IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Theodore Griffin, of 77, Upper Thames
Street, in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."-A communication from abroad
by Walter A. Wood, of Hoosick Falls, New York, in the United
States of America.
Sealed the 21st February 1873, and dated the 2nd September 1872. .
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Theodore Griffin
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd September 1872.
I, JAMES THEODORE GRIFFIN, of 77, Upper Thames Street, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
-
This Invention has for its object certain improvements in reaping and
mowing machines, whereby the following advantages are obtained:
1st. The facility of determining the height of cut by the knives in an
easy manner. 2ndly. The distribution of the weight of the platform

page_text: more evenly upon the wheels. 3rdly. The facility of regulating the
height of the platform, whether for cutting purposes in the field or for
travelling along a road. 4thly. The facility of giving free rocking
motion to the platform to permit of the fingers rising to pass over
hillocks, and also to fall to follow the undulations of the ground.
5thly. The ease by which the reel arms move and the rake arms travel
over the platform, and lift at the rear to clear the driver's head and body,
as also the ease by which they descend at the front for again moving
over the platform. 6thly. The facility of determining the number of
rake arms to suit light or heavy crops. 7thly. The combination and
arrangements of apparatus or appliances upon the same machine for
effecting the above.
The machine is preferably mounted upon two wheels, one a driving.
and bearing wheel, and the other a grain or divider wheel at the off side
of the platform, this latter wheel being much larger in diameter than is
usual, and with its axis in a line or nearly so with the axis of the main
wheel, the axial line being so arranged that the platform is nearly
balanced to permit of the fore end with the fingers and cutters rising
and falling to the irregular surface of the ground. The reel and rake
arms are mounted upon a horizontal disc rotated by gearing from the
main wheel, the disc being supported loosely upon a vertical stem which
has an independent movement given to it by the intermediation of links,
levers, and pins, and a cam race formed in the under face of the disc, so
as to determine the descent and lift of the reel and rake arms for beating
the crop onto the platform, and for sweeping it off the platform into the
track left by the horses.
The reel and rake arms work in pairs, and the descent of one causes
a lift of the other of each pair, the whole being connected by links or
connecting rods to the top of the central stem, over which they are
passed and retained by a cap and pin. The upper part of the stem is of
curved form bearing towards the fingers, its angle and the adjustment
of the connecting rods determining the closeness with which the blades
approach the platform, particularly those of the rake arms, whose blades
almost touch it for sweeping the cut grain off.
The inner shoe or shoes has jointed to it or them a fore carriage to
which the pole is attached loosely, so that the draught upon the horses
is always the same, notwithstanding any difference in the height of cut,
or of the platform being raised for moving along a road.

page_text: At the side of the fore carriage is a pin or stud for engaging into a
slot in the end of an adjusting rod whose lever is within reach of the
driver, so that by moving the lever to the rear or to the front, the angle
at which the fore carriage can be set with that of the platform can be
regulated to any extent, the slot in the rod allowing the finger beam to
rise, to follow, and adjust itself to any irregularities of the ground over
which the machine may be travelling.
The fore carriage is supported upon a castor wheel at the front, and
its rear is spread out towards the fingers to serve as a guide for leading
the grain to the knives and to prevent it choking the gearing and pitman.
The platform is adjustable upon the bearing wheels by screw or other
appliances, and its height from the ground is regulated thereby, the cant
at the rear or the closeness of the knives to the ground being regulated
by the rod of the fore carriage.
The central stem before referred to has a motion towards the rear
under the action of the cam after each descent of a rake over the fingers,
the two moving together for the sweeping off operation; that rake then
suddenly rises almost to a vertical position, and the cam causes the
central stem to return to its former position ready to move along with
the next descended rake, and so on intermittently.
It is immaterial as to the number of rake blades to be employed upon
any special machine, that being determined by the repeats of the detents
or irregularities of the cam for producing the to-and-fro motions of the
central stem.
The jointed fore carriage, castor wheel, and slotted rod before-
mentioned are applicable to mowing machines, in which case the main
bearing wheel is arranged more to the rear than is usual to permit of
the off divider wheel being fitted upon the same axle in lieu of.
f.upon the
off shoe or upon a separate frame, and the platform if the machine is
fitted with one may have a narrowed outlet or shoot for the cut grass to
be raked along by hand, the delivery end of the shoot being arranged
directly behind the track of the animal drawing the machine. In some
cases the shoot can be pivotted and be allowed to drop at intervals to
discharge the grass in small heaps.
This description of machine if made sufficiently strong can be used as
a reaper, the usual appliance being arranged for adjustment and for
putting the various parts into operation.

page_text: If no platform be used an off divider board is fitted at the end of the
knife beam, the back axle and the off wheel passing over the swath in
their travel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Theodore Griffin in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st March 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
THEODORE GRIFFIN, of 77, Upper Thames Street, in the City of London,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Theodore Griffin, Her special
licence that I, the said James Theodore Griffin, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Theodore
Griffin, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," communicated to
me from abroad by Walter A. Wood, of Hoosick Falls, New York,
in the United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Theodore Griffin, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Theodore Griffin, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
ho naufrumed
la nautionlaul Josanihod and accontained in and

page_text: by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object certain improvements in reaping and
mowing machines whereby the following advantages are obtained :-
1. The facility of determining the height of cut by the knives in an easy
manner. 2. The distribution of the weight of the platform more evenly
upon the wheels.
3. The facility of regulating the height of the
platform whether for cutting purposes in the field or for travelling along
a road. 4. The facility of giving free rocking motion to the platform,
to permit of the fingers rising to pass over hillocks and also to fall to
follow the undulations of the ground. 5. The ease by which the reel
arms move and the rake arms travel over the platform, and lift at the
rear to clear the driver's head and body, as also the ease by which they
descend at the front for again moving over the platform. 6. The
facility of determining the number of rake arms to suit light or
heavy crops. 7. The combination and arrangements of apparatus or
appliances upon the same machine for effecting the above.
The machine is preferably mounted say upon two wheels, one a
driving and bearing wheel and the other a grain or divider wheel at the
off side of the platform; this latter wheel being much larger in diameter
than is usual, and with its axial in a line or nearly so with the axis of
the main wheel, the axial line being so arranged that the platform is
nearly balanced to permit of the fore end with the fingers and cutters
rising and falling to the irregular surface of the ground. The reel and
rake arms are mounted upon a horizontal disc rotated by gearing from
the main wheel, the disc being supported loosely upon a sleeve en-
circling a vertical and curved stem which has an independent movement
given to it by the intermediation of links, levers and pins, and a cam
race formed in the under face of the disc, so as to determine the descent
and lift of the reel and rake arms for beating the crop on to the platform
and for sweeping it off the platform into the track left by the horses.
'
The reel and rake arms work, so to speak, in pairs, and the descent of
one causes a lift of the other of each pair, the whole being connected
by links or connecting rods to the top of the curved central stem over
which they are passed and retained by a cap and pin. The stem leans
over towards the fingers, its angle and the adjustment of the connecting
rods determining the closeness with which the blades approach the

page_text: platform, particularly those of the rake arms whose blades almost touch
it for sweeping the cut grain off.
The inner shoe or shoes has jointed to it or them a fore carriage to
which the pole is attached loosely, so that the draught upon the horses
is always the same notwithstanding any difference in the height of cut,
or of the platform being raised for moving along a road.
At the side of the fore carriage is a pin or stud for engaging into a
slot in the end of an adjusting rod, whose lever is within reach of the
driver, so that by moving the lever to the rear or to the front the angle
at which the fore carriage can be set with that of the platform can be
regulated to any extent, the slot in the rod allowing the finger beam to
'rise, to follow, and adjust itself to any irregularities of the ground over
which the machine may be travelling.
The fore carriage is supported upon a castor wheel at the front and its
rear is spread out towards the fingers to serve as a guide for leading the
grain to the knives and to prevent it choking the gearing and pitman.
The platform is adjustable upon the bearing wheels by screw or other
appliances and its height from the ground is regulated thereby, the cant
at the rear or the closeness of the knives to the ground being regulated
by the rod of the fore carriage.
The curved central stem before referred to has a motion towards the
rear under the action of the cam, after each descent of a rake over the
fingers, the two moving together for the sweeping off operation; that
rake then suddenly rises almost to a vertical position and the cam causes
the central stem to return to its former position ready to move along
.with the next descended rake, and so on intermittently.
It is immaterial as to the number of rake blades to be employed upon
'any special machine, that being determined by the repeats of the detents
or irregularities of the cam for producing the two-and-fro motions of the
central stem.
The jointed fore carriage castor wheel and slotted rod before mentioned
are applicable to mowing machines, in which case the main bearing wheel
is arranged more to the rear than is usual to permit of the off divider
wheel being fitted upon the same axle in lieu of upon the off shoe or upon
a separate frame, and the platform if the machine is fitted with one, may
chave a narrowed outlet or shoot for the cut grass to be raked along by

page_text: hand, the delivery end of the shoot being arranged directly behind the
track of the animal drawing the machine. In some cases the shoot can
be pivotted and be allowed to drop at intervals to discharge the grass in
small heaps.
"
This description of machine if made sufficiently strong can be used
as a reaper, the usual appliance being arranged for adjustment and for
putting the various parts into operation.
If no platform be used an off divider board is fitted at the end of the
knife beam, the back axle and the off wheel passing over the swath in
their travel.
The Invention will be well understood by reference to the annexed
Drawings in which Figure 1 shows a reaping machine in plan, Figure 2
a back end view partly in section, and Figure 3 a side view with the reel
and rake arms and the gearing removed to enable the machine to be used
for mowing purposes,
a is the frame of the machine; and b, the main bearing wheel, the
inner face of which has teeth upon it for the pinion c to gear into
at all times for driving the cutters d through the pitman e and pitman
rod f, this being effected by the bevil wheel g and bevil pinion h, the
pinion axle of the main wheel also driving the reel and rake arms or
blades by another pair of bevil wheels i, j, one of which i is upon the
main pinion axis, as shown. The axle of the pinion ; carries at its
fore end an additional pinion k (Figure 2) for engaging into the teeth
on the under side of a disc 1, the upper face of which has lugs or
supports for the connecting pins upon which the reel and rake arms
are centred or hung, the reel and rake arms having connected to them
independently of each other links m, m, the free ends of which take over
the top of a curved bar, the stem of which rises through the centre of
a sleeve upon which the disc is mounted. The bottom face of the
disc is grooved or channelled, as shown in detached views, Figures 4
and 5, for a bowl on a lever n to ride in, and the groove is so shaped
that as the disc revolves the lever n is caused to act upon another
lever p for putting each of the rake blades into position for a horizontal
travel over the platform q, for sweeping the cut grain off to the rear
as they arrive or fall in succession over the knives. The rake arms
after completing their travel over the platform, then rise to almost a
vertical position to clear the driver who sits upon the seat r fitted upon

page_text: a frames, the lower part of which is pivotted upon the projecting end of
the main wheel axle.
The driver's seat is held in position by a tie or stay bar t, the fore end
of which is secured to and near the front end of the fore carriage u,
this being hung to the main frame and inner shoe by a bolt or pin v
to give it freedom of action for rising or falling at the rear when the
lever handle w is acted upon by the driver from his seat. The front
end of the fore carriage is borne by a castor wheel x, and this forms the
fulcrum upon which the rear end can be lowered or raised as circum-
stances require it to suit the height of cut. The lever handle w is
socketed in a quadrant hung upon the main axle, and as the lever is
thrown to the front or to the rear the short lever y, which is upon the
quadrant, draws upon or forces forward the rod z, and so regulates the
position of the knives to the surface of the ground. The rod z is slotted
at its fore end, and this allows a certain amount of movement to the
fore carriage for passing over hillocks, and consequently the knives
which rise and fall with it to a certain extent. This ensures an equal
cut of the grain straws being effected, an advantage of the greatest
importance in hilly districts or where an uneven surface of ground is
found. By this method the driver's attention is not required for
shifting the lever each time the machine is approaching a rise or fall in
the ground.
The main frame has bolted to it a broad flanged shoe A for giving
rigidity to that part and to the platform which is bolted to it much
further to the rear than is usually done, the upper part of the shoe
having lugs for supporting the inner grain divider B, the prong or horn
of which is carried well to the rear in a curvular direction to prevent the
cut straws falling into and choking the gearing.
The main wheel pinion is as before stated always in gear, but by
shifting the lever C over the pinion can be permitted to travel loosely,
the face of the pinion having projecting ribs upon it for disengaging itself
from a cross pin upon the axle, the pinion being otherwise kept. in
contact by a spring which encircles the axle. The importance of this
plan is that the pinion being always in gear with the teeth of the main
wheel, whether it is driving the knives and reel arms or only running
loosely, the sudden shock hitherto given to the teeth when being
thrown in is obviated, and the teeth are not chipped off or damaged in
any way.

page_text: It will be understood that the platform with the main frame is, so to
speak, centred upon the main axle and upon the off grain wheel, to give
it liberty to rock as upon a pivot, and this enables it to follow the
undulations of the ground automatically without reference to the height
at which the knives are set for cutting. Of course if the machine is
required to travel along an ordinary road, the inner end is lifted by the
lever wo after the removal of the bolt from, say, the lower notch of the
bearing plate D, when the bolt is replaced into a lower notch and
screwed or sprung home to hold the inner end of the platform at a
higher elevation, the off or outer end being also raised and set hori-
zontally by setting the screw E, or by shifting a pin or stud into a
lower hole of the socket plate F, shown separately in Figures 6 and 7,
the socket plate being free to ride in the groove of the socket G upon
the platform or upon the outer shoe. The off grain or divider wheel H
for this construction of machine is of larger diameter than is usual, and
this reduces the draught and strain upon the machine, and also upon
the horses, particularly when cutting hard or coarse or thickly studded
grain.
The disc or cam race is shown with two detents for operating the two
rake arms, but these may be increased to say three or four, or reduced
to one for operating the rakes which would correspond in number, the
reels arms not being affected in any way.
The stem of the curved bar I is passed through a sleeve J upon a
bracket K fixed upon the main frame a, the disc being shipped over the
sleeve for giving independent action. The curved bar only partakes of
a circular movement corresponding to the depth of the platform, so
that by the time the first rake has arrived at the back end and has
raked the cut grain off at the tail, the second detent has come round
to act upon the second rake for sweeping that one over the platform
like the first one, the curved bar having in the meantime returned to
its first position for that purpose.
Figures 8 and 9 show a machine with some of the details of a
modified form and also others added. The driver's seat is supported
upon the main axle end by a socket L into which the arms 8, s, take in
a temporary manner, the weight of the seat and the depth of the pins
which take into the holes being sufficient to hold them in place while
the machine is at work, but when the machine is required to pass

page_text: through a narrow gateway or along a narrow lane the seat together
with the arms 8, 8, can be removed from the apertures and thrown over
the main wheel on to the main frame, the machine being prevented
from falling by inserting a pin into an aperture in a bracket or slip
piece M upon the fore carriage u. This bracket has at its inner end
a vertical pin or stud, upon which an arm N is free to swing, when the
elevation or depression of the fingers is required by the pull over or
the push forward of the rod z, which in this case is attached to the
free end of the arm N; the shorter rod P being at the same time
acted upon, which shifts the angle of the knife beam and consequently
the platform.
The hand lever wo is removable from the socket of the quadrant, and
its handle proper is hollow and formed with a catch tooth to enable it
to be hooked on to the ratchet wheel Q upon the main axle for turning
it, the purport of which is to wind. a chain R upon the collar of the
ratchet for elevating the main frame and the inner end of the platform
bodily, the outer end being afterwards raised by the opposite end of the
same lever being inserted between the pins or projections S, S, on
the platform or upon the outer shoe, as the case may be, the collar
of the off wheel acting as a fulcrum to the lift of the lever. In this
plan a spring pin T is employed which is disengaged by hand, when the
lift takes place, the pin springing into the proper hole for maintaining
the desired elevation at that end.
If it be desired to lower the off end of the platform, the lever to is
again inserted between the projections and caused to bear against the
off wheel collar when the lever permits the platform to descend to the
desired depth, the spring pin taking into one of the higher holes in the
plate G.
The ratchet wheel on the main axle can be turned in the reverse
direction by again engaging the lever tooth with the ratchet teeth, and
slightly bearing upon it to release the dog or stop paul U from its tooth
of the ratchet, the chain being then allowed to unwind itself from the
collar.
The machines in the Drawings are shown with a rigid platform, but
by fitting the inner shoe with lugs the platform may be made to fold
or turn up upon the lug pins like as upon a hinge joint. This would
facilitate the travel of the machine along an ordinary road or through

page_text: a narrow gateway, and in many cases would not necessitate the removal
of the driver's seat, as before referred to.
The last form of machine may be used without the castor wheel
to the fore carriage. In that case the pole or tongue would be fastened
rigidly to the fore carriage and partake of the motions imparted to it
by the shift of the lever in raising or depressing the knife beam.
Otherwise the pole or tongue is bolted or keyed loosely to the fore
carriage to give it freedom of action and so that the line of draught of
the animals is not interfered with.
Figure 10 represents a plan view of a mower in or to which a
platform with a shoot or contracted tail piece is fitted for enabling the
attendant to rake the cut grass off in the track in which the animal has
been walking, to form a continuous or nearly continuous swath around
the field. The contracted platform may be of any shape to lead the cut
grass to the desired position, and the after end of it may be fitted
loosely or hinged and held up by springs which yield on a pressure
being applied for permitting the cut grass to slide off. This can be done
at intervals by an attendant, who can also intermittently rake the grass
from the knife portion to the rear, the discharge being only as the
platform becomes overcharged.
It will be observed that the jointing of the fore carriage is at or about
the line of the points of the knives or fingers, so whatever inclination
is given to the platform that inclination takes place from the main axle
line upon which the platform rocks, as before explained.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that claim
is made,-
Firstly. To the general arrangement and combination of the parts
forming the reaping machine shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the
Drawings.
Secondly. The combination of the various parts as modified and
described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the Drawings.
Thirdly. The method of rocking the platform of reaping and mowing
machines upon the main axis, substantially as described, for altering
the angle at which the knives can cut.

page_text: Fourthly. The combination of a curved bar rising from the centre of
a disc or frame on which the reel and rake arms are mounted when
such curved bar is actuated by a bowl and cam, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes described and shown.
Fifthly. The hooking of loose links of reel and rake arms upon an
independent centre or stem which is inclined towards the fingers
of reaping machines to give each arm an amount of independent action
while revolving around the centre.
Sixthly. Fitting or arranging a fore carriage to a reaping or a
mowing machine, when such fore carriage is fitted with a castor wheel
.at its front and centred to the main frame in the manner and at the
part of the machine as shown in the Drawings.
Seventhly. The method of raising and lowering the machine bodily
upon the main axle as a centre, as described and shown.
Eighthly. The appliances for faciliating the raising and lowering
the off end of the platforms of reaping machines, together with the means
or appliances for retaining the platform at the desired elevation.
Ninthly. The contraction of the platforms of mowing machines at the
rear, and providing that part with a fixed or a movable shoot, down
which the grass is pushed, drawn, or allowed to fall, as described and:
shown.
And tenthly. Raising and lowering the fingers of reaping and mowing
machines by a lever actuated by the driver of the machine from his seat,
substantially as described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Theodore Griffin, have here- 1
unto set my hand and seal, this First day of March, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
JAMES T. GRIFFIN. (L. s.)