INVENTIONS & APPLIANCES OF INTEREST TO AGRICULTURE

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 77

INVENTIONS & APPLIANCES OF INTEREST TO AGRICULTURE

PRUNING IMPLEMENT. The staff of this implement has two top end plates, hooked to for-m a crook, between which is rotated a cutting knife.

The cutter may have serrated or plain edges and, the knife edges being symmetrical about the centre line, either blade can be reversed for increased life of the tool. CULTIVATOR HOPPLE. The distinctive feature of this hopple is the two bolt connection at the centre of one side. With both bolts in place the hopple is rigid, but with the upper one removed, a hinge is formed, the

movement being limited by the stop midway between bolts. The latter arrangement is designed for use when scraping cotton or in trashy ground, permitting either beam of the cultivator to be raised. ANIMAL DRINKING TROUGH. The large upper trough with hinged covers is for cows or large animals, and and the low, small ( one for pigs or small stock. The main water supply is to the

large trough, and is controlled by a simple float valve. The upper trough, by a similar float valve, supplies the lower one, which has L-shaped hinged plate for rapid cleaning. CULTIVATOR. Ihe frame of this double gang spring tooth cultivator consists of front and rearbeams, connected at their ends by stay braces and supported by longitudinal beams which carry the crank axle bear-

ings, and which are brought together at their forward end to carry the drawbar. Lifting power is taken from one of the wheels through a clutch. Operating depth is adjusted through the crank handle and screw on top. DITCH DIGGING MACHINE. The tractor drawn ditcher is carried at its front end by a yoke supported through a piston and compressed air cylinder. The latter permits rapid raising and lowering to clear obstructions. The

digging member is carried in a frame which rides the ground surface. A conveyor takes the excavated material to the rear and raises it to a transverse conveyor to be deposited clear off the track. AUTOMATIC TRACTOR AND PLOUGH HITCH. This is designed to release the plough from the tractor when the resistance is excessi’v e, and to automatically re-engage when the" tractor is backed up. The

tractor shackle engages with one arm >f the four-armed dog, which is held fro-.a revolving past the pin in the slide onlj’ so long as the tractor pull is less than that of the. compression spring.