SHEEP SHEARING MACHINE.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7527, 17 April 1890, Page 3

SHEEP SHEARING MACHINE.

The trial yesterday afternoon ot tbt Hbward-Geddes sheep shearing machine at Messrs Matson and Co.'c Canterbury Wool Stores was very successful. Tfee machine, the principle of which h&8 already been described in our coMsHSS, worked admirably on all classed of $iesp, taking the wool off most completely afld cleanly, whilst evincing great %a»e in manipulation. The overhead driving gear consists of two bevelled wheels, one üßin} running vertically and the other (3Jta\ -horizontally. These wheels are eormtectea with a Sin spiral spring. This again Sβ connected with a 2ft 6in steel rod; threeeighths of an. Inch in diameter, , hsiVisla below it a 7in spiral spring, which goes direct to a spar wheel connected with a universaljofnt giving the motion to the machine. The machine itself which performs the cutting consists of a threebladed cutter, passing over a ten-tooth comb, which is similar in construction to those used in other friction machines. The rigidity which the steel rod gives enables the operator to work: with greater certainty and freedom than with the indiarubber flexible tube of the Woiseley. Aα elbow joint enables the operator to give any inclination he may desire to the cutter with great certainty- ol action. The time made ranged from four to five urinates per sheep, * iraa In order to show what the machine could do all kinds of sheep were operated on, and in both longwools and merinos the work done was equally good. One pi the longwool sheep shorn cut 81b of .wtioi. There was an entire absence of wounding, and the sheep were shorn as closely «c possible, no wool being left on, whilst the ease with which Mr Brown, the agent ot the machine, carried out the work showed that it will be of great benefit to ahe«p owners. The various exhibitions were l&rgeiy attended during the day, and the greatest satisfaction was expressed by all the experts who saw the machine Jα wtaxSog order as to its eap&baities. • ; '