IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARROWS FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND CLEARING GROWING CROPS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Roman Cichowski, of Linow, near Ozarow, in Russian
Poland, but temporarily of Gracechurch Street, in the City of London, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARROWS FOR
CULTIVATING LAND AND CLEARING GROWING CROPS."
Sealed the 24th June 1879, and dated the 1st January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Roman Cichowski at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st January 1879.
ROMAN CICHOWSKI, of Linow, near Ozarow, in Russian Poland, but temporarily
of Gracechurch Street, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF HARROWS FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND CLEARING GROWING
CROPS."
This Invention relates to a novel construction of implement which I have
designated as a harrow, but which is designed to operate upon arable land after it
has been turned up by the plough, and subsequently when the seed is in the ground
and when the crop is growing. It is also applicable to the clearing of meadow
land from moss, which in some soils is very liable to germinate and choke the
growth of the grass.
To effect these various operations several implements are now used, but by the
present Invention one implement, by slight changes to be presently explained, will
perform the several operations above indicated.
The implement consists of a bar or frame fitted with a pair of travelling wheels,
and having attached thereto draught irons, chains, or shafts. Behind this bar or
frame and parallel thereto is a fulcrum rod to which a series of socket pieces are
attached so as to swing freely on the fulcrum rod. These socket pieces are intended
to receive tine rods or bars which are secured thereto by clamping screws, and
nuts, and which either terminate in tines or have tines fitted to their rear ends.
The tines will be so arranged relatively to each other that a group consisting, say,
of four adjacent tines, will stand the one in advance of the other so as to prevent
the tines acting as gatherers, or any two tines acting simultaneously on the same
clod or tangle of weeds. Thus the tines throughout the breadth of the implement will
form a zig zag figure, and they will each act independently of the other, following
any irregularities which the ground may present.
The tines will vary in construction according to the nature of the work intended
to be performed, but they will all take a form corresponding more or less to that of

page_text: a claw. When a harrowing of the surface ground is required these claw shaped
tines will partake of the character of a knife blade. When the action of a cultivator
is required to be produced, the tines near the point will take the form of a spear or
arrow head, and when it is required to cover in the drilled seed the tines will be
shaped so as to turn over the soil which it raises and thus bury the seed. The
weight of the tine rods or bars will vary according to the nature of the soil and of
the work to be performed, and in some cases where a light scratching of the surface
is required to admit air to the roots of the young plants I propose to counter-
balance the weight of the tines. To facilitate the transport of the implement from
place to place any suitable supporting frame may be provided to run under the
tine rods or levers and lift the tines clear of the ground.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Roman Cichowski in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st July
1879.
ROMAN CICHOWSKI, of Linow, near Ozarow, in Russian Poland, but temporarily
of Gracechurch Street, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
OF HARROWS FOR CULTIVATING LAND AND CLEARING GROWING
STRUCTION
CROPS."
This Invention relates to a novel construction of implement which I have
designated as a harrow, but which is designed to operate upon arable land after it
has been turned up by the plough, and subsequently when the seed is in the ground
and when the crop is growing. It is also applicable to tlie clearing of meadow land
from moss, which in some soils is very liable to germinate and choke the growth of
the grass.
To effect these various operations several implements are now used, but by the
present Invention one implement, by slight changes to be presently explained, will
perform the several operations above indicated.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings I have shewn an arrangement of my
improved implement fitted with tines which adapt it for use as a harrow; Fig. 1 shows
the harrow in plan view, and Fig. 2 in side elevation, one of the travelling wheels
being removed to render more clear the construction of the implement.
The implement consists of a bar or frame A fitted with a pair of travelling
wheels B, B, and having attached to it draught irons C and shafts. Affixed to this
bar or frame in rear thereof and parallel thereto is a fulcrum rod D, to which a series
of socket pieces E, E, are fitted so as to swing freely on the fulcrum rod. These
socket pieces are intended to receive tine rods or bars F which are secured thereto
by eye bolts and nuts. Cast on these tine bars are socket pieces G which are
intended to receive the stems of the tines or cultivating instruments of which
various kinds are employed. The tine shewn at H, H, Fig. 2, and detached, and on
an enlarged scale at Figures 3, is the form which I employ for carrying out the
operation of harrowing. This tine consists of a round rod tapering towards its
point and slightly curved forward so as to facilitate its entry into the ground and
ensure its maintaining its position therein.
The tines I so arrange relatively to each other by varying the length of the tine
bars that a group consisting, say, of four adjacent tines will stand the one in advance
of the other so as to prevent the tines acting as gatherers, or any two tines acting
simultaneously on the same clod or tangle of weeds. Thus the tines throughout
the breadth of the implement will form a zig zag figure, and they will each act
independently of the other, following any irregularities which the ground may
present. To cover the width of ground occupied by the implement the tine bars are
slightly inclined or cranked outwards, as shewn in the plan view, Fig. 1.
Projecting from the back of the frame or bar A are side brackets in which is
mounted a cranked rod I extending from side to side of the implement and under-
lying the tine bars. To one end of this rod is keyed a hand lever K which is free
to move over a sector L affixed to one of the side brackets. By means of this hand
lever the cranked rod may be raised to any required position, and the rod may then
be fixed by a pin passed through a hole, or by a spring bolt connected with the
hand lever and entering one of a series of holes formed in the sector. By
lifting this hand lever the cranked rod may be caused to raise all the tine bars
simultaneously. This will take place when it is required to clear the tines from
any entanglement of weeds. By suitably adjusting the cranked bar it may be
made to serve as a stop for the tine bars, and thereby limit the depth of penetration
of the tines.
Although the tines will vary in construction according to the nature of the work

page_text: intended to be performed, yet they will all take a form corresponding more or less-
to that of a claw. Where the action of a cultivator is required to be produced the
tines near the point will take the form of a spear or arrow head and a similar
instrument will serve to turn over the soil and cover the drilled seed.
Figures 4 shew the tine suitable for scarifying land, and as a coverer of drill sewn
seeds; and Figures 5 shew the tine which I employ for cutting up the undergrowth
in meadow and other land.
To provide for the transport of the implement from place to place I may throw
up the tine bars into the dotted position shewn at Fig. 2. The steering of this
implement may be effected through the guiding of the draught horse.
In Sheet II. of the Drawings I have shewn a slight modification of the implement
which provides for a more facile control over the action of the tines than the
arrangement above described. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of this implement with the
tines raised clear of the ground; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 8 is a
side elevation showing the tines in the working position; and Fig. 9 is a plan view
of the front part of the implement shewing the steering gear attached to the
stem of the fork in which the steering wheel is mounted.
In these Figures A are bars set at an angle to each other and forming with a
transverse fulcrum rod D a triangular frame, which is mounted upon a pair of
travelling wheels B and a front steering wheel B¹. The wheels B turn on stud
axles affixed to the bars A in rear of the fulcrum rod D, and the steering wheel B*
is mounted in a forked stem which passes up through a socket secured to the bars A
at their point of junction. At this point also a hook C is attached for connecting
the draught pole or chain with the implement. The tine bars F are fitted to
sockets E which are free to rock as before explained on the fulcrum rod D. Below
the tine bars is the cranked rod I which has its bearings in the extremities of the
bars A. This rod is operated as above explained by means of a hand lever K and
it is fixed in any desired position by the aid of a sector L aflixed to one of the
bars A. To provide a rest for the tine bars when the implement is travelling on a
road a rod M is fixed transversely across the triangular frame, it being supported in
position by bracket pieces. The ends of this rod are turned up to prevent the end
tine bars from slipping off. Fitted to the upper end of the steering wheel stem is
a cross bar N, to the ends of which are attached steering lines which lead back to
the rear of the implement. The attendant therefore as he follows the implement
can by means of these lines guide its course with accuracy.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Construction of Harrows for Cultivating Land and Clearing Growing Crops," and
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it be understood that
under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,—
The arrangements of apparatus above described whereby I am enabled by means
of one implement fitted with detachable tines to prepare the ground for the seed,
cover the seed when drill sown, and loosen the earth around the roots of the young
plants, and also clear land from moss and other undergrowth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Roman Cichowski, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.