast on the tubular stays p³, p. The shaft U is also provided with similar
bearings. The mitre wheels L', L, are keyed fast on their respective shafts
U1, U2, but the mitre wheels L³, L³, are loose on their shaft. The two shafts
U1, U2, being loose and free to act according to circumstances, it will be
readily understood that any pressure or weight put upon one of the wheels d
in excess of the other will be immediately compensated for by means of the
reverse action of the mitre wheels, as indicated by the arrows. This compen-
sating movement is also applicable to the front steering wheels, as shewn in
Figures 23 and 24, r being the forked spindles; B¹, arms keyed fast to the
shaft U; L' and L³, mitre wheels; D', link; D³, nuts on spindles r. Skids
may be employed for the same purpose as the wheels d, d, as seen in side
view, Fig. 19; F is the skid attached to a saddle piece f¹, f¹; f is an
excentric mounted loosely on a stud pin on the frame T, and working in the
saddle piece f¹; it is moved round by the lever e², and by that means is
caused to raise or lower the skid, and give the required depth to the digging
apparatus. In this Figure will be seen an outline of the frames A and T.
Fig. 21 is an end elevation, shewing an arrangement for compensating or
equalizing the weight on the front wheels. D, D, by means of hydraulic
cylinders; A are bent tubes, connected to the water space of the boiler by a
two-way cock a³; A3, A3, are two vertical hydraulic cylinders fitted with
stuffing boxes, one of which is shewn in section connected to the tube A³, and
bolted to the boxes Y, Y; F2, F2, are rams or pistons of equal diameter;
r, r, are forked spindles, to the upper end of which the rams are,attached.
These spindles are made hollow so as to obtain strength and lightness,and are
bolted through flanches to the forks. Water from the steam boiler is,let
into both the hydraulic cylinders A3, A3, and is free to flow from one to the
other through the tube A. It will be understood that the pressure on the two
rams F, F, will be.equal, and therefore the weight on the wheels D, D, will
also be equal. When the machine is ascending or descending inclines, the

page_text: front end of the boiler may be lowered by letting some of the water out of the
tube A2, by the cock a³, or it may be raised by more water being let in from
the boiler, thereby maintaining its horizontal position.
Figures 9 to 14, inclusive, are plan views of the driving and steering
wheels of a locomotive steam engine, fitted with portable or endless railways.
In Figures 10 to 13, inclusive, the portable rails are not shewn, the object
being to illustrate the different positions a locomotive takes, whose driving
wheels are fitted with portable railways, in travelling up to the headlands,
turning round and returning, ploughing or cultivating a piece of land its own
breadth without the bearing wheels having travelled over or even touched the
land so ploughed or cultivated, and without straining or twisting the portable
railways and their several necessary attachments to the wheels; and also to
illustrate the manner in which it is accomplished by means of the shafts,
clutches, and spur gearing, shewn and described in Figures 5ª, 6ª, and 8°. If
the front wheels be mounted like castors, it is only necessary to throw them
out of gear with the steering apparatus when arriving at the headlands, when
on being driven they will assume of themselves their proper positions for
turning; but if plain wheels are used, it is necessary to set and maintain them
in their proper positions. In Figures 9 and 14, the arrows indicate the
direction of the locomotive's course. Fig. 10 (shewn in black) supposes
the locomotive to have reached the headland and each of the driving wheels
to have been thrown into gear for travelling simultaneously in opposite
directions around a common centre, as indicated by the arrows, until the
wheels have assumed a position at right angles to the cultivated land, as seen
in red, in Fig. 11. The locomotive is then made to advance along the head-
land until the castor wheel assumes the position of Fig. 12, also in red, when
the same evolution of turning at right angles is repeated, and the locomotive
assumes the position of Fig. 13, shewn in black, ready to begin another
breadth of land parallel to and alongside of the one already ploughed or
cultivated, as shewn in Fig. 14.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner of carrying the same
into effect, 1 desire it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent I claim,-
First, the application to agricultural steam engines, and to cultivating
machines requiring the sanie, revolving platform ways, operating as above
described.
Secondly, the arrangement of intermediate shafting and gearing described
with reference to Sheet II. of the Drawings, for turning steam cultivating

page_text: machines at the headlands by driving the main supporting wheels simul-
taneously in opposite directions.
Thirdly, the apparatus above described for operating the steering wheels by
means of steam power.
Fourthly, connecting the digging frame with the main framing by racks
and spur wheels, as described, for the purpose of preventing the straining of
the digging frame, and also the application thereto of rollers, wheels, or skids
attached to opposite sides of the frame, for bearing up and regulating the
depth at which the revolving digging cylinder is to work.
Fifthly, the steam and hydraulic apparatus for raising, lowering, and
sustaining a portion of the weight of the digging cylinder and frame, as
described.
Sixthly, the means above described for compensating or equalizing the
pressure or weight on the forward and hind wheels or rollers and skids, when
passing over uneven ground.
Seventhly, enclosing the driving gear of the digging cylinder within that
cylinder, for the purpose above mentioned.
And, lastly, arranging the oscillating steam cylinders below the boiler, as
described and shewn in Sheet II. of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Romaine, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
H. WRIGHT,
66, Chancery Lane.
ROB ROMAINE. (L.S.)