IMPROVEMENTS IN TILLING MACHINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Liverpool and London
Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county
of Lancaster, Civil Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TILLING
MACHINES a communication to him from Charles Edgar Sackett a person
resident at Morristown in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey,
United States of America
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th February 1883.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Liverpool and London Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN TILLING MACHINES."-A communication to, me
from Charles Edgar Sackett a person resident at Morristown in the county of
Morris and State of New Jersey, United States of America.
This invention relates to a class of tilling appliances which are designed to
perform simultaneously the several operations involved in the preparation of soil
for seed.
The invention particularly relates to and constitutes an improvement upon the
implement known as the "Combined Plow and Pulverizing Apparatus," for which
Letters Patent N° 3851 of 1880, dated September 23rd, 1880, were granted to
Philip Middleton Justice of 14 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent; the same being a communication from abroad by Charles Edgar
Sackett, then of Wayne Township, Mifflin County, State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America.
The object of this invention is to perfect each of the several processes executed
by the said Combined Plow and Pulverizing Apparatus, namely, clearing, inverting,
plowing, aerating and distributing the earth, and the mode of their combination, so
as to secure great strength, with lightness of draft, lightness of weight, simplicity
(and consequently cheapness) of construction.
The special improvements herein set forth may be enumerated as follows:-
First: Advantage is taken of the action of a forward plow in removing the high

page_text: grass, weeds, etcetera, in order to substitute for the usual beam which is high at
the throat and curved, a practically straight beam, high enough at the point to
insure the requisite draft-pressure upon the guage-wheel and colter, but low at
the junction with the rear plow standard. In the ordinary plow much of the
strain falls on the curve of the beam, which must accordingly be made heavy
enough to withstand such force, but with a straight beam disposed in the manner
described, the strain is exerted directly in the line of its length and accordingly its
cross-section may be materially decreased. This together with the diminution in
length greatly reduces the weight.
:
Secondly Adjustment devices are provided whereby either end of the plow-
beam may be raised or lowered for the purpose of lifting the plow from the ground
or of regulating the depth of cut made by each plow. For this purpose the beam
is pivotally suspended from the framework of the tiller, which consists of a
longitudinal tongue connected to a straight axle. Devices are also provided for
preventing lateral movement of the beam.
A third feature of this invention consists in providing a lever by which the
operator may easily raise or lower the land end of the axle without arresting the
progress of the implement, for the purpose of maintaining its horizontality.
Fourthly In order to effect a complete reversal of the top layer of sods, weeds,
etcetera, removed by the forward plow, the forward plow-share is made somewhat
narrower than the rear plow-share so as to leave an uncut strip upon the edge of
the furrow, which strip acts as a hinge upon which the layer turns under the action
of a mould-board of appropriate shape, the strip retaining its hold long enough to
produce the complete reversal.
Fifthly: The construction of the pulverizing wheel or skeleton drum is modified
by giving to the transverse braces upon its circumference an inward curvature, so
that in riding the inverted layer turned by the forward plow the pulverizer may
sink as deep as possible into the furrow in which it travels. The rims and
transverse bars are also provided with sharpened falls for the purpose of cutting up
the inverted layer.
Sixthly Availing of the fact that the instrument as thus improved tends to
move in the line determined by the previous furrow, the usual land-sides of either
or both plows are dispensed with and thus their weight and friction are avoided.
Seventhly: A continuation of suitable shape is given to the mould-board of the
rear plow to assist in retaining the earth in the pulverizing wheel until sufficiently
pulverized to drop through the circumferential spaces.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th August 1883.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Liverpool and London Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN TILLING MACHINES."-A communication to me
from Charles Edgar Sackett, a person resident at Morristown, in the County of
Morris and State of New Jersey, United States of America.
This invention relates to a class of tilling appliances which are designed to
perform simultaneously the several operations involved in the preparation of soil
for seed.
:
The object of this invention is to perfect each of the several processes executed
by such an implement, namely, clearing, reversing, plowing,. aerating and
distributing the earth; the invention also aims to improve the construction of
the several component parts of the implement, and to determine upon the best
mode of combining them together, so as to secure great strength, with lightness
of draft, lightness of weight, simplicity (and consequently cheapness) of
construction.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is, a perspective view of a convenient
form of the perfected tilling machine in operation; Fig. 2 is a plan diagram
showing the relative positions of the two plows and the widths of their respective
cuts; Fig. 3 shows another convenient mode of organizing the parts of a complete
tiller.
3.
Referring to Fig. 1, the main plow Al and skim-plow A2 are connected to the
beam B by means of suitable braces or standards C1 C2 and clamps D1 D 2.
The beam B is slightly inclined to the horizontal plane, the point of the beam being
elevated above its rear end sufficiently to insure the requisite draft-pressure
upon the gauge-wheel El, and colter Ĕ2, which are carried by mechanism F,
susceptible of vertical adjustment. Availing of the clearing action of the forward
plow, the beam B is made practically straight and there is given to it the said
inclination so that the beam may be low at its junction with the rear plow standard.
The use of a beam provided with a carved throat is thus avoided. With a straight
beam disposed in this manner the strain is exerted in the direction of the length
of the beam, and accordingly its cross-section may be materially decreased,
The framework of the impleinent is composed of a straight transverse axle G,
and a tongue H extending parallel to the line of motion and connected to said axle
at a point near its centre.
The plow-beam is pivotally suspended from this framework and mechanisms are
provided for preventing lateral movement of the beam, and for vertically adjusting
either end thereof. Thus the rear end of the beam enters a guide-loop J depending
from the axle G within which loop it has free vertical motion. The same end
may be brought to any required vertical position by means of the angle-lever K,
which is placed in a convenient location to be manipulated by the right-hand of
the operator when seated upon the spring-seat L. In order to maintain the bean
in such position a registering device is provided, consisting of the notched segment
frame M 1, the stop M 2 and its withdrawing handle M 3. All lateral movements
of the forward end of the beam are prevented by yoke-braces N 1 N 2, rigidly
connected to the beam at 01 and O2, and articulating with the axle in the pivotal
bearings P1 P2 connected upou the axle G. The forward end of the beam is
hung from the angle-lever R, pivoted at RI to the tongue H, which lever is also
capable of adjustment by the right-hand of the operator. By means of these levers

page_text: the operator may vary the depth of cut made by either plow, or may lift both
plows above the ground when he desires to turn or transport the implement.
The land wheel S revolves upon its Spindle S1, which is carried by the angle-
lever S 2. The latter is pivoted at S 3 to an elbow S4 upon the land end of the
axle G. A segment S 5 and registering lever $6 are also provided for securing the 5
system when proper adjustment is reached. The lever S2 is manipulated by the
operator with his left-hand. It enables him to keep the axle G and seat L in a
horizontal and the plows in an upright position.
In order that the forward plow may invert its furrow-slice, or the top-layer of
Bods etcetera., which it removes from the surface, its plow-share is made somewhat 1
narrower than that of the rear plow, so as to leave a narrow uncut strip upon the
furrow edge which acts as a hinge for said furrow-slice. There is also given to the
mould-board of said forward plow the curved form and structure requisite to effect
a semi-revolution of said furrow-slice upon said hinge as it is delivered into the
adjoining previously made furrow. . This operation will be understood by reference
to Fig. 2, in which the plows A* 1 and A2 are shown in horizontal projection, and
the boundaries of their respective cuts are indicated by dotted lines.
The pulverizing wheel T revolves on the furrow end of the axle G. It travels as
herein before explained, in the last of the series of furrows previously opened. It
is made of such breadth as to easily fit the furrow, the distance between the
rims T1 and T2 being regulated accordingly. These rims are connected together
by transverse braces U1 U2 U3 etcetera,. The braces are curved inwardly as
shown, so as to form a grooved periphery or tread, and the outer faces of the
transverse braces as well as the rims (if desired) are formed with sharp cutting
edges. As the wheel advances the rim T1 serves to cut the sods, weeds etcetera,
from the land edge of the furrow in which it moves. The braces serve to press
the same down to the bottom of the furrow and there to cut them transversely.
Owing to the curvature of the braces the rims of the wheel may be forced by the
weight of the implement to the floor of the furrow, and the wheel is thus made to
ride the deposits of the forward plow without being materially elevated.
The wheel is constructed upon an elongated hub V, provided with inner and
outer boxes or collars V 1 V 2. From each of these boxes a series of spokes W 1 W 2
radiates. The spokes are of steel or iron and are made as light as is consistent
with requisite strength. Pointed or wedge-shape teeth W 3 W 4 etcetera, are
provided attached to the outer rim for the purpose of breaking up and pulverizing
the earth. The proper number, length, and position of said teeth to secure the
best result in any particular case will depend upon the character of the soil worked
by the implement.
The mould board of the main plow is expanded into or attached to a screen Y 1,
acting to retain the earth within the wheel until sufficiently pulverized to fall
through the peripheral spaces.
The implement as above described tends to move in a direct line, or a line
determined by the previous furrow in which the pulverizing wheel revolves.
The tongue H1 and yoke-braces J, maintain the direct forward action of the beam.
The usual land sides of either or both plows may be therefore dispensed with and
their weight and friction avoided.
Having now described the nature of this invention as communicated to me
I would have it understood that what I claim is :-
1. The plow-beam carrying the skim and main plows, and the straight axle of the
implement, in combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with
mechanism consisting of the guide-loop and guide-rods for preventing all except
vertical movements of said beam.
2. The plow-beam carrying the skim and main plows, and rectangular frame-work
composed of the straight transverse axle and longitudinal tongue, in
combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with device for suspending
said beam from said framework, and the levers for vertically adjusting either end
of said 'beam,

page_text: 3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plow-beam
carrying the plows, the straight axle of the implement, and the mechanism
for preventing lateral movement of the beam, and mechanism for vertically adjusting
either of its ends.
4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the axle, a segment
casting carried at the land end thereof, and angled lever articulating and
registering with said segment, a spindle carried by said angle lever, and the land-
wheel revolving upon said spindle.
5. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a main plow
provided with a plow-share determining the width of furrow, and a front
plow provided with a plow share narrower than the furrow for the purpose of
leaving an uncut or hinge edge of the furrow side.
6. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a main plow-share
determining the width of furrow, a forward plow-share made narrower than
the furrow for the purpose of leaving an uncut edge, and a mould-board shaped
to revolve the cut upon said uncut edge.
7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the forward plow
turning its furrow-slice into the previously made furrow, and a skeleton
pulverizing wheel having a grooved or recessed tread, in order that it may pass
over the deposits of said forward plow without being materially elevated.
8. In a skeleton pulverizing wheel, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore
set forth, of the long hub, the end boxes thereof, a series of spokes radiating
from each box, the circular rims and curved transverse braces.
9. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a main plow and
pulverizing wheel, with a screen or extension of the mould board of said main
plow, for the purpose of confining the earth within said wheel during the process
of pulverization.
In witness whereof I the said William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
"
WMD THOMPSON
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