A New Shearing Machine.

Hastings Standard, Issue 318, 10 May 1897, Page 4

A New Shearing Machine.

A CLEVER INVENTION. The following description of a new shearing machine is from the pen of " Bruni," in a late issue of the Australasian : ELECTRICITY THE MOTIVE POWER. For some months past I have heard of a new shearing machine, which was to be worked by electricity, and from what those who had seen the machine said of it I was under the impression that it would prove of the greatest advantage to the owners of both large and small flocks. Seeing that electricity is employed to do so many descriptions of work, the wonder is, not that electricity should be employed to work a shearing machine, but that it has not been used for this purpose long ago. All the shearing-machines now in use in Australia require strong shafting along the shearing floor, the working of which by means of a powerful steam-engine has proved too much for many a woolshed in which shearing by machinery has been practised. The cost of an engine to operate the shafting is not felt on a large sheepwalk, but it places the shearing - machine beyond the reach of the farmer with from 500 to 1,000 sheep. The breakages that occur in shearing by machinery have prejudiced many flockmasters against it, and on some large estates the old-fashioned shears are still used. lam under the impression that all this will be altered in a very short time. THE ELECTRICAL WOOL-CLIPPER. On Tuesday afternoon I accepted an invitation to witness the trial of a new shearing - machine, which has been named by the patentee " The Electrical Wool Clipper." This machine possesses many important advantages, which cannot fail to recommend it to sheep-owners. With this machine there is no need for any shafting to try the strength of the woolshed. All that is required to carry the power is to run a couple of wires along the side of the shearing floor. There is no strain, and the oldest and weakest building on the farm may be employed as a shearingshed without risk to the building and at a very trifling cost. At each shearing stand two wires run down from the main wires overhead, and through these wires is carried the electricity to work the cutter. Another very great advantage possessed by the new machine is that it can be worked by very small power. Each horsepower is capable of operating 20 cutters. On a farm the ordinary horseworks can be employed to work the dynamo, or, better still, a tread-power for one or two horses or bullocks may be used. THE WORKING OF THE MACHINE. The trial I witnessed on Tuesday took place at the establishment of Messrs Jaques Bros., engineers, Coppin street, Richmond, and all the preparation made was to run a couple of small wires from the engine-house, where the dynamo was situated, across a yard to an open iron shed. For a few feet back from where the wires are attached to the handle the wires are twisted into an insulated cord. The cutter is larger than that of the Wolseley machine, and is of a more clumsy appearance. It appears to be heavier, but it is really lighter than the Wolseley. The handle is oval in shape, and behind this there is a small cylinder, the sides of which are made of a close iron network. In this cylinder are the works which operate the cutter. The motion of the works draws air in at the end and expels it through the network. This constant current of air keeps the works cool, and effectually prevents that heating of the handles which has often proved an inconvenience to the shearer. The tension screw is let into the back part of the handle, is completely out of the way of the fleece, and does not catch in the wool. To prevent the insulated cord containing the wires proving an inconvenience to the shearer, a small cord is tied to it a few feet from the handle, which, passing through two pulleys overhead, and having a light weight at the other end, keeps the insulated cord moderately taut, and gives and takes with the motion of the shearer. Close by the shearers' stand is a small switchboard, where, by merely working a button, the power can be turned on or off at will. Attached to the switchboard is a resistance coil, by means of which the speed of the cutter can be checked or increased as desired. Should the shearer suddenly require to use both hands, he can lay the cutter on the floor with safety, as it remains where it is placed. The handpiece at present in use is somewhat clumsily made, but that is a matter that can be easily remedied when they are made in large numbers. The cutter is almost identical with that used in the Wolseley machine. ADVANTAGES CLAIMED FOB THE MACHINE The advantages claimed for the new machine are that it can be put in any building, no matter how week it may be ; that the power required is small, andean be as readily supplied on a farm as on a large sheepwalk; and that the cost of fitting is simpler and much cheaper than any other shearingmachine at present in use. The current of electricity employed to work each cutter is too small to give anything like a serious shock to one handling the wires, and there is no necessity for th® shearer's hand to come in contact with the wires where they are attached to the end of the handle. In the trial I saw the machine worked admirably, and the shearer who shore the sheep (a first-class workman) spoke very highly of it. There is apparently very little in the machine to get out of order, and if it turns out s,s well as it promises, it should come into favor with all classes of stockmasters.