Improvements in Agricultural Implements Commonly known as "Chain Harrows."
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 9th Dec., 1887
Improvements in Agricultural Implements Commonly known as
"Chain Harrows."
I, JOHN HUXTABLE of Plough Works, Filleigh, near South Molton, in the County
of Devon, Machinist and Agricultural Implement Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements as hereafter described, in agricultural
implements known as "chain harrows" whereby the links instead of running in
parallel lines throughout the harrow, are caused to work in different positions,
whereby these implements are rendered more efficient than heretofore.
"
According to my invention I employ at intervals throughout the harrows, any
number of bar links" that may be necessary, consisting preferably of two ordinary
links connected together by means of a bar of suitable dimensions and at the desired
distance apart. The said bar connecting these links is placed in such position relative
to each link whereby, instead of the bar keeping the two links in a parallel line with
each other, the links are so connected that a greater portion of one or both links shall
be on the opposite sides of the bar, and by this means the links throughout the harrow
work in different positions instead of running in parallel lines throughout.
The harrows are expanded or prevented from collapsing in work by means of bars
of suitable proportions running across the harrows at or near in a line with the "bar
links," and jointed to the bar of the said links. The joints may consist of forks made
at the ends of expanding bars, or by ball and socket joints; or even double eyes may
answer the purpose for expanding the same.
The said expanding bars each run through a row of links, and assist in drawing
To further assist in
forward that portion of the harrows which is behind it.
pulverising the land and for bringing weeds to the surface I propose placing a bar
across certain of the links, this bar has a hole in the centre thereof wherein can be
inserted a peg or tine which runs downwards and penetrates the land to a greater
depth than the links themselves and thus more effectually eradicates, and brings weeds
and other rubbish to the surface. The said peg or tine is renewable when worn out
and can be replaced by another.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Agricultural Implements Commonly known as
Chain Harrows.
I, JOHN HUXTABLE of Plough Works, Filleigh near South Molton, in the County
of Devon Machinist and Agricultural Implement Maker do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to certain improvements as hereafter described, in agricul-
tural implements known as "chain harrows" whereby the links, instead of running
in parallel lines throughout the harrow, are caused to work in different positions
whereby these implements are rendered more efficient than heretofore.
According to my invention I employ at intervals throughout the harrow any
number of "bar links" that may be necessary consisting preferably of two ordinary
links connected together by means of a bar of suitable dimensions and at the desired
distance apart. The said bar connecting these links is placed in such position relative
to each link whereby, instead of the bar keeping the two links in a parallel line with
each other the links are so connected that a greater portion of one or both links
shall be on the opposite sides of the bar, and by this means the links throughout the
harrow work in different positions instead of running in parallel lines throughout.
"
The harrow is expanded or prevented from collapsing in work by means of bars of
suitable proportions running across the harrow at or about right angles with the "bar
links and jointed to the bar of the said links. The joints may consist of forks made
at the ends of expanding bars or by ball and socket joints; or even double eyes may
answer the purpose for expanding the same.
The said expanding bars each run through a row of links, and assist in drawing
forward that portion of the harrow which is behind it. To further assist in pulverizing
the land and for bringing weeds to the surface I propose placing a bar across certain
of the links, this bar has a hole in the centre thereof wherein can be inserted a peg or
tine which runs downwards and penetrates the land to a greater depth than the links
themselves and thus more effectually eradicates, and brings weeds and other rubbish
to the surface. The said peg or tine is renewable when worn out and can be replaced
by another.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect
I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
a
Figure 1 is a view in plan of so much of a chain harrow constructed and arranged
according to my invention, as will be necessary to illustrate how the same is or may
be conveniently carried into effect and whereby the links of harrows are caused to
work in different relative positions to one another. Figure 2 is a perspective view of
"bar link" detached. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pair of bars with double
eyes constructed according to my invention, for preventing the harrow links from
collapsing. Figure 4 is a perspective view, and Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a
link fitted with a peg or tine when required. Figure 6 shews a perspective view of
one of the crooks or hooks for connecting some sections of the links together, shewing
the point utilized for a peg or tine. Figure 7 shews a portion of one of the stirrups
with the tine crook applied thereto. Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in
all the figures.
AA are the links, B B the bars connecting same. Any number of such compound
bar links A B may be used in the composition of harrows in combination with

page_text: similarly shaped links as A¹ shewn in the drawings quadrilateral in shape, but can be
made of any other suitable shape, arranged and constructed according to my
invention, according to the size of harrow required. C are loops upon the bars B to
which the bars D, shown detached at Figure 3, are applied for keeping the links
throughout the harrow the required distance apart and for preventing them from
collapsing. These bars D are linked together centrally by loops or double eyes as
shewn, having a segmental or curved portion C² on the base of one of the loops or
double eyes, as best seen at Figure 3, this segmental or curved portion preventing
the loops or double eyes from getting locked or tangled, no matter in what position
the parts become placed, or they may be joined together by ball and socket joints or
by forks made at the ends of the bars or in any other suitable or convenient way
although I prefer the joint shewn at Figure 3. The end loop C is provided with a
socket or split collar to receive the ends of the bars D where they are secured by bolt
or otherwise.
EE are the portable or movable crooks or hooks one of which is shown separately
at Figure 6 for connecting some sections (composed of links) of the harrow. These
crooks are conveniently provided as shewn in the drawing, Figures 6 and 7, with a
beak shaped end which may be sufficiently extended as to form a tine and which after
being passed through the link is brought back through the adjacent link whereby
great security is afforded and the links are not liable to become detached; F F aro
the cross bars on links A through which the tines G are placed and secured. I
prefer forming the tines with a square shoulder and secured by nut on top thereof as
shown in the drawing.
The front links A² are connected by hooks E to the rods H formed with stirrups
at one end and eyes at the other, the combined hook and tine E being secured to the
stirrup and hooked through the link A². The eyes of the bars H are then passed
through links H rivetted or firmly secured to the draught bar or whipple J which
latter may be made of two strips of metal with the links H' secured between same.
KK are the draught rods.
I do not limit myself to the means described and shewn for connecting the draught
bar or whipple to the links although I have found the same to answer well in practice,
neither do I limit myself to the precise number or combinations of links shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In chain harrows, the compound bar link A. B. with or without loops whereby
the said links are maintained when at work, in varying relative positions instead of
in parallel or straight lines substantially as set forth.
2. In chain harrows the particular construction and arrangement of expanding
bars D with or without the compound bar links A B as and for the purposes set forth
and particularly with reference to Figure 3.
3. In chain harrows, the application thereto of portable tines G which may be in
the form of crooks or hooks if desired substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
4. In chain harrows the general combination and arrangement of compound bar
links A B, links A' expansion bars D, crooks or hooks E, tines or pegs G, stirrup
bars H and parts connected therewith substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.