1863-06-19 The Engineer - Shanks Article

SHANKS MOWING MACHINES.

This invention, by James Shanks, of Arbroath, relates more especially to that class of machines used for mowing or cutting short grass and vegetables or plants, commonly known as "lawn mowing machines," and it consists-

First, in the dispensing with the ordinary cutter bracket with the screw for raising it up and down, and in the substitution therefor of an eccentric brass or other bash, fitted into the frame of the machine. This eccentric bush is fitted with a slotted flange, and by merely turning it round the cutter or actual mower is raised or lowered as may be desired, according to the direction of the turning. Second in the placing or attaching a flap or pendent end to the grass box of the machine when fitted with a delivery apparatus. This arrangement is so fitted that when the travelling end is at one end of the box the flap at the other end is down, and this part opens when the travelling end begins to move.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation, partially in section, of a portion of a lawn mowing machine, sufficient to show the application of the improvements thereto. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine corresponding to Fig. 1, and taken inside the box or receptacle in which the cut grass is received.

The framing A of the machine is of the usual construction, the after part is supported on the duplex rollers B, whilst the forward part of the frame is carried on the rollers C, which may be adjusted so as to regulate the beight of the machine from the ground. At the central part the framing extends downwards, partially covering the open cylindrical frame to which the helical cutters are fixed. To the outside of the framing at this part is fitted a metal bush D on each side of the machine. These bushes have formed in each of them a segmental slot E, which extends round the periphery of the bush as shown in Fig. 1. Each bush is retained in the desired position by means of a screw which projects out from the face of the framing A. and a pinching out which holds the bush firmly in position. The bushes Dare each formed with a circular aperture to receive the end of the spindle G of the rotary cutter H; this aperture, as is shown in Fig. 1, is eccentric to the centre of the bush. The object of this arrangement is to afford a ready and efficient means of adjusting the height of the cutter from the sole plate H This is done by simply loosening the nut F, by means of a spanner or wrench, and turning the bush D round to the desired extent, so as to raise or lower the bearing of the spindle G; and the bearing on the opposite side of the machine is adjusted in a similar manner. In this way the height of the cutter H from the sole plate H1 can be regulated with the utmost precision.

Another improvement in connection with these machines consists in an arrangement for instantaneously discharging the contents of the gram box without requiring the machine to be stopped or other- wise interfering with the progress of the work. The grass box or receiver 1, into which the grass is thrown by the action of the rapidly revolving cutter H. is fitted with a movable partition or travelling and pince J, which serves when moved from end to end of the grass box, to deliver the cut grass in a body out at the side of the machine. This end piece J is fitted on the outer edge with a grooved palley K, which runs to and fro on the horizontal bar or rail L, fixed to the back of the grass box L. The end piece J is also Etted with a pulley M, at the lower part where it traverses over the shelving part of the box I, so as to cause it to move easily to and fro. A socket N is bolted to the end piece J, and to this socket is jointed the front end of a band lever, which extends upwards and in a backward direction so as to be within convenient reach of the person who is guiding the machine. When the end piece J is caused to move from left to right, or from one end of the box to the other, for the purpose of discharging the cut grass, it also operates a flap door which is arranged at the opposite end of the grass box. At the upper part of the end piece J is fitted a palley 0, which traversos to and fro on the angular bar P. This bar or rod is centred at one end on a pin projecting out from the face of the box I, and at the other it is jointed to the small bell crank lever Q. The horizontal arm of the lever is connected to the swinging flap door B, which is hang from the curved stay rod 8. When the operator desires to discharge the eat gras from the box I, a simple movement of the hand lever berein before referred to, from right to left, will cause the end piece J to traverse in the opposite direction. As the end plece moves along the pulley O depresses the rod P, which draws down the bell crack lever Q, and raises the flap door R, so that the grass ia free of any obstruction. The operator instantly releases the hand lever, when the weight of the flap I causes the pulley O to descend the bar P rapidly, and thus restores the end piece to its normal position. In this way the person guiding the machine can by an exceedingly simple movement discharge the grass from the box I from time to time as required; this is effected in a manner so easy and rapid that it does not interfere in any way with the progress of the work; so that as the mowing proceeds, the cut grass is deposited in heaps at regular intervals; without necessitating the sweeping of the cut surface, which is thus left perfectly smooth and clean.