NEW HEDGE CUTTER AND TRIMMER.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 3

NEW HEDGE CUTTER AND TRIMMER.

The want of a machine which would enable hedges to be cut and trimmed more expeditiously and effectively than can be done by hand is one which has been long felt. In a oountry such as this, more particularly on our plains where hedges are of considerable extent, —a machine of this character will be a great acquisition to farmers and others. Messrs Wood, Shand and Co. have now on board the Soukar en route for Lyttelton the latest pateDt machine made. It ia by Horaaby and Sons, and took the silver medal at the Bristol meeting of the Boyal Agricultural Society of England in July, 1878, as the most successful novelty in agricultural machinery of the season. The machine being quite new a brief description of it will be interesting. The machine is mounted on two road wheels of large diameter to secure light draught. Both wheels are employed in driving the working parts, the motion being communicated by an arrangement of gearing to ono of a pair of knives, similar to the knives of mowers and reapers, but larger and ef greater strength. These knives are carried by a Bliding bar projected from the aide of the machine. This bar with the cutting apparatus is so arranged as to be capable of ready adjustment to suit different circumstances, the entire machine, when set for work, being under complete control of tbe man in charge, who rides upon a seat conveniently placed for making all necessary adjustments. The cutting apparatus can be raised to any required height to suit high or low hedges, or the level of the ground on which the machine may be travelling. It can also be eet at any required angle, to cat more or less off the hedge, and to reduce its height or alter its shape as may be desired. Both sides of the hedge may be cut from the same side, so tbat the machine maybe kept on that side which is most convenient. The aide of the hedge nearest to the machine is usually cut first, and then the bar Lifted over the hedge and the angle of inclination reversed, bo as to cut the other aide. Tbe top may afterwards be trimmed if required (though this ia not usually necessary), by setting the cutting bar straight out from the machine, and the height the hedge is required to be left. The cutting bar being constructed on the same principle as tbe -paragon mower, swinging round the crank spindle, will work equally well on either side or at the top, and at any angle of inclination. The hedge when cat is A shaped, of any required width at bottom, and of any height, and it is believed this shape is tbe most generally preferred. The maohine is worked by two horses, and requires only a youth to drive and one man to manage and control the cutting, and tbe work accomplished ia about five miles of hedge, cut on both sides and at the top, per day. Where trees, railings, or other obstructions are found in hedges, the cutting apparatus can be instantly withdrawn and put into work again, when the obstruction is pasied. The machine ia substantially constructed, bo that hedges of two or three years* growth may be cut without fear of breakage, but where they are regularly cnt they will be gone over once or twice in each year.