IMPROVE MENTS IN AGRICULTURAL DRILLS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hensman, of Woburn, and John Hensman, of
Ampthill, both in the County of Bedford, for the Invention of "IMPROVE
MENTS IN AGRICULTURAL DRILLS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hensman and John
Hensman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th May
1876.
WILLIAM HENSMAN, of Woburn, and JOHN HENSMAN, of Ampthill, both in tho
County of Bedford. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL DRILLS.'
Our Invention relates to corn and seed drills, and consists in the application at
the rear of the drill of a steering wheel or wheels in combination with a lifting
arrangement for turning the drill at the headland, and raising the coulters out of
the ground.
According to our Invention the fork of the steering wheel or wheels is made to
turn on a vertical axis in a collar or boss on the frame of the drill, which is also
capable of sliding up and down on the axis of the steering wheel fork in order to
raise the coulters out of the ground. This is effected by a lever handle fulcrumed
on the axis of the steering wheel fork, and connected to the frame of the drill, the
lever working over a quadrant rack or other device to hold it firmly in whatever
position it may be placed.
We also provide an improved joint to the lever and lever bed to ensure a per-
manent grip, and prevent all liability of getting loose.
The Invention consists also in an improved arrangement of the draught attach-
ments at the fore part of the drill, whereby the draught chains are prevented from
fouling the wheels when turning the drill.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by.
the said William Hensman and John Hensman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 30th November 1876.
WILLIAM HENSMAN, of Woburn, and JOHN HENSMAN, of Ampthill, both in the
County of Bedford. ** IMPROVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL DRILLS."
Price Gdl

page_text: improvements applied.
Figures 3 and 4 represent in plan different arrangements of the draught attach-
ments constituting part of our Invention.
The combined steering and lifting gear consists of a steering wheel (or.wheels) A
mounted in a fork B, having a vertical axis C passing through a socket or boss D
on the central perch E of the drill frame. The socket D is free to slide up and
down on the axis C, which is free to turn therein, and is connected at its upper
extremity with a hand lever F by a universal joint consisting of a loose collar G on
the axis C, jointed by horizontal side pivots H in the looped or bifurcated part of
the lever F, as shown in Figure 2, so as to permit of the rotation of the axis C and
the oscillation of the lever F, working on the pivots Has its fulcrum. This lever F
is connected by a link F' with the perch E, and is held in position by an upright
rack I rising from E. By oscillating the lever F the rear part of the drill is raised
or lowered to put the coulters in or out of work, as will be readily understood. The
steering fork is turned in its socket to guide the steering wheel by a hand lever K,
forked and jointed to the axle of the wheel A. This lever K rests upon a semi-
circular rail L, fixed to the handles of the drill frame, and having three notches or
bends M in it to hold the lever in either of the three positions shown in Figure 2, 80
as to leave the attendant's hands free to guide the horses. The latter Figuro also
shows one arrangement of the draught attachments at the fore part of the drill, by
which the chains are prevented from fouling the wheels when turning the drill
round, which it will be seen may be done in a very small space by the means of the
improvements of our Invention, as the main wheels move one forward and the other
backward in turning the drill. O is a horizontal guide for a draught rod P, jointed
at P to the perch of the drill, and capable of swinging to the right or left in the
guide O, as indicated in dotted lines. The draught chains attached to rod P are
thus kept clear of the wheels. The frame which supports the guide O works on
pivots S, so as to admit of the frame being raised out of the way for travelling.
The frame is supported in the horizontal position shown when in use.
Figures 3 and 4 show other improved arrangements intended to replace the old
and well known arrangement consisting of a central chain attached to the perch,
and the side chains at either side attached to the fore carriage. The side chains are
made of sufficient length to remain slack except in turning, when the draught comes
on one or other of them, but owing to the centre chain not being rigid, the drill is
pulled sideways rather than turned round, which objection is overcome in our
improved arrangements by replacing the centre chain by a rigid rod P, connected
by a universal joint to the perch, and by attaching the side chains or connections Q
to rigid arms T fixed to the fore carriage. The side chains are connected to an eye
at the fore end of the rod P, to which the draught chains R are also attached. By

page_text: this means a leverage is obtained whereby the twining of the drill is facilitated.
The side chains or connections remain slack except in turning, when they come into
action as represented in dotted lines in the Figures. In Figure 4 jointed rods are
used instead of chains for the side connections.
Having described the nature of our said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, we declare that what we claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The combined lifting and steering gear constructed and applied to drills, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
2nd. The improved draught attachments, as and for the purpose described and
shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hensman, for myself and on behalf of
the said John Hensman, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-
seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM HENSMAN. (L.S.)