IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR TILLING OR CULTIVATING LAND, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR DRAINING PURPOSES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Silas Nicholls, Machinist, of Plymouth, in the
County of Devon, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR TILLING OR CULTIVATING LAND, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR DRAINING
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 7th December 1869, and dated the 19th June 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Silas Nicholls at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th June 1869.
I, SILAS NICHOLLS, Machinist, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR TILLING OR CULTIVATING LAND, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR
DRAINING PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improvements in machinery for tilling or cultivating
land relates to an improved construction of rotary plough, by the use of
which the operations of harrowing and otherwise preparing the ground
for sowing, hitherto required after ploughing are rendered unnecessary.

page_text: It further leaves all weeds and roots on the surface of the ground arter
once ploughing, and thus avoids the necessity for repeating the opera-
tion several times, as heretofore. This apparatus is also applicable for
furrowing and making trenches for draining purposes.
The cultivating apparatus consists of a number of curved prongs or
tines mounted radially on a series of discs or plates carried on a shaft
supported on wheels in the rear of a suitable framework or carriage.
This framework is mounted on a pair of driving or carrying wheels, to
either extremity of the axle of which a rod is connected, said rods being
attached at their other ends to the axle or shaft above mentioned as
being supported on a smaller pair of trailing wheels in rear of the
carriage. This shaft is made longer than the width of the carriage, so
that the tines carried thereon may plough directly in rear of the driving
wheels. The tines, discs, or plates are keyed on the shaft by means of a
longitudinal feather formed thereon, and are so arranged that the tines
or prongs of any two contiguous discs shall not enter the ground at the
same moment. Rotary motion is communicated to the shaft carrying
the pronged discs by means of spur and chain gearing operated by the
carrying or driving wheels of the machine. This gearing consists of a
spur wheel formed or fixed on each of the carrying wheels gearing with
a corresponding pinion mounted, as herein-after described, on a hori-
zontal shaft turning in bearings carried on the framework at the fore
part of the machine. At one end of this shaft is keyed a fly wheel,
around which a chain passes, and also round a smaller chain wheel
mounted at one extremity of the shaft carrying the discs, above men-
tioned, to which it communicates rotary motion so as to cause the prongs
or tines to enter and turn up the ground in the rear of the machine
which is drawn by horses, as in the case of an ordinary plough. The
tines are bolted or otherwise fixed alternately on either side of their discs
so as to cause each to cover as much ground as possible, and the points
of the tines may be slightly flared or bent outwards for the same
purpose. The discs or frames on which the tines are carried are capable
of being slid on or off their shaft, so that they may be adjusted at any
desired distance apart by placing washers between the bosses of said
discs. To facilitate turning the machine the pinions operated by the
driving wheels, as before mentioned, are each mounted loosely on a
sliding collar turning with the shaft. Each pinion is also provided with
an inner ring of ratchet teeth, into which takes a spring pawl mounted

page_text: on a lever arm projecting from the sliding collar above mentioned. By
means of the above arrangement (when turning a corner, for instance)
one driving wheel is free to rotate faster than the other by reason of the
pawl corresponding to the slower moving wheel slipping over the teeth
of its ratchet. Any other suitable means for effecting the same object,
viz., of turning the machine, may also be adopted. The machine may
be thrown in and out of gear when desired by means of a clutch moving
the sliding collars above mentioned to or fro along the shaft so as to
connect or disconnect the driving wheels and their pinions. The depth
of the ploughing is rogulated by mounting the wheels supporting the
disc shaft in adjustable bearings. A chain passing over a bracket at the
rear of the machine also enables the operator to raise the shaft, so as to
keep the tines clear of the ground when it is not required for use. When
the machine is used for furrowing all the discs are removed with the
exception of two or three (according to the width of the furrow required),
and the tines are replaced by others pointed as before, but furnished
with a broad part for the purpose of removing the earth from the furrow,
and when employed for draining purposes a follower is provided for the
purpose of clearing the loose earth from the trench as it is formed by the
tines; this follower trails in the trench in rear of the machine, to
which it is connected by a chain or otherwise, and consists of an inclined
surface, the front and lower edge of which is drawn along the bottom of
the trench so as to cause the loose earth to ascend this inclined plane,
from which it is removed when it arrives above the level of the ground
by a V-shaped part rising from the inclined surface. This V-shaped part
directs the loose earth on to the surface of the ground adjoining as the
follower moves along the trench. Instead of causing the pronged discs
to be rotated by gearing operated by the carrying wheels of the machine,
as herein-before described, I may employ a suitable steam engine for the
purpose mounted on the framework of the machine whether the latter is
used for ploughing, furrowing, or draining. Animal power is in either
case employed for hauling the machine, whether the discs are driven by
steam or by the carrying wheels, as first described. The driving wheels
may be provided with ribs or projections on their periphery to prevent
slipping when the machine is in operation. These projections are formed
of angle iron bolted transversely to the rims of the wheels, and are
removable at will.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Silas Nicholls in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th December 1569.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SILAS
NICHOLLS, Machinist, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord Oue thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Silas Nicholls, Her special licence that I,
the said Silas Nicholls, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Silas Nicholls, 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 MACHINERY FOR
TILLING OR CULTIVATING LAND, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR DRAINING PURPOSES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Silas Nicholls, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner tho
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 Silas Nicholls, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the two Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thercon (that is
to say):-
My Invention of improvements in machinery for tilling or cultivating
land relates to an improved construction of rotary plough, by the use of
which the operations of harrowing or otherwise preparing the ground for
sowing hitherto required after ploughing may be rendered unnecessary.

page_text: It further leaves all weeds and roots on the surface of the ground after
once ploughing, and thus avoids the necessity for repeating the operation
several times as heretofore. This apparatus is also applicable for
furrowing and making trenches for draining purposes.
The cultivating apparatus consists of a number of curved prongs or
tines mounted radially on a series of discs or plates carried on a shaft
supported on wheels in the rear of a suitable framework or carriage.
This framework is mounted on a pair of driving or carrying wheels, to
either extremity of the axle of which a rod is connected, said rods being
attached at their other ends to the axle or shaft above mentioned as
being supported on a smaller pair of trailing wheels in rear of the
carriage. This shaft is made longer than the width of the carriage, so
that the tines carried thereon may plough directly in rear of the driving
wheels. The tine discs or plates are keyed on the shaft by means of a
longitudinal feather formed thereon, and are so arranged that the tines
or prongs of any two contiguous discs shall not enter the ground at the
same moment. Rotary motion is communicated to the shaft carrying
the pronged discs by means of spur and chain gearing operated by the
carrying or driving wheels of the machine. This gearing consists of a
spur wheel formed or fixed on each of these carrying wheels, gearing
with a corresponding pinion mounted as herein-after described on a
horizontal shaft turning in bearings carried on the framework of the fore
part of the machine. At one end of this shaft is keyed a fly wheel,
around which a chain passes and also round a smaller chain wheel
mounted at one extremity of the shaft carrying the discs above mentioned,
to which it communicates rotary motion so as to cause the prongs or
tines to enter and turn up the ground in the rear of the machine which
is drawn by horses, as in the case of an ordinary plough. The tines are
bolted or otherwise fixed alternately on either side of their discs, so as to
cause each to cover as much ground as possible, and the points of the
tines may be slightly flared or bent outwards for the same purpose. The
discs or frames on which the tines are carried are capable of being slid on
or off their shaft, so that they may be adjusted at any desired distance
apart by placing washers between the bosses of said discs. To facilitate
turning the machine the pinions operated by the driving wheels as
before mentioned are each mounted loosely on a sliding collar turning
with the shaft. Each pinion is also provided with an inner ring of
ratchet teeth, into which takes a spring pawl mounted on a lever arm

page_text: projecting from the sliding collar above mentioned. By means of the
above arrangement (when turning a corner for instance) one driving
wheel is free to rotate faster than the other by reason of the pawl corre-
sponding to the slower moving wheel slipping over the teeth of its
ratchet. Any other suitable means for effecting the same object, viz., of
turning the machine, may also be adopted. The machine may be
thrown in and out of gear when desired by means of a clutch moving the
sliding collars above mentioned to and fro along the shaft, so as to
connect or disconnect the driving wheels and their pinions. The depth
of the ploughing may be regulated by mounting the wheels supporting
the disc shaft in adjustable bearings or otherwise. A chain passing over
a bracket at the rear of the machine to a crab or winch suitable disposed
on the framework also enables the operator to raise the shaft, so as to
keep the tines clear of the ground when it is not required for use.
When the machine is used for furrowing all the discs are removed, with
the exception of two or three (according to the width of the furrow
required), and the tines are replaced by others pointed as before, but
furnished with a broad part for the purpose of removing the earth from
the furrow, and when employed for draining purposes a follower is
provided for the purpose of clearing the loose earth from the trench as it
is formed by the tines. This follower trails in the trench in rear of the
machine to which it is connected by a chain or otherwise, and consists of
an inclined surface, the front and lower edge of which is drawn along
the bottom of the trench so as to cause the loose earth to ascend this
inclined plane, from which it is removed when it arrives above the level
of the ground by a V-shaped part rising from the inclined surface. This
V-shaped part directs the loose earth on to the surface of the ground
adjoining as the follower moves along the trench. Instead of causing
the pronged discs to be rotated by gearing operated by the carrying
wheel of the machine, as herein-before described, I may employ a
suitable steam engine for the purpose mounted on the framework of the
machine, whether the latter is used for ploughing, furrowing, or draining.
Animal power is in cither caso employed for hauling the machine,
whether the discs are driven by steam or by the carrying wheels, as first
described. The driving wheels may be provided with ribs or projectious
on their periphery to prevent slipping when the machine is in operation.
These projections are formed of angle iron bolted transversely to the
rims of the wheels, and are removable at will.

page_text: Such being the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe, by
reference to the accompanying Drawings, in what manner the same is to
be performed.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation, and Figure 2 a plan of one arrange-
ment of apparatus for operating the rotating tines which I employ in
tilling or cultivating land.
A is the framework of the apparatus supported on driving or carrying
wheels B; C, is the horizontal tine shaft carried on wheels C¹, and
connected at either end to the axles of the carrying wheels B by con-
necting rods D, shaft C being made longer than the width of the
carriage, so that the tines carried thereon may plough in rear of and
efface the track of the driving wheels B. The wheels to support the tine
shaft C are preferably disposed beneath the connecting bars D, to which
they are pivoted, so as to adapt themselves to the direction in which the
machine is moving. E, E, are the tines which are curved, and are
carried on discs F mounted on the tine shaft C; cach disc is furnished
with a suitable number of tines disposed at equal distances apart, and
bolted alternately to either side of the disc, so as to cover as much
ground as possible, and are further supported in position by a raised
rib E', curved to correspond, formed on the sides of the discs F in rear of
each tine E. The tine discs F are keyed on shaft C by means of a
longitudinal feather formed thereon, which takes into a corresponding
groove in the boss of the disc, the discs being preferably so arranged that
the tines of any two contiguous discs shall not enter the ground at the
same time. The discs F are thus capable of being slid on and off
shaft C as required, and they may moreover be adjusted at a suitable
distance apart by interposing one or more washers between their bosses
if necessary.
G is a horizontal shaft mounted to rotate in bearings Hat
the fore part of the apparatus, across which it is placed transversely.
This shaft G receives rotary motion from the carrying wheels B by
means of the spur gearing shown, which motion is transmitted to the
tine shaft C, but in the opposite direction (that is to say, in the same
direction as the carrying wheels B) by means of an endless chain or
band passing over wheels keyed on either shaft, as shown. The spur
wheels I operated by the driving wheels are not carried directly on the
shaft G, but are each mounted loosely on a collar J capable of sliding to
and fro on shaft G, with which said collar is caused to turn. A spring
pawl carried on the sliding collar engages with a ring of ratchet teeth T,

page_text: with which each spur wheel I is furnished, and through which motion is
transmitted from wheels I to shaft G. The object of this arrangement is
to facilitate turning the apparatus by allowing one of the driving wheels
B to rotate faster than the other, the shaft G being then driven by the
spur wheel I corresponding to the faster moving wheel, the pawl of the
other or slower wheel slipping over the teeth of its ratchet. Any suitable
clutch may be provided to move the sliding collar J along the shaft for
the purpose of throwing the shaft G in or out of gear by connecting or
disconnecting the driving wheels and the spur wheels I. L is a quadrant
plate carried on the framing A, and provided with stops for regulating
the depth of the ploughing by raising or lowering the time shaft C. This
may be effected by means of a chain operated by a crab or winch, or by
spur or other gearing (not shown), by which the tines may be raised
clear of the ground when not required for use. M are adjustable angle
pieces secured to the peripheries of driving wheels B when required to
prevent slipping. They are furnished with check pieces, between which
the rim of the wheel is clamped to keep the angle piece M in place, it
being secured by one bolt only.
Another arrangement of apparatus is shown in side elevation and plan
in Figures 3 and 4. In this arrangement the sliding collars J, ratchet
teeth, and pawl interposed between pinion I and shaft G, are dispensed
with, the necessary freedom for turning the apparatus being obtained by
employing but one driving wheel 13 placed centrally in the framing,
which is supported at the sides by carrying wheels N pivoted to said
framing. The wheel B is furnished with a spur wheel or ring of teeth as
before, gearing with pinion I, which in this case is keyed on shaft G.
The latter is supported in bearings II and transmits rotary motion to
the tine shaft C as before. The side frames D on which the bearings
of the tine shaft C are supported are not jointed to the axis of the
carrying wheels as before, but pivoted at one side on shaft G, and at the
other to the framing A at a point O directly in line with said shaft.
L, L, are curved racks or quadrants carried on the framework A, as in
the former arrangement, and provided with spur teeth with which gear
pinions P keyed on a shaft Q mounted transversely in the movable
frames D. This shaft P is rotated for the purpose of raising or lowering
frames D carrying the tine shaft C by the motion of the driving wheel B
itself by the aid of chain wheel R fixed on shaft Q, on which is coiled one
end of a chain, the other end of which is attached to the end of a lever

page_text: arm S pivoted loosely on the axis of the driving wheel B. This arm S is
put into communication with the driving wheel B when it is desired to
raise the tine shaft C by means of a lever handle and clutch T", throwing
a curved rack S' on said arm into gear with a pinion A' keyed on the
axis of the driving wheel, so that on the rotation of the latter the chain.
will be put in tension and uncoiled from wheel R, which with shaft Q
and pinion P will be rotated, causing the latter to ascend the curved
racks L, and so raise the tines C as required. In order to raise the
tines C when the machine is at rest I provide a winch at the fore part of
the framing for operating the arm S by means of a chain connected
therewith.
The construction of winch I prefer to employ is shown detached in
front and side elevation in Figures 5 and 6. a is a spur wheel on the
drum 6, of which a chain is wound, the wheel receiving motion from the
pinion c operated by the winch handle d. This pinion c is of greater
width than the wheel a, and when the tines have been raised to the
height desired, said pinion is secured by causing it to gear with the
toothed segment e fixed to the frame of the winch which thus maintains
the tine shaft in the desired position. The frames D, Figure 3, which
are curved downwards, as shown, find a bearing when in their lowest
position on the rear part A of the framework, which is curved to corre-
spond. 1, Figure 3, is an adjusting screw for varying the position of
the bearings of the tine shaft (which are made movable) for the purpose
of tightening or loosening the endless chain when it is desired to vary
the relative speed of the tines and driving wheel by substituting chain
wheels of greater or less diameter, as the case may be.
Figure 7 shows a plan and Figure 8 a longitudinal section of the
follower employed for clearing the trench of loose earth when the
apparatus is used for draining purposes. For this purpose only two or
three tine discs F are employed placed near together, the tines with
which they are armed being formed with broad points, which is also the
case in furrowing when no follower would be employed. The follower is
connected to the framework of the machine by means of a chain or
rod Y, as shown, and trails in rear of the tines in the trench formed
thereby. The follower consists of an inclined surface W carried at the
front part on wheels u running on the surface of the ground and at the
rear on a wheel or wheels running along the bottom of the trench. At
the rear part of surface W which rises out of the trench is placed a raised

page_text: V-shaped part X. The front and lower edge of the incline W being
drawn by the machine along the bottom of the trench, as shown, the
loose carth will be caused to ascend the said incline W from which it is
removed by coming in contact with the sides of part X, which deflect it
on to the ground adjoining.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not claim the
exclusive use of rotating tines, the same having been used for similar
purposes before the date of my above recited Letters Patent, nor do I
claim the exclusive use of the several parts of the apparatus above
described, when the same are used separately or for other purposes than
the arrangements above described; but I claim the combination and
arrangement of parts forming improved machinery for tilling or cul-
tivating and draining land as above described and illustrated by reference
to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the Silas Nicholls, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Seventeenth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.