Report on the Trials of Implements at Taunton. 
673 
The safety-gear is fitted with the lever s (Fig. 41), which is jointed to the 
strap-fork s i. This lever terminates at its upper end in the handle u, being 
connected with the horizontal siiding-bar t (Figs. 40 and 41), which is fur- 
nished with another handle, u (Fig. 40), at the opposite end of the machine. 
This arrangement gives ready facility for anyone to throw the driving-strap 
on the loose pulley, and stop the feed whenever required, particularly if any- 
one fell on the feed-boards b, and had not the presence of mind to roll him- 
self off. 
This machine, to which the First Prize was awarded, is arranged in such 
a manner that any body or substance exceeding in weight a sheaf of corn, 
will, in passing over the feed-boards b, cause the apparatus to stop im- 
mediately and automaticallj'. This result is produced by the body depressing 
the safety-boards r (set edgeways between the feeder-boards b) in passing 
over the semicircular parts, v (Figs. 40 and 41), which project above the feed- 
boards B, at two points in each revolution of the crank-shaft, viz., when 
the cranks are passing the horizontal centres. 
Each safet3'-board r, being connected by a rod w (Fig. 40) with the cross- 
bar X, which is jointed at each side of the machine to levers t (Figs. 40 and 41), 
keyed to a shaft z, common to both levers Y, it follows that when any one of 
the safety-boards r is pressed down, all the others will be simultaneously 
depressed. One end of the cross-bar x is curved upwards, and jointed to 
the strap-fork s i by a pair of links, 3, 3' (Fig. 41), whereby the depression 
of X pushes the driving-strap on to the loose pulley and stops the feeding. 
The levers y are lengthened bej'ond the shaft z, to receive weights, if reqiiired, 
to counterbalance the safety-boards r. The guard a projects horizontally 
over the feeder, as an additional means of safety. A large number of this 
apparatus have been fitted to old machines, orisinally made to feed by hand. 
The practical efficiency of this machine was tested in the presence of the 
Judges by a man actually falling upon it. 
Marshall's Self-feeder and Drum-guard, No. 3880. — This attachment to a 
threshing-machine was awarded the Second Prize. It consists of two endless 
three-inch leather bands working over turned pulleys, a a (Fig. 43), at each 
side of the feed-oiJening, to which are attached wooden cross-bars, b b. Short 
iron tines, 2^ inches long, are placed at intervals on the cross-bars in such 
a position as to alternate with each other. These cross-bars are arranged to 
travel in the direction of the arrows. At a convenient height above the 
platform is a series of ten progs, h, to which an oscillating motion is given 
by means of the shaft f f (Figs. 42 and 43), the crank c, and jiulley e. The 
distance of this shaft, and consequently tlie height of the tines above the 
platform, can be adjusted by means of the combination u v (Fig. 42), the shalt 
ibeing caused to move up or down in slotted brackets which carry the bear- 
ings. This arrangement is introduced to adapt the apparatus for taking 
Jn both sheaf and loose corn, and regulating the distribution to the drum. 
~^or bean-threshing the board d takes out. Sliding-carriages are applied to 
e of the belt-spindles, to enable the endless batids to be readily adjusted, 
s a further safeguard against the possibility of accident, two endless chains- 
re afiixed over the belts and secured to each cross-bar, so that, in the event 
f either of the bands giving way, the cross-bars are held in position, and 
revented from coming in contact with the threshing-drum. 
The means adopted for automatically stopping the machine are very simple, 
otion to the feeding apjiaratus is got from the shaker-shaft by means of a 
It, fast and loose pulleys being employed. A lever is used for throwing the 
angeraent in and out of motion. The receiving-board J (Figs. 42 and 43) is 
inged, and is carried on a spring, s ; so that if any pressure is thrown upon it, 
in the case of an attendant falling, the board yields, and the apparatus is 
ut out of gear. 
