Improvements in or relating to Ploughing or Cultivating Land.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 5th Oct., 1888
Improvements in or relating to Ploughing or Cultivating Land.
A communication from abroad by ANTOINE ALEXANDRE HENRY DE BEAUQUESNE,
of Gensac, Department of Tarn et Garonne, in the Republic of France.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
The object of this invention is to facilitate ploughing, more especially in agricultural
work, where a sufficient number of draught animals are not at disposal for drawing
the ploughs. The invention is applicable for various cultivations, but is particularly
suitable for land where the Vine, madder-root, beetroot etcetera are grown.
The new system is based upon the use of a kind of windlass of a simple and cheap
construction, which is actuated by the motive power; a cable, preferably made of
wire, on being wound round the drum of the windlass effects the progressive motion
of the plough.
By altering the diameter of this drum according to the power at disposal, it is
always possible to obtain furrows of a determined depth, the area dug up in one day
being proportional to the power employed.
In this system, the plough works in one direction only, and after one furrow has
been dug out it is brought back to its initial position, by means of horse or other
power, the windlass being thrown out of gear to allow the cable to follow the return
inotion of the plough, to the rear part of which it is attached. This mode of working
constitutes one of the essential characteristics of the invention, and distinguishes it
from the usual system of steam ploughing in which the plough acts in both directions.
In carrying out the invention, the cable is fixed to the plough, and frames on the
guiding pulleys, and cable bearers to the windlass.
After one furrow has been dug out, the drum of the windlass is thrown out of
gear, and the plough is brought back ready to make a fresh furrow, by means of a
horse; in this return motion the plough may be caused to move on a small carriage
made for this purpose, or it may be provided with wheels, which are easily removable.

page_text: The windlass consists of a drum, which may be made either of wood or of metal,
and receives a cable or rope. The said drum can turn freely on a vertical shaft
fixed in the central boss of a cross piece or frame of metal, which is bolted to a strong
framing of wood. The drum is provided with flanges to prevent the cable from
dropping off the drum.
Above the drum is a sliding head piece provided at its upper part with a plate or
table having slots, for the purpose of fixing, by means of bolts, one or several drag
bars.
The sliding head piece is provided with clutch teeth to connect it or disconnect it
with the drum. This may be effected by means of a counterweighted lever and lifting
The drum
hooks, the former preferably pivoted or linked to the vertical shaft.
preferably consists of a cast iron plate hollowed out and provided in its centre with a
socket, having radial and transversal ribs, the latter forming preferably a regular
hexagon, though of course it may be made in any other suitable shape.
On this plate, wooden segments are placed vertically, they are introduced between
the radial ribs, and form the external cylindrical surface of the drum ; wooden boards
The whole is
fixed on the segments constitute the upper face or flange of the drum.
connected in a solid manner to the plate, by means of bolis.
In adopting various thicknesses for the wooden segments, the diameter of the drum
may be modified at will, according to the power at disposal for driving the windlass.
To fasten the drag bars, washers are preferably used, the projections of which enter
curved slots of the plate, and at the upper part of the drag bar, penetrate into
mortises of a corresponding form made in this bar.
In extensive agricultural work, an arrangement is preferably employed in which
the vertical or central shaft can turn at its lower part in a foot, and is kept in position
by a collar connected to struts and posts fixed on the wooden cross piece, forming the
base of the windlass.
In this arrangement the drum is keyed on the vertical shaft, whilst the plate
carrying the drag bars can turn freely on this shaft, and a clutch is provided,
whereby the drum and the plate may be connected or disconnected.
In agricultural work carried out on a small or limited area, on the contrary, the
drag bar may be fixed directly on the drum by means of rings or square sockets
ad hoc it is then sufficient to withdraw the bar from its fastenings to allow the cable
to unroll itself during the return journey of the plough.
In order to render it possible to transport the apparatus without taking it to pieces,"
the wooden cross piece, which forms the base, can receive on one side, a pair of
wheels and axle, and on the other side, a pair of shafts.
In a type of windlass arranged to be driven by a portable engine, the wooden cross
piece may receive two metal frames connected by a cross piece provided with a collar,
which holds the shaft (on which the drum is keyed) vertical.
This vertical shaft carries a bevel wheel driven by a bevel pinion, keyed on a
horizontal shaft, actuated by a spur wheel, the latter is driven by a pinion keyed on
another horizontal shaft parallel to the first, and can be coupled direct to the shaft of
the portable engine by means of a Cardan or other universal joint.
The throwing off gear of the drum is effected by means of a fork acting upon the
intermediate bevel pinion.
For the purpose of guiding the cable, an apparatus may be employed, consisting of
a metallic or wooden frame, the vertical standards of which are provided with a slot
receiving the shaft of a roller, which can be placed at any suitable height by means
of spikes or pins introduced into holes made for that purpose in the standards.
Dated this 29th day of November 1887.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Ploughing or Cultivating Land.
A communication from abroad by ANTOINE ALEXANDRE HENRY DE BEAUQUESNE, of
Gensac, Department of Tarn et Garonne, in the Republic of France.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, & 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to facilitate deep ploughing, more especially in
agricultural work where a sufficient number of draught animals is not at disposal for
drawing the ploughs. The invention is applicable for the cultivation of various crops,
but is particularly suitable for land where the Vine, madder-root, beetroot, etcetera
are grown.
The new system is based upon the use of a kind of windlass of a simple and cheap
construction, which is actuated by motive power. A cable, preferably made of wire
is wound round the drum of the windlass, and effects the progressive movement
of the plough.
By altering the diameter of this drum according to the power at disposal, it is
always possible to obtain furrows of a determined depth, the area dug up in one day
being proportional to the power employed.
In this system, the plough works in one direction only, and after one furrow has
been formed it is brought back to its initial position, by means of horse or other
power, the windlass being thrown out of gear to allow the cable to follow the return
motion of the plough. This mode of working constitutes one of the essential
characteristics of the invention, and distinguishes it from the usual system of steam
ploughing in which the plough acts in both directions.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1is a diagram showing the application of the system.
Figures 2 and 3 represent respectively an elevation and a plan of the horse power
windlass.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a section and a plan showing the manner in which
the drum of the windlass is constructed.
Figure 6 shows a modification of the plate carrying the drag bars.
Figure 7 shows in elevation an alternative arrangement of the horse power
windlass.
Figures 8 and 9 show respectively an elevation and a plan of a windlass arranged
to be driven by a portable engine.
Figures 10 and 11 are respectively a vertical section and a plan showing the
manner of securing the return pulley.

page_text: Figure 12 is a perspective view of a device for regulating the winding of the cable
on the windlass.
In the diagrammatic view shown in Figure 1, A is the windlass, the cable of which
after passing over the return pulleys B B₁, and the cable carrier C, is then secured
to the plough, D.
After one furrow has been formed, the drum of the windlass is thrown out of gear.
and the plough is brought back ready to make a fresh furrow, by means of a horse.
In this return motion, the plough may be placed on a small carriage made for this
purpose, or it may be provided with wheels, which are easily removable.
As shown on Figures 2 and 3 the windlass consists of a drum a, which may be
made either of wood or of metal, and receives a cable or rope b. The said drum can
turn freely on a vertical shaft S fixed in a metal cross piece or frame d, which is
bolted to a strong wooden framing e, provided with chocks to prevent the cable from
passing under the drum. This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the cable
to pass from the apparatus in any direction.
Above the drum a, is a sliding head piece g, provided at its upper part with a
plate or table, having slots for the purpose of fixing to it by means of bolts j, one
or more drag bars i.
The sliding head piece g is provided with clutch teeth k, to connect it with, or
disconnect it from the drum a. This may be effected by means of a counterweighted
lever, and lifting hooks m, the former being fulcrumed to the upper part of the
vertical fixed shaft of the drum, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drum preferably
consists of a cast iron plate n hollowed out, and provided at its centre with
a socket o, having radial and transversal ribs p, the latter forming preferably a
regular hexagon.
Wooden
On this plate wooden segments 9 are placed vertically, being introduced between
the radial ribs, and forming the external cylindrical surface of the drum.
boards or metal plates fixed on the segments 7, constitute the upper face or flange
of the drum. The whole is connected in a solil manner to the plate n by means of
bolts s as shown.
By having the wooden segments of various thicknesses, as shown on two sides
of Figures 4 and 5, the diameter of the drum may be modified at will, according to
the
power at disposal for driving the windlass.
To fasten the drag bars, a plate such as shown on Figure 6 is preferably employed,
The upper part of this plate is provided with projections or ribs, between which the
drag bars are fitted, and are secured to the plate by means of two bolts so as to form
a solid connection.
In extensive agricultural work, the arrangement shown in Figure 7 is preferably
employed, in which the vertical or central shaft can turn at its lower part in a foot u,
and is kept in position by a collar connected to struts and posts V fixed on the
wooden cross piece forming the base of the windlass.
In this arrangement, the drum is keyed on the vertical shaft, whilst the plate y
carrying the drag bars, can turn freely on this shaft, and a clutch is provided
between the drum and plate, whereby they may be connected or disconnected.
In agricultural work carried out on a small or limited area, the upper part of the
apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 3, may be omitted, and the drag bar fixed directly
on the drum by means of rings or square sockets provided for this purpose. It is
then sufficient to withdraw the bar from its fastenings to allow the cable to unroll
itself during the return journey of the plough.
In order to render it possible to transport the apparatus without taking it to pieces,
the wooden cross piece which forms the base, can be arranged to receive a pair of
shafts on one side, and a pair of wheels and an axle on the other side.
Figures 8 and 9 show a type of windlass arranged to be driven by a portable
engine. It consists of a bed plate E to which a cast iron bracket F is secured,
and serves to support the driving gear and maintain the upper part of the drum shaft
in position, which is in this case, provided at its upper and lower parts with spur
wheels G1, G2, of unequal diameters.

page_text: Power is transmitted to the drum G by means of a horizontal shaft provided with
the driving pulley, and a bevel pinion actuating a vertical shaft, on which two
loose pinions P1 and P are mounted. These pinions can, however, be secured
alternately to the shaft by means of a clutch P3 sliding thereon and worked by a
lever P. Each of these pinions gears with one of the spur wheels G1, G2, which
form the top and the bottom of the windlass drum G.
The toothed gear is generally so designed, that the speed of the plough connected
with the cable of the windlass varies in the proportion of 8 to 5, according as the
pinion P or the pinion P¹ is used.
This arrangement permits the tractive power applied to the plough to be varied in
the said proportions, without stopping the portable engine, and without it being
necessary to actuate the valve gear of the motor.
As shown in the drawing, the windlass is mounted on wheels, but it is prefer-
able to place it on the ground when it is working, thus greatly increasing its stability.
For this purpose the bed plate E is provided at its lower part with two metal cross
pieces H, furnished with wooden soles, which, when they rest on the ground, tend to
prevent the apparatus from being upset by the transversal pull of the belt.
Figures 10 and 11 represent the arrangement used by my correspondent for the
purpose of holding in its place the return pulley of the traction cable, shown at B¹,
Figure 1. It consists of a cable held firmly at its two extremities by means of a piece
of wood secured crosswise in the ground by means of wedges, and rendered taut by
means of a stretching screw N. This cable is provided at intervals with metal
eyes L. L to which the ends of a chain R are attached, the length of this chain being
equal to the distance between the eyes L, L.
The return pulley S is attached successively to the various links of the chain R,
after the completion of each furrow.
In order to regulate the winding of the traction cable on the drum of the windlass,
my correspondent uses the arrangement shown in Figure 12. It consists essentially
of two vertical standards T, T between which an iron frame U can slide, the said frame
being provided with two grooved pulleys, or two rollers between which the cable
passes. A screw V permits the position of this frame to be adjusted so as to bring
the said cable at the height suitable for winding it regularly on the drum of the
windlass.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A horse driven agricultural windlass consisting of a fixed vertical shaft held
securely at its lower end only; a loose drum on said shaft capable of being varied in
diameter a drag bar carrying plate, also loose on the said shaft, the said plate and
drum being connected by a clutch actuated by a lever provided with claws, and
fulcrummed to the fixed shaft, substantially as described and shown in Figures 2 and 3.
2. In an agricultural windlass, a drum consisting of a hollow cast iron plate pro-
vided with a central socket, having ribs serving as a support for wooden segments
which are kept in place by means of bolts; substantially as described and shown in
Figures 4 and 5.
3. A horse-driven agricultural windlass consisting of a vertical shaft revolving in
suitable supports, a drum of variable diameter, keyed on said shaft, and connected to
the driving mechanism by means of a lever actuated clutch sleeve, substantially as
described and shown in Figure 7.
4. An agricultural windlass carried on wheels, and driven by a portable engine, the
said windlass consisting of a drum secured on a vertical shaft between two spur
wheels of different diameters, also keyed on said shaft, of a vertical shaft actuated by
a motor, and of two loose pinions on the latter vertical shaft, gearing with the afore
said spur wheels through the medium of a lever clutch, substantially as described and
shown in Figures 8 and 9.

page_text: 5. The means for securing the return pulley of an agricultural windlass, consisting
of a cable kept taut between pieces of wood inserted in the ground and provided with
metallic eyes, to which a chain (equal in length to the distance between these eyes)
is attached, the return pulley being hooked on to the links of said chain, substantially
as described and shown in Figures 10 and 11.
6. A device for regulating the winding of the cable on to the drum of an agri-
cultural windlass, the said device consisting of an iron frame sliding vertically in
grooves, and provided with two grooved pulleys or rollers for receiving the cable,
and of a screw for adjusting said frame, whereby the vertical position of the cable
may be adjusted so that it can be properly wound on the windlass drum, substantially
as described and shown on Figure 12.