A New Chaff or Hay-cutting Machine.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 31st Jan., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Chaff or Hay-cutting Machine.
WILLIAM HENRY ADAMSON, 14, Portland Place, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, England, Hay and Straw Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a new or improved machine for cutting hay or other
like substances and apparatus for use in connection therewith.
Hitherto it has been usual to feed the material longitudinally through toothed
rollers and to cut sections from same as it is advanced through the jaws of the
machine by means of knives fixed on a revolving wheel and cutting at right
angles to the direction of feed.
According to my invention I provide for cutting the hay or other like substance
to be fed in a transverse or flat state-that is in the same state as it is baled
minus the binding wires or bands-by means of a series of fixed and recipro-
cating knives having notches or serrations on their cutting edges and which cut
the hay or other material as it is fed or pushed to the cutting edges of the knives.
It may be stated that the knives will be mounted in two frames either or both
of which will have a reciprocating motion imparted by means of a cam crank or
cranks, and that provision will be made for removing the blades, replacing,
spacing, tightening, and securing each set of blades in their respective frames.
The hay or other material will be placed in the feeding trough-after removal
of the bands feed motion or traverse will be imparted to the material by means
of sprocket wheels and endless chains on each side of the feeding trough engaging
a movable push board and bar or by rack and pinion on the underside of feeding
trough engaging a movable push board and bar. The feeding trough may be
slightly inclined or horizontal.
When cutting alfalfa or other densely packed material I impart motion to
both sets of knives in order to loosen the material and facilitate cutting, with
loosely baled hay it is only necessary to impart motion to the second set of
blades.
Vinstranth
of Contambor 1898

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention consists of a new or improved machine for cutting hay or other
like substances, and apparatus for use in connection therewith.
Hitherto it has been usual to feed the material longitudinally through toothed
rollers and to cut sections from same as it is advanced through the jaws of the
machine, by means of knives fixed on a revolving wheel and cutting at right
angles to the direction of feed.
According to my invention I provide for cutting the hay or other like substance
to be fed in a transverse or flat state-that is in the same state as it is baled
or
minus the binding wires or bands-by means of a series of reciprocating and
fixed knives having notches or serrations on their cutting edges, and which cut
the hay or other material as it is fed or pushed to the cutting edges of the
knives. I may state that the knives will be mounted in two frames either or
both of which will have a reciprocating motion imparted to them by means of a
crank, cams or cranks, and that provision will be made for removing the knives,
replacing, spacing tightening, and securing each set of blades in their respective
frames.
The hay or other material-after removal of the bale bands or wires-will be
placed in the feeding trough and feed motion or traverse will be imparted to the
material by means of sprocket wheels and endless chains on each side of the
feeding trough-or by rack & pinion on the under side of feeding trough---
engaging a movable push board and bar.
The feeding trough may be slightly inclined, horizontal or any other suitable
position.
When cutting alfalfa or other densely packed material, I impart motion to
both sets of blades or knives.
I do not confine myself to the position of the crank shaft as shown on the
drawings, as it may be necessary in some cases to suit existing buildings, motor
power &c.--that the machine should be under driven, in which case the standards
would be extended below the floor beams, or brackets suspended therefrom to
mount the crank shaft.
I do not confine myself to the shape of push-bar shown on the drawings, as
when rack and pinion motion from the under side of the feeding trough is adopted
it would not be suitable.
In the accompanying drawings, views are shown sufficient to indicate the method
of constructing and working. Fig. 1 is a side view. Fig. 2 a front view. Fig. 3
is a section through feeding trough. Fig. 4 push board and bar. Fig. 5 knives
or blades. Fig. 6 section of rack & pinion. Fig. 7 side view of rack & pinion
motion.
Upon the crank shaft A is suspended two frames working in suitable slides
fixed to the standards Beach frame containing a series of knives (.
The knives Chave spindle holes at each end through which passes a spindle or
bar, and between each blade is placed a spacing piece or washer C₁ at top &
bottom, when sufficient blades have been put on the spindles, they are tightened
up by means of nuts placed on the ends of each spindle, then placed in their
respective frames which have tensional screws to give stretch or tension to the
blades after they have been spaced and tightened.
Mounted on the crank shaft A is the flywheel D, the fast and loose pullys E
and the sprocket or chain wheels F which connect by means of the chains G with
the sprocket wheels K which give motion to the traverse chains I. When rack
& pinion feed is adopted the traverse chains I connect with the sprocket wheels Q
which actuate the pinion P and rack R shown on Fig. 6.
The eccentrics J from which the front or first frame is suspended are arranged
so as to be disconnected if necessary-in which case the front frame & knives
would receive no motion.

page_text: The hay H is placed in the feeding trough L at the back of which is then
placed the push board M, the studs of the push bar N are then placed in the
links of the traverse chains and thus motion is imparted to the material H,
when the push bar has advanced far enough it is disconnected automatically, it
may also be removed at any part of its traverse by simply lifting it from the
traverse chains I.
After motion has been imparted to the hay H it is engaged by the serrations
of the first set of blades, and in conjunction with the second set of blades a
scissor or shearing cut is obtained, The hay or other material after cutting falls
below the floor beams Z.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare what
I claim is:-
1st. In a chaff cutting machine the application and use of reciprocating knives
having serrations on their cutting edges.
2nd. In a chaff cutting machine the application and use of reciprocating frames
for mounting the knives.
3rd. In a chaff cutting machine the application and use of a movable push
board and push bar in conjunction with an endless chain feed or rack & pinion
feed.
4th. The combination and arrangement of parts forming the complete machine
for cutting hay straw & the like material as described & illustrated.
Dated this Thirtieth day of January 1899.
WILLIAM HENRY ADAMSON,
14, Portland Place, Liverpool, England, Applicant.