Implement Show at Manchester. 
551 
pushed out of a recess, so as to gear with the aforesaid spur-wheel and the 
flying pinion. This gives a reverse action at a slow speed, and if pushed on 
into gear with the internally geared wheel, a forward action at a quick speed is 
obtained. It should be stated that the internally geared wheel is larger than 
the spur wheel, the latter causes the fork barrel to make 3'5 revolutions to one 
of the travelling wheel, the former 5'5. Thus we have first of all a slow 
forward and a more rapid backward action, but the introduction of the carrier 
pinion reverses this. The rapid backward motion is converted into an equally 
quick forward motion, and the slower forward motion in like manner into a 
slower backward motion. In this ingenious arrangement four speeds are 
secured with comparatively simple mechanical construction, and the necessary 
changes of pinion are rapidly efiected. The working parts are protected by 
a cover — the gearings on the wheels being carefully covered — and the weight of 
the shaft is so nicely adjusted that only 26 lbs. is carried by the horse. With a 
view to further prevent clogging, a flange is welded on the axle, and in the 
larger machine this is doubled, at a short interval ; we doubt the utility of 
either, and certainly the second flange is prejudicial and will no doubt be 
removed, since it was evident that, so far from preventing, it rather tends to 
increase the liability to clog. We may here notice the manifest advantage of 
variety of speed, to suit the paces of different animals. 
Messrs. Ashby and Jeffery, Stamford, have long been known as manufacturers. 
Their haymaker at Manchester was a wide one, apparently of light draft, the 
position of the forks being regulated by a rack-segment in front. The wheels made 
of iron are open. Neither the spindle nor the wheels were properly protected, 
consequently there was immediate clogging, and further trial was discontinued. 
Messrs. Eansomes, Sims, and Head brought before our notice quite a novelty 
in their Star Haymaker, invented by W. Andrews, of Melksham and greatly 
improved by the exhibitors. The distinctive feature of the Star Haymaker is 
the absence of forward motion. Two speeds are given to the back action by a 
simple change of gearing. The machine is strong and thoroughly well made. 
The axle is central ; and the gearing, boxed up in the centre of the spindle, is out 
of the way of the falling hay. The hobs of the wheels are covered by caps, so 
that clogging is impossible even if in the fast back action the hay is elevated. 
The tines are straight and very strong ; they are each adjustable as to pitch 
to suit the crop and the rate at which the machine travels. The teeth arms 
are lengthened or shortened in a novel and ingenious manner. A disk plate 
with eccentric slots is attached to the axle. In the arms small pins are fixed 
which work in the slots. By loosening three clip-bolts the disk is released, and 
can be turned on the axle to the required position, when rigidity is again 
secured by tightening the bolts. In turning, the teeth continue to revolve by 
their own momentum, in consequence of a rachet and pawl arrangement in the 
travelling wheels. The machine is catalogued at 13/1. 13s., which, considering the 
strength and excellent workmanship is a reasonable price. The absence of tedding 
action appears to us a defect, which might be easily altered by means of an 
annular gearing wheel. In order to test the capabilities of back action alone, 
as an efficient haymaker, we sent the machine along the swathes in the same 
direction as the mower had travelled, and so little had the grass been disturbed 
that we could distinctly see the form of the swathes, the intervals in many 
places not being covered. The crop was not by any means a heavy one, there- 
fore it is clear that, dealing with mere grass, back action alone is not sufficient. 
We think if the makers will add, as they readily can do, a forward motion, the 
Star Haymaker will become a very efficient machine. 
Messrs. Howard brought forward three machines. The first, entirely new, 
has already been alluded to. The advantages claimed for the central axle are : — 
The being able to work more perfectly across ridge and furrow without liability 
to breakage: the substitution of revolving for dead surfaces in the large 
VOL. V. — s. s. 2 o 
