1842-06-01 The Farmers Magazine - New Shanks Mower
THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.
VOLUME THE FIFTH.
(SECOND SERIES.)
JANUARY TO JUNE, MDCCCXLII.
LONDON:
OFFICE, 24, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND.
MAY BE HAD BY ORDER THROUGH ALL BOOKSELLERS.
THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.
NEW MOWING MACHINE.
Having had to answer so many inquiries from neighbours respecting the merits of an improved machine for mowing lawns, I cannot help thinking an account of it would prove interesting to many of your readers; and it will gratify me if you will accept the communication, as an acknowledgment of the satisfaction and benefit I derive from the perusal of your ably-conducted journal.
The machine in question is nothing more than an application to the cutting of grass of an invention long in use for the shearing of velvet. The idea of this application is still the subject of a patent, in England, in favour of a Mr. Budding, the inapplicability of whose machine to large spaces had long been a subject of regret to me.
The accidental discovery that the patent had been taken for England only, led to my employing a very ingenious mechanic in my neighbourhood (Mr. Shanks, of Arbroath) to construct the implement I first used. His success was complete, and I have had the experience of a whole season to test it. My lawn (consisting of nearly 2 acres) was cut weekly, all last year, by one man, aided by a small pony, in a style not to be surpassed, if equalled, by the best scythes man. The breadth commanded was 27 inches, and about eight hours were expended in going over the whole. Two men could draw the machine easily; but finding the horse's feet, when working (as answers best in dry weather), left no permanent mark on the grass, I preferred the latter: it is guided by leading reins. During the season no repairs of any kind were required; and I do not think that even sharpening will be necessary until after several years' repetition of similar work.
This success suggested a further improvement with a view to economy; viz., the giving the machine weight enough to act as a roller, and, at the same time, increasing the cutting breadth. The new machine, which commands 42 inches (and of which I enclose you a calotype representation, by a novitiate in the exercise of that promising invention of Mr. Talbot's), has been just tested, and its success surpasses my expectation. The lawn of 2 acres is now cut, the grass swept up, and the ground effectually rolled by my gardener, assisted by the pony, in 24 hours; and the execution, particularly where there is a good sward, leaves nothing to be desired. When the ground is much fogged, a surface is produced very similar to velvet.
Mr. Shanks has added a revolving brush, for the purpose of better delivering into the cutters the grasses, which are found occasionally reclining horizontally: it works well, and enables a higher sward to be removed at one operation; but these cases are, or ought to be, of infrequent occurrence: this apparatus is easily detached. The economy effected may be easily estimated by any one; I shall not, therefore, go into the detail of its calculation: it is simply the whole expense in labour of scything, minus the difference in interest of capital invested in the machine, and in roller, scythes, rakes, &c. I paid £18 for the first machine, and I understand the cost of the new one (were there several to be made) would not much exceed £20; but for this I must refer parties to Mr. Shanks himself, who, in the present extraordinarily depressed state of the machine-making business, will, I doubt not, be but too happy to at tend to any orders he may be favoured with. Looking to the accuracy of the execution, the weight of material, &c., I consider the price as lower than it could be done for in times of even ordinary prosperity. I ought to mention, that application may also be made to Mr. Ferrabee, of Stroud, Gloucestershire, the agent for Mr. Budding, and an extensive maker of machinery. He came down here last year, and made himself acquainted with the details of the machine, and has, I believe, arranged with Mr. Shanks as regards the English patent. I have only to conclude by saying that if I have omitted any desirable information regarding what I cannot help thinking will be found a useful as well as economical improvement, I shall be happy to supply it through the same medium. - W. F. Lindsay Carnegie, Kimblethmont, Arbroath.