1920.] The Fowler Self-Lift Stetch Plough. 1003 



steam tackle — using a balance plough and doing half a stetch at 

 a time — or by horses is a laborious operation, and a new plough 

 has been specially designed to plough by means of steam tackle 

 stetches of a width of about 7 ft. 6 in. in one operation. 



It may be stated that Mr. Edward Robinson, of vSouth- 

 minster, Essex, was the originator of this plough. He first 

 of all constructed a working model on a cultivator frame, 

 and this experimental implement did a good deal of useful 

 work. The new type of plough was brought to the notice of 

 the Food Production Department, and the idea appeared to 

 be so promising that it was decided to make arrangements with 

 IMessrs. John Fowler & Co., Leeds, for an experimental plough 

 to be built on the lines suggested by Mr. Robinson, the cost 

 being borne by the Department. Some improvements were 

 introduced at the suggestion of the Department and of iMessrs. 

 Fowler & Co., and eventually an experimental plough was 

 constructed. The implement was first tried under actual work- 

 ing conditions in Essex in October last, and proved highly 

 satisfactory. Mr. Robinson at once agreed to purchase the 

 plough and ordered another one of the same type from the 

 makers. At the trial, land was ploughed at the rate of about 

 2 J acres per hour, and as the implement recently ploughed 

 70 acres in five short working days it appears to be maintain- 

 ing an excellent record under working conditions. 



Deecriptlon of tho Plough. — The plough is constructed to 

 cut eight 9-in. furrows, and is capable of ploughing to a depth 

 of 6 in. ; it is supplied with skives, mould-boards, steel top 

 and bottom frames, turning-lever, lifting-gear, and self-acting 

 raising-gear. 



The construction and work of the plough are shown by the 

 three photographs reproduced. 



The plough is of the class used for cable traction, and is 

 turned round for the return bout by the pull of the engine 

 cables, which are attached to the triangular turning-lever 

 carried by the implement ; each cable becomes alternately 

 the hauling rope and the slack rope. 



The turning and lifting are done by the pull of the cables, 

 through a lever, a Hfting chain and segment on the axle. The 

 top frame is carried on a main axle, two hind wheels, and a 

 front or steering wheel. The plough is fitted with steerage 

 gear and self-lifting gear, as well as automatic cushion apparatus 

 for damping the fall of the underframe. 



The underframe consists of two complete and independent 

 frames, one carrying right-hand and the other left-hand plough 



