IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the Firm of Haseltine Lake
& Co. Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING MACHINES" A communication
from abroad by Christopher Warren Levalley, of St. Paul Minnesota United
States of America, Gentleman
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine Lake and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING
MACHINES"
[A communication from abroad by Christopher Warren Levalley, of
St. Paul Minnesota United States of America, Gentleman,]
This Invention relates to mowing and reaping machines, and consists chiefly in
the arrangement, in connection with a centrally pivoted cutter-bar frame, of a
draught chain, whereby a lifting force is exerted upon the cutter-bar and its
attached parts at the same time that the machine is drawn ahead, as hereinafter
described.
The Invention also consists in the construction and arrangement of the several
parts of the machine, whereby they are strengthened and made adjustable, to render
the machine more easy of operation without adding to its weight.
According to the said Invention the carrying or driving wheels (having the
usual ribs upon their rims to prevent slipping) are journalled upon the ends of the
axle. The lubs are formed with hollow cavities within their inner faces, and with
square sided teeth in the rims of the said cavities forming circular racks, in which
two dogs or pawls upon a gear wheel carried by the axle at one side, and two dogs
or pawls in a sleeve upon the axle at the other side, are adapted to fit.
The said gear-wheel and sleeve are both attached to the axle and the dogs or
pawls will be set so that they will engage with the square-sided teeth when the
carrying wheels are revolved forward, and will slip over them when the wheels are
revolved backward, hence when the machine, is drawn forward, the wheels will be
Dminn 1

page_text: automatically connected to the axle and will cause it to revolve with them, but
will not affect the axle when backing; and by arranging the dogs and circular
racks upon both ends of the axle, the latter will be revolved as well when the
machine is turning corners or short curves as when running straight ahead.
It will be readily seen therefore that the said gear-wheel being attached to the
axle will be revolved with it, the object of revolving the axle being to transmit the
necessary movement to the gear-wheel.
By forming the teeth of the circular racks square, the dogs or pawls will act
equally well upon both sides, and the driving wheels may be made interchangeable,
thus obviating the necessity for right and left hand wheels.
Encircling the central part of the axle is a tubular frame in the ends of which
two tubes, also encircling the axle, are secured by keys and set-screws, the outer
ends of the tubes being secured in a like manner in two small sleeves encircling
the axle just inside of, and abutting against, the gear-wheel and sleeve before
mentioned; nuts or keys are provided at the ends of the axle for securing the
carrying or driving wheels and thus binding the whole axle-frame, axle, driving
wheels, and gear-wheel in position. By this arrangement the entire axle is covered
and no revolving part left exposed to catch and wind up the grass or grain, or
endanger the person of the operator.
The central tubular frame and the two tubes and sleeves may be all cast in one
piece if desired, or they may be constructed separately as before described. In
the latter case the frame and sleeves will usually be made of cast iron and the
tubes of wrought iron. An enlarged portion on the end of the tubular frame forms
an oil-cavity, whereby the central portion of the axle may be lubricated.
Branching outward from the said tubular frame is a hollow stem, through the
centre of which a shaft passes, the hollow stem being above the main frame to
permit a bevel pinion to be attached to the outer end of the said shaft. A second
shaft is journalled in brackets or arms projecting upward and backward from the
central frame and one of the sleeves. Upon one end of this shaft is secured a
pinion adapted to engage with the gear-wheel before mentioned, and upon the other
end is a bevel-wheel adapted to engage with the bevel pinion on the first shaft so
that the revolution of the axle will be communicated to the said first shaft.
The hub of the bevel-wheel is hollowed out beneath the teeth to provide room
for a pin to be inserted through the second shaft to hold the bevel wheel and
shaft in place.
Encircling the second shaft between the brackets or arms, and with the ends
firmly secured therein, in a similar manner to the tubes in the axle frame as
herein before described, is a tube to serve as a protection to the said shaft and also
to stiffen the gear frame. The bevel-wheel is loose upon the second shaft, and is
provided with ratchet or clutch teeth upon one side adapted to engage with similar
teeth upon the adjacent side of a grooved collar, having a feather titting into a
groove in the second shaft, whereby the collar is free to be moved along the shaft
and revolved with it, and a clutch is formed for connecting and disconnecting the
second shaft from the bevel-wheel.
Upon a short shaft is provided a friction-roller mounted upon a pin excentrically
projecting from the end of the said short shaft, so that when the latter is oscillated
the friction-roller will describe a seginent of a circle, hence, when the friction-roller
is placed in its position within the groove in the collar already referred to, and the
short shaft oscillated, the collar will be moved back and forth along the second
shaft and thereby throw the clutches in and out of gear. The said short shaft is
mounted in a hanger or bracket attached to the tubular frame upon the axle, and
the said hanger is also provided with a projecting curved plate extending beneath
the lower portion of the bevel-wheel to protect it from the straw and glass below,
the guard or curved plate, and the hanger, being formed in one piece. A short
weighted arm upon the end of the short shaft enables the latter to be easily
oscillated back and forth, the weight being heavy enough to hold the clutch in
whichever position it may be left.

page_text: Projecting upward and backward from the centre of the tubular frame above the
hollow stem is a plate, to which springs for supporting the seat, are secured; this
arrangement brings the weight of the driver behind the axle to assist in counter-
balancing the cutter-bar frame. Small ribs are formed upon the side of the scat
bracket to support the springs and prevent side play.
Surrounding the hollow stem, and adapted to oscillate thereon, is a skein or
sleeve across the lower front side of which a tubular hanger is provided the two
latter parts being cast in one piece. The said hanger has a tube passing through
it and is formed with a split through one side and with lugs upon opposite sides of
the split through which bolts are passed and screwed up to draw the sides of the
hanger together and pinch and firmly hold the said tube in the hanger. Bolts will
also be passed through the tubular hanger and the tube to more firmly secure them
together, and prevent the latter from turning.
Upon the skein or sleeve the tubular hanger, and the tube, just described, is
constructed a suitable framework forming the cutter-bar frame, composed of
tubular pieces and end picces secured together by means of splits and bolts, in a
similar manner to that described with regard to the said tubular langer and tube.
Upon the lower ends of this frame work are fixed two shoes connected to each
other by a cutter-bar.
These parts, thus connected, form a stiff strong frame, free to be oscillated upon
the hollow stein carrying the said skein or sleeve to permit the cutter-bar to be
raised at either end in running over uneven ground, or oscillated upon the axle,
when the whole cutter-bar is to be elevated.
Cast upon the side of one of the tubular pieces forming this framework, is the
base of a journal box, having a cap, in which one end of a rock-shaft is mounted,
the opposite end being similarly mounted in a box upon a standard rising from one
of the shoes. This rock-shaft is set on a line parallel to the hollow stem, and is
provided upon its upper end with a crank-arm having a crank-pin upon which the
lower end of a connecting rod or pitman is journalled. The upper end of this
pitman is connected by a crank-pin to a crank-plate secured upon the lower end
of the first shaft hereinbefore referred to. By this arrangement the revolution of
the first shaft through the bevel-wheels and gear-wheels, as before described, will
be communicated to the said rock-shaft and will thus oscillate, it, the throw of
the crank-plate at the upper end of course being shorter than the throw of the
crank arm at the side of the frame, so as not to form dead centres with the rock-
shaft.
The pitman is formed with its ends split or sawn asunder and these split
portions are cut out in elongated diamond shaped holes in which wedge-shaped
blocks are adapted to fit, with their broad ends towards each other, and made convex
to embrace the sides of the crank-pins. Bolts pass down through the ends of the
pitman and also through the wedges, the latter being provided with slots or
elongated holes through which the bolts pass, so that a small degree of end play
will be permitted to them.
By this arrangement the screwing of the bolts together will draw the split parts
towards each other, and cause the wedges to be forced inward and thus take up
any wear that may occur, keep the parts tight, and prevent noise and rattling. It
frequently occurs that the throw of the sickle requires adjustment to cause the
knives to pass through the fingers the proper distance, especially in first "setting
up" the machine, and, by means of the adjustability of the wedge-shaped blocks
end wise, an enabled to alter the throw of the sickle to any required extent to
adapt the cutting knives in the proper manner to the fingers.
Attached to the face of the central tubular frame are two hook-shaped lugs
adapted to clasp two lips upon the sides of the rear part of the skein or sleeve. By
this means the skein or sleeve is held in position upon the hollow stem but is free
to oscillate upon it, the said lips being wide enough to allow all the necessary
oscillation in operating the machine, without passing beyond the said hooks or
hook-shaped lugs; but, when it is desired to remove the skein or sleeve from the

page_text: hollow stem, the former is turned round until the lips pass beyond the lugs, when
the skein or sleeve may be drawn off from the hollow stem (the crank-plate and
pitman having been previously removed from the first shaft.)
By this means the end and side thrust are borne by the lugs or hooks, and the
lips, and no strain endwise is permitted upon the crank plate or bevel-pinion while,
at the same time, a very secure, yet easily connected or disconnected joint is formed
between the sleeve and stem.
The advantage of this arrangement is especially obvious when the machine is
backed up, which very frequently occurs in turning corners, the weight of the
cutter-bar and its frame, and the usual side strain which is likely to occur at such 1
time, are borne by the said lugs, and not by the hollow stem and the screw thread
by which the crank-plate is secured to the first shaft, as it would be if the lugs were
not used.
Upon the lower end of the rock-shaft another crank-arm is formed which projects
downwards, and is provided with a stud, upon which a roller is mounted. An
auxiliary arm or brace branching from the crank-arm at the upper end of the rock-
shaft and running upward and backward, ends alongside of the pitinan opposite to
the end of the said crank-arm, so that a pivot will pass through all three parts, the
said brace thus serving as a support to the pivot, and preventing the rapid motion
of the pitman from binding or breaking the pivot, and, at the same time,
strengthening the crank-arm. A similar brace is likewise attached to the lower
crank-arm to support the pin.
A number of fingers are attached to the underside of the cutter-bar and have
the sickle lying in notches across them, and with its back edge against the face of
the cutter-bar. A metal bar rests across the rear upper sides of the knives, upon
the end next the rock-shaft and is secured to the said knives by rivets or bolts
passing down through the said bar, the sickle-knives and the sickle-back, whereby
they are all firmly secured together.
Projecting upward from near the outer end of the metal bar, are two prongs or
standards between which rests a friction-roller upon the lower crank-arm, so that
when the rock-shaft is oscillated, the vibration of the lower crank-arm will move
the sickle back and forth, the friction-roller causing it to act with less noise and
friction.
Through the upper ends of the said prongs, at a sufficient distance above the
friction-roller to prevent interference with it, is a bolt having a small tube
encircling it (or other means may be employed) for keeping the prongs apart. By
this means the prongs are held by the bolt to prevent their being spread apart by
the vibrating motion, so that they can be made much lighter than if no such support
existed.
The weak points of the metal bar are where the prongs branch from it, and also
the point between the prongs; to strengthen the bar without adding to its weight,
1 extend the sickle back us far as the end of the said bar, and place the outer prong
far enough inward to enable me to place one of the rivets through the plate and
sickle-back outside the prongs. By this means the whole plate is supported by
the sickle-back, especially the outer where its weakest part exists, and all danger
of breakage is removed.
The forward ends of the shoes fixed to the framework are provided with upright
standards having slots cut through them, in which bolts are inserted. In the inner
faces of the said standards upon either side of the slots, shoulders are formed to
The grass-
receive the square heads of the said bolts to prevent their turning.
wheels are jourualled upon large collars upon these bolts, so that a large bearing
surface may be obtained for the wheels.
The shoe on the rock-shaft side is provided with a brace connecting one of the
said standards with the rock-shaft-standard to stiffen and strengthen them, while
the other shoe is provided with a similar brace connecting its standards with the
tubular portion of the said shoe
Small luge are formed upon these two braces in which the ends of two light roda

page_text: are secured; the said rods passing backward and inward in curved lines, are con-
nected to bolts in the branches of the corner pieces of the cutter-bar frame the rod
on the rock shaft side being curved upward over the pitman so as not to be struck
by it. These rods serve as guides to turn the grass or grain inward as it is cut,
and prevent its falling upon or coming in contact, with the rock shaft or the side
tubes of the frame, and to pass it between the carrying wheels leaving a clear track
for the wheels to pass.
Small lips are formed upon the rear lower sides of the shoes on which two
inwardly, and backwardly rending track clearers are pivoted, and are left free to
play upward as far as the cutter-bar frames will allow, but are prevented from
falling downward below the line of the cutter-bar, by small lips projecting beneath
them. By this means, when the cutter-bar is elevated, the track-clearers will be
elevated with it, but are free to play upward when running over uneven ground
The grass or grain is thus guided inward as it falls-backward over the sickle
and cutter-bar and is laid down between the driving wheels so that neither the
team nor the wheels pass upon the cut grass.
Upon the end of the sickle, opposite to the rock-shaft, are a number of inclined
teeth, with their inner sides abrupt or perpendicular, and adapted to pass back and
forth with the sickle through a slot in the brace of the shoe. The abrupt or
perpendicular edges of these teeth catch the grass or straw as it falls, after having
been cut, and draw it inward away from the shoe at the inner stroke or motion of
the said teeth, but pass beneath the grass or straw without affecting it at the
outward motion of the said teeth by reason of the inclined sides of the teeth,
thereby preventing the grass from lodging against the shoe, but helping to convey
it inward between the carrying wheels. The vibrating lower crank-arm and the
prongs perform the same office for the rock-shaft side of the machine
A housing or cover is provided for the gear-wheels before described, consisting
of two semi-circular hoods adapted to fit over the upper and lower halves of the
said gear-wheels and other parts, and with their edges joining each other,
and secured by a bolt passing through lugs on the said hoods. The gear-
wheels are thus protected from dirt and straw and all danger of accident
prevented, and by simply taking out one bolt the whole hood may be removed.
The tongue is attached at its rear end by bolts to two hounds one upon either
side. These hounds are bolted to a suitable frame. The tongue aud tongue-frame,
are connected to the axle-frame loosely so that they are free to oscillate around it
when the tongue is raised or lowered or when the cutter-bar is elevated or
depressed, and can be easily removed for any purpose. A plate is attached to the
hounds across their front ends on top and over the tongue, and a similar plate is
attached to the underside of the hounds beneath the rear end of the tongue, to
prevent the whole strain from coming upon the bolts and avoid any splitting of
the hounds or tongue. Small ribs are formed upon the edges of the frame around
the hounds to support them and prevent side play. Wrought iron braces are
connected to the tongues and to the lower ends of the tongue-frame, by bolts, to
stiffen and support the same. Projecting down from the top plate upon either
side are ears or lugs through which a shaft is jourualled. One of the said lugs is
carried down, outward, and upward again and is formed into a toothed segment
through which the said shaft also passes.
Between the toothed segment and the lug attached to it upon the said shaft, is
another segment keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft, and provided with a
notch in its upper part, and outside the toothed segment is another segment loose
upon the shaft and cast in one piece with, or otherwise firmly attached to, a
grooved segment also loose upon the shaft, but prevented from coming off the
shaft by a pin or collar or other suitable device for holding it on. Upon the
opposite end of this shaft is another grooved segment fast upon the shaft.
Chains are attached to these grooved segments by pins or other suitable means
and running downward, are connected to hooks upon collars encircling the tube
which carries the frame for the cutter-bar. An arm encircles the shaft between

page_text: the segments, and projecting upward, is provided with a socket in which a wooden
hand-lever is secured.
Upon either side of the said socket are four lugs through which bolts or pawls
pass and are provided with coiled springs to hold them in place. The lower ends
of these bolts are adapted to fit into the notches in the segments, while their
upper ends are connected by rods to hand-levers pivoted upon either side of the
wooden hand-lever before referred to. In this manner either or both of the bolts
may be withdrawn from contact with the segments by pressing upon the said
hand-levers.
A dog or pawl is pivoted upon the front of the socket in which the wooden
hand lever is secured, and is adapted to engage with the teeth of the toothed
segment; it is also connected by a rod to a third hand-lever pivoted to the wooden
hand-lever.
By this arrangement the cutter-bar can be elevated either at one ond or the
other, or at both ends at once as desired.
Projecting from either side of the front edges of the toothed segment are stops,
against which the other segments strike at their lowest forward position, to
prevent them going too far, and a coiled spring encircles the shaft between the
two lugs and is secured to the said shaft at one end and to the plate of the
tongue-fraine at the other, to serve as a "hold back" to the shaft and its attach-
ments, and thereby prevent the jarring and shaking of the machine from affecting
them,
Attached to the upper side of the tongue forward of the hounds is a plate
having a slot throughout nearly its entire length in which bolts are inserted, with
square lower heads resting beneath shoulders along the lower edges of the slot,
Bo that while free to play back and forth in the slot they cannot be lifted out of
it. Another plate rests upon top of this plate, and through it the said bolts pass,
the second plate is therefore free to play back and forth upon the first plate as far
as the slot will permit so as to take up the slack of the draft chain when the
entter-bar rises over in elevation. Rising from the second plate is a lug having
wings upon cither side and with a forwardly projecting top part through whose
forward end a bolt passes. Between the second plate and the said top part the
doubletree or evener is placed, the bolt serving as a king bolt thereto, and the
wings acting as stops to prevent the evener from being thrown backward too far,
and to prevent the horses backing up against the sickle. Upon the rear of the
said wings, in the centre, is an eye, in which a chain is hooked and passes back-
ward down between the hounds over the rear end of the tongue to a bail upon
the skein or sleeve beneath which it passes and thence back to a hook formed on
the end of one of the bolts which secures the seat-springs to the seat-bracket,
to which bolt one of its links is hooked. By this means the draft comes wholly
upon the chain, and by pressing it beneath the bail before it passes to the hook-
bolt a lifting force is exerted upon the cutter-bar frame at the same time with
the forward movement, which greatly assists the operation of the machine and
prevents the cutter-bar plunging into every little declivity, or rising and falling
too suddenly in running over uneven ground. The bail is attached to the skein
or sleeve by cap screws, and by providing a number of screw holes on each side,
the bail may be adjusted to adapt the draft chain to the weight of the machine or
the work being done, or to the nature of the ground operated upon.
The draft chain may be shortened or lengthened by hooking its links forward or
backward upon the hook bolt.
Upon the front end of the tongue is a hook across which the neck-yoke is laid
and held thereon by a loop passing under the hook The neck-yoke and also the
evener will be long enough to cause the horses to travel wide apart, one between
the lines of grass or grain formed by the track cleaners and other parts, and the
other in the uncut grass or grain and both in front of the grass wheels and driving
wheels on their respective sides.
A guard or shield is attached to the tubular hanger carrying the frame-work by

page_text: any of the cross-bolts to protect the underside of the crank-plate and pitman from
winding up the grass or straw passing under it.
A hook is pivoted to the tongue, and hanging down therefrom, is adapted to be
caught under the rear edge of the cutter-bar when the latter is lifted up, to hold
the frame when not in use or when moving from place to place, and thereby
prevent the strain coming constantly upon the lifting mechanism.
The throw of the sickles will be sufficient to carry the knife sections through two
guards or fingers at each stroke, thus the number of strokes is reduced to one half
and the power required to drive the knives, and the liability to wear are much less,
because the stopping and starting at each stroke of the sickle occurs only one half
as often as it would if the sickle passed only one guard at each stroke.
The cutter-bar is made very thin and flat to enable it to slip under the cut
grass more easily than it would if it were made thicker or had an angle edge,
the necessary strength and stiffness being imparted to it by the frame which
supports it.
The guards or fingers are of any preferred style, but should be as thin as
possible.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th August 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London " IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING
MACHINES" A communication from abroad by Christopher Warren Levalley, of
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman
This Invention relates to improvements in mowing and reaping machines, and
consists chiefly in the arrangement, in connection with a centrally pivotted cutter-
bar frame, of a draught chain, whereby a lifting force is exerted upon the cutter
bar and its attached parts, at the same time that the machine is drawn ahead as
hereinafter described.
The said Invention further consists in the construction and arrangement of the
several parts, whereby they are strengthened and made adjustable, to render the
machine more easy of operation without adding to its weight.
In the accompanying Drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section of a mowing machine constructed
according to this Invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the axle bracket, pole bracket, and
crank disc
Figure 3 is side-view of the ratchet and pawl mechanism for elevating the cutter
bar
Figure 4 is a rear-view of the upper portion of the cutter bar lifting lever
Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating the axle ratchet and pawls.
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the axles bracket main driving shaft and cutter-
bar-frame sleeve
Figure 7 is a front view of Figure 6 showing the cutter-bar-frame sleeve in its
central position.
Figure 8 is a similar view but showing the sleeve turned around for removal
from the axle bracket
Figure 9 is a detail view of the draught plate
Figure 10 is a plan partially in section but with the pole and pole bracket
removed.
Figure 11 is a front view of the cutter bar
Figure 12 is a sectional view of the axle bracket.
Figure 13 is a view of the pitman.
Figure 14 is a side clevation of the pole bracket.
Figure 15 is a plan and
Figure 16 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 17 is a side view of a cover for gearing
Figure 18 is a plan of the same
Figure 19 is a rear view, and
Figure 20 is a side view enlarged of a portion of the driving gear and clutch
Figure 21 is a section through the axle bracket and axle showing the manner of
securing the parts together.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
In constructing a machine according to this Invention the main driving wheels
B1, B2 (having the usual ribs upon their rims to prevent slipping) are journalled
upon the ends of the axle A. The hubs B³, B' Figures 1 and 5 are formed with
recesses upon their inner faces and with square sided teeth or ratchets a' a' upon

page_text: the internal peripheries of the said recesses with which two pawls a², a² upon the
gear-wheel Cupon one end upon a sleeve D' on the other end of the shaft A
engage Figure 12.
The gear-wheel C³ and sleeve D¹ are both attached to the axle A, and the pawls
a³, a² are so set that they will engage with the square sided teeth or ratchets a¹², a
when the travelling wheels B', B³ are moved forward, and slip over the said teeth
when the wheels are revolved in an opposite direction, hence, when the machine is
drawn forward, the wheels will be automatically connected to the axle and cause
it to revolve with them, but the axle will remain stationary when the machine is
backed. By arranging the pawls and ratchets upon both ends of the axle, the
latter will be revolved as well when the machine is turning corners or short curves,
as when running straight ahead.
It will be readily seen therefore that the gear-wheel C', being attached to the axle,
will revolve with it and transmit the necessary movement to the machine.
By forming the teeth or ratchets a', a¹ square or alike on both sides, the pawls
a² a will act equally well upon both faces, whereby the driving-wheels may be
made interchangeable, thus obviating the necessity for right and left hand
wheels.
Encircling the central part of the axle ▲ is a tubular bracket E¹, into the ends
of which tubes E³, Es, are inserted also encircling the said axle, and secured by keys
and set screws as shown in Figure 21; the outer ends of the said tubes are secured
in a like manner in small sleeves E, E encircling the axle A just inside and abut-
ting against the gear-wheel C¹ and sleeve D' Figure 12; nuts or keys are provided
at the ends of the axle for holding the driving-wheels B₁ B on, and thus securing
the axle-bracket, axle, driving wheels and gear-wheel in position. By this arrange-
ment the entire axle is covered, and no revolving part is left exposed to catch and
wind up the grass or straw, or endanger the person of the operator.
The tubular bracket E' the tubes E, E, and the sleeves E E³ may be cast in one
piece if desired, or they may be constructed separately as before described. In the
Intter case the brackets E¹ and sleeves E, E are preferably made of cast iron and
the tubes E, ES are wrought iron. An enlarged portion E7 on, the end of the
tubular bracket E' forms an oil reservoir whereby the central portion of the axle
may be lubricated.
Projecting at right angles from the tubular bracket E¹ is a hollow sleeve E
through the centre of which a shaft F' passes; the hollow sleeve is placed above the
bracket E to permit a bevel pinion to be attached to the outer end of the
shaft F', as shewn in Figure 6. A second shaft Gs is journalled in brackets or
arms G, G projecting upward and backward from the tubular bracket E' and the
sleeve E³. Upon one end of the shaft Gs is secured a pinion C² engaging with
the gear-wheel C¹, and upon the other end is bevel-wheel FS engaging with the
bevel pinion F2 so that the revolution of the axle A will be communicated to the
shaft Fl.
The hub of the bevel-wheel FS is recessed beneath the ratchets b' as in
Figure 10 to provide room for inserting a pin through the shaft G³ to hole the bevel-
wheel Fs and the said shaft in place. Encircling the part of the shaft Gs between
the brackets or arms G¹ G2 is a tube G having its ends firmly secured to the said
brackets and serving as a protection to the said shaft and also stiffening the gear
frame. The bevel wheel which is loose upon the shaft Gs is provided with
ratchets b' upon one face adapted to engage with similar ratchets 62 upon the
adjacent side of a clutch G³: the said clutch is connected to the shaft G³ by a splined
joint by means of which the motion of the said shaft can be transmitted to the
bevel gearing.
Upon a short shaft H¹ is provided a friction roller H2 mounted upon a pin
excentrically projecting from the end of said shaft, so that when the latter is
oscillated the friction-roller will describe a segment of a circle, hence when the
friction roller is placed in position within the groove in the clutch G³ and the
shaft H' oscillated, the said collar will be moved to and fro along the shaft G³, and

page_text: thereby engage with the bevel wheel F. The shaft H¹ is mounted in a bracket H³
attached to the tubular bracket E'; the said bracket is also provided with a curved
projecting plate or guard H extending beneath the lower portion of the bevel-
wheel F, to protect it from straw and grass. The said guard and bracket H³ are
formed in one piece. A short weighted arm Hs upon the end of the short shaft H',
enables the latter to be easily oscillated to and fro, the weight being heavy enough
to hold the clutch in and out of gear.
Projecting upward and inclining backward from the centre of the tubular
bracket E above the hollow stem E is a plate E to which the springs c¹ for
supporting the seat I are secured, this arrangement brings the weight of the driver
behind the axle, who thus assists in counterbalancing the cutter-bar frame.
Small ribs care formed upon the side of the plate E to support the springs c¹ and
prevent side play.
Surrounding the hollow sleeve E and adapted to oscillate therein is a skein or
sleeve, J'across the lower front side of which a tubular hanger J is provided the
parts J, J being cast in one piece. The hanger J has a tube K' passing through
it the said hanger is split through one side and provided with lugs &¹ª upon
opposite sides of the said split through which bolts d', ds are passed to draw the
sides of the hanger together, and firmly hold the tube K¹ within it. Bolts can
also be placed through tubular hanger J and the tube K¹ to secure them together
more firmly and prevent the latter from turning. Upon the outer ends of the
tube K' and just in front of the driving wheels B1, B2 are tubular pieces K³, K*
also split through one side so that bolts do, d passed through the sides of the said
tubular pieces and the tube K¹ will hold them firmly together. Abutting from
the rear sides of the tubular pieces K³, K' are short tubular arms K, K° also split
upon one side into which bracing arms K7, K³ are secured by bolts ds d³ the splits
of the abutting pieces K³, K are continuations of the splits in the tubular
pieces K³, K. The braces K7, K8 are connected by bolts e', e lugs e cupon the
rear end of the skein or sleeve J. Connected by rods K, K to the front sides of
the tubular end pieces K³, K* are two other tubular pieces K", K¹ into which
short tubes KS, K" are secured by splits and bolts as before described. Attached
to the tubes K¹³, K" are the shoes L₁, L2 carrying between them the cutter-bar M¹
as shown in Figure 10.
These parts connected as above described form a stiff strong frame, free to
oscillate upon the hollow stem E thus permitting the cutter-bar to be raised at
either end in running over uneven ground, or move around the axle A when the
whole cutter-bar is to be raised
Cast upon the side of the tubular piece K18 is the base g' of a bearing having
a cap fitted upon it; one end of a rock shaft g³ is mounted in this bearing the
opposite end being similarly mounted in a bearing g' upon a standard g³ rising
from the shoe L². This rock shaft is set in a line parallel to the hollow sleeve E
and is provided upon its upper end with a crank arm ge having a crank pin g' upon
which the lower end of a connecting rod or pitman F* is pivotted. The upper end
of this pitman is connected by a crank pin F" to a crank disc Fe, secured upon the
lower end of the shaft F. By this arrangement the revolution of the shaft Fl
through the bevel-wheels F, F, and gear-wheels C₁, C as before described will be
cominunicated to this rock shaft g³ and thus oscillate it, the throw of the crank
disc F being shorter than the throw of the crank arm gº so as not to draw the
rock shaft g³ onto a dead centre.
The pitman F, is formed with divided ends F7 Figure 13 and these ends are cut
out in elongated diamond shaped holes into which wedge shaped blocks F® are
adapted to fit, with their broad ends towards each other and made convex to
embrace the sides of the crank pins g' and F³. Bolts Fº pass down through the
ends of the pitman and also through the wedges F, the latter being provided with
slots or elongated holes through which the bolts pass, so that they are capable of a
small degree of longitudinal movement.
By this arrangement the screwing of the bolts F' together will draw the sides

page_text: of the divided end of the pitman towards each other, and cause the wedges F³ to
be forced inward and thus take up any wear that may occur. It frequently occurs
that the throw of the knife requires adjustment to cause the sections to pass
through the fingers N¹ for the proper distance, especially in first "setting up" the
machine; by means of the adjustability of the wedge shape·l blocks Fs longi-
tudinally, I am enabled to alter the throw of the said sickle to any required extent
to adapt the throw of the sickle to the fingers N'.
Attached to the face of the central tubular bracket E¹ are two catches ES E¹º
adapted to clasp two lugs El E" upon the sides of the rear part of the skein or
sleeve J. By this means the skein or sleeve is held in position upon the hollow
sleeve E but is free to oscillate upon it, the lips E", El being wide enough to
allow all the necessary oscillation in operating the machine without being
disengaged from the said catches but when it is desired to remove the skein or
sleeve J from the stem Es the former is turned around until the lugs E", E" pass
beyond the catches E³, E as shown in Figure 8 when the skein or sleeve may be
drawn off from the hollow stem (the crank. disc F and pitman F' having been
previously removed from the shaft F¹).
By this means the end and side thrust is borne by the catches E8 E10 and the
lugs E, E and no longitudinal strain is perinitted upon the crank disc F® or
bevel pinion F while at the same time a very secure yet easily connected or
disconnected joint is formed between the sleeve and stem.
The advantage of this arrangement is especially obvious when the machine is
backed which very frequently occurs in turning corners; the weight of the cutter-
bar and its frame, and the usual side strain which is likely to occur at such time
is borne by the catches ES, E and not by the stem E and the screw thread by
which the crank disc F is secured to the shaft F1 as it would be if the catches
were not used. Upon the lower end of the rock shaft g³, another crank arm y³
similar to the arm g is formed which project downward and is provided with a
stud upon which a roller g10 is mounted (see Figure 11). An auxiliary arm or
brace g projects from the crank arm goat the upper end of the rock shaft and
ends alongside the pitman F' opposite to the end of the said crank arın so that a
pivot g' will pass through all three parts, the brace g" thus serves as a support to
the said pivot, and prevents the rapid motion of the pitman from binding or
breaking it, and at the same time strengthens the crank arm. A similar brace g¹³
is attached to the lower crank arm g³ to support the pivot yº.
19
A number of fingers N₁ are attached to the underside of the cutter-bar M' and
the sickle N' lies in notches across them, with its back edge against the face of the
said cutter-bar as shewn in Figure 10.
The cuttor-bar M¹ is made very thin and flat, to enable it to slip under the
cut grass more easily than it would if it were made thicker, or had an angular
edge, the necessary strength and stiffness being imparted to it by the frame which
supports it.
The guards or fingers N¹ may be of any suitable shape but should be as thin as
possible. Attached to the sickle N is a head N³ rivetted upon its upper side next
to the shoe L².
Projecting from the sickle head N³ are two uprights h³, h³, between which the
friction roller g upon the crank arm gs is adapted to rest, so that when the rock
shaft g³ is oscillated the vibration of the crank arm g will move the sickle to and
fro, the friction roller causing it to act with less noise and friction.
The throw of the sickle must be sufficient to carry the knife sections through
two fingers N' at each stroke, thus the number of strokes is reduced to one half,
and the power required to drive the sickle is much less, the liability to wear
is also diminished because the motion of the sickle is reversed only half the
number of times that it would be if the sickle passed only one finger at ench
stroke.
Through the upper ends of the uprights h² h³ and at a sufficient distance above
the friction roller to prevent interference with it is a bolt h* having a small tube /*

page_text: encircling it for keeping the uprights apart. In place of the tube / encircling the
bolt to keep the uprights h2, h3, in their proper position, the bolt 4 may be
supplied with lock-nuts he, h7 Figure 11 inside the uprights by means of which the
said uprights may be held in place or drawn together to allow for wear of the
friction roller or uprights.
These nuts h answer the same purpose as the tube h with the additional
advantage of being adjustable. By this means the uprights are held by the bolt
to prevent their opening by the motion of the shaft so that they can be made much
lighter than if no such support existed. The weak points of the head Ns are
where the uprights ², h³ project from it and also the point between the said
uprights; to strengthen the head without adding to its weight, I extend the sickle
back as far as the end of the head N and place the outer upright h³ far enough
inward to enable me to place one of the rivets h' through the head and sickle back
outside the uprights. By this means the whole head is supported by the sickle
back, especially the outer end which is its weakest part, the liability of breakage is
thereby considerably lessened.
of
The front ends of the shoes L1, L2 are provided with upright standards LA, L'
having slots i¹ cut through them, into which bolts 2, 3 are inserted. The inner
faces of the standards L, L' are formed with shoulders to receive square heads
the bolts to prevent their turning. The shoe wheels L, L' are journalled
upon bushes upon the bolts ³ ³ so that a large wearing surface may be obtained
for the wheels.
The shoe L² is provided with a stay L³ connecting the standard L³ with the
rock shaft standard go to stiffen and strengthen it while the shoe L' is provided
with a similar brace L connecting its standard L with the tubular portion of the
shoe into which the lower end of the tube K13 is secured.
Sinall lugs ¹² are formed upon the braces L³, L' to which the ends of two
curved rods L10 L" are secured; the said rods are connected to the bolts d³, do in
the projections K³ K° of the end pieces K³ K* of the cutter-bar frame; the rod L"
is curved over the pitman F* so as not to be struck by it. These rods serve to
guide the grass or grain inward as it is cut, and prevent its falling upon or
coming in contact with the rock shaft or side tubes of the frame, and to lay it
between the carrying wheels leaving a clear track for the wheels to pass.
Small lugs L, L¹³ are formed upon the rear lower sides of the shoes L¹ L² to
which two track boards Y', 'Y' are pivotted, and left free to rise as far as the
cutter-bar frames will allow, but are prevented from falling below the line of the
cutter-bar by small projections L4, L beneath them as shewn in small detached
rear view of one of the track boards Figure 1. By this means when the cutter-bar
is elevated the track boards will be elevated with it, but they are free to rise when
running over uneven ground.
The grass or grain is thus guided inward as it falls backward over the sickle and
cutter-bar and formed into a windrow between the driving wheels so that neither
the team nor the driving wheels run over the cut grass.
Upon the end of the sickle next to the shoe L' are a number of inclined teeth, m¹
Figure 11, with their inner sides perpendicular, and adapted to slide to and fro
with the sickle through a slot m' in the brace L³ of the shoe L¹. The perpendicular
edges of these teeth m³ catch the grass or straw as it falls, after having been cut,
and draw it inwards away from the shoe L' at the inner stroke or motion of the
sickle, but pass beneath the grass or straw without affecting it at the outward
motion of the said sickle by reason of the inclined sides of the said teeth, thereby
preventing the grass from lodging against the shoe and helping to convey it between
the driving wheels. The vibrating crank arm g³ and the uprights h³, h³ perform
the same office on the other side of the machine. A cover is provided Figures 17
and 18 for the gear-wheels C¹, C² consisting of two semi-circular hoods C³ C+
adapted to fit over the said gear-wheels and the arm G2, their edges join each
other, and are secured by a bolt c passing through lugs c, c7 on the hoods and also
through the arm G². The gear wheels C', C² are thus protected from dirt and

page_text: straw and danger of accident prevented, by taking out one bolt c³ the whole hood
may be removed.
The pole R' is attached at its rear end by bolts n², n² to the two brackets R², R³
upon either side. These brackets are bolted to a frame consisting of a plate R*
having cross bars R and two lugs R³, R. The lower ends of these legs are forined
to encircle the rear half of the outer ends of the axle bracket E¹ Figure 16 and
are provided with caps R7 R8 clasping the axle bracket on its front half, the said
cap being secured to the legs by bolts p¹, p², p³, pt.
By this arrangement the pole bracket is connected to the axle bracket E¹
loosely so that it is free to oscillate upon it when the pole is raised or lowered, or
when the cutter-bar is elevated or depressed, the said pole bracket can also be
easily removed for any purpose.
A plate R¹ is attached to the brackets R2 R³ across the top of their front ends
and over the pole, and a similar plate R¹s is attached to the underside of the
brackets beneath the rear end of the pole to prevent the whole strain of the
machine from coming upon the bolts n n thus avoid any breakage of the
brackets R² R³ or pole. Small ribs are formed upon the edges of the plate R*
around the brackets R³, R³ to support them and prevent side play. Wrought iron
braces R10, R" are connected to the pole R' by the bolt n² and to the lower ends
of the pole bracket by the bolts p' p³ to stiffen and support the same. Upon either
side of the plate R1 and projecting downward are two lugs t, t, through which a
shaft T passes. The lug t is U shaped Figure 2 and has formed upon its outer
side a toothed segment T' Figure 2, through which the shaft T' also passes.
Between the segment T2 and lug t upon the shaft T is another segment T
Figure 3 keyed or otherwise secured to the said shaft and provided with a notch
in its upper side; outside the segment T is another segment T similar to the
segment T except that it is loose upon the shaft T¹, and cast in one piece with, or
otherwise firmly attached to, a grooved segmental cam T5 also loose upon the
shaft T', but prevented from coming off the shaft by a pin, collar or other suitable
device. Upon the opposite end of this shaft T¹ is another grooved segmental
cam To fast upon the said shaft.
Two chains T T are attached to the cams T T by pins or other suitable means,
and are connected to hooks t³, t³, on collars K1, K10 upon the tube K¹. A plate T
Figure 8 upon the shaft T¹ between the segments T T is provided with a
socket To into which a wooden hand lever T" is secured. Upon either side of the
socket T are formed lugs u¹ u² u³ us through which catches u³, u, pass which are
provided with spiral springs to hold them in place. The lower ends of these
catches us, u, are adapted to fit into the notches in the segments T, T whilst their
upper ends are connected by rods uu to hand levers V1, V2 pivotted upon either
side of the wooden hand lever T¹¹ Figures 1 and 4. In this manner either or
both of the catches u, u may be withdrawn from contact with the segments T3 T4
by pressing upon the levers V¹ V
A pawl u is pivotted at u2 upon the front of the socket T10 and adapted to
engage with the ratchet segment T, it is connected by a rod us to a third hand
lever V³ pivotted to the wooden hand lever T. By this arrangement if the hand
lever V be pressed inward and the lever V₁ permitted to remain extended the
bolt u will be withdrawn from contact with the segment T3 while the bolt u* will
still be connected to the segment T4 so that if the handle T"" be drawn backward,
the segment T will not be affected, while the segment T will be turned around
the shaft T by the catch us, and being loose upon the shaft T¹ and attached to the
chain cam To the chain T' will raise one end of the cutter bar and leave the other
end unaffected. Likewise if the hand lever V¹ be drawn inward and the hand
lever V, remain extended the chain cam T will be turned and the other end of the
cutter bar elevated. If both ends of the cutter bar are to be elevated at once,
then the hand lovers V1, V2 are left unmoved with the catches us, u both in contact
with their respective segments the wooden lever T¹ is then pulled backward, when

page_text: both chain cams will be revolved, the pawl u" catching upon the ratchets of the
segment T and holding the lever T" in any position until released by the hand
lever Vs.
Projecting from either side of the front edges of the toothed segment T2 are
stops u Figure 3 against which the segments T3 T' strike at their lowest forward
position, to prevent them going too far. A coiled spring T encircling the shaft T
between the lugs t', t, and secured to said shaft at one end, and to the plate R* of
the pole-bracket at the other, and serves to counteract the movement of the shaft T'
and its attachments, and thereby prevent the jarring and shaking of the machine
from affecting them. The lever T should always remain in a forward position
and never be held back by the pawl ull except at such times as the operator may
desire, thus leaving the cutter bar free to rise and fall over uneven ground.
Attached to the upper side of the pole R in front of the brackets R², R³ is a
plate W Figure 9 having a slot through nearly its entire length into which
bolts WW are inserted, their square heads resting beneath shoulders along the
lower edges of the slot, so that while free to slide to and fro in the slot, they cannot
be lifted out of it. Another plate W5 rests upon the top of the plate W₁ and
through it the bolts W2 Ws pass so that the plate W is free to slide to and fro
with the bolts upon the plate W₁ as far as the slot will permit, so as to take up the
slack of the draught chain when the cutter-bar rises upon uneven ground
Rising fron the plate W is a lug having wings W7 W8 upon either side and
with a forwardly projecting top part W through whose front end a bolt Ws
passes. Between the plates W and Wo the whippletrees are placed, the bolt Ws
running through them, and the wings W7 W8 acting as stops to prevent the
whippletrees from being thrown backward too far, and preventing the horses
backing up against the fingers.
Upon the lug carrying the wings W7 W8 is an eye W10 to which a chain W
is hooked and passes backward down between the brackets R2 R³ over the rear end
of the pole to a shackle X upon the skein or sleeve beneath which it passes, to a
hook formed on the end of one of the bolts which secures the seat springs c
to the seat bracket E. By this means the draught comes wholly upon the chain W*
and by passing it beneath the shackle X before it passes to the hook bolt c³ a
lifting force is exerted upon the cutter-bar frame by the forward movement of tho
hoises which greatly assists the operation of the machine and prevents the cutter-
bar rising and falling too suddenly in running over uneven ground.
The shackle X is attached to the skein or sleeve J' by screws y', 32, tapped into
it and by providing a number of screw holes y³ on each side, the shackle may be
adjusted to adapt the draught chain to the weight of the machine, to the work
being done, or to the nature of the ground operated upon
The draught chain may be shortened or lengthened by hooking its links forward
or backward upon the hook bolt c³.
Upon the front end of the pole R' is a hook R" across which the collar bar R16
is laid and held by a loop R17 passing under the hook R. The collar bar and
also the whippletrees must be long enough to allow the horses to walk apart, one
Letween the windrows formed by the track boards and other parts, and the other
in the uncut grass or grain and both in front of the shoe wheels Lº L' and driving
wheels B', B on their respective sides.
A guard or shield F10, Figure 1 is attached to the hanger J2 by any of the cross
bolts to protect the underside of the crank dise F and pitman F from winding
up grass or straw
A hook R is pivotted to the pole R' and hanging therefrom and adapted to
catch under the rear edge of the cutter-bar M¹ when the latter is lifted up, to hold
the frame when not in use or when moving from place to place, and thereby prevent
the strain from being constantly upon the lifting mechanism.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my

page_text: foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim
First. An axle carrying the driving wheels, a tubular bracket encircling the said
axle loosely, a hollow stem projecting from the said tubular bracket, and a skein
or sleeve encircling the said stem and carrying the cutter-bar-frame, in combination
with a draught-chain adjustably connected to the said skein or sleeve whereby a
lifting force is exerted upon the cutter-bar at the same time that the machine is
drawn forward, and without interfering with the oscillatory movement of the said
skein or sleeve and cutter bar-frame upon the said stem and axle, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Secoud. The axle bracket E', stem E skein or sleeve J', and the pole R¹ con-
nected loosely to the said axle bracket in combination with a draught chain W
and means for connecting the said draught chain adjustably to the said axle
bracket and skein or sleeve, substantially, as, and for the purpose set forth.
Third. An axle having driving wheels mounted loosely upon its ends, with means
for connecting the said axle and driving wheels with, and disconnecting them from,
the cutter-bar operating mechanism, whereby both driving wheels are utilized to
operate the sickle, a tubular bracket surrounding the said axle, a hollow stem
projecting from the said tubular bracket, a skein or sleeve surrounding the said
stem, and a draught-chain connected adjustably to the said sleeve and axle brackets
whereby the cutter-bar-frame may be subjected to a lifting force at the same time
that the machine is drawn forward, and the sickle operated, and without interfering
with their action, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The pitinan or connecting rod F having the wedge-shaped blocks FS
inserted in its ends, with means for moving the said blocks to lengthen or shorten
the distance between the centres, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The shaft F¹, crank disc Fe, rock shaft g³ having the oppositely branching
crank arms, and the sickle N2, in combination with the pitman F and means for
adjusting the said pitman longitudinally, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The rock-shaft having the oppositely branching crank armıs gª g³, in
combination with the auxiliary braces gl, g", substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Seventh. The rock-shaft g³, crank arm g³, auxiliary braco g1%, friction roller g",
and stud go, in combination with the sickle N2, knife-head N³, uprights h² h³, and
bolt h, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The combination of the sickle N, knife head N³, uprights h², h³, and
means for attaching the said head to the said sickle upon both sides of the said
uprights to strengthen them, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. The pitman Frock-shaft g³ and crank arm go in combination with the
auxiliary brace gl and pin g' as set forth.
Tenth. The combination, with a cutter-bar, of a frame for supporting the said
cutter-bar adapted to be oscillated upon a central pivot behind the said cutter-bar
means for elevating either one or both ends of the said cutter-bar, and a spring Tis
arranged to hold the said elevating mechanism in an upright position, substantially
as set forth.
Eleventh. The combination of the tubular bracket E', stem E, skein or sleeve J',
having the cutter-bar-frame attached thereto, means for elevating the said cutter-
bar-frame, and a draught chain W", substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Twelfth. The combination of the shaft T', grooved cams T, T, with means for
operating them independently, and a spring Tis, substantially as and for the purpose,
set forth.
Thirteenth. The pole frame R, R5, R, in combination with the brackets R², R³,
pole R', and braces R10, R", substantially as set forth
Fourteenth. The combination of the tubular bracket E¹ pole-frame R*, R³, R*,
and caps R7, Rs, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenth. The brackets R³ R³ and the pole R', in combination with the draught

page_text: chain W, whereby space is left at the rear of the said pole for the passage of the
said chain downward so that a central draught may be obtained, substantially as
-set forth
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
TARM