338 



Report on the Exhibition of Implements 



(hind wheels 3 ft. 4 in. diameter, the fore wheels 3 ft. diameter). 

 The weight of the whole, including carriage and wheels, is about 

 2^ tons ; the consumption of fuel per day, at full power, from 

 4 to 5 cwt. The power of the engine may be used from either 

 side, either right or left, as required ; and the connecting or 

 driving shaft attached in a direct line with the thrashing-machine, 

 thus simplifying the machinery, and making the best use of the 

 power. Price 200Z. 



A portable steam-engine, 5-horse power ; invented and manu- 

 factured by Messrs. Barrett and Ashton. It is nominally of 

 5-horse power, but capable, from the capacity of the boiler and 

 cylinder, of working up to a much higher power. An agri- 

 cultural steam-engine being much exposed to the weather, and 

 consequently the frictionable parts liable to corrosion, brass is 

 introduced as far as necessary (being a non-corroding sub- 

 stance) ; this will be found of great service in preserving the 

 full power of the engine, and also its durability. The cylinder 

 is furnished with a brass metallic piston, insuring its being at 

 all times ready for immediate use ; the rod of the piston is 

 cased with brass; and the force-pump, being susceptible of 

 getting out of repair through corrosion, by hot and cold water 

 continually passing through it, is also made of brass entirely, 

 instead of iron. In this steam-engine the principle of direct 

 action is carried out. The piston-rod communicates immediately 

 to a connecting link formed like a bow : to the upper part of 

 it the connecting-rod is suspended, so that when the engine is at 

 work the crank performs its revolutions in this bow. The object 

 of this contrivance is to bring the working parts of the engine 

 under the entire control of the person who attends it, and yet to 

 keep them at a convenient distance from the ground, so as not 

 to endanger them when travelling on bad roads. The engine 

 is capable of giving out from 60 to 300 revolutions per minute ; 

 and one uniform speed can be maintained throughout by means 

 of a governor. In thrashing, the variation of the feed to the 

 machine gives the engine a constant irregular motion, which 

 is not only injurious to the engine itself, but also to the work- 

 ing of the machine ; but the governor or regulator always pre- 

 serves the same uniform velocity that is fixed upon ; if the 

 machine be fed lightly, or if some other machine (which may 

 be working with the thrashing-machine) is disconnected or 

 stopped, the governor instantly shuts off a proper portion of 

 steam from the cylinder, and the reverse if a greater amount 

 of power is required from the engine. To prevent the bright 

 part of the engine being exposed so much to the weather, the 

 working parts of the entire engine are enclosed in a wooden 

 box, which can be locked up and made secure from the interfer- 



