Trials of Self-binding Reapers at Aighurth. 
107 
machine, and seems to require a powerful draught. The fol- 
lowing figures, showing front and rear elevations of McCormick's 
Grain-binder, and the mechanical description, are from Mr. 
Coleman's Report : — 
The cbief peculiarity of the invention consists in the mounting of the 
binding-apparatus upon a traversing carriage so that the binding-arm moves 
up to that part of the table which receives the grain from the elevating apron, 
strikes into the inflowing grain, separating the portion to be bound, encircles 
it with wire, which, owing to the application of a spring arrangement, is 
endow^ed with the requisite degree of tension to secure a closel^'-bound sheaf, 
twists the wire and cuts it off during the backward movement, and finally 
discharges the sheaf. 
The driver adjusts the binding mechanism so as always to bind the bundle 
midway of the length of the grain, by means of a lever-handle, mounted on a 
small lantern-wheel working in a rack and connected, by flexible links passing 
over pulleys, with the binding mechanism, which moves freely backwards and 
forwards in a direction parallel with the length of the grain. The subjoined illus- 
trations (Figs. 1 and 2) show the front and rear elevation of the binding- 
Fig. 1. — Front Elevation of McCormick's Grain-hinder. 
apparatus. C is the driving-shaft, on which is a double sproggle-wheel which 
gears into corresponding wheels on which the driving-chain I passes, as well as 
over corresponding wheels on the opposite end of the gear frame J. The arrow 
i shows the direction in which the chain-gear travels. This chain carries a 
I slotted link, I, connected with a shaft, L, and imparts the reciprocating motion 
I to the binding-arm necessary for the various motions. I will endeavour to 
I describe the mechanism. N, are pitmen pivoted on the crank L' of the 
I shaft L, attached respectively to the cranks o 2^ of two rocking shafts, concentric 
with each other and mounted in bearings in an overhanging support of the 
binding-frame. The crank which operates the compressor is adjustable laterally 
1 by the slotted rack and set screw, and its throw is thus regulated. The inner 
ll 
