Improved Apparatus for Making Hay and Drying Certain Farm Produce.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 15th July, 1889-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Making Hay and Drying Certain Farm
Produce.
I RICHARD NICHOLLS of. 21 Sunning Fields Road Hendon, Middlesex Sanitary
Patentec, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
My invention relates to an apparatus or machine, made after the following manner.
First I take two or more poles of about thirty feet long by about four or five inches
in diameter squared for about two feet at the bottom through which a hole is bored of
about two inches in diameter at a convenient distance from the base I then slip on a
wheel or frame to each pole passing the squared end through the box of the wheel or
frame for the purpose of supporting it. In the case of employing a frame it may be
mounted on wheels for the purpose of transporting it from one place to another by
horse or other power I then attach two other wheels of suitable dimentions say
about twenty feet high these are supported and maintained in their position by an
axle about thirty feet long extending from one pole to the other. The axle is squared
at the part where the wheel fits on and rounded for a short distance beyond say about
five to six inches it is then squared again so that a driving wheel or handle may be
fitted to it the effect of this arrangement enables both wheels to be turned
simultaneously The axle may be made of wood iron or a combination of wood and
iron or other suitable substance whole or in parts. Bolts screw cut at the end or
other suitable means may be employed and fitted to the felloes so that cross pieces of
wood or other suitable material may be be secured to them extending from one wheel
to the other and provided with spikes or teeth at double right angles or otherwise as
the case demands These double right angle spikes may be so constructed as to slip
over and on the bars or wires or be secured by one or more screws or other suitable
fasteners, passing through them and screwing into the bar or by any other suitable
means kept in position These double right angle forks or spikes are about 10 inches
long every way and are situated at about a foot apart. The standards when in
working order are sunk about two feet in the ground or otherwise firmly secured
whilst the wheels or frame supporting them rests upon the surface they are weighted
to maintain the perpendicular position of the poles. A cross bar or pole is fitted to
and rests upon the tops of the standards this is employed to support a roof or canvas
cover and is keep in position by any suitable means.
Stays may with advantage be attached to them and fastened to pegs driven into the
ground or otherwise secured. A driving wheel for helt or with handle, may be
attached to the squared end of the axle projecting beyond the standards and may be
connected with another driving wheel at the base, these wheels are kept in their
respective places by a washer and a pin and in the case of revolving the large
wheels-a handle may be attached to the lower driving wheel or to the axle-and in
the case of employing any other motive power a driving shaft may be suitably
connected to set the machine in motion. A net or other suitable covering may be
employed when required to prevent the grass or hay or other substance or thing from
falling out of the machine whilst revolving. Pockets or bags of any suitable material
may be suspended by and between the transverse carriers or bars with ropes attached
to the bottom of the bags to keep them in place or other suitable nieans may be
employed. A stand may or may not be provided and so arranged that the machine is
self feeding whilst revolving. The transverse carriers are all removable and the
machine can be conveniently packed for transport. If required the transverse bars
or wires may be strengthened and supported by stays inserted in the axle and
transverse bars or spur wheels may be employed to work over and around the axle

page_text: whilst the spokes of the wheels are made to terminate in the cross bars or may be
attached to the wires by the assistance of the double right angle forks or spikes before
described, or by any other simple means.
Dated this 14th day of Sentember 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Making Hay and Drying Certain Farm
Produce.
I RICHARD NICHOLLS of 21 Sunningfields Road Hendon Middlesex, Sanitary
Patentee 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 :-
This invention is primarily intended for the rapid making of hay but may also be
used to accelerate the ripening of corn.
To enable this invention to be properly understood I will proceed to fully describe
the same with aid of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 front view.
Figure 2 end view.
A, two upright poles or standards having one end spiked to be driven into the
ground; at the upper top of the spike a collar B is preferably formed to rest upon the
centre of a wheel or equivalent device when the spike is passed through and driven
into the ground. These standards are further secured by ropes D, attached to pegs
and by a cross rod E. Fitting upon the standards is a sleeve F, carrying suitable
bearings for the journal ends of an axle H to revolve in. Upon this axle is keyed a
number of wheels or discs G the whole being covered by wire gauze I to form a
perforated drum. Upon the wire I or circumference of the drum is arranged
a number of forks J, secured to a support K, attached to the wheels G. Under the
drum is arranged a bed L formed at one side with a platform M, upon which the
fresh cut grass is thrown from whence it is fed forward by the attendants so as to be
taken hold off by the forks to be lifted and carried round on the top of the wire
gauze. By this means. the grass is rapidly dried and retains all its nutritive
ingredients which are now largely lost by the fermentation set up by the cut grass
laying on the ground.
In using this apparatus for the ripening of corn the drum may be loaded with
sheaves which can be secured by a rope passed round and the drum revolved at a
quicker speed than for hay making. The apparatus can be driven by any suitable
power and gearing, a convenient way would be by having a spur wheel N, on
axle H, connected to another spur wheel O, on the driving shaft Q, by an endless
chain P.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
claim is
1. The apparatus substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings, for the purposes stated.
2. In an apparatus for the purposes described, the use of a revolving drum-frame
covered with wire gauze and fitted with projecting teeth to lift, retain, and partially
carry round grass or similar article thrown upon the gauze.
Dated this 15th day of July 1880
FREDERIC PRINCE,
1, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for Applicant.