IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Corbett, of Wellington, in the County of Salop,
Agricultural Implement Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PLOUGHS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Corbett at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th December 1877.
SAMUEL CORBETT, of Wellington, in the County of Salop, Agricultural Implement
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS."
My said Invention consists principally of improvements in the ploughs described,
represented, and claimed in the Specifications of Letters Patent granted to me, and
dated respectively the 29th day of June, 1871, No. 1699, the 9th day of March,
1872, No. 731, and the 17th day of June, 1873, No. 935.
My present Invention consists of the improvements, herein-after described, in
ploughs for ploughing one or more furrows at a time, or digging, or forking, and for
keeping ploughs more open, so as to cause them to clean themselves on foul land.
I dispense with the ordinary wrought-iron coulter, and cast the share with a
vertical blade as well as the ordinary longitudinal one, so that it cuts both vertically
and horizontally. The vertical cutter projects a little above the surface of the land,
and by deflecting or turning aside the manure or rubbish prevents it collecting on
the coulter; the choking of the plough is thereby prevented.
My Invention consists further of the following method of fixing the frames of
ploughs to their beams-I employ at the fore end of the frame a pin carrying an
eccentric, which eccentric turns in a longitudinal hole or slot in the frame, and by
its position causes the plough to have more or less pitch or inclination, which is a
great advantage in double or multiple furrow ploughs. The pin described is not
liable to be accidentally moved after it has been set.
My Invention consists further in dispensing with the ordinary plough breasts
and employing small breasts, and fixing revolving forks to the beams of the ploughs

page_text: instead of fixing them across the tails or handles of the ploughs. By this means
the forks are fixed much firmer, and work much steadier, and draw much lighter
after the horses than ploughs of the ordinary kind. As the forks are nearer their
work than in the ordinary construction the land is better forked and pulverized.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in fixing the wheels
on double or multiple ploughs-In fixing the furrow wheel on the off beam I
employ a transverse bar and fix the wheel arm to it by means of a box with set
screws, which arrangement allows the wheel to be regulated wider or deeper, and
I form a small stud on the near beam, and punch a hole in the arm of the wheel,
and connect the wheel arm to a lever.
By moving the wheel arm backwards or forwards the depth of furrow may be
adjusted, and the same lever lifts the plough out of the ground at the end of the
furrow for turning the plough.
When double or multiple ploughs are required to be moved from one field to
another some distance apart, I fix a crank axle and lever across the frame of the
plough, the said axle being fitted with two wheels for the purpose of lifting the
plough out of work for travelling or turning at the ends of furrows.
My Invention consists further of the following improvement in making the fore
end of double and multiple ploughs :-I form boxes on the fore end of the beams
and pass a transverse bar through the boxes, and fix the wheel on each end of the
bar outside the beam, and between the beams I fix a copsil on the fore end of
the plough to attach the horses to, and make it slide along the transverse bar
between the beams, so that the plough can be worked by a single horse or by two
or three horses abreast.
The plough may be made to plough a wider or narrower furrow by sliding the
beams on the transverse bar.
My Invention consists further of the following improvement in making the fore
end of single wheel ploughs-I make the fore end of the plough separate from the
main beam instead of making it in one piece with the beam, as usual; I make the
rear end of the separable or detachable fore end with two straps, or with a socket,
to connect it by boits or livets to the beam; I also make a box or mortice side-
ways through the beam, so as to fix a transverse bar to secure the wheels on each
side of the beam, and to the detachable fore end I fix the copsil which regulates
the width for connecting one or more horses. By this arrangement the plough is
readily made or repaired. This arrangement applies to ploughs generally with one
beam.
My Invention consists, further, in making and fixing the copsil or fore end to
double or triple ploughs for allowing the benms to be moved wider or narrower, so
as to plough a wider or narrower furrow; for this purpose I punch a hole through
the fore end of the left-hand beam, to allow one end of the copsil to slide through
it, and fix the copsil in the beam when set the required width by a set screw.
other end of the copsil is rigidly bolted to the right-hand beam.
The

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Corbett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th June
1878.
SAMUEL CORBETT, of Wellington, in the County of Salop, Agricultural Implement
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS."
My said Invention consists principally of improvements in the ploughs described,
represented, and claimed in the Specifications of Letters Patent granted to me, and
dated respectively the 29th day of June 1871, No. 1699, the 9th day of March 1872,
No. 731, and the 17th day of June 1873, No. 935.
My present Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in
ploughs for ploughing one or more furrows at a time, and for keeping ploughs more
open so as to cause them to clean themselves on foul land.
I dispense with the ordinary wrought-iron coulter, and cast the share with a
vertical blade as well as the ordinary horizontal one, so that it cuts both vertically
and horizontally. The vertical cutter projects a little above the surface of the land,
and by deflecting or turning aside the manure or rubbish prevents it collecting on
the share. The choking of the plough is thereby prevented.
My Invention consists further of the following method of fixing the frames of
ploughs to their beams-I employ at the fore end of the frame a pin carrying an
eccentric, which eccentric turns in a longitudinal hole or slot in the frame, and by
its position causes the plough to have more or less pitch or inclination, which is a great
advantage in double or multiple furrow ploughs. The pin described is not liable to be
accidentally moved after it has been set.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in fixing the wheels
on double or multiple ploughs :-In fixing the furrrow wheel on the off beam, I
employ a transverse bar, and fix the wheel arm to it by means of a box with set
screws, which arrangement allows the wheel to be regulated wider or deeper.
When double or multiple ploughs or other ploughs are required to be moved from
one field to another some distance apart, 1 fix an axle and lever across the frame of
the plough, the said axle being fitted with two wheels for the purpose of lifting the
plough out of work for travelling or turning at the ends of furrows.
My Invention consists further of the following improvement in making the fore
end of double and multiple ploughs:-I form boxes on the fore ends of the beams,
and pass a transverse bar through the boxes, and between the beams I fix a copsil on
the fore end of the plough to attach the horses to, and make it slide in the boxes
on the beams, so that the plough can be worked by a single horse, or by two or
three horses abreast.
The plough may be made to plough a wider or narrower furrow by sliding the
beams on the copsil bar.
Having explained the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe with
reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which my Invention may be
performed.
Figures 1 and 2 represent side elevations of a double furrow plough containing
my improvements, and Figure 3 is a plan of the same; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10,
represent parts of the same as herein-after described. In Figure 1 the lifting
mechanism of the plough is represented out of action, and in Figure 2 the said
ifting mechanism is represented in action, and the plough ready for travelling or
urning at the end of a furrow. The plough frames are represented in Figure 1
s adjusted at their lowest positions, and in Figure 2 at their highest positions.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of the
Drawings.
I will first describe the construction of the shares of the plough.
a are the shares of the plough carried by the frames b which are connected to the
eams in the manner herein-after described. I cast or make at the fore end of the

page_text: share a, and near the ordinary horizontal blade c², a vertical blade marked c, so that
when the plough is in use the vertical blade c cuts the land vertically, while the
ordinary horizontal blade c³ cuts it horizontally. The position of the vertical cutter c
with respect to the ordinary horizontal cutter c² and share a is best seen in the plan
Figure 3. The said vertical cutters or blades c of the plough act similarly to the
ordinary coulters usually placed in front of the shares, and the said coulters are
thereby dispensed with. The said vertical cutters c project above the surface of the
land, and by deflecting or turning aside the manure or rubbish on the land, prevent
it collecting on the share and choking the plough.
This part of my Invention may be applied to the shares of single ploughs, and to
ploughs generally.
I will now describe my improvements in connecting the frames of ploughs to their
beams.
This part of my Invention will be best understood by reference to the enlarged
views represented in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10; Figures 5 and 6 represent side
elevations of the frame of the plough, and a portion of the beam d; the frame b in
Figure 5 being shewn in its lowest position. and in Figure 6 in its highest position ;
Figure 7 represents a cross section of a portion of the frame and beam drawn to a
larger scale taken through the line A, A; Figure 5 and Figure 8 represents a cross
section of a portion of the frame and beam, taken through the line B, B, Figure 6,
the said Figures 7 and 8 exhibiting the construction of the eccentric adjusting
mechanism; Figure 9 represents a front elevation of a portion of the frame
separately, and Figure 10 represents a back elevation of the eccentric adjusting pin
separately.
The rear end of the plough frame b is connected by the pin e to the beam d, the
said pin passing through a hole f in the frame, and also through a hole in the beam d.
The said pin e constitutes a fulcrum or centre on which the plough frame b may
turn for adjusting its position or inclination. At the fore end of the frame b is a
pin g², having an eccentric part y upon it (see Figures 7, 8, and 10). The eccentric
part of the pin g³ turns in a longitudinal slot or hole h in the plough frame b,
while the cylindrical pin turns in a cylindrical hole in the beam d. The eccentric
ping, g², is fixed in its place by the screw nut i, screwing on the screwed end of the
said pin as represented.
In order to adjust the position or inclination of the frame b of the plough, the
nut is slackened, when the pin g, g², may be turned. By turning the said pin
through a semi-rotation in one direction its eccentric part g, acting on the frame b,
depresses the said frame into the position represented in Figures 5 and 7, the said
frame moving on the centre c; and by turning the pin g³ through a semi-rotation in
the other direction its eccentric part g, acting upon the frame b, raises the said frame
into the position represented in Figures 6 and 8. After the plough frame b has been
adjusted, it is fixed in its adjusted position by screwing home the screw nut i. By
turning the pin g, gå, through a less angle than that described, the frame b may be
raised or lowered to a less distance than that represented. By these improvements
the pitch or inclination of the plough may be readily adjusted at pleasure, and when
the parts are set they are not liable to accidental displacement.
These improvements may be applied to the frames of single ploughs, as well as to
the frames of double or multiple ploughs.
I will now describe my arrangement for lifting the plough out of work for travel-
ling or turning at the ends of furrows.
Across the beams d, d, of the double (or multiple) plough I fix an axis k on
which a lever turns, the said lever being connected to the said axis by the boss
and set screw at m, as seen in the plan, Figure 3. To the said lever two
wheels n, n, are connected by their arms p, the said arms being provided with a
box through which the lever passes. The handle end of the lever works against
a quadrant arm q fixed to the beams of the plough, the said ann q having notches q², q³,
in it at top and bottom. The quadrant arm q is shewn separately in Figure 4.

page_text: When the plough is at work the wheels n, n, are supported nearly on a level with
the beams of the plough by the raising of the lever into the position represented
in Figure 1, and fixing the lever in that position by engaging its handle end with
the notch q at the top of the quadrant arm q.
When it is wished to move the plough from one field to another, or turn it at the
ends of the furrows, the lever is depressed into the position represented in Figures 2
and 3, and held in that position by engaging its handle end in the bottom notch q
in the quadrant arm q; the wheels n, n, are thereby made to descend on to the land
and lift the plough from the land, the said plough being supported on the said
wheels, as shewn in Figure 2. The plough may now travel upon the said wheels n, n,
or it may be turned at the furrows on the said wheels.
Although I have only represented the raising mechanism as applied to an ordinary
double-furrow plough, yet the said mechanism may be applied to all kinds of double
ploughs, as well as to single ploughs.
For the purpose of supporting the hind part of the plough while it is travelling or
being turned, the hind share of the double or multiple plough is supported upon a foot,
marked r, upon which the hind part of the plough rests, as best seen in Figure 2.
In fixing the furrow wheel & to the off beam of the plough, I make on the said
off beam a square transverse bar t. On the said bar t is a box t2 capable of sliding
on the said bar t, and of being fixed thereon by the set screw at t. The said box t
is provided with a second opening, through which the arm 83 of the furrow wheel 8
is passed and fixed by the set screw th. By sliding the arm s of the wheel 8 in the
box to the height of the said wheel may be adjusted, and by sliding the box ť on
the cross bar t its distance from the beam de may be adjusted.
The arrangement of parts for adjusting the position of the furrow wheel may also
be applied to single ploughs.
The other furrow wheel u is fixed to the beam d by means of the box u² in the
ordinary way.
In constructing the fore ends of double or multiple furrow ploughs I form boxes,
marked v, v, on the front ends of the beams d, d², for receiving the copsil w, and I
make the said copsil w of the general form of a loop, the inner ends w², w², of the
copsil being passed through the boxes 2, v, on the ends of the beams d, d². When
the copsil is in the position represented in Figure 3, the plough can be conveniently
drawn by two horses abreast. By sliding the copsil towards the wheels the plough
is adapted to be drawn by a single horse, and by sliding the copsil from the wheel 8
the plough may be drawn by three horses abreast.
The construction of fore end described and represented, also permits the plough
to be adjusted to plough wider or narrower furrows by sliding the beams d, d²,
carrying the plough frames b, b, on the inner ends w², w², of the copsil, and fixing
the said beams by screw bolts.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I claim as iny Invention of
improvements in ploughs,-
First. Making the fore end of the shares of ploughs with a vertical blade or
cutter, for the purpose and substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The arrangement or combination of parts herein-before described, and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for fixing the frames of ploughs to their
beams, whereby their positions or their inclination to the beams may be readily
adjusted and fixed.
Thirdly. The arrangement or combination of parts herein-before described, and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for lifting ploughs from the ground for
travelling, or for turning them at the ends of furrows.
Fourthly. The combination of parts herein-before described, and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings, for adjusting the height and position of the furrow wheels
of ploughs.
Lastly. The improvements in constructing and adjusting the copsils and fore ends

page_text: of double or multiple ploughs, herein-before described, and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Corbett, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight
Witness,
GEORGE WYCHERLEY CORBETT,
Wellington,
Salop.
SAMUEL CORBETT. (L.S.)