NEW HEDGE CUTTER AND TRIMMER.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1621, 1 May 1879, Page 4

NEW HEDGE CUTTER AND TRIMMER.

Tho want of a machine which would enable hedges to be cut and trimmed more expeditiously and effectively than can bo done by hand is one which has been long felt. In a country 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 patent machine made. It is by Hornsby and Sons, and took tho silver modal at the Bristol meeting of tho Royal Agricultural Society of England in July, 1878, as the most successful novelty in agricultural machinery of the season. The machine being quite now a brief description of it will be interesting. The machine is mounted cn two rood wheels of largo diameter to s* cure light draught. Both wheels are employed in driving the working parts, the motion being communicated by au arrangement of gear.ng to one of a pair of knives, similar to tho knives of mowers and reapers, but larger and of greater strength. These knives are carried by a sliding bar projected from the side of the machine. This bar with the cutting upparalus is so arranged as to bo capable ot ready adjustment to suit different circumstances, tho entire machine, when set for work, being under complete control of the man in charge, who rides upon a seat cenvonicutiy 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 tho ground on which the machine may botravelling. It can also bo set at any required angle, to cut more or lets off the hedge, and to reduce its height or alter its shape as may bo desired. Both sides of the hedge may be cut from the same side, so that the machine may be kept on that side which is most convenient. The side of the hedge nearest to tho 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 side. The top may afterwards be trimmed if required (though this is not usually necessary), by setting the cutting bar straight out from tho machine, and the height the hedge is required to be left. Tho cutting bar being constructed on the same principle as the 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 cut is a shaped, of any required width at bottom, and of any height, and it is believed this shape is the most generally preferred. Tho machine is worked by two horses, and requires only a youth to drive and one man to manage and control tho cutting, and the work accomplished is 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, tho cutting apparatus can bo instantly withdrawn and put into work again, when the obstruction is passed. Tho machine is substantially constructed, so that hedges of two or three years’ growth may be cub without fear of breakage, but where they are regularly cut they will be gone over once or twice in each year.