IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES." A communication from abroad
by Cyrus H. Mc Cormick, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
Sealed the 20th April 1877, and dated the 21st October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st October 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
A communication.
One object of my Invention is the provision of a new mechanical arrangement by
which the binder arm of a grain binder has imparted to it a steady and easy motion,
and by which the twisting or tying apparatus is moved in a proper manner with
reference to the motion of the said binder arm.
Another object of the said Invention is the adaptation to these machines of a new
manner of operating the compressor which holds the grain while the same is being
bound.
The said Invention is intended more particularly as an attachment to that class
of reapers in which the cut grain is carried over the driving wheel and delivered to
the binding apparatus.
A gear wheel is attached to the driving wheel turning the shafts; some of the
shafts are driven by chains or belts running upon the wheels. A binder arm
carrier is driven by a crank which is keyed to the forward end of one of the shafts.
The binder arın bar is rigidly fastened near the upper end of the binder arm carrier;
this bar extends some distance horizontally away from the said carrier and per-
pendicularly thereto; then turns at a right angle toward the accumulating cut
grain and in a vertical plane parallel to that of the binder arm carrier.
extremity of the bar is tapered toward a point and suitably curved to form the
binder arm proper. The said crank is pivoted to the binder arm carrier; the sway
bar is also pivoted to the same and extends downward having its lower end hinged
at or near the sill. As the said crank is revolved the upper end of the sway bar is
n .
The

page_text: caused to vibrate through an arc of a circle. At the same time the point is carried
around in a circle upon the pin of the crank tilting the binder arm carrier upon the
sway bar at or near the point, and causes the binder arm to move forward, down-
ward, backward, and upward at each revolution of the said crank.. A reel is placed
upon a standard conveniently located, and a suitable guide extends over and at
some distance above the binder arm. Through one end of said guide the wire or
twine used for binding the grain passes on its way from the reel to the point of the
binder arm.
A compressing rod is provided to compress the grain, while the same
is being encircled by the wire; the said compressing rod or compressor is journaled
Near the point
at the upper end of the binder arm carrier and in the binder arm.
where it rests in the binder arm carrier the said compressor is bent at a right angle
and extends nearly horizontally away from the said carrier, and passes freely
through a loop rigidly fastened to or near the frame. Near the point at which the
compressor rests in the binding arm it is bent at a right angle in an opposite direction
from that of the above described bend in the same, then curves downward toward
the receptacle. When the binder arm plunges into the grain and moves downward
the curved end of the compresser will also move downward, these two parts com-
pressing the grain while it is being encircled by the wire and bound.
A twister carrier bar lying horizontally near to and beneath the receptacle is
fastened rigidly to a sliding block. A pinion and twister are held by the carrier
bar immediately under a slot cut through the said receptacle, the said block being
made to slide within the ways; the bar, pinion, and twister are together capable of
being moved laterally underneath the said receptacle and in a line parallel to the
slot. The ways are supported from below by the standard brace.
A slotted connecting bar is pivoted to the upturned end of the carrier bar; a hub
extends out from the lower end of the binder arm carrier reaching to meet the said
connecting bar; a headed stud or pin passes through the slot of the connecting bar
along which it may freely slide, and enters the end of the hub wherein it is rigidly
fixed. The twister is revolved alternately in opposite direction by the pinion
rolling along a fixed rack as the carrier bar moves backward and forward.
It may be desirable to form the binder arm carrier and binder arm, both of one
continuous piece.
It is designed to so attach the whole binding mechanism to the reaper that it
may be shifted in a body forward or backward, with reference to the line of draft
for the purpose of permitting it to bind the gavels at the middle when cutting tall
or short grain.
In a modification of the manner of operating the compressor I use a bar or rod
forming a track fastened to the frame or receptacle extending up some distance
therefrom, situated parallel with and conveniently near the vertical plane in which
the binder arm carrier moves. Upon the said track the end of the compressor
nearest the carrier rests.
It may be desirable to give the loop a vertical movement and rest it upon a spring,
so that when an unusually large gavel is being compressed the said loop will yield
downward, and thus reduce the pressure of the grain upon the said compressor.
My Invention also relates to a novel arrangement of removable secondary frame
or binder's carriage in connection with the mowing machine truck, and to the
manner of combining the grain platform, elevator, binder's grain receptacle, stand,
tables, and lifting apparatus therewith, whereby the grain harvesting attachment
made complete in itself is adapted to be readily applied to and used in connection
with such mowing machine truck or to be removed therefrom when the machine is
required for mowing,
The mower frame is mounted upon two independent driving and carrying wheels
from which motion is imparted to a crank shaft to drive the cutters when the
machine is used as a mower. To the rear of the frame is bolted or hinged the
forward end of a secondary rectangular frame, the rear end of which is supported
by a castor wheel. The inner longitudinal bar of this secondary frame has pendant
arms or brackets rigidly secured to it, the rear one being provided with a series of

page_text: perforations or bolt holes for adjustably connecting a pivoted bar with the frame;
a lever arm rigidly connected with said pivoted bar passing through the guide
bracket for facilitating the adjustment of the bar, and preventing lateral movement
upon its pivoted connection with pendant. The forward end of the said arm is
connected by a cord or chain with a lifting lever pivoted to the forward end of the
bar for enabling the attendant to readily adjust the forward end of the bar and the
cutter platform. The said bar has its ends rounded and forms one part of a long
hinge the other part of which is formed by the inner rigid sill or longitudinal bar of
the platform frame which has straps surrounding the rounded portions of the said
bar and turning freely thereon.
The platform frame is provided with suitable standards, the front one of which
may also constitute the reel post. The rock shafts are provided with crank pins, a
spur or friction roller upon each of which traverses a stationary cam.
The receiver is made triangular in form open, on its upper and stubble sides, and
with its bottom at its grain side edge placed in close proximity with the path of the
shafts and above the same.
Curved slats extend outward and downward upon the
grain side of the elevating cylinder. Outside of and above the slats is a concave
compressor for holding the grain against the slats while it is being elevated; this
compressor may be made of slats if preferred.
For driving the cylinder shaft said shaft is connected with the rear end of a
tumbling extensible shaft, which at its forward end is connected with a longitudinal
shaft mounted in a bearing bracket attached to the truck frame. The forward end of
the shaft of the apron roller is provided with a crank wrist from which motion is
imparted to the reciprocating cutters. The said secondary frame has pendent
angular straps pivoted to it, said straps forming a support for the binder's platform
or stand. The outside longitudinal bar of the secondary frame has transvere bars
or arms hinged to it, and upon these is secured a binder's table, which when not in
use may be folded with the arms into a vertical position, and either directly to the
outer end of these arms or to supplemental bars connected therewith, or to the table
is pivoted a dumping tray or bundle carrier, which will also be folded up with
the bars when not in use. In front and rear of the secondary frame are arranged
transverse tables.
The rear table has secured to it a loop or strap which clasps the shank of the
castor wheel, the table resting on the supporting bracket of said castor, and said
table is made removable with or separately from the secondary frame.
The grain receiver is secured through the medium of its end boards to the
standards on the platform frame, and moves with said platform frame.
The grain receiver or platform overhangs the inner longitudinal bar of the rear
secondary frame between the end tables. Where this secondary frame is rigidly
bolted to the rear of truck the pole or tongue should be hinged to the truck.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that the harvester attachment
while it is adapted to be readily connected with the mower truck has its con-
nection therewith through the secondary frame and tumbling extensible shaft only,
and that by simply removing the bolts or disconnecting the hinges uniting the
secondary frame with the truck frame the entire harvester attachment can be
removed.
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 21st April
1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by Cyrus H. Mc Cormick, of Chicago, Illinois, United
States of America."

page_text: This Invention relates first to grain binding mechanism for harvesting machines,
and has for one of its objects the provision of a new mechanical arrangement by
which the binder arm of such mechanism has imparted to it a steady and easy
motion, and by which the twisting or tying apparatus is moved in a proper manner
with reference to the motion of the said binder arm.
Another object of this part of my Invention is the adaptation to these machines
of a new manner of operating the compressor which holds the grain while being
bound.
The said Invention is intended more particularly as an attachment to that class
of harvesting machines in which the cut grain is carried over the driving wheel and
delivered to the binding apparatus. This part of my Invention is illustrated in
Figures 1 to 4.
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my Invention showing the binding mechanism at
two points in its movement.
Figure 2 is a plan looking in the direction of the arrow x in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same, looking in the direction of the arrow y
in Figure 1, and z in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a modification of the manner of operating the compressor.
In Figure 1 the machine is represented as moving away from the observer; the
course of the cut grain moving toward the binder is indicated by the arrows f; G is
a gear wheel attached to the driving wheel W, turning the shaft S, and secondarily,
the shaft S¹, with its wheel win the direction indicated by the arrow x². The
shafts S2 and S3 are driven by the chains or belts c and c¹, running upon the wheels
w and w² D is a binder arm carrier, driven by the crank J, which is keyed to the
forward end of the shafts S³. B is a binder-arm bar rigidly fastened near the upper
end of the binder-arm carrier D. The bar B extends some distance horizontally
from the said carrier D, and perpendicularly thereto, then turns at a right angle
toward the accumulating cut grain, and in a vertical plane parallel to that of the
binder-arm carrier D. The extremity of the bar B, Figure 1, is tapered toward a
point, and suitably curved to form the binder arm proper. The crank J is pivoted
to the binder-arm carrier D, at the point s, and at s¹ the sway bar L is pivoted, the
latter extends downward, having its lower end hinged at or near the sill A. As the
crank J revolves the upper end of the sway bar L is caused to vibrate through
the dotted are y¹; at the same time the point s is carried around in a circle upon the
pin of the crank J, tilting the binder-arm carrier upon the sway bar at or near the
point s¹. This motion and that of the said sway bar cause the binder arm to move
successively forward, downward, backward, and upward, at each revolution of the
said crank J; that is to say, when the crank is at the position shown in full lines
J, Figure 1, the binder arm occupies the position shown in full lines at B. When
the said crank occupies the position indicated by the dotted lines at J', the binder
arm will be in the position shown in dotted lines at B'. The arrows
indicate the direction of motion of the binder arm when in these positions.
and x
R is a reel placed upon a standard conveniently located, and E is some suitable
guide extending over and at some distance above the binder arın B. Through the
end j of said guide the wire or twine d used for binding the grain passes on its way
from the reel to the point of the binder arm.
C is a compressing rod designed to compress the grain while the same is being
encircled by the wire. The said compressing rod or compressor is journalled at the
Near the
upper end of the binder-arm carrier D, and in the binder arm B. at a.
point where it rests in the binder-arm carrier D the said compressor is bent at a right
angle, and extends nearly horizontally from the said carrier D, and passes freely
through the loop l, rigidly fastened to or near the frame. Near the point at which
the compressor rests in the binding arni B it is bent at a right angle in a direction
opposite to that of the above described bend in the same, and then curves downward
toward the receptacle F. The loop being fixed, it will be obvious by reference to
Figure 1 that when the binder arm B plunges into the grain and moves downward,

page_text: the curved end of the compressor C will also nove downward, the two compressing
the grain while it is being encircled and bound by the wire.
I is a twister carrier bar lying horizontally near and beneath the receptacle F and
fastened rigidly to the sliding block T; p is a pinion, and ua twister; these parts are
held by the carrier bar I immediately under the slot K, cut through the receptacle F.
The block T being made to slide within the ways c, the. bar. I, pinion p, and
twister u, are together capable of being moved laterally under the receptacle F and
in a line parallel to the slot K. The ways e are supported from below by the
standard brace O.
H is a slotted connecting bar pivoted at to the upturned end of the carrier
bar I; is a hub extending from the lower end of the binder arm carrier D toward
the said connecting bar H; i is a headed stud or pin which passes through, the
slot 6 of the connecting bar H along which it may freely slide, and enters the end
of the hub wherein it is rigidly fixed. As the binder arm carrier D is moved by
revolving the crank J the stud i will traverse the slot b, coming in contact with the
ends of the same alternately. As it presses at either end of the said slot a horizontal.
motion in a corresponding direction will be given to the twister carrier bar I, which
motion is so timed that the twister moves in harmony with the point of the
binder arm, while the latter passes beneath the receptacle F, and the ends of the
wire are being twisted, it will be understood that the motion of the twister carrier
bar I is intermittent and reciprocal, that is to say, it rests during each period that
the said stud moves along the slot b, and moves as the same presses at either end.
The twister u is revolved alternately in opposite directions by the pinion p rolling
along the fixed rack r, as the carrier bar I moves backward and forward.
It may be desirable to form the binder arm carrier D and binder arm B both of
one continuous piece. It is shaped as shown in the Drawing.
It is designed to so attach the whole binding mechanism to the reaper that it may
be shifted in a body forward or backward, with reference to the line of draft to
permit it to bind the gavels at the middle when cutting tall or short grain.
Figure 4 shows a modification of the manner of operating the compressor C.. U
is a bar rod or board forming a track fastened to the frame or receptacle F, and
extending up some distance therefrom, parallel with, and conveniently near the
vertical plane in which the binder arm carrier D moves. Upon the track U the
end of the compressor C nearest the carrier D rests, the same being held thereon by
the action of the spring n; as the binder arm carrier D moves downward encircling
the gavel with the wire the compressor assumes the position shown in dotted lines
at C
It may be desirable to give the loop 1, Figures 1 and 2, a vertical movement and
support it upon a spring, so that when an unusually large gavel is being compressed
the said loop will yield downwardly, and thus reduce the pressure of grain upon the
compressor C.
The said Invention relates, secondly, to a removable secondary frame or binders
carriage in connection with the mowing machine truck, and to the manner of
combining with the same the grain platform elevator, binder's grain receptacle,
stand, tables, and lifting apparatus, whereby the grain harvesting attachment mado
complete in itself is adapted to be readily applied to and used in connection with
such mowing machine truck, or to be removed therefrom when the machine is
required for mowing.
Figure 5 is a prospective view of my improved machine taken from the front or
grain side; Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the said
machine taken from the outer or stubble side; Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal
section through the same in line with the inner platform apron roller and crank
shaft.
And Figure 10 shows in sectional elevation the cam for actuating the retracting
elevator fingers.
A is the mower frame mounted upon two independent driving and carrying

page_text: wheels B, B¹, from which through any suitable gearing motion is imparted to a
crank shaft a to drive the cutters when the machine is used as a mower. To the
rear of the frame A is bolted or hinged the forward end of a secondary rectangular
frame C, the rear end of which is supported by a caster wheel D. The inner
longitudinal bar C¹ of this secondary frame has pendent arms or brackets b, b¹, rigidly
secured to it, the forward arm b being made in the form of a pendent guiding and
sustaining loop, and the rear arm b¹ being provided with a series of perforations or
bolt holes for adjustably connecting a pivoted bar E with the frame C, a lever
arme rigidly connected with said pivoted bar passing through the guide bracket b
for facilitating the adjustment of the forward end of the bar E and preventing
lateral movement of the bar or strain upon its pivotal connection with the
pendent b. The forward end of the arm e is connected by a cord or chain e¹ with
a lifting lever e² pivoted to the forward end of the bar C¹ for enabling the attendant
while the machine is in operation to readily adjust the forward end of the bar E
and the cutter platform, which is connected with it. The bar E has its ends
rounded, as shown in Figure 6, and forms one part of a long hinge, the other part
of which is formed by the inner rigid sill or longitudinal bar F of the platform
frame; the latter has straps f firmly bolted to it near its ends, said straps sur-
rounding the rounded portions of the bar E and turning freely thereon. By this
arrangement the grain platform is adapted to freely follow the surface of the ground
at its outer end independently of both the truck and secondary frames with which
it is connected, while at the same time the height of cut and the inclination of the
platform can be readily controlled by the attendant.
The platform frame is provided at its inner end at the front and rear with
suitable standards. The front standard G may constitute the reel post; in suitable
bearings is mounted a longitudinal shaft h carrying discs or "spiders" H near the
periphery, or in the outer ends of whose arms are mounted a series of toothed rock
shafts arranged in a circle, and forming the elevator drum or cylinder. The
rock shafts h¹ are provided at one end or at both ends with crank arms h*, a spur or
friction roller upon each of which traverses a stationary cam H¹arranged at one end
of the cylinder, and by means of which the teeth are thrown out into positions
radial to the cylinder shaft, or nearly_so, or are permitted to drop back against
stops ³ for passing the grain receiver I.
The receiver I is triangular, open on its upper and stubble sides, and with its
bottom I at its grain side edge placed in close proximity with the path of the
shafts and above the same, as shown in Figures 7 and 10. The grain side I²
from the bottom board I up is open or slotted to receive the grain from the elevator
and from the edge of the bottom board I¹; at this point a series of curved slats J
extend outward and downward upon the grain side of the elevating cylinder in
close proximity to the path of the toothed rods h¹ and upon a curved line concentric
therewith, or nearly so, until they reach a point underneath the cylinder, whence
they diverge outwardly and downwardly, and are connected at their lower ends
with the platform sill F. The teeth h² project through or between these slats, and
picking up the grain from the platform apron or carrier they elevate and deposit it
in the receiver I, when they are withdrawn to pass by the latter in a manner
that will be readily understood. Outside of and above the slats J is a concave
compressor J¹ for holding the grain against the slats J while it is being elevated,
the said compressing device being suspended from the side board 12 of the receiver
by springs or straps which allow it to yield to the varying bulk of the grain, while
at the same time holding it always firmly to its work. This compressor may be
made of slats if preferred.
Motion is communicated by suitable gear wheels or by a belt from the shaft / to
the platform apron roller k, and thence by a crossed belt to a feed roller k¹ mounted
at its forward end in an angular bearing bracket, and at its rear in a bearing in
the rear fender board of the platform, and the grain passing under the said roller is
carried by the platform apron against the slats J, when it is picked up and elevated
by the teeth h² as explained,

page_text: For driving the cylinder shaft the said shaft is connected at its forward end with
the rear end of a tumbling extensible shaft L which at its forward end is connected
with a longitudinal shaft mounted in a bearing bracket L' attached to the inner
front corner of the truck frame A, and to which motion is imparted by a bevel
pinion thereon engaging with a bevel wheel on the inner end of the main
driving wheel axle. The forward end of the shaft of the apron roller k is provided
with a crank wrist ³, from which through the usual pitman motion is imparted to.
the reciprocating cutters. Therefore when the harvester attachment is applied to
the mower truck it is supplied with its own independent driving mechanism, the
mowing machine mechanism being thrown out of action, and the cutting apparatus;
platform apron, and elevator are all operated through the single tumbling extensible
shaft L, cutting apparatus and cutter platform being adjusted relatively to the truck
and secondary frames, as required. The secondary frame Chas pendent angular
straps m, m', pivoted to it in front and rear, the said straps forming a support for
the binder's platform or stand M. located below the frame Cand in rear of the truck
frame A. The forward straps m are slotted at m² to permit the forward end of the
platform M to rise and pass over obstructions, and a curved guard or runner M'
is secured to the forward edge of said platform, adapting it to readily surmount
obstacles in its path. The outside longitudinal bar of the secondary frame C has
transverse bars or arms N hinged to it, one at the front and the other at the rear,
and upon these is secured a binders table O which when not in use may be folded
with the arms N into a vertical position for passing through gates or the like, and
either directly to the outer ends of the arms N or to supplemental bars N¹ con-
nected therewith. In some instances the table O has pivoted to it a dumping tray
or bundle carrier P of any suitable construction, and which will also be folded up
with the bars N when not in use. At the front and rear of the frame C are arranged
transverse tables 01, 0%, the forward one O¹ being supported by angular standards,
which at their lower ends rest in perforations or sockets in the timbers of the
frane C, the table being made removable therewith.
The rear table O has secured to it a loop or strap of which clasps the shank of
the caster wheel D, the table resting on the supporting bracket D₁ of said caster,
and like the table O¹ the said table O2 is made removable with or separately from
the secondary frame C.
The grain receiver I is secured through the medium of its end boards I* to the
standards G, G¹, on the platform frame, and moves with said platform frame as the
latter is adjusted or follows the uneven surface of the ground over which it is
drawn, the end boards formning guards to prevent the, scattering of the grain and
for keeping it in compact shape.
The grain receiver or platform overhangs the inner longitudinal bar C₁ of the
rear secondary frame between the end tables O¹, 0%. Where the secondary frame C
is rigidly bolted to the rear of the truck the pole or tongue S should be hinged to
the truck, as shown, permitting the frames A and C to rest on the wheels B and D;
but where the secondary frame is hinged to the mower truck the connection of the
pole with the truck should be rigid, and the secondary frame will be supported by
its hinge connection therewith and by the caster D.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that the harvester attachment
while it is adapted to be readily connected with the mower truck has its connection
therewith through the secondary frame C and tumbling extensible shaft L only, and
that by simply removing the bolts or disconnecting the hinges uniting the secondary
frame with the truck frame the entire harvester attachment can be removed, the
truck will then be free to be used in connection with its ordinary mower cutting
apparatus applied in the usual way, and will have its own independent driving
mechanism, the harvester gearing being thrown out of action by any convenient
arrangement of shipping devices or removed as preferred. The independent mower
and harvester gearing will be differently speeded according to the requirements of
the work to be performed by them.
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 in and forming part of the mechanism shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, of
the accompanying Drawing.
The combination of parts comprising the binder arm carrier swinging and tilting
upon a sway bar, the overhanging binder arm rigidly fastened to and moving
with the said binder arm carrier and sway bar, and the crank operating as above
set forth and for the purpose specified.
Also the combination of parts comprising the connecting bar pivoted to the
movable twister carrier bar and operated by the binder arm carrier or by other
suitable means, the sliding block and off set or overhanging binder arm operating as
above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Also the combination of parts comprising the compressor journabled on the binder
arm, and the carrier or equivalent device, the lever and the fixed guide whereby it
is actuated in connection with the said binding arm, as above set forth, and for the
purposes specified.
Also the machine or mechanism consisting of the parts shown in the above
Figures of the Drawing, and constructed, combined, and operating as above set
forth, and for the purposes specified.
And I claim in and forming part of the machine illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, of the accompanying Drawing, the combination of parts comprising the
removable secondary frame or binder's carriage attached at its forward end to the
machine or truck frame, and supported at its rear by the caster wheel, the hinged
platform, and elevator frame attached to and made removable with the said binder
carriage and the binder's stand suspended within the removable secondary carriage,
all as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Also the combination of parts comprising the cutting platform hinged at the front
and rear to the pivoted supporting bar attached to the secondary frame, the said
hinged bar having an arm passing through a slotted support in connection with the
lifting lever attached to the said removable secondary frame, all as above set forth
and for the purposes specified.
Also the combination of parts comprising the cutting or grain platform, the hori-
zontal grain carrier, the elevator drum or cylinder, the binder's grain receptacle or
receiver and reel attached to the said platform and hinged to the pivoted bar on the
removable secondary frame at the rear of the truck frame, all as above described and
for the purpose specified.
Also the machine or mechanism consisting of the parts shown in the above
Figures of the Drawing, and constructed, combined, and operating as above set
forth, and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.