7 
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Plate V. 
§ 45. The Lever Power is probably in more extensive use than that with the Endless 
Chain principle, when those in use in the whole country are considered. There are several 
reasons which have caused its wide introduction, and which still operate to a great extent 
to give it the preference in many sections. 
Among them the first and most important is the necessity, in many portions of this and 
other grain-growing countries, of expedition in threshing out the crop. This expedition is 
caused, in some sections, by the necessity of long and slow transportation by water to 
market, between harvest and the closing of navigation by lakes, rivers and canals. Another 
is the want of barns and proper protection for unthreshed grain, as also the risk of wet 
weather and exposure in field threshing, dry weather being necessary for this operation. 
The Proprietors have, therefore, from observation and trial, constructed a good Horse 
Power on the Lever principle, an engraving of which appears upon Plate V. 
§ 46. As represented here, it is constructed with a large, horizontal, bevel master wheel, 
about five feet diameter, with teeth upon its under side, and revolving upon a substantial 
centre shaft, which is very permanently fixed to the bed sill timbers, and from which the 
tumbling shaft, with a bevel pinion upon one end, working into the master wheel, receives 
its force and motion. This shaft extends across the track of the horses, and has a large spur 
geer wheel upon its outer end. The sill timbers also extend the whole distance, and, being 
framed together, form a support to the shaft, and also to a head stock or frame for support¬ 
ing a short counter shaft. This shaft is provided with a spur pinion at one end and a 
coupling and band wheel at the other. This pinion engaging with the large spur wheel 
before described, receives its force and motion therefrom, and imparts it through the band 
wheel to the threshing machine. The engraving Plate V, with the foregoing description, 
give a full idea of its construction. 
§ 47. This Horse Power is probably the most simple of any in use, and one of the most 
portable. As it is constructed, the force and motion are readily applied to any machine by 
a band or by a universal coupling and tumbling shaft, as the case may require. 
§ 48. The Lever principle has the advantage over an Endless Chain Power in the fact of 
its admitting of from four to eight, or even twelve horses, whose united force exceeds any¬ 
thing yet made on the endless-chain principle. 
A good sweep or Lever Power, with eight or ten horses, and ten to twelve men, will accom¬ 
plish, with a good, large Thresher and Cleaner, about double the amount per day that the 
best two-horse Railroad Horse Power will average; and although the comparative cost per 
bushel of grain for threshing with the Lever Power far exceeds the cost with the Endless 
Chain, it is a matter of minor importance as compared with the saving in time effected in 
threshing out a large crop, under the disadvantageous circumstances of distance from market 
and risks of damage from the weather and exposure. 
§ 49. Another advantage of the Lever Power over those of the Endless Chain is, that they 
can be used with light horses and mules, whose weight and travel upon the endless chain 
would not be sufficient to accomplish the desired amount of work, while the united force of 
the additional number of horses, by the use of Levers, would be sufficient to drive the 
machines up to produce satisfactory results. 
§ 50. Whenever the amount of work which can be performed with the Endless Chain 
Power by two good horses, as represented in sections 25 and 29 of this work, will be satis¬ 
factory, it will be found, on investigation, the most economical in power, also in expense 
and convenience. It enables the farmer to do his work inside of his barn—to work in all 
weathers—to operate it with his own men and horses about his farm. Its first cost is much 
less—it is more readily and cheaply cared for or repaired when worn by use—is more port¬ 
able and readily put in order and operated by any person about the farm or plantation. All 
these points have been considered, and there is no room for a mistake, while one more thing 
not mentioned is the fact that the farmer owning one of them can take advantages of mar¬ 
kets and prices of his produce; and whilst only one team is required for the threshing, 
the others may be about other work on the farm, or on the road to market. 
Price of Power, with Levers, $125 ; weight, complete, about 1500 lbs. 
MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES CONSIDERED AND COMPARED. 
§ 51. In the Endless Chain the force of the horses is applied, through the endless chains 
and platform, to the reels in a tangential direction, or at right angles with the radius of the 
reels themselves—the horses walking in a straightforward direction, and not in an angular or 
sideways manner as with the Lever Power. 
Again, the gearing Is.so arranged that it permits the team, whether horses, mules or 
oxen, to travel at their own natural gait, and generate the force and motion in a like ratio, 
without any draft or harness. 
$ 52. All experience has shown-that the .required force or power to produce a given result, 
by horses, &c., is more easily obtained from their muscular action in traveling with their 
own gravity a given distance upon an ascending grade than by their direct draft as used with 
lever powers, as in the first case it is the result of the natural muscular conformation of the 
animal. 
