IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS USED FOR PLOUGHING AND SCARIFYING LAND, AND FOR RAKING; AND IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS USED FOR THRASHING, CUTTING, AND GRINDING, POR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES; AND
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ROBERT
RANSOME, of Ipswich, Ironfounder, CHARLES MAY, of the same Place, also
Ironfounder, ARTHUR BIDDELL, of Playford, Suffolk, Farmer, and WILLIAM
WORBY, of Ipswich, Foreman to Messrs. J. R. and A. Ransome, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Fifteenth day of July, in the seventh year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said Robert
Ransome, Charles May, Arthur Biddell, and William Worby, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Robert
Ransome, Charles May, Arthur Biddell, and William Worby, our exors,
admors, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Robert Ransome, Charles
May, Arthur Biddell, and William Worby, our exors, adiñiors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND
APPARATUS USED FOR PLOUGHING AND SCARIFYING LAND, AND FOR RAKING; AND
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS USED FOR THRASHING, CUTTING,
AND GRINDING, POR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES; AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF WHIPPLETREES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a

page_text: proviso, that we, the said Robert Ransome, Charles May, Arthur Biddell,
and William Worby, or one of us, shall cause a particular description of the
nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Robert Ransome, Charles May, Arthur Biddell, and William Worby, do
hereby declare that the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, and fully described and ascertained in and by the
following description thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
We form the beams of ploughs of two pieces of iron, welded or united
together at the head end G, and for some distance therefrom, and bolted to
the frame or body of the plough at H, a portion of the intermediate space
being separated and trussed.
Figure 1 shews such a plough in elevation; Figure 3, in ground plan. The
parts are welded or united together at G, and at H, H', bolts are passed
through the sides of the beam with the frame between them. From H' to I
the parts of the beam diverge, and the frame or body of the plough has cast
upon it projecting parts, through which, and also through the sides of the
beam, a bolt I is passed; and that part of the frame acting as a distance
piece or strut, a truss is formed that gives great lateral strength combined with
lightness. At I, I, are two other bolts and distance pieces, in the place of
which pieces, when required, we put the coulter fastenings, which act as struts
in the same manner.
Figure 1 represents a plough with the mould board removed; Figure 2 is a
view of the under side of the same plough. A, B, is the nose piece upon
which the share is fixed; this is moveable upon a centre pin C. At D there
is a mortice completely through the piece A, B, into which a piece of metal
cast upon or fixed to the plough frame passes; this piece does not completely
fill the mortice, but is rounded on each side so as to allow of a little lateral
motion. At E is a screw, passing through a chace mortice in the frame of the
plough, and through the lever or nose piece A, B. Upon this screw are three
nuts, one of which fixes it fast in any part of the mortice in the frame, and
thus regulates the dip or pitch of the share; the other two embrace the lever,
and according as they are moved alter the lateral inclination of the share to
the frame of the plough.

page_text: Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent the coulter fastening for the double-beam
plough, above described. K. is a casting, having motion on the axis L through
an are of a circle, as shewn at M, thus varying the inclination of the coulter N
to the beam; 0, 0, are two eye bolts through which the coulter passes, the
screws of which go through the mortices P, P, in the casting K, and by
means of the nuts draw the coulter against the distance pieces R, R; the
mortices P, P, being elongated, admit of the coulter having a lateral motion;
S is a screw, passing through both sides of the beam and a nut T, which serves
to fasten the casting K, so as to secure the inclination of the coulter.
Figures 8 & 8 represent a plan & side elevation, in section, of the rake.
a is the axis, upon which is a triangular piece b; c, c, c, are curved teeth fitted
upon the triangular piece; any required number of these pieces with teeth
may be put upon the same axis. d is a wheel upon the same axis, having
three spring catches; e is part of a frame, carrying the bearing of the axis a,
and moving upon a centre f; this frame is attached at f to another frame
carried upon two wheels, shewn at G, and thus the points of the teeth may be
fixed to run at any required distance from the ground.
The spring catch stops against a stud or plate h, and when the lower row of
teeth are full the catch is released by an attendant, who presses the lever d'
towards the rim of the wheel d, which then moves forward in the direction of
the arrow until the next catch comes against the stop, when another row of
teeth are brought into action, and so on continually. We would remark, that
although we have described the machine as having three rows of teeth,
machines may be made with a greater or less number of rows of teeth.
We form whippletrees by uniting two pieces of iron at the ends, and sepa-
rating them in the middle, as shewn in Figures 9 and 10. We prefer making
the thrust bar of the section shewn at k, Figure 11, and the tension bar as at l,
or of the shape Figure 12; but the same effect will be produced if a chain be
used instead of a bar for the tension side; but we do not confine ourselves to
any particular sectional shape, nor the precise mode of trussing herein shewn;
and although we usually construct open framed trusses in the making of whipple-
trees according to this part of our Invention, we can obtain exceedingly light
and strong iron whippletrees by forming them of two hollow diminishing figures,
fixed together at their base, as at Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the section of which may
be either circular, elliptic, or any convenient strong figure; and it is evident
that in use such whippletrees will have the side next the draught acting as
the thrust and the opposite as tension bar, the intermediate connecting parts
being of the nature of struts.
Figure 13 represents the side elevation of the horse work or driving

page_text: part of our thrashing machine as mounted upon wheels for travelling;
Figure 14 shews an end elevation of the same. A is a toothed ring or
bevilled wheel without arms, resting upon a bed plate B, in which is a
groove, fitting an angular projection from the under side of A; C is a part of
the wood framing of the carriage; D, D, are sockets attached to the ring A,
into which are inserted the ends of the levers or pulling bars to which the
horses are attached. The wheel A being thus made to revolve, drives its
pinion E, which is upon a shaft, having its bearings secured to the bed plate
B. Upon the same shaft is a spur wheel F, driving the pinion G and working
within the ring wheel A, the bearings of which are upon two standards H, H,
secured to the same bed plate. I is a plain friction roller or wheel, revolving
freely upon the pinion shaft E, the use of which is to keep the ring or wheel
A from rising out of the grooved bed plate. It will thus be seen, that by duly
proportioning the parts we obtain from the slow motion of the horses the
required increase of velocity at such a height as to allow of their passing under
the connecting shaft K, which is attached by means of couplings or joints to
the shaft L, in Figure 15, which is an end elevation, and Figure 16, which is
a side elevation, of the thrashing part or barn work of the machine. And
we would remark, that although we have shewn the thrashing machinery
to be constructed according to one part of our Invention, the horse power is
equally applicable to giving motion to chaff-cutting engines, mills for grind-
ing, and other machinery for agricultural purposes. Upon the shaft L is a
wheel M, driving a pinion N upon the axis of a cylinder or beater O, which
acts in the same manner as the ordinary thrashing machine, and may consist
either of a cylinder, with projections called beaters affixed thereto, or the
beaters may be fixed upon arms only; but instead of placing them in a line
parallel with the axis, as is usual, we incline them thereto in the form of a
portion of a screw, and we prefer that each beater should make about one-
eighth of a turn in its length; we also arrange to have the beaters parallel
with the axis, and that the concave (P, Figure 16,) against which the corn
is rubbed, should in that case have its projections arranged inclined to the
axis of the beating drum, or the spiral drum and spiral concave may be used
together.
Q, Figure 16, represents an endless net, passing over rollers R, R', and
being made to revolve by a pulleyjupon the shaft L, connected by a strap to R.
Upon this net or web the straw and corn fall after passing through tho
machine. S is another pulley, having on its axis a double jogger T, which in
revolving keeps the web in a state of agitation as it passes from R to R', and
thus whilst the straw is conveyed along, the loose corn is shaken therefrom and

page_text: passes through the meshes of the net.
wire, with meshes of about an inch square.
We prefer the net to be of metal
Figures 17 and 18 are enlarged sections of the connecting shaft K,
Figure 13; it consists of a tube of metal, having a solid piece sliding in
or out of it, but prevented from turning therein by its shape. It will be
seen that this allows of placing the barn work at varying distances from
the horse work or driving part, and also has the effect of preventing in a
great degree the vibration of one part of the machine being communicated
to the other. The construction of shafting to expand and contract is
also applicable to other machines for agricultural purposes in those cases
where the machines to be driven are at variable distances from the motive
power.
Figure 19 is a side elevation, Figure 20 is a back elevation, Figure 21 is a
ground plan, of a scarifier, resembling in its main features the implement
known as Biddell's scarifier, our improvements upon which consist in forming
the frame of a combination of cast iron for the ends, and wrought angle iron
connecting bars, upon which the tines are fixed, as shewn, and are capable of
adjustment either in a perpendicular or lateral direction. We also suspend the
frames from two levers, the fulcra of which are upon a straight bar, forming
the axis of the carrying wheels.
A, A, represents the fore wheels of the implement; B, B, the hind wheels,
which
carry the principal weight of the frame; C, the axis of the wheels B, B;
D, D, the cast end frames; E, E, the levers for raising or depressing the
frame, and which are kept at the required height by a spring catch F, acting
in the notches of the cast frame; but for further security we add a pin, which
passes through that hole in the frame which may happen to be next under the
lever. There is a notched cast frame and a lever at each end of the frame,
so that the height of the ends may be varied, and the frame itself be inclined
either way to the surface of the ground over which it passes.
Figure 22 is a side elevation of a draining plough; Figure 23 is an end
elevation of the same; Figure 24 is a ground plan. A is a screw, the spiral
of which gradually diminishes towards the point, and the axis of which when
at work is parallel with the bottom of the drain intended to be cut; B is a
frame of wood, carried upon four wheels C, C, C, C. The axis of the screw is
6 connected by the universal joint D with the shaft F, upon which is a wheel G,
driven by the pinion H upon the shaft I. Upon this shaft is a bevil wheel K,
driven by another bevil wheel L, upon the axis of which are two handles N, N,
and it will be seen that by turning these handles motion is given to the screw.
The axis of the screw passes through a block of iron at M, to each side of

page_text: ;
which is fastened a coulter or cutting blade, the other end of which is fastened
to the wood frame B, by a bolt or pin passing through a hole in the coulter
the two coulters diverge, as shewn at Figure 23, so that the drain to be cut is
wider at the top than at the bottom. Immediately behind the front edges of
the coulters is an inclined plane, up which the furrow slice passes, and is
thrown out laterally by a mould board. At O is shewn a small windlass, by
means of which the screw and coulters
bolts which fasten the coulters & their apparatus to the frame B. A hole
having been dug in the ground of a proper depth, the screw is made to revolve
by turning the handles N, N, and as it bores the earth parallel with the
surface, or nearly so, it draws along the coulters and inclined plane, throwing
out the furrow slice.
can be drawn up, after removing the
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we would remark that we do not confine
ourselves to the precise details of the machinery so long as the peculiar
character of either part of our Invention be retained, and we make no claim
to any of the mechanical parts separately; but what we claim is,-
First, the mode of forming the beams of ploughs, whereby stiffness and
strength are obtained by forming each beam of two bars, separated and trussed
where the frame or body of the plough is affixed, as above described.
Secondly, we claim the mode of arranging the nose piece of a plough that
the share placed thereon may be capable of movement up and down in a
vertical direction, and also to and from the land in a horizontal direction, as
above described.
Thirdly, we claim the mode of constructing apparatus in combination with
double or trussed beam ploughs, whereby the coulter may be adjusted by
screws, as above described.
Fourthly, we claim the mode of constructing horse rakes with revolving
teeth, as above described.
Fifthly, the mode of constructing light framed and hollow whippletrees of
metal, as above described.
Sixthly, we claim the mode of combining the parts of a horse power, for
giving motion to thrashing and other agricultural machinery, by means of a
toothed ring or wheel without arms, allowing parts to work within and pass
through the same, as above described.
Seventhly, we claim the mode of applying the beaters of thrashing machines
by fixing them inclined to the axis of motion, and also applying the ribs of
the concaves of such machines. inclined to the axis of the beaters, as above
described.

page_text: Eighthly, we claim the application of an endless net or reticulate belt for
receiving and shaking the straw and corn as they fall from a thrashing
machine.
Ninthly, we claim the mode of constructing sliding shafting for communi-
cating motion to thrashing and other machines for agricultural purposes, as
above explained.
Tenthly, we claim the mode of combining the cast-iron end frames of
scarifiers by means of wrought angle iron; and we also claim the mode of
elevating or lowering either end of a scarifier, as above described.
And, eleventhly, we claim the mode of constructing drain or subsoil ploughs
by applying screws combined with suitable apparatus, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles May, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-four.