IM- PROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Renny Watson, of Glasgow, in the Counties of
Lanark and Renfrew, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS." A communication from abroad by James
Fogarty, of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey, United States of North
America.
Sealed the 4th July 1879, and dated the 11th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Renny Watson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th January 1879.
WILLIAM RENNY WATSON, of Glasgow, in the Counties of Lanark and Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS," A communication
from abroad by James Fogarty, of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey, United
States of North America.
This Invention, which relates to improvements in steam ploughs, consists of an
arrangement whereby the ploughing is effected by a share, or by shares affixed to
and revolving with a vertical shaft carried by a locomotive or traction engine, and
constituting with it the steam plough.
A steam plough constructed according to this Invention consists of a boiler and
engine carried by a suitable framing mounted upon preferably four wheels, namely,
two driving wheels and two steering wheels. Attached by a bracket or framing
bolted to the boiler or other convenient part of the machine is the tubular casing
carrying the vertical shaft of the share or shares (which shaft is hereinafter called
the share shaft). The share shaft is driven through gearing from the main driving
shaft of the engine, and the plough is propelled or traversed by means of a pitch
chain conveying motion from the main shaft to an intermediate shaft, pinions upon
which gear with internally toothed wheels upon the driving wheels.
This pitch chain passing over a sprocket wheel upon the intermediate shaft, and
also over a sprocket wheel upon a short shaft driven by a toothed wheel koyed
upon it, into which gears a pinion on the driving or crank shaft driven by the
engine. The last mentioned sprocket wheel is furnished with a clutch, so that it
may be caused to partake of the motion or not of the short shaft, and thus traverse
the machine, or allow it to remain stationary, as desired. This clutch consists of
pins of brittle metal carried by a collar capable of revolving, and moved forward
[Price 10d1

page_text: or back by a clutch shifter, the said pins passing through the sprocket wheel, which
is mounted loosely on the said short shaft, the said pins taking into long slots on
the sides of the toothed wheel upon the said short shaft. In case any insurmountable
obstruction is interposed to the traversing motion of the machine the aforesaid pins
will break, and by doing so save other and more important parts of the machinery.
The said pins may readily bo removed and replaced by fresh ones.
By means of a clutch the driving wheels may both be driven together, or the one
may be driven whilst the other is out of gear; or they may both be thrown out of
gear, so that the share may be rotated before the machine is traversed.
The plough share or shares may be a partial, helical, or screw shaped device with
sharp cutting edges and smooth surface adapted to easily work under and agitate
the soil, or of other form, as may be most desirable, and the teeth sometimes
employed may be omitted.
The cylinders of the engine which drives the machine may or may not be of
different sizes, and constitute a compound engine.
The share is raised from or lowered to its work by means of steam admitted to
or allowed to escape from a cylinder, it there acting upon a piston, whose rod is
connected to the top of the share shaft.
Rotatory motion is communicated from the engine to the share shaft by a bevel
pinion upon the crank shaft gearing into a bevel wheel, which is peculiarly con-
structed and connected as follows:-
-
This wheel is formed with a long neck, through which the share shaft passes.
This neck extends above and below the toothed wheel, and constitutes below a
bearing for the upper part of the share shaft. The exterior of this lower part of
the neck has a bearing in an annular piece, which fits into and is secured upon the
upper part of the fixed casing of the share shaft, a flange at its top resting upon
the top of the said casing. This flange of the annular piece has two raised rims,
constituting the annular piece, an oil cup, in which runs the foot of the bevel
wheel driving the share shaft, and by which it is lubricated.
The interior of the upper neck of the toothed wheel is grooved longitudinally.
These grooves extend from the top down to and a little below the working or
toothed portion of the wheel. Corresponding wings are formed or fixed on the
upper part of the share shaft, but they are of less length than the grooves in the
Baid long neck. These parts are so proportioned that when the share shaft is in
its lowest or in any intermediate position the wings of the share shaft are engaged
in the grooves, and communicate motion to the share shaft, but when the share
shaft is raised to its highest position the wings on the said shaft are entirely above
and clear of the grooves in the neck, so that no motion is communicated to the said
shaft.
In place of constantly holding the weight of the share shaft and its attachments
by fluid pressing upwards the piston in the cylinder above the share shaft, as soon
as the proper conditions are attained the said shaft may be allowed to rest by its
wings on the bottom of the grooves of the aforesaid long neck, or upon filling pieces
placed therein to regulate the depth of ploughing, as hereinafter described, it being
explained that the grooves are of such length as to allow the deepest ploughing
which will be required. When it is desired to plough to a less depth temporarily,
or in passing over any obstruction, steam is admitted to the cylinder to raise the
share, and on raising the share shaft and turning it a little the before mentioned
filling pieces of the requisite thickness can be dropped down the grooves in the
neck, and on again lowering the share shaft, so that the wings thereon engage in
the grooves, the share shaft will only sink until the wings rest on the filling pieces.
These filling pieces are formed so that they may be seized by a tool to extract thom
from the grooves.
When the share shaft is lowered and in operation, to obviate any unsteadiness due
to the distance of the share from the supporting bearing above there is contained
in the lower part of the casing of the said shaft a sleeve sliding, but not revolving,
with the said shaft, and forming a bearing for the lower part of the said shaft, which

page_text: by being raised and lowered in the said casing with the said shaft serves as a
telescopic bearing. It is important to give a wide and efficient bearing surface at
and near the lower end of this sleeve, and also to fit it closely for a considerable
distance above to facilitate washing or cleaning, as herein-after explained.
A collar is keyed on the share shaft a little above the mid-length thereof, this
collar resting upon the upper edge of the lower bearing. The lower end of the
said lower bearing has below the share shaft casing a collar, between which and the
lower part of the said casing is interposed a cushion of felt or other elastic material,
to prevent or lessen concussion in lifting the share. The rotation of the lower
bearing or sleeve with the share shaft is prevented by a feather introduced through
a slot in the casing and engaging in a long slot in the said sleeve or bearing. The
share is held in its raised position by a pin or stop sliding through the outer casing
and into a hole in the lower sleeve or bearing. The said sliding pin is capable of
being withdrawn by a hand lever acted upon by a spring tending to hold the said
pin always engaged. When it is desired to lower the share, steam is admitted below
the piston in the cylinder above the share shaft to take the weight of the share and
its connections, and then the aforesaid lever is operated to withdraw the sliding pin
from the hole in the lower sleeve or bearing, and on allowing the whole or a part of
the steam to escape from the aforesaid cylinder the share shaft with its attachments
descends. The aforesaid lever may now be liberated, and it will stand subject to
the tension of its spring ready to engage in the hole in the lower sleeve or bearing,
and support the share shaft and attachments when they are again lifted. In order
to admit of the revolution of the share shaft without the piston rod attached thereto
the following means of connecting the said piston rod to the said shaft is employed.
A series of smooth faced washers are held upon the lower end of the piston rod by
a nut secured by a pin. The upper end of the share shaft is hollow, and into this
the lower end of the piston rod enters. An internal collar is keyed in this hollow
part, which collar rests and turns upon the aforesaid washers. The upper end of
the sharo shaft is cup shaped, and should be liberally supplied with oil.
A shield is provided upon the lower part of the piston rod to shed off water
which may trickle down the said rod.
The
When the lower bearing or sleeve and its connections are lowered, much of its
exterior surface is exposed to particles of loose earth which are thrown up by the
plough. Proper lubrication with oil under such circumstances is difficult.
parts are fitted as closely as possible, using if desired leathers or other stuffing boxes.
Either alone or in addition to any ordinary devices for removing the dust when the
sleeve is raised, there is a communication from the boiler to the bearing, through
which steam or hot water is introduced at a high pressure to a small annular channel
in the lower sleeve or bearing surrounding the share shaft considerably above its
lower end, the said steam or water forcing its way down between the bearing and
shaft.
In commencing to operate with the machine the share shaft is rotated and let
gradually down to the proper depth before the machine is traversed. For this
purpose a clutch is provided by which tho driving wheels may be disconnected from
the driving gear and again connected thereto with facility.
On the end of the main driving shaft is a wheel which, when the machine is
worked as a plough, serves as a fly wheel. When the machine is used for driving
other machinery this wheel serves as a pulley to communicate motion to the said
machinery. The pinion and wheel which communicate the motion for traversing
the machine may be made changeable in relative proportion to give different speeds.
For the steering a worm and toothed segment is provided in connection with the
steering wheels. The aforesaid worm is upon a horizontal shaft receiving its motion
from a vertical shaft provided with a hand wheel. The said segment is keyed upon
a short vertical shaft which turns in a bracket affixed to the boiler. This shaft
carries a series of smooth faced washers, which bear upon a shoulder below, the
lower part of the bracket bearing upon them so that they receive the weight of the
forward part of the machine. The aforesaid bracket is connected to the boiler by

page_text: one side only, leaving the other side open, so that the steering segment may have
the required range of motion. Below the shoulder on which the aforesaid washers
rest the aforesaid vertical shaft is bifurcated, and supports a horizontal pin, which
extends through the axis of the rear or steering wheels. Sufficient room must be
allowed for the axis to tilt considerably without striking the worm or any other
part of the mechanism. A sufficient space must also be provided to allow the steering
wheels to swivel around enough to turn the machine within a short radius.
Some of the details of construction may be varied without departing from the
nature of the Invention; for example, the casing which encloses the share shaft may
be constructed so as to swing or turn forward or backward, or both, to a considerablo
angle. In such case the centre of motion should be coincident with the axis of the
main shaft.
In some cases two or more shares with their driving gear may be used
on a single machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Renny Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
July 1879.
##
WILLIAM RENNY WATSON, of Glasgow, in the Counties of Lanark and Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PLOUGHS." A communication
from abroad by James Fogarty, of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey, United
States of North America.
This Invention relates to an arrangement of mechanism whereby ploughing is
effected by a share or by shares affixed to and revolving with a vertical shaft
carried by a locomotive or traction engine, and constituting with it the steam plough.
A steam plough constructed according to this Invention consists of a
boiler and engine carried by a suitable framing mounted upon, preferably, four
wheels, namely, two driving wheels and two steering wheels. Attached by a
bracket or framing bolted to the boiler or other convenient part of the machine is
a tubular casing carrying the vertical shaft of the share or shares (which shaft is
hereinafter called the "share shaft"). The share shaft is driven through gearing
from the main driving shaft of the engine, and the plough is propelled or traversed
by means of a pitch chain or by toothed gearing conveying motion from the main
shaft to the driving wheels. The said motion is conveyed by gear, which can be
put into or out of engagement as required, so as when needful to rotate the share
shaft without traversing the machine. For this purpose the motion from the main
driving shaft of the engine is conveyed by a pinion thereon to an intermediate
shaft having a toothed wheel upon it, with which the said pinion gears. Upon
this intermediate shaft is mounted loosely a wheel, which in the case of a chain
being the means of transmitting motion to the running wheels will be a sprocket
wheel, and in the case of toothed gearing transmitting the said motion will be a
pinion. This wheel is caused to receivo inotion or not, and thus to traverso the
machine or allow it to remain standing by the following arrangement of clutch.
This clutch consists of pins of brittle metal carried by a collar capable of revolving
and moved forwards or backwards by a clutch shifter, the said pins passing
through the wheel, which is mounted loosely on the aforesaid intermediate shaft.
The said pins are capable of being engaged with or disengaged from the toothed
wheel driven by the engine by moving the collar carrying the pins forwards or
backwards to engage with or to be disengaged from recesses in the side of the last
mentioned toothed wheel, and thus the wheel through which the pins pass is rotated or
not, and consequently the driving wheels are set in motion or not, as desired. By
the use of changeable toothed wheels the relative speeds of the share shaft and the
running wheels may be varied. In case any insurmountable obstruction is inter-
posed to the traversing motion of the plough the aforesaid pins will break, and by
doing so will save other and more important parts of the machinery. The broken
pins can be readily removed and replaced by fresh ones.
By means of a clutch the driving wheels may both be driven together, or the
one may be driven whilst the other is out of gear.
The plough share or shares may be a partial helical or screw shaped device with
sharp cutting edges and smooth surfaces, adapted to easily work under and agitate
the soil, or of other form, as may be most desirable, and the teeth sometimes
employed may be omitted.
The engine which drives the plough may or may not be a compound engine.
The share is raised from or lowered to its work by means of steam or water
admitted to or allowed to escape from a cylinder, it there acting upon a piston
whose rod is connected to the top of the share shaft.
Rotatory motion is communicated from the engine to the share shaft by a bevel
pinion on the crank shaft gearing into a bevel wheel, which is constructed and con-

page_text: nected as follows:-The said wheel is formed with a long neck, through which the
share shaft passes; this neck extends above and below the toothed wheel, and con-
stitutes a bearing for the upper part of the share shaft. The exterior of the lower
part of the neck has a bearing in an annular piece, which fits into and is secured
upon the upper part of the fixed casing of the share shaft, a flange at its top resting
upon the top of the said casing; this flange has two raised rims forming a lubri
cating oil cup, in which runs the foot of the bevel wheel driving the share shaft.
The interior of the upper neck of the said bevel wheel is grooved longitudinally.
Wings corresponding with these grooves, but of less longth, are formed in or fixed
on the upper part of the share shaft. These parts are so proportioned that when
the share-shaft is in its lowest or in any intermediate position the wings of the
share shaft are engaged in the grooves in the neck, so that motion is communicated
to the share shaft; but when the share shaft is raised to its highest position the
said wings are entirely above and clear of the said grooves, so that no motion is
communicated to the said shaft.
The grooves in the aforesaid neck are deep enough to allow the share-shaft to
descend sufficiently low to permit the deepest ploughing required at any time, and
to regulate the depth to which the said shaft can descend, its wings may be allowed
to rest upon filling pieces placed in the aforesaid grooves.
When it is desired to plough to a less depth steam or water is admitted to the
aforesaid cylinder above the share shaft, so as to raise the said shaft till its wings
are clear of the aforesaid grooves, when by turning it a little the before mentioned
filling pieces of the requisite thickness can be dropped down the grooves in the neck,
and on again engaging the wings with the grooves the share shaft will only sink
until the said wings rest on the filling piece.
When the share shaft is lowered and in operation, to obviate any unsteadiness
due to the distance of the share from the supporting bearing above, there is con-
tained in the lower part of the casing of the said shaft a sleeve sliding but not
revolving with the said shaft, and forming a bearing for the lower part of the said
shaft, which by being raised and lowered in the said casing with the said shaft
serves as a telescopic bearing, firmly supporting the share shaft in whatever position
it may be. It is important to give a wide and efficient bearing surface at and near
the lower end of this sleeve, and also to fit it closely for a considerable distance
above to facilitate washing or cleaning, as hereinafter explained. A collar is keyed
on the share shaft a little above the mid-length thereof, this collar resting and
turning upon the upper edge of the aforesaid sleeve or lower bearing. The lower
end of the said sleeve has below the share shaft casing a flange whereon is a cushion
of elastic material to prevent or lessen concussion in lifting the share. The rotation
of the lower bearing or sleeve with the share shaft is prevented by a feather intro-
duced through a slot in the casing and engaging in a long slot in the said sleeve or
bearing. The share is held in its raised position by a pin or stop sliding through
the outer casing and into a hole in the aforesaid sleeve. The said sliding pin is
capable of being withdrawn by a hand lever acted upon by a spring, tending
to hold the said pin always engaged. When it is desired to lower the share
steam or water under pressure is admitted below the piston in the cylinder
above the share shaft to take the weight of the share and its connections, and
then the aforesaid sliding pin is withdrawn from the sleeve, and on allowing
the whole or a part of the steam or water to escape from the aforesaid cylinder
the share shaft with its attachment descends. The aforesaid pin will stand, subject
to the tension of the spring connected with its lever, ready to engage in the hole in
the aforesaid sleeve when the share is again lifted. The connection of the share
shaft and the piston rod above is such as to allow of the revolution of the sharo
shaft without necessitating the revolving of the piston rod.
In commencing to operate with the plough the share shaft is rotated and let
gradually down to the proper depth before the said plough is traversed.
The steering is effected through a worm and toothed segment keyed upon a

page_text: vertical shaft which turns in a bracket affixed to the boiler and to which the axlo
of the steering wheels is pivotted by a pin which will allow of the tilting of the
said axle.
And in order that the said Invention may be properly understood I now
proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under
which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say :-
Figures 1 and 2 are elevations respectively taken from opposite sides of a steam
plough constructed according to this Invention. Figure 3 is a plan of the same.
The remaining Figures are details (drawn to a larger scale) which are hereinafter
fully described.
The boiler is marked A. This boiler and the engine and other mechanism of the
plough are supported upon wheels A', A³, A³. The wheels A' are the steering
wheels, those A³ and A³ being the main or driving wheels. A stout casing A* for
carrying the share shaft T is firmly connected to the boiler by means of framings or
brackets A which also carry bearings for the crank shaft C. These parts are seen
more clearly in Figure 4, which represents a vertical section of the casing A' and
other connections of the share shaft, as seen looking at the side of the engine, and in
Figure 8, which represents an elovation of the same as seen from the end of the
engine, but in this last Figure with the share shaft removed. A° are uprights or tie
rods, which carry the cylinder A. The latter contains a piston fitting steam
tight and having a piston rod J which passes through a stuffing box at the bottom
of the said cylinder and is connected to the share shaft.
The share shaft is marked T, and the share V. The latter, as shown in the
Drawings, is of a partial helical or screw shaped device with sharp cutting edges
and smooth surfaces adapted to easily work under and agitate the soil, but I do not
limit myself to any particular form of such share.
The propelling mechanism is driven by a pitch chain D (Figures 1 and 3) by
intermediate gearing from the same engine and shaft which drives the sharo shaft.
Two cylinders and pistons are used. Each cylinder is marked P, and its piston
rod p in Figure 3, and although they are not so represented these cylinders may be
of different sizes and constitute a compound engine.
A spur wheel Cupon the crank shaft C drives a toothed wheel R' upon the
intermediate shaft A (Figure 8), from which the motion is transmitted by the
arrangements hereinafter described to the driving wheels A' and A³.
The bevelled pinion C on the crank shaft C gears into a wheel X, which is
peculiarly constructed and connected, as shewn more clearly in the section Figure 4.
This wheel is formed with a long neck, or bearing both above and below (and
through which the share shaft T passes) the neck below is marked X', and theo
neck above is marked X'. The necks X' and X' constitute an efficient bearing for
the shaft T, and these, together with the bevel wheel X, are directly supported by
the annular piece Y, which is in turn supported by a horizontal flange on the
casing A, being bolted thereto, as shewn in Figure 4. The rim y', of the part Y,
is raised, constituting the piece Y, an oil cup in which the foot X³ of the wheel X,
is lubricated, the said wheel X being supported by this foot X³, which travels
smoothly around in the lubricating material. An inner rim y', of less height than
the outer rim y, retains the oil between itself and the rim y. The interior of the
upper neck or long bearing X is grooved longitudinally or "splined" along three
lines, as shewn at x, in Figure 7, which represents a plan of the said neck X'.
These grooves z extend from the top, preferably down to and a little below the
toothed portion of the wheel X, as indicated in Figure 4. Corresponding wings
are forged or otherwise fixed on the upper part of the share shaft T, but they are
of less length. Figure 5 represents a section of the upper part of the share shaft;
and Figure 6 is a plan of the same wherein the said wings are marked T¹. These
parts are so proportioned that when the share is in its lowest, or in any inter-
mediate position between its lowest and highest positions, the wings T' are engaged

page_text: in the grooves x, and when rotatory motion is given to the wheel X the said wings
and grooves are the means of transmitting it to the share shaft T, but when the
share shaft T is raised to its highest position the wings T are entirely above and
clear of the neck X, so that the shaft T may stand still (although the wheel X
revolves) whilst the plough is being traversed without ploughing. This is an im-
portant feature of the present improvements, and among other advantages affords a
simple and convenient means for throwing the share out of use, when it is wished
to work the engine, either for propelling purposes or for any other purpose, such as
for driving a threshing machine or other agricultural implement or other machinery.
The share shaft is raised by admitting steam or water from the boiler by the
pipe 1 to the underside of the piston of the cylinder A', the said pipe communicating
with the boiler either below or above the water line, accordingly as water or steam
is to be used to raise the piston. The three way cock 3 when in one position
allows the water or steam under pressure from the boiler to flow through the pipe 1
into the cylinder A', beneath the piston therein, and it thereby slowly raises the
share shaft and its connections. By turning the cock 3 so as to open communica-
tion with a discharge pipe 2 the water or steam is discharged from the cylinder A7,
and the share shaft is thereby allowed to descend.
The grooves are so proportioned as to allow the deepest ploughing that will be
required. When passing over any obstruction the share shaft and its attachments
may be readily raised by admitting steam to the cylinder A'.
For the purpose of adjusting the depth of ploughing, filling pieces Z (Figure 14)
are inserted in the grooves 2. A number of sets of these filling pieces are provided
of different lengths, three of each length, one of the three being for each groove 2.
On raising the share shaft and turning it through part of a rotation so that the
wings T are disengaged and brought from over the grooves x, such filling pieces of
the requisite length are dropped into the grooves and on again, partially turning
and lowering the share shaft so that the wings T' engage in the grooves x,
the share shaft falls until the wings T' rest on the filling pieces Z in the
grooves x. The said filling pieces then sustain the weight of the share shaft
and share and prevent the share from ploughing too deeply. Each filling piece Z
is formed at the upper part with a screwed hole so that a rod may be screwed into
it to extract it from the grooves x when desired. Figure 14 shews in side eleva-
tion and plan three of these filling pieces of various sizes, and in one is inserted
the removing rod. To prevent unsteadiness of the share shaft T when lowered and
in operation the following arrangement is employed. A stout sleeve E is capable
of being raised and lowered in the fixed casing A4, constituting a telescopic bearing
for the share shaft, so that the said shaft is surrounded and firmly supported by
the necks of the wheel X near its upper end, and by the sleeve E at its lower end.
It is important to give a long bearing surface for this sleeve E at and near the
lower end thereof, and also to fit it closely for a considerable distance above to
facilitate the washing or cleaning thereof as hereinafter described. A collar T is
firmly keyed on the shaft T, as shewn in. Figure 4, to support the shaft T and its
attachments upon the upper edge of the sleeve E. The said sleeve descends with
the share-shaft when it is lowered, and rises with it when it is lifted. A cushion
of felt or other clastic material is fixed on the top of the flange E¹ at the bottom of
the sleeve E as indicated at F. This deadens the concussion when by any mismanage-
ment the share is allowed to strike violently at the termination of its lifting motion
against the bottom flange of the casing A. The rotation of the sleeve E with the
shaft T is prevented by a feather introduced through a slot at H (see Figure 4).
A pin or stop I slides through a bearing in the outer casing A, and takes into a
holo in the sleeve E when the latter is in its highest position. The pin I is moved
from this hole by means of a hand lever 1' turning on a fixed centre i. The lever
I is acted on by a spring Is which tends to hold the pin I always engaged. When
it is desired to lower the share, water or steam is admitted into the cylinder A'
beneath the piston thereof, so as to take the weight of the share shaft and its
connections, and then the lever I is operated to withdraw the pin I, and on

page_text: allowing the whole or a part of the water or steam to escape from the cylinder A
the share shaft with its attachments descends. The lever I' may now be liberated,
and it will stand subject to the tension of the spring Is, ready for the pin I to
engage in the hole in the sleeve E and support the said sleeve, and the share shaft
and its attachments whenever they shall be again lifted.
The bearing by which the piston rod of the piston in the cylinder A is connected
to the shaft T is shewn in vertical section and plan respectively in Figures 5 and 6.
It is so constructed as to allow of the share shaft rotating without the piston rod.
A series of smooth faced washers; are secured upon the lower end of the piston
rod by the nut J₁ which is fixed by the pin J. The upper end of the shaft T is
hollow to receive the said lower end of the piston rod J, and inside the said hollow
part and above the washers is keyed a hollow plug or head T. The top washer j
and the lower end of the plug T may be bevelled or inclined as shewn in Figure 5,
The upper end of the share shaft T is cup shaped as shewn in Figure 5, and this
cup should be liberally supplied with oil. In order to shed off any water which
may trickle down the rod J through the stuffing box from the steam cylinder A7,
a shield K is fixed by a pin k a little above the top of the share shaft.
When the sleeve E and its connections are lowered, much of its exterior surface
is exposed to particles of loose earth which are thrown up by the share. Proper
lubrication with oil under such circumstances is difficult, the parts are therefore
fitted as closely as possible consistent with the requisite ease of sliding movement,
and although not shewn in the Drawings, leather or other stuffings if desired are
used at the lower part of the casing A', to aid in making a tight joint; and either
alone or in addition to any such ordinary devices for removing the dirt, a connection
to the boiler may be provided through which steam or hot water is introduced at a
high pressure, so as to force its way down through the bearing of the sleeve E upon
the interior of the casing A*. An arrangement for this purpose is illustrated in
Figures 4 and 8.
A channel a in the casing A* surrounds the sleeve E above its
lower end. Steam or hot water is introduced at a high pressure to this channel
through a pipe (not represented in the Drawings, but connectod to the orifice a¹) to
between the sleeve E and its enclosing casing A+, and pressing downwards effectually
washes away all foreign matter.
It will be readily understood that as shewn in Figures 1 and 3, the travelling
motion is communicated to the driving wheels A', A³, through the pitch chain D,
and sprocket wheels R, M, by means of the spur pinion or pinions m engaging with
gearing not represented in the Drawings, situated at the interior of the driving
wheel or wheels A³, A³.
The wheels A, As, are mounted loosely on a fixed axle. The chain D drives a
sprocket wheel M on one of the short shafts m³, m², (Figure 3) abutting end to end.
On each of the shafts m', m², is a pinion m, respectively engaging in internally
toothed circular racks formed in the wheels A³, A³. When the machine is being
traversed, the wheel A is directly impelled. The other wheel A³ may or may not
be impelled according to the position of the clutch G, which slides on a feather on
the shaft m', and moves into or out of engagement with a corresponding clutch
piece on the shaft m².
In commencing to operate, the share shaft is set in rotation and let gradually
down to the proper depth (in the manner herein-before described) before moving
the plough forwards. A clutch is provided by which the driving wheels may be
disconnected from the driving shaft of the engine, and connected therewith when
required. The arrangement of this clutch is seen elearly in Figure 8. A bell crank
lever L turns on a fixed centre l. It is connected by a rod L₁ to a forked lever N
turning on a fixed centre n. This lever engages with a moveable ring Q which
surrounds the fixed bearing Aº, and is free to revolve or stand stationary. This
ring carries pins q extending through the sprocket wheel R, which is mounted
loosely on the stud A1, which stud is socketed firmly in the part Aº, and which
carries the toothed wheel R'.
keyed on the main shaft C.
This wheel R¹ receivos motion from the pinion C³
The wheel R' has two recesses in its side (as shewn in

page_text: the separate side view of a portion thereof in Figure 10) to receive the pins q, and
which recesses are sufficiently long to allow the pins 9 to become well entered
therein before they striko or bear against the stops 7. By turning the lever L, the
ring can be moved in either direction along the bearing Aº. By moving the said
ring in one direction, the pins q will be protruded into the wheel R¹ to engage the
parts and cause the traversing of the plough by reason of the wheel R (which is
the chain wheel) being compelled to partake of the motion of the wheel R. By
moving the ring in the other direction, the pins q will be withdrawn from the
wheel R¹, and the wheel R will not. be rotated, and consequently the machine will
not travel. The pins q are preferably made of good size, and of brittle cast iron or
steel. In case any insurmountable obstruction is interposed to the travelling of the
plough, these pins q will break, and by doing so, save other and more important
parts of the machinery. The said pins can readily be replaced when broken.
The pulley C is secured on the end of the main shaft C, and when working with
the plough this pulley C³ serves to some extent as a fly wheel, and it will serve to
cominunicate motion by an ordinary belt so that other machinery can be driven
therefrom when the engine is not used for ploughing.
Sets of change gear are provided to take the place of the gear wheels R' and C³.
On removing the band wheel C from the shaft C, and the lynch-pin and washer
from the end of the stud A10, both the wheels R' and C³ may be removed and others
of different sizes properly matched may be supplied. The required variation in the
relative speeds of the traversing motion and the motion of the share shaft which
is required in different soils is thus readily attainable.
For the steering of the plough the following arrangement is provided:-The hand
wheel (Figure 2) operates through a vertical shaft and bevel wheels a horizontal
shaft O', a worm whereon engages with a segment U₁ firmly keyed on the short
upright shaft U turning in the bracket A", see Figures 11, 12, and 13, which
respectively represent a vertical section, a plan, and a side elevation of the bracket A",
and steering arrangements. This shaft U carries a series of smooth faced washers u
which bear upon a shoulder below and receive the weight of this part of the plough
through that part of the bracket A" which encloses and supports the shaft U. The
bracket A has an opening formed in one side thereof, as shewn, so that the
Begment U¹ may have the required range of motion. Below the shoulder on which
the washers u rest the shaft U is forked and supports a horizontal pin w (see
Figure 13) which extends through the axle W upon which rotate the wheels A¹
which are represented as set a little unequally on their respective sides of the centre
so that the one nearest the share stands nearer the centre, but this is not essential.
It is important that sufficient room be allowed for the axis W to tilt considerably
without striking the worin O' or any other part of the mechanism, and also to
provide a sufficient space to allow the steering wheels to swivel around enough to
turn the plough within a short radius. The washers are preferably formed
alternately of different metals so as to allow the motion of the shaft u with sufficient
freedom without very frequent lubrication.
From the foregoing description it will be evident that various modifications may
be made in some of the details without departing from the essential nature of the
present improvements. For example, where the expense will warrant it the
casing A which encloses the share shaft and its connections may be arranged to
swing or turn forwards or backwards, or both, to a considerable angle instead of
being rigidly fixed. In such case the centre of motion should be coincident with
the axis of the main shaft, also in some cases two or more share shafts and shares
with suitable driving gear may be employed upon a single machine. These variations
are so readily carried into effect from the description of the plough already given
that no further specification thereof is required.
As regards the means of transmitting the motion of the engine to the travelling
wheels, this may be effected by toothed pinions and wheels in place of by the chain D,
as hereinbefore described and illustrated. Figures 15 and 16 are diagrams representing
in plan and side elevation an arrangement of toothed gearing for this purpose. The

page_text: line C indicates the axis of the main shaft driven by the engine; C, the fly wheel;
the circle V, the position of the share; and A the travelling wheels. The pinion R
upon the shaft C drives the wheel 4, which transmits motion to the wheel 5 upon a
shaft 6, upon which is the pinion 7 driving a wheel 8 upon the travelling wheel
axle. The pinion R may be provided with a clutch of the ordinary construction,
or of the construction herein before described, so that the machino may be traversed
or not whilst the share revolves.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be
used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
improved steam plough, essentially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Second. The telescopic bearing E arranged in connection with the share shaft (T)
and the casing (A'), essentially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated more
particularly in Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The means for sustaining the share shaft and its connections in their
raised position consisting of the pin I and the parts for operating it as herein before
described, and illustrated more particularly in Figure 4 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The construction and arrangement of the wheel X and its connections in
combination with the share shaft, essentially as described, and illustrated moro
particularly in Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The arrangement for driving the share shaft or bringing it readily out of
action when desired, and also for varying the depth to which the share can descend
consisting of the wings (T") upon the share shaft and the grooves x in the neck X,
which latter receive filling pieces (2) for the said wings T of the shaft T to rest
upon, essentially as bereinbefore described, and illustrated more especially in
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. The arrangement for putting the driving mechanism into or out of gear with
the running wheels of the plough, that is to say, a ring (Q) carrying breaking pins
which pass through the driver (R) and engage with a wheel (R) driven by tho
engine, as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Renny Watson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
WILLIAM RENNY WATSON. (L.S.)