IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING LAND
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Head and John Robert Jefferies, both of
Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk, Engineers, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING LAND."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Head and John
Robert Jefferies at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 4th March 1871.
We, JOHN HEAD and JOHN ROBERT JEFFERIES, both of Ipswich, in
the County of Suffolk, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS FOR CULTIVATING LAND,"
to be as follows :—
This Invention has for its object improvements in implements for
cultivating land.
In order to raise double or multiple furrow ploughs out of the land
we fix on the frame of the plough a transverse horizontal axis carrying
two arms, one on either side of the implement. These arms have wheels
mounted upon them, and one of the wheels is the land wheel of the
plough. When the plough is in the ground the land wheel arm projects

page_text: to the front of the plough axis, but when the plough is out of the
ground the arm has become vertical, and the wheel which it carries has
consequently been lowered in relation to the frame of the plough. The
arm which carries the land wheel is somewhat shorter than the arm
which carries the wheel on the other side of the implement, but it is
mounted on the axis at such an angle that when the ploughs are in the
ground the land wheel only is bearing. When however the ploughs aro
raised and the arm of the land wheel is vertical the implement stands
evenly or nearly so on the two wheels. The wheel arms fit upon squares
formed on the ends of the axis, and for adjustment can be moved along
the axis to adjust the width. The axis is held in position and rotated
to lift the ploughs by means of an arm on its under side linked by
means of a connecting rod with a lever handle. When the lever handlo
is in a forward position the ploughs are in the land; to lift the ploughs
the handle is drawn back. To lock the lever and the parts connected
with it in either position it has jointed to it a latch on which there aro
stops which are received and held by retaining horns or parts on the
frame of the implement. The stop which holds the lever when the
ploughs are at work works as a nut on the stem of the latch, and can be
adjusted whilst the implement is at work, so as to allow the plouglis to
penetrate the ground more or less as may be required. To bring the
ploughs into or out of work the latch is lifted and disengaged from
the retaining horns; the hand level is then shifted and is locked by the
latch in its new position.
the
We also employ similar lifting apparatus in connection with single
ploughs having a subsoil tino in advance of the share to break
up
bottom of the previous furrow. In this case more power is required
to lift the implement, and we apply in aid of the lifting apparatus already
described the traction power by which the implement is drawn through
the land. The draft bar terminates in two links, and the end of one of
them is made fast to the axis of the lifting wheels by a chain passing
partly around it, so that when the axis is free the strain on the chain
will assist in rotating it. The other link is attached to the subsoil tine
beneath the centre on which it turns, and as soon as the draft bar is no
longer held back by its connection with the liſting axis the traction is
thrown on to the subsoil tine in such manner as to draw it forward,
turning it around its centre so as to lift its point out of the land.
Similarly the tractive power may be applied to depress the lifting wheels
of double or multiple furrow ploughs.

page_text: In ploughing with single-furrow ploughs it is usual to tilt the plough
slightly to eithor side, so that the mould board may press more or less
upon the slice which is being turned as the nature of the soil may
require. In double or multiple furrow ploughs as at present cou-
structed this cannot be done, and the work is more or less imperfect in
consequence. To remove this defect we mount the bar or beam carrying
one of the ploughs so that it can be raised or lowered in respect to the
frame of the implement. When this adjustment is made the implement
may, without producing any irregularity in the depth of the furrows, be
tilted to one side or the other to suit the nature of the soil, as with a
single-furrow plough.
When applying steam traction in lieu of horses we use a traction
engine by preference, such as is known as Thompson's road steamer, and
we connect the implements to it on one side. The engine has an arm
or arms projecting from its side, and two implements are coupled to this
arm or arms in such manner that they can be steered to some extent
independently of the engine. The engine does not turn at the head-
lands, but its motion is reversed. The implements cach work only in
one direction, the leading implement being always raised out of work.
The arm or arms on the engine are so arranged that the draft bars or
connections are always maintained at the same height, although the
engine may incline to the one side or the other.
Implemente
MAT be similarly connected. bafone and hohind the
5 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Head and John Robert Jefferies in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd September 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JoHN
HEAD and JOHN ROBERT JEFFERIES, both of Ipswich, in the County of
Suffolk, Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give

page_text: and grant unto us, the said John Head and John Robert Jefferies,
Her special licence that we, the said John Head and John Robert
Jefferies, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as wo,
the said John Head and John Robert Jefferics, our executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, t
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, excrcise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Ohannel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPLEMENTS
FOR CULTIVATING LAND," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, 1
the said John Head and John Robert Jefferies, our executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals,
or under the hand and scal of one of us or them, 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 1
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, tho said John Robert Jefferies, on behalf
of myself and tho said John Head, 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, that is to say :—
This Invention has for its object "Improvements in Implements for
Cultivating Land."
In order to raise double or multiple furrow ploughs out of the land g
we fix on the frame of the plough a transverse horizontal axis carrying
two arms, one on either side of the implement. These arms have
wheels mounted upon them, and one of the wheels is the land wheel
of the plough. When the plough is in the ground the land wheel arm
projects to the front of the plough axis, but when the plough is out g
of the ground the arm has become vertical and the wheel which it
carries has consequently been lowered in relation to the frame of the
plough. The arm which carries the land wheel is somewhat shorter
than the arm which carries the wheel on the other side of the imple-
ment, but it is mounted on the axis at such an angle that when the
ploughs are in the ground the land wheel only is bearing. When,
however, the ploughs are raised and the arm of the land wheel is vertical
the implement stands evenly or nearly so on the two wheels. The

page_text: wheel arms fit upon squares formed on the ends of the axis, and for
adjustment can be moved along the axis to adjust the width. The
axis is held in position and rotated to lift the ploughs by means of an
arm on its under side linked by means of a connecting rod with a lever
handle. When the lever handle is in a forward position the ploughs are
in the land. To lift the ploughs the handle is drawn back. To lock tho
lever and the parts connected with it in either position it has jointed to
it a latch on which there are stops which are received and held by
retaining horns or parts on the frame of the implement. The stop
which holds the lever when the ploughs are at work works as a nut on
the stem of the latch, and can be adjusted whilst the implement is at
work, so as to allow the ploughs to ponetrate the ground more or less as
may be required. To bring the ploughs into or out of work the latch is
lifted and disengaged from the retaining horns; the hand lever is then
shifted and is locked by the latch in its new position.
We also employ similar lifting apparatus in connection with single
ploughs having a subsoil tine in advance of the share to break up the
bottom of the previous furrow. In this case more power is required to
lift the implement, and we apply in aid of the lifting apparatus already
described the traction power by which the implement is drawn through
the land. The draft bar terminates in two links, and the end of one of
them is made fast to the axis of the lifting wheels by a chain passing
partly around it so that when the axis is free the strain on the chain
will assist in rotating it. The other link is attached to the subsoil tinc
beneath the centre on which it turns, and as soon as the draft bar is no
longer held back by its connection with the lifting axis the traction is
thrown on to the subsoil tinc in such manner as to draw it forward,
turning it around its centre so as to lift its point out of the land.
Similarly the tractive power may be applied to depress the lifting wheels
of double or multiple furrow ploughs.
In ploughing with single furrow ploughs it is usual to tilt the plough
slightly to either side so that the mould board may press more or less
upon the slice which is being turned, as the nature of the soil may
require. In double or multiple furrow ploughs, as at present con-
structed, this cannot be done, and the work is more or less imperfect in
consequence. To remove this defect we mount the bar or beam carrying
one of the ploughs so that it can be raised or lowered in respect to the
frame of the implement. When this adjustment is made the implement

page_text: may without producing any irregularity in the depth of the furrows be
tilted to one side or the other to suit the nature of the soil, as with a
single furrow plough.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed we have shewn examples of double
and multiple furrow ploughs arranged to be lifted out of work as herein- 5
before described, and also the manner of raising the subsoil tine from out
of work, and the particular method in which the levers are held when
the ploughs are at work. Also the method of constructing double and
multiple furrow ploughs to enable them to be tilted when at work
without producing irregularity in the depth of the furrows.
Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 is an elevation of our improved double
furrow plough, Figure 3 is a plan, and Figure 4 is an elevation of our
improved plough fitted with subsoil tine, shewing our method of raising
it at the headlands by the action of the forward draught.
1
Figures 5 show an enlarged partial elevation, partial plan, and 1
partial end view shewing more clearly the method of actuating the
subsoil tine. Figure 0 is a partial elevation shewing our improved modo
of mounting the plough beams of multiple furrow ploughs.
. In Figures 1 and 2 the plough frame is shown to be formed of two
beams a, a, of wrought iron and two channel irons b, b, but the frame 2
may be otherwise constructed. c is a horizontal axis placed transversely
across the plough. This axis carries two arms d and d', one on either
side of the implement; these arms have wheels mounted upon them
and one of the wheels e is the land wheel of the plough. When the
plough is in the ground the land wheel arm & projects to the front 2
of the plough, as shewn at Figure 2, but when by turning the axis c the
plough has been raised out of the ground this arm d' is back in a
vertical position or nearly so, and the wheel e which it carries has
consequently been lowered in relation to the frame of the plough. Tho
arm & which carries the land wheel e is somewhat shorter than the 30
arm & which carries the wheel on the other side of the implement, but
it is mounted on the axis c at such an angle that when the plough is
in the ground the land wheel e only is bearing. When the plough is
raised and the arm on the land wheel e is vertical the implement
stands evenly or nearly so on the two wheels (see Figure 4). The 35
wheel arms d and fit upon the ends of the axis c which are made
square or flat sided in section and for adjustment can be moved along
the axis to adjust the width. The axis c is held in position and rotated

page_text: to lift the plough by means of an arm g on its under side linked by
means of a rod with a lever handle i. When the lever handle i is in
a forward position the ploughs are in the land. To lift the plough the
handle is drawn back. To lock the lever g and the parts connected
with it in either position the lever handle i has jointed to it a latch k,
on which there is a stop k¹, which, when the ploughs are out of the
ground, is received and held by retaining horns or parts 1, fixed to the
frame of the implement. On the latch is another stop k² which is
to hold the lever when the ploughs are at work. This stop k² works
as a nut on the stem of the latch and by turning it by the hand wheel
upon it its position on the stem can be adjusted while the implement
is at work so as to allow the ploughs to penetrate the ground more or
less as may be required.
To bring the plough into or out of work, the latch is lifted and
disengaged from the retaining horns and the hand lever i is then shifted
and is again locked by the latch in its new position.
We would state that other arrangements than those above described
may be adopted for rotating and locking the axis c, we however prefer
to employ the mechanism above described and shown by the Drawings.
In Figures 3, 4, and 5 is shewn a plough provided with a subsoil
tinc in advance of the plough share to break up the bottom of the
previous furrow. In this case more power is required to lift the
implement in turning at the headlands, and we here employ in aid of
the lifting apparatus already described the traction power by which
the implement is drawn through the land. The draft bar n terminates
in two links n¹, the end of one of these is made fast to the axis of
the lifting wheels by the chain o passing partly round it, so that when
the axis c is free the strain on the chain o will assist in rotating the
axis c.
The other link is attached to the subsoil tine m beneath the
centre upon which it turns, and as soon as the draft bar is no longer
held back by its connection with the lifting axis c the traction is
thrown on to the subsoil tinc in such a manner as to draw it forward,
turning it round its centre, so as to lift its point out of the land. The
manner in which the tinc is mounted to enable it thus to turn on a
centre, and the manner in which the links n¹ are connected respectively
to the axis c and to the tine, is shewn clearly at Figures 5. The draft
bar of double or multiple furrow ploughs may similarly be made fast
to the axis of the lifting wheels of the plough in order that the tractive

page_text: power may be employed to depress the lifting wheels. In the double
furrow plough shewn at Figure 1 the beam which is furthest from the
land wheel c is so constructed and connected with the frame that it can
be raised or lowered at pleasure, and consequently with it the whole body
coulters and other parts which are attached to it. The beam a is fitted
at either end with a boss r into which a thread is tapped. To the channel
irons b, b, arc bolted the brackets 8, 8; on cach bracket are two lugs
which carry between them a screw bolt g, these bolts are threaded and
work in the bosses ?, ?, at the ends of the beam a, and by turning theso
bolts the beam can be raised or lowered between the lugs. The axis c
is suspended in the slot of this beam a by the box and screw q' to which
it is fitted.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention and the manner
of performing the same, we would have it understood that what we
claim as our improvements in implements for cultivating land is,—
1. The combined arrangement of multiple furrow ploughs substantially
as herein-before described.
2. The arrangement of the lifting and turning wheels of multiple
furrow ploughs and of other implements for cultivating land substantially
as herein-before described.
3. The arrangement of ploughs fitted with a subsoil tine substantially
as herein-before described, whereby the forward draft of the implement
assists in raising the subsoil tine out of the ground and in depressing the
land and lifting wheels.
4. The arrangement of multiple furrow ploughs substantially as
herein-before described, so that one or more of the beams may be
raised or depressed to enable the ploughs to be tilted when at work
without producing irregularity in the depth of the furrows.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Robt. Jefferies, have here-
unto set my hand and scal, this Thirty-first day of August, in
the year of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-
one.