546 
Implement Shoio at Manchester. 
notice the great vibration and noise in some parts of the gearing during work. 
Messrs. Howard's machine chancing to come on light plots for trial, was after- 
wards put on some unlevel ground where it made fair work, but did not adapt 
itself well to the inequalities of the ground. 
Messrs. Picksley, Sims, & Co., No. 1967. — This is a strong machine, with 
working parts well ])rotccted. It made good cutting in its first trial, but being' 
unable to adapt itself to ridge and furrow, the ground was sometimes ploughed 
in its second trial where the laud was unlevel. The dynamometer test also 
proved the draught to be heavy. 
^Messrs. Burgess and Key, No. 174. — When this machine is merely travel- 
ling, a clutch lever, which operates in both directions, throws out the gearing, 
so that there is nothing running but the bearing-wheels. The pinions are 
secured on to their shafts by the plan of cutting in each pinion-boss a thread, 
so as to make the boss act as a nut to screw on to its shaft, which is formed 
with a thread to receive the boss. It is said that this plan answers perfectly 
well, that the threads do not gull nor the wheels become loose, and no doubt it 
has the advantage claimed for it by the exhibitor, that the least skilful of 
farm labourers in mechanical matters can unscrew one wheel if broken, and 
replace it by another. The swathing board is made in two parts in its height, 
and can be adjusted to varying altitudes as may be required. Generally the 
construction of this machine is good, the gearing is placed outside the wheel, 
and follows in the track of the swathing board. The connecting-rod is short, 
and on a level with the knife. The brackets, holding gear, spindles, crank- 
shaft, and gearing are all duplicated ; and the whole can be replaced for 21., so 
that in cases of accident or injury occurring to any one of these parts, it can 
be replaced at a cost of a few shillings. This machine did its work level 
and well, perhaps not cutting so low as some others (more especially in the 
dynamometer tests, when all attempts to lower it failed), but working with 
uniformity and steadiness throughout. The plan adopted for keeping the 
machine constantly lubricated by means of small bottles of oil, protected by 
iron cases and placed over the bearings, appears to be good. 
Messrs. Hornsby and Sons' New Manchester Mower, No. G38. — This machine 
had the wrought spoke bearing-wheels, the nut-locking arrangement, and the 
di'aft attachment of No. 636. It has not, however, the short connecting rod 
and corresponding position of hinged joint which that machine lias, and the 
knife therefore of 638 can only be worked within the ordinary range of angle 
up or down at which the generality of machine knives can work, but the 
machine is as thoroughly excellent as regards the workmanship as the machine 
No. 636. The draft, especially in the trial when the Iriction of the machine 
alone was taken, was extremely small. The machine works remarkably well, 
but the near wheel runs continually on the swathe last cut. The horse also 
walks on the grass more or less. This we consider to be objectionable. 
Mr. A. C. Banilett, No. 3968. — This is a strong serviceable machine, suitable 
to any crops. The large swivel-wheel in front takes the weight from the 
horses' shoulders, and there is a compensating action by which the position of 
the knife-bar may Ite altered during progression. The fingers are made so as 
when fixed to leave side by side openings below the knife-bar. This is stated 
to obviate any risk of choking. There is also a good arrangement for oiling 
the crank and the knife bearings. This machine made level and good work, 
and taking into consideration its strength and cutting aipabilities, and the 
good arrangements for raising the knife-bar, and altogether its adaptation to 
unlevel fields and heavy crops, we cannot but speak of it in favourable terms, 
notwithstanding its heavy draught. 
Our awards in this class were as under : — 
Richard Hornsby and Sons, No. 636, Prize of 201. 
Walter A. Wood, No. 478, Prize of 17^. 
