1862 London Exhibition: Catalogue: Class IX.: Ransomes and Sims
2168. RANSOMES and SIMS, Orwell Works, Ipswich; 31 Essex Street, Strand, London; 23 Water Street, Liverpool.
Steam engines, thrashing machines, screens, mills, ploughs and agricultural machinery.
SECTION I.—PLOUGHS.
PATENT TRUSSED-BEAM IRON PLOUGH, marked YWB, made principally of wrought-iron, and intended for ordinary ploughing with two or more horses. The annexed cut represents this plough in the form in which it is ordinarily used for prize ploughing.
This plough forms one of a series of four ploughs, three of which obtained prizes at the last ploughing match of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, at Warwick, in 1859. This series of ploughs is modelled after our well-known ploughs, the YL and YRC, which have received the following prizes from the Royal English Agricultural Society, etc.:—
- The prize of £10 and silver medal, as the best heavy land plough; also to the same plough, a prize of £10 and silver medal as the best light land plough, at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting at Southampton.
- A prize of £10 at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting at Northampton.
- The council medal of the Great Exhibition with this plough as made by Busby.
- The first prize at the meetings of the Royal Agricultural Society at Lewes, 1852, at Lincoln, 1854; and again at the Carlisle meeting, 1855; as the best plough for general purposes.
- The divisional prize at the Bath and West of England meeting at Tiverton, 1855.
- The prize for deep ploughing at the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland, Carlow meeting, 1855.
This is the medium-sized plough of that series, two smaller sizes, and one larger being made.
The handles are of sufficient length to give perfect command over the ploughs.
The beam is on their patent trussed principle, by which greater rigidity and strength are secured, with the same weight of metal, than can be obtained by an ordinary solid beam. This construction of the beam also permits the coulter to be placed quite centrally, so that it does not require to be necked, and is therefore more easily kept in its proper position than when it is necked, which it must always be in solid-beam ploughs.
The wheels are carried on one cross bar, the advantage of which is, that they can be more firmly fixed in any desired position, and can be more quickly shifted, than when they are carried on two separate bars, also that the whole of the wheel fastenings are rendered extremely simple, without omitting any adjustment, that can possibly be required for either the land or furrow wheels.
The draught is taken directly from the head, for the result of very careful experiment has convinced R. and S. that in a properly constructed plough, the draught bar is quite needless and often very injurious.
The share is fixed to a wrought-iron movable lever neck, which allows it to be set with more or less pitch, as may be required, and the arrangements for fixing the neck in the desired position are very simple and effective. The form of the share and of the mould board is the result of a series of most careful experiments on a variety of soils. They will be found to leave the furrow slice neatly turned over at an angle of 45 degrees, leaving the upper edge full and sharp. The ploughs are very steady in work, and leave the furrow bottom clean and square.
The skim coulter. —This is a very useful addition to a plough, particularly when ploughing clover, ley, or stubble. It just pares the surface, and turns into the bottom of the furrow all long grass, weeds, stubble, &c. which are then completely buried and enrich the soil by their decomposition. A weight attached by a chain to the coulter, is often used when the grass is long to assist in drawing everything cut by the skim coulter into the furrow, so that it may be thoroughly covered. This chain is also useful when ploughing in manure.
The plough as shown in the above cut is fitted to cut a rectangular furrow slice, and to deposit it so that the angle A B C is a right angle, and the side A B equal to the side B C, as shown in the accompanying diagram. This is the ordinary form of ploughing, which is considered in England most advantageous for producing a crop but if desired the same plough may be fitted with a mould board and share suitable to cut a furrow of a trapezoidal section, and deposit it so that the side A B is equal to B C, and the angle A B C is somewhat less than a right angle, as represented in the accompanying diagram.
This form of furrow is usually termed a "crested" furrow. It possesses the advantage of exposing rather more surface to the atmosphere than the rectangular furrow, but to set against this, there is one-ninth less soil moved when ploughing with the same depth, than on the previous plan, in consequence of the furrow bottom being inclined to the land side, instead of at right angles to it, and the horses must travel two miles further per acre to plough the same depth of furrow than is necessary on the rectangular system.
RANSOMES AND SIMS' PLOUGH YWB FITTED AS A KENT PLOUGH.
This plough may also be fitted with a mould board and share, as shown above, which cuts a furrow slice of a rectangular section, and turns it completely bottom upwards, as shown in the annexed diagram, thus exposing the lower soil to the fertilising action of the atmosphere, and burying all the surface vegetation so that it decomposes and enriches the soil.
Ransomes and Sims have mould boards suitable for producing each of the above-described forms of furrow, on either heavy or light land, and being interchangeable one with another at pleasure this plough becomes a very complete implement.
By removing the ordinary body from the plough and also the furrow wheel, and substituting a ridging body which is useful for setting out land, for ordinary ploughing, (which may be done in a few minutes), this plough becomes for ridging or moulding up beet-root, potatoes, or other a convenient moulding or ridging plough, as shown below, plants sown on the ridge, and for opening water furrows.
By removing the mould boards from this body the plough is adapted (as shown in the engraving), for breaking up the subsoil after the plough, the land being thus stirred from 12 to 14 in. deep.
RANSOMES AND SIMS' PLOUGH YWB, WITH A SUBSOIL BODY.
By attaching to the frame a pair of open-ribbed mould boards (as shown below), the plough is adapted for raising potatoes, which operation it performs in a superior manner, leaving fewer in the ground than when raised with a fork, and not damaging the potatoes.
Although the practice of using the same implement for various dissimilar purposes, where the land tinder cultivation is of sufficiently large extent to justify the use of a special implement for each purpose, cannot be recommended, yet inasmuch as this plough in each of its forms is perfectly complete, and will perform each operation thoroughly, there are occasions when it will be convenient and desirable to employ it as an interchangeable implement in the manner described above.
PATENT TRUSSED-BEAM IRON PLOUGH, marked VX.
This is the smallest of the Warwick series of prize ploughs (described above), and is suitable for two horses on light and mixed soils.
PATENT TRUSSED-BEAM IRON PLOUGH, marked YFL.
This plough is fitted with Bansomes and Sims patent trussed beam the frame is of wrought-iron, and the mould board is shorter and of a different model to that adopted in our prize ploughs. This plough is extensively used abroad in cases where the land is newly cleared, as in consequence of the great strength of the beam and frame, it is well suited for resisting strains from roots of trees, stones, etc., and being shorter than the improved prize ploughs, it is more handy in use for such purposes.
IMPROVED PATENT TRUSSED-BEAM IRON PLOUGH, marked YFR.
This plough is intended for producing furrows of a rectangular section, and of much greater width in proportion to the depth, than is usual in English ploughing.
IMPROVED SOLID-BEAM IRON PLOUGH, marked BFS, constructed principally of wrought-iron, and suitable for use with one large or two small horses.
In this plough, which forms one of a series comprising one smaller and two larger sizes, the draught is taken from the body of the plough instead of from the end of the beam, the intention of which is to relieve the beam from strain. In other respects, it is constructed on similar principles to the ploughs previously described, and will make equally good work, but it is only adapted for producing a rectangular furrow.
This series of ploughs is also provided with ridging and subsoil bodies as previously described with the YWB, and two sizes of it are also made as double furrow ploughs for turning two furrows at the same time, and thus saving one man, as shown in the subjoined diagram.
IMPROVED SOLID-BEAM IRON PLOUGH, marked TC.
This plough is constructed entirely of wrought-iron with the exception of the mould board, and it will turn a furrow from 6 to 10 inches deep, and from 9 to 15 inches wide. It is strong enough to resist the strain of 10 horses or 12 or 14 bullocks but it may be easily worked by 2 or 3 horses. The short beam and great length of handle give the holder a great command over it, and it is extremely suitable for breaking up new and rough land.
IMPROVED PLOUGH, with wood beam and handles, marked WVRL.
In this plough, the beam and handles are of well-seasoned timber. The draft is taken from the body of the plough, which is designed on the same model as those of the exhibitors' best iron ploughs, and will produce equally good work; but being partially of wood, it is not so expensive in the first cost.
SET OF IMPROVED EAST ANGLIAN HARROWS.
The beams are diagonally braced; the teeth tracks equally distant. The teeth will not shake loose in work; the harrows will not run over each other in rough work, and are fitted with hind hooks to draw the contrary way, so as to give a lighter finish in seed harrowing. They are made in the following sizes, and all with 5 rows of teeth
- No. 1. Light harrows.
- 4 to a set.
- 3 to a set.
- 2 to a set.
- No. 2. Medium Harrows.
- 4 to a set.
- 3 to a set.
- 2 to a set.
- No. 3. Heavy Harrows.
- 4 to a set.
- 3 to a set.
- 2 to a set.
- 4-Beam Harrows.
- Cover 9 feet 3 inches.
- Cover 7 feet 0 inches.
- Cover 4 feet 8 inches.
- 3-Beam Harrows.
- Cover 10 feet 0 inches.
- Cover 7 feet 6 inches.
- Cover 5 feet 0 inches.
- 3-Beam Harrows.
- Cover 10 feet 0 inches.
- Cover 7 feet 6 inches.
- Cover 5 feet 0 inches.
IMPROVED IRON HORSE DRAG-RAKE. Highly commended at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting, Lincoln, 1854. Prize, Paris Exhibition, 1856. Obtained the First Prize of the Royal Agricultural Society at Salisbury, 1857.
Horse rakes are used for collecting hay, corn, stubbles, twitchgrass, etc. for raking in clover and grass seeds, and as weed extirpators on young cereal crops, for which purposes they are of the highest utility, performing the work more cheaply and thoroughly than can be done in any other way.
Each tooth swings independently of the other, so that the whole set readily adjusts itself to uneven land. The frame is also furnished with side levers, so that the rake can be used with one wheel in the furrow if necessary. There is an arc on the shafts, so that the teeth may be set to penetrate the ground, or skim the surface lightly, by which they are prevented from collecting the soil or rubbish with the corn, or from pulling up the young clover when raking barley. Each alternate tooth can be raised out of work when desired, so as to form a coarse rake. This is useful when raking twitch, or other weeds, brought to the surface by harrowing. The wheels are of iron, and capped to prevent the admission of dirt.
They are made in three sizes, and with steel or iron teeth. The steel teeth are much the lightest and most durable.
A lad can clear the rake of its load instantaneously, without stopping the horse.
PATENT SELF-BALANCING HORSE DRAG-RAKE.
In this rake the driver rides on a seat so arranged that the weight of his body partly counterbalances the teeth. The rake is cleared by the driver depressing the footboard, and as the driver rides, much more land can be got over in a day, than with those rakes in which he has to walk behind.
MODEL OF RANSOMES' PATENT SELF-RAKING VICTORIAN REAPER.
This machine is suitable for cutting any description of cereal crop, and delivering it at the side of the machine in neatly-formed sheaves. The automatic delivery is extremely simple, and capable of variation according to the weight of the crop.
It consists of a series of rakes and arms which revolve round a vertical shaft under the guidance of an irregular waved ring or cam, in such a manner that they bring the grain forward to the knives, and when cut deliver it at the side of the machine. This machine has been very severely and successfully tested by practical farmers under very varying conditions.
8-HORSE POWER PORTABLE HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM ENGINE.
This engine is one of Ransomes and Sims' standard series of portable steam engines which are made from 3 to 20 horse power, and with single or double cylinders.
Portable steam engines are extremely simple, durable, and easy to manage; and are capable of application to all the requirements of a farm; such as driving thrashing machines and all machinery for the preparation of food for stock, steam ploughing and tilling; and also for working circular, horizontal, or vertical saws for cutting timber — for driving pumps for irrigation — millstones and mill gear, quartz-crushing machines, stampers, amalgamators, &c. and are built for burning either wood or coal, a great desideratum in countries where coal is scarce.
The boiler, which is multitubular, is of the exhibitors' own make, and is constructed with especial reference to durability, on the same model as the most approved locomotive boilers. The bulk of the plates are Low Moor, the others being best Staffordshire iron. Ample water- space is given round the fire box, and between the tubes, for the free circulation of the water, the escape of steam, and the settling of sediment. The boiler is tested by hydraulic pressure to 1001bs. per square inch. It is fitted with a steam gauge, glass water-gauge, steam whistle, 2 gauge cocks, safety valve with spring balance, blow-off cock, etc. and is lagged with wood covered with sheet-iron. It is fitted with a lock-up safety valve when so ordered.
The chimney is furnished with a wire top which extinguishes all sparks and prevents all danger of fire.
The crank shaft and connecting rods are of wrought-iron, and all small wearing parts are case-hardened.
The fly wheel is properly balanced, and can be hung on either end of the crank shaft.
The slide valve eccentric can readily be shifted to admit more or less steam, according to the amount of work to be performed, or to reverse the motion of the engine, if necessary.
The power is calculated at 451bs. pressure of steam in the boiler. Every engine is tested under steam before leaving the factory, and may be safely worked at 601bs. pressure, at which they give off double their nominal power, consuming, of course, fuel and water in the same increased proportion.
In estimating the power an engine will produce, the size of the cylinder is only one element, and by no means the most important, for it must be borne in mind, that the power really depends on the capability of the boiler to generate dry steam as fast as the engine can utilise it. In a portable engine the size of the boiler is limited by the condition that the engine must be easily portable, and these engines are furnished with as large boilers as is compatible with that condition. R. and S. have chosen a moderate sized cylinder and a quick speed, in preference to a larger cylinder and a slow speed, as possessing for this class of engine very many substantial advantages, and it will be found in practice that these engines will give off as much power, and cost as little to keep in repair, as any others of equal weight and portability, but furnished with larger cylinders.
These engines are all furnished with the following articles, viz. waterproof cover, tube brush, fire pricker, rake, shovel, screw spanners, oil can, large funnel, and spare gauge glass, which are included in the price quoted.
They are also sometimes fitted with a simple apparatus in the smoke box for heating the feed water. This economises the fuel considerably, and is not liable to get out of order.
A 10-HORSE POWER PORTABLE STEAM ENGINE, with Biddell and Balk's patent boiler. Biddell and Balk's patent boiler obtained the only prize which the Royal Agricultural Society offered for the best steam boiler in the year 1858.
These patent engines are made in various sizes from 5 to 14 horse power. They are suitable for every purpose to which a portable engine is usually applied, especially for steam cultivation and use in foreign countries where repairs are difficult. The patent boiler offers the greatest facilities for keeping the inside perfectly clean and free from mud, and thereby avoiding waste of fuel and risk of burning the plates. The boiler, as shown in the subjoined woodcut, is so constructed that the fire box, tubes, and tube plates, can he taken out all in one piece and put in again with facility. This is effected by using screws and bolts instead of rivets for the connexion of the above-mentioned parts with the shell of the boiler, the surfaces making the steam-tight joints being faced.
The great advantages of this boiler are, facility of cleaning, inspection, and repairs, so that when circumstances compel the use of bad water, the evil consequences of the same may be avoided by a frequent cleaning.
The exhibitors remark upon these boilers in comparison with the usual form of locomotive boilers,
"That the principal deposit takes place in parts of the boiler where it does the least amount of injury, and not in the parts immediately exposed to the action of the fire.
"That accurate experiments have shown a favourable result in point of economy of fuel, as compared with the ordinary boiler.
"That they are better adapted for burning wood, and
"That being higher above the ground they will travel better over rough roads."
A 15-HORSE POWER HORIZONTAL STATIONARY HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM ENGINE
The above engraving represents one of Ransomes and Sims' standard series of high-pressure stationary engines, which are made in various sizes from 4 to 20 horse power, and which have been awarded the following important prizes, viz.:—
A prize of £10 awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society of England at the Lewes Meeting, 1852; the first prize of £20, by the same Society, at the Lincoln Meeting of 1854; and was again awarded the first prize of £20 at the Carlisle Meeting, 1855 (for the 8-horse power engine).
Prize, Paris Exhibition, 1856.
These engines are made of the best materials, and first-class workmanship. They are exceedingly simple in construction and compact in form. All the parts are easy of access, and afford every facility for adjustment or repairs. They are principally supported on a very strong cast-iron frame, and may be either erected on a stone or brick foundation, or be carried on two wood sills.
The crank shaft and connecting rod are of the best wrought-iron; the slide valve is on the best principle; the feed pump is very simple, and not liable to be put out of order; there is a governor of the best construction for controlling the speed of the engine, and an improved regulating valve. The boiler is on the Cornish principle, and is perfectly safe and easy to manage; the fire is placed in an internal circular flue, and the flame passes through and along each side of the boiler to the chimney. By this arrangement, all sediment contained in the water can collect underneath the fire-flue. The boiler is fitted with a good safety valve, glass water-gauge, and everything necessary for its safe and efficient working, and is very economical in the consumption of fuel. They may be fitted with lock-up safety valve if desired.
These engines are peculiarly adapted for driving fixed thrashing machines and barn machinery, or for sawing, pumping, driving corn mills, or any other purpose for which steam power is required.
Engines of this construction are well adapted for grinding corn; they can readily be attached to ordinary millstones in wind or water mills, and are, therefore, well worthy the attention of millers who may wish to ensure the means of grinding, at all times, with economy and regularity.
When economy of fuel is important these engines are furnished with an apparatus in the foundation plate for heating the feed-water, by which one-seventh of the fuel and one-tenth of the water that would otherwise be used are saved.
PORTABLE CORN MILL on iron frame, fitted with a pair of 24-in. French burr stones, the lower one of which runs.
This mill is suitable for grinding any substance to which millstones are usually applicable, and will perform its work more rapidly than the generality of such small mills.
PORTABLE CORN MILL on wood frame, fitted with a pair of 36-in. French burr stones and dressing apparatus.
This forms one of a series of portable corn mills comprising the following sizes:-30-in. 36-in. 42-in. and 48-in. These mills are suitable for any purposes to which millstones are usually applied.
They consist of a pair of French or English millstones, mounted on a strong timber frame, as shown in the woodcut.
When fitted with French burr stones and a dressing apparatus, which can be neatly attached to the framework without adding to the bulk of the mill, they will produce the finest flour for household purposes.
For grinding barley-meal, bruising oats, or splitting beans, the English stones are quite sufficient, but French stones are preferable for producing fine flour, and much more durable.
When required for grinding Indian corn, it is recommended that the corn should be first split in a Biddell's patent bean cutter, which can be readily fixed on the top of the stone case. By this plan the stones wear much longer without dressing, and will grind faster.
If so ordered, they can be fitted with a small crane for easily turning over the top stone when it requires dressing. They may be driven by means of a horse-gear, by a portable or fixed steam engine, or by water power.
PATENT COMBINED DOUBLE-BLAST STEAM THRASHING, RIDDLING, STRAW-SHAKING, WINNOWING, BARLEY AWNING, AND FINAL DRESSING MACHINE, marked A1.
This machine is intended for thrashing wheat, rye, barley, oats, and other grain and dressing them ready for market, which operations it performs in the best manner. The drum is 54 in. clear width, and is fitted with patent reversible wrought-iron beaters, which do not break or injure the grain, and which will thrash barley so that it will malt perfectly. The grain is fed into the machine longitudinally, so that the straw is not bent in thrashing, and consequently it leaves the machine without being injured. After the corn has passed through the drum, the straw is carried into the patent shaker, in which part this machine radically differs from any other yet brought out. The objects to be obtained by a good shaker are threefold:—
1st. To separate the straw so that any grain remaining in it may be retained in the machine.
2d. To carry back the grain and short straws thus separated to the dressing part of the machine.
3d. To carry away the straw so that it may be easily removed from the tail of the machine.
The old reciprocating or crank shakers only accomplish the first and third of these requirements, and that at a great expense of power and wear and tear. To accomplish the second desideratum, additional apparatus is necessary, which generally consists of heavy reciprocating riddles set at an angle under the shaker, or some other equally cumbrous contrivance.
The patent rotary shaker with which these machines are fitted, accomplishes the above throe requirements in a perfectly satisfactory manner.
The rollers are so placed that the spikes of one roller nearly touch the circumference of the adjacent rollers, and also the board which forms the bottom of the shaker. The rollers revolve at equal speed, so that as the straw leaves the drum it is shaken continually in a jerking manner, which exactly resembles the action of handshaking by means of a fork. The spikes on the rollers nearly touching the bottom board of the shaker, all the short straws and grain are helped back at each revolution of the shaker towards the riddling apparatus. As there is no reciprocating movement about the shaker, the power required to work it is very small, and as the riddling apparatus is, by the shaker, so much relieved from the work which it usually has to do, it also is very light
and requires but small power to drive it, whilst the wear and tear are consequently reduced to the lowest point. A series of riddles is arranged in the machine; their use is to sift the straws and ears from the grain and chaff; and they differ in size of mesh to be used according to the grain to be thrashed. Whilst the corn is passing through the riddling apparatus, it is subjected to a blast produced by the fan, and this blast is made stronger or weaker by opening or closing the doors at the ends of the fan box. The chaff is blown towards the back of the machine. After the thrashed grain has passed through the riddles, the clean corn is carried down to the elevator bottom, whence it is carried up by the elevators, dropped into the barley awner through which it passes into a chob-cleaner or white-coater, which effectually strips the husk from the kernels to which it may still be adhering. If the drum and concave are properly set, this machine leaves very few chobs or unthrashed ears.
The grain then passes over the sieves, which are arranged as in a common dressing-machine, and is simultaneously operated upon by a blast which removes all the dust, dirt, and seeds, and leaves the grain perfectly bright and clean.
It next passes into the patent adjustable rotary screen, which separates the thin kernels from the best corn, and leaves the sample ready for market, dressed in a better manner than it could have been done by hand.
It will be evident that a machine which has to finish wheats of different kinds and sizes of kernels, also oats, barley, rye, &c. and take out from the bulk the light corn, must either be furnished with several screens, or its one screen must be capable of considerable and ready adjustment. After much consideration, R. and S. have succeeded in producing and patenting a screen which may be readily and quickly adjusted. to suit different kinds of grain, and which, by a simple arrangement is self-cleaning, so that it never can become blocked up by the grain lodging between the wires.
By means of this screen two separations are made, viz. good corn and light or chicken corn. The amount of distance between the wires is regulated. at pleasure, so that the owner of the machine, or the person who has hired it, can set it to take out as much or as little tail corn as he pleases.
The A1 machines are all fitted with this screen, and the advantage which it gives them over the old plan, of having a separate screen for each kind of gram, is very great.
This machine may also be fitted with a patent apparatus (carried on the same framework), by which the straw, as it leaves the machine, may without any manual labour at the machine be carried to any convenient distance, within a limit of 50 feet, and formed into a stack not exceeding 27 feet in height.
These machines are made in several sizes, all of which stand in the first rank for simplicity, durability, economy of power in proportion to the work done, and excellence in all the operations which they profess to perform. In order to meet the rapidly increasing demand for these articles, Ransomes and Sims have recently erected a costly series of tools for preparing all the woodwork for them, so that the whole machine is constructed with an accuracy and solidity entirely unattainable by hand-work, and as only thoroughly seasoned wood and the best materials are used, the utmost durability is thus ensured.
These machines are sold at the lowest prices which are compatible with the above qualifications, and Ransomes & Sims desire to draw attention to the fact that the customer has their reputation to guarantee the excellence of their machines, for they cannot afford to send out any which are not in every respect of the first class ; also, that so-called cheap machinery can in general only be produced by the use of inferior material and unsound workmanship, and speedily shows itself to be the most expensive, often entailing on the unfortunate purchaser a permanent outlay and annoyance.
These machines have been awarded prizes and medals as follow:-
- At the great trial of thrashing machines by the Agricultural Society of Belgium, during the second week of April, 1858, at Brussels, to the No. 1 and also to the A1 machine, a special prize, grand gold medal of honour.
- At Vienna, 1857, a gold medal.
- At Pesth, 1857, the highest diploma of merit awarded.
- At Amsterdam, 1857, a gold medal.
- At Paris, 1856, a first-class gold medal and 300 francs.
- At Rotterdam, 1858, first-class gold medal.
- At St. Petersburg, 1860, a gold medal.
- At Schwerin, 1862, from the German Landowners' Union, the gold medal of honour.
PATENT COMBINED DOUBLE-BLAST STEAM THRASHING, RIDDLING, STRAW SHAKING, WINNOWING, AND BARLEY AWNING MACHINE, marked B1.
This machine is similar in its general construction to the A1 previously described, but it has no screen. Except the final screening, it performs the same operations as the A1, and is strongly recommended in all cases where screening is not absolutely necessary.
IMPROVED PORTABLE THRASHING MACHINE, suitable to be worked by horses or oxen without unloading the horse-works, as shown above.
This machine thrashes various kinds of grain perfectly and without injury, leaving the grain and chaff together. The barn-work or thrashing part only requires to be unloaded; the driving gear remaining upon the 4-wheel carriage around which the horses walk. The grain when thrashed is dressed by hand at any convenient period. From its simplicity and the facility with which it can be transported and used, this machine is well adapted for mountainous and other countries where repairs are difficult and the roads bad.
The exhibitors also manufacture portable horse-power thrashing machines mounted on 2-wheel carriages, as shown in woodcut.
Before using these machines the horse gear and thrashing drum must be both unloaded and fixed as below.
These machines are also made to drive with a strap through an intermediate motion. The annexed drawing represents one on this construction as fixed for work, and with a winnowing machine attached,
NEW PATTERN DRESSING MACHINE, No. 3.
This machine is fitted with a spiked roller. It will dress rough grain just as it comes from thrashing machines which have no riddle or blower. By throwing off the strap, lifting out the spiked roller, closing the toothed plate, through which it works, with an iron cover, and changing the sieves, the machine is prepared for dressing grain as usually delivered from the single-blast steam thrashing machine. By setting the machine as above, but taking out all the sieves, it may be used as a blower or as a malt screen. Extra sieves for seed dressing are sent when ordered, and when they are used the screen must be closed.
PATENT SELF-CLEANING AND SCREEN, with stone separator.
This machine will separate thin and light grain from a sample of barley, wheat, etc. making a perfect sample without leaving good grain with the tail.
The distances between the wires can be altered, so that more or less light grain may be removed as desired, and the screen is therefore equally applicable to grain grown on different soils, or in different climates or seasons.
This screen is perfectly self-cleaning, so that it is always equally effective. It has no brushes either inside or outside, nor any washers or cleaners passing between the wires, and is therefore free from the objections to which screens so constructed are liable in wear.
The action of this screen is continuous. It is therefore subjected to less strain in working, and requires less power, than those in which the action is backwards and forwards.
To merchants and maltsters this screen is invaluable, being from its adjustability applicable to foreign as well as home-grown barley, and for one season's growth as well as another. To farmers it is also invaluable, enabling them so to dress their barley that it shall command the highest price, and to use for feeding purposes the light corn, which, if not separated, would lower the value of the whole sample.
BIDDELL's PATENT BEAN CUTTER, for splitting hard or soft beans, peas, and Indian corn.
Obtained the silver medal of the Royal Agricultural Society at Gloucester; the silver medal of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York, 1853; and a second-class medal at a meeting of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland, at Killarney, 1853.
It is well known that neither solid-roller mills nor millstones will split beans unless they are in good condition, on account of their sticky nature when damp. A stone or other foreign substance passing into a solid-roller mill generally damages the rollers, which are costly and difficult to repair.
In Biddell's patent bean cutter these defects are entirely remedied. The barrel or cutting roller is hollow, and is formed by a number of separate triangular steel cutters, arranged around the circumference of two end rings, and so set that there is more clearance at their back than at the cutting edge, therefore the mill can never choke, no matter what may be the size or condition of the beans. Each tooth has three separate cutting edges, which can be successively used, and when all are worn out they may be easily replaced with new teeth by an ordinary labourer at a very small cost, viz. 7s. 6d. for a complete set. The amount to which the beans are crushed is governed by a screw, and care must be taken not to set the cutting plate so close that it touches the barrel.
They are also well adapted for cracking peas or Indian corn, and have been successfully applied over a pair of stones for cracking the Indian corn before grinding, which enables the stones to do their work more quickly, and with less power. For this use they are mounted over the stone box, and the split corn passes from the bean cutter spout into the hopper of the corn mill.
They are made in two sizes, No. 1 and No. 2, and are mounted on column, as shown in woodcut, or on a bracket.
With the No. 1 mill one man can cut 3 bushels of beans per hour; two men, 5 bushels per hour. If driven by horse or steam-power, at a speed of 150 revolutions per minute, it will cut 24 bushels per hour.
The No. 2 mill, which is extra strong, and with brass bearings for power only, when driven at 150 revolutions per minute, will cut from 25 to 30 bushels of beaus per hour.
BIDDELL'S NEW PATENT STEEL OAT MILL
In Biddell's patent oat mill, the roller has the cutting edge formed of pure steel, supported at the back by cast-iron. This enables us to harden the steel as much as can be done by fire and water, for the cast-iron not being susceptible of hardening by the same process, we get the toughness of the soft material supporting the keen cutting edge of the harder metal. Thus a very durable and excellent article is produced, and at a cheaper rate than could be done by the old process of making the cutting barrels of wrought-iron, and then case-hardening them, an operation which was attended with much risk and expense. The other process, of making them of cast-iron and case-hardening them, produced an apparently good article, but a very worthless one really, as the hardening was only skin-deep, and soon wore away.
PATENT COMBINED STEEL MILL for beans and oats, on iron stand, No. 10.
The combined mills consist of the working parts of the above mills mounted on the same spindle and frame, by which the efficiency of each mill is maintained, but the cost of two frames is saved, and the space occupied is also less.
Some thousands of these patent mills are iu use, and giving the greatest satisfaction.
PATENT COMBINED BEAN AND OAT MILL, AND OIL-CAKE BREAKER, No. 17.
This mill consists of three distinct mills on one frame, viz. a Biddell's patent bean mill which will cut and crush about 3 bushels of beans per hour; a Biddell's patent oat mill, adapted for cutting and crushing from 3 to 5 bushels of oats per hour and a No. 4 oil cake breaker, for breaking and screening linseed or rape cake.
BIDDELL'S PATENT UNIVERSAL MILL, No 18.
This mill forms one of a series, and consists of a smooth-roller bruising mill and a Biddell's patent bean cutter mounted upon the same frame, and which may he used simultaneously or separately at pleasure.
The smooth-roller mill is intended for bruising oats, linseed, malt, or barley. It consists of two cast-iron rollers of equal diameters and widths, mounted on a strong frame,'and to do the same work requires less power than those which are constructed with one large and one small wheel, which was proved by the trial before the Royal Agricultural Society at Chester, in 1858, where one of these mills, in competition with all the best mills on that construction, was awarded the first prize as the best oat and linseed crusher.
The patent bean cutter is intended for breaking beans, peas, Indian corn, &c. They are made of various sizes, and suitable for hand, horse, steam, or water power.
BIDDELL'S PATENT CAM CHAFF CUTTER, No. 3.
This chaff cutter obtained the first prize of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, at Chester, in 1858, as the best chaff cutter for hand power.
This machine is fitted on iron frame with wrought legs, and cuts two lengths of chaff, in. and g in. It is adapted to cut a large amount of chaff with but little consumption of power.
UNIVERSAL CHAFF CUTTER, No. 7, with rising and falling rollers, for hand, horse, steam, or water power.
This machine may be worked by one man, with handle at A; by two men, with handles at A and B; by horse or steam power, through a crotch or pulley on spindle A.
It is simple in construction, and not liable to get out of order. Except the wood feeding trough, it consists entirely of metal.
The knives are as easily sharpened and set as in an ordinary chaff cutter.
This machine is furnished with a patent lever for instantly stopping the rollers, in case the hand of the feeder should be drawn in. The few cog wheels in this machine are cased over, so that no danger can arise from them.
It cuts two different lengths, viz. 0.5in. and 0.25 in. or a greater variety if so ordered.
Of 0.5-in. chaff one man will cut about 3 cwt. of hay, two men 5 cwt. one horse 10 cwt. per hour.
This machine will cut any substance to which machines of this class are usually applied, such as hay, straw, clover, hop-bines, sorghum, cane trash, etc.
BIDDELL'S NEW PATENT ROOT CUTTERS.
One of these machines obtained the first prize of the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Chester, in 1858.
They are made in different sizes, and to cut roots either into slices for beasts, into finger-pieces for sheep, or into thin shreds for fermenting.
This machine is fitted with knives for cutting slices in. thick, the entire width of the root. It is also fitted with cross-knives, which are easily thrown in and out of work, and which cut finger-pieces in. wide and in. thick.
They effectually cut the last piece. The roots do not hang up as in other machines. The hopper is divided into three parts, so that by filling one or all, the machines may be worked either by a boy or a man as is most convenient.
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Sources of Information