27G Report on the Trials of Reaping Machines at Leamington , 
i 
Class III. Combined Reaping and Mowing Machines without 
Self -delivery. — The first trial of the combined machines was in 
a good crop of upstanding red wheat. 
Plot 1. Messrs. R. TTornshy and Sons' 1 " Manchester " Mower (476 Catalogue 
number), with two driving-wheels having ribbed tires, the finger-bar in 
advance of the wheels, with a small runner- wheel supporting it, and the draught- 
rod yoked to the forward part of the tilting frame which carries the finger- 
bar. The width of cut is 4 feet 3 inches, the total width of machine 8 feet 5 
inches, but the bar is turned up for travelling. The driver's seat is placed in 
the rear of the near-side wheel, and the seat for the rake-man is in advance 
of the axis and between the main-wheels. The fingers are at 3-inch inter- 
vals, and the throw of tlie crank is 2§ inches ; the effective depth of the 
notches between the 3-inch knife-sections is If inch, and the machine 
advances 2 y L inches for each cut. The length of the crank connecting-rod is 
22s inches. To change the mower into a reaper, it is necessary to take off the 
grass track-board ; attaoh an off-wheel ; put a divider on the off-side shoe, the 
side-board ending in an inclosing plate where it is attached to the shoe ; put on 
an ear-lifter; add a grate or tippiug-platform of wood slats at the back of the 
finger-bar ; place the rake-man's seat ; attach a sheet-iron shield for the driving- 
wheel ; change the speed of the driving gear for the crank, and slip the pole- 
plate and driver's seat on the bridge to a position nearer to one side. One 
horse in shafts worked this machine in the trial, the driver walking ; the 
delivery was by manual rake and grate tilted by loot ; and good work was done, 
the half-acre plot being finished in 35 minutes. 
Plot 2. — Messrs. Brujharn and Co.'s " Buckeye Junior" Machine (383 
Catalogue number). This is the same machine with which the firm com- 
peted at Tauuton. The cut is 4 feet 9 inches. There are two driving- 
wheels with ribbed tires, and a floating or flexible finger-bar in advance of 
the wheels. The driver's seat is supported by springs, this being shifted 
backward in changing the mower to a reaper. A divider is bolted on to the 
outer end of the finger-bar, and a tipping-slat platform attached for delivery 
by treadle. The knife-sections are of 3-inch breadth, with 2 inches effective 
depth of the notches for cutting. The fingers are at 3-inch intervals, and 
the knife reciprocates from finger to finger, the machine advancing 2 inches 
for each single cut or stroke. In a nice upstanding crop, this machine cut, 
for the most part, close and well ; and the manual delivery was good. One 
stoppage occurred from the driving-wheels crossing a furrow, the knife running 
upon tbe earth in front; and in a second stop from the same cause, a stone 
was caught and jammed in the knife, breaking the top of a finger. 
Plot 3. — Messrs. Hornshy's " Paragon 0" Machine (473 Catalogue number), 
the same which won the first prize as a mower at Taunton ; with tipping- 
slat platform, driving-wheel shield, and change of speed : attachments for 
reaping similar to those described for No. 476. This combined machine, 
with 4 feet 3 inch cut, 3-inch knife-sections, and connecting-rod 11 inches 
long, was worked by one horse, the driver walking. The cutting was perfect, 
and the manual delivery of the good upstanding crop was very good. 
Plot 4. — Messrs. Letvis and Lowcock, of the Salopian Iron Works, Shrews- 
bury, the " Emperor" Combined Reaper and Mower (1030 Catalogue number). 
This has two driving-wheels with ribbed tires, a cut 4 feet 3 inches wide, 
and a tipping platform and divider are added to fit it as a reaper. The 
change from the fast to the slower speed in the crank driving-gear is effected 
by turning an eccentric boss or centre on which one of the pinions is hung. 
The driver's seat is in a tolerably safe position. The knife-sections are 
3 inches broad, with an effective depth for cutting of 2£ inches ; and the 
