US729189A - Manure-spreader. - Google Patents

Description

No. 729,139. PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

LE GRAND KNIF'FBN.

MANURE SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

\\\\\\Ylllll-nlllllgimlw E "as:

Wneases mid/5% m: cams PETER: c0. Pnoroumo" wAswmomNA D- c.

No. 729,189. PATBNTED MAY 26, 1903. LE GRAND KNIFPBN.

MANURE SPREADER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 14, 1902.

H0 MODEL. 4: SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED' MAY 26, 1903.

I No. 729,189.

LE GRAND KNIFPEN. MANURE SPREADER. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE-14, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

No. 729,189. PATENTED MAY 26, 1903. LE GRAND KNI'FFBN. MANURE SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1902.

.30 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No; vaaise.

UNr'rnn STATES Patented May 26, 1909.

LEGRAND KNIFFEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLlNOlS;

MANURE-SPREADER.

ernotmoe'rton forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,189, dated May 26, was.

Application filed June 14, 1902. Serial No. 111,687. (No model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LE GRAND KNIFFEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manure-Spreaders; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention consistsin variousimprovements of the construction and arrangement of parts of manure-Spreaders, particularly of that class of said machines such as is shown in Patent No. 687,935, issued to me December 3, 1901--that is to say, of the type of manurespreaders in which a box or body is mounted on the running-gear of a wagon and has in its bottom a traveling and endless conveyer which gradually carries the manure toward the rear end of the body, at which end it is cast and distributed from the vehicle by means of a rotary beater having spikes or teeth to engage the manure, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

Some of the objects of the invention are to provide means to prevent the escape of manure between the front end-gate and the endless and traveling conveyer; to remove from the outer surface of said conveyor as it passes under the front end-gate any manure that might cling or adhere thereto; to remove from the inner surface or returning portion of the conveyor any manure that might collect thereon by reason of it passing between the lags of the upper or advancing portion thereof; to protect the beater from the advancing load of manure on the oonveyer, as well as when the machine is being loaded, by means of a partially rotatable and packed shield which performs the double function of an end-gate when lowered and a wind-brake when raised;

to automatically lock and hold said shield in.

its raised position; to make the conveyer quite close at its joints without interfering with its flexibility and movement, therebypreventing to a great extent liquid manure or fine manure escaping between the lags or slats of the conveyer; to throw the beaterin and out of gear and to drive and regulate the movement of the .conveyer; tostrengthen and brace the box or body of the machine against the downward pressure or weight of the load; to allow the con veyer to pass between the body and axles of the running-gear; to adjust the toothed bars of the heater to any desired angle with respect to the load of manure; to hold lumps of manure at the rear of the beater after they have passed over the same until they have been disintegrated or pulverized by the action of the teeth of the beater.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be mentioned in the description and explanation given below.

- Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my manure-spreader with the conveyor, beater, and seat removed. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side thereof with the tractionwheels removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view in elevation of the regulating mechanism for the conveyer. Fig. 4: is a like view showing a modified form thereof. Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of the box or body and the conveyer thereunder, showing them shortened for the convenience of illustration and illustrating the means for preventing the escape of manu re between the front end-gate and the conveyer and also for removing manure from the outer surfaceof the conveyer. Fig. 6 is a shortened plan view of the conveyor, showing the scrapers or cleaners for removing manure from the upper surface of the returning portion thereof. Fig. 7 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a portion. of the conveyor, showing the construction of the lags or slats forming the same and also illustrating the construction of the link belts used thereon. Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of said links, showing it shortened for the convenience of illustration. Fig. 9 is a side view in elevation thereof. Fig. 10 is a detached perspective View of one of the springs used in actuating the pawls of the conveyor-regulating mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 11 is a fragmental view of-a portion of one of said pawls, showing the spring in place thereon. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the detainer, which is located at the rear of the beater. Fig. 13 is a similar view of a modified form thereof.

Fig. 14 is a detached perspective view of the.

wind-brake. Fig. is an end view in elevation of a portion of one side of the box or body, showing the gear-shift thereon and in clutch. Fig. 16 is a similar view of like parts, showing them out of clutch or gear. Fig. 17 is a detached edge view of a cam lever or dog used for operating the clutch on the gearshift. Fig. 18 is a face view thereof. Fig. 19 is a fragmental end view of the beater, showing the means for adjustably securing the toothed bars thereon. Fig. 20 is a rear view of a portion of the beater. Fig. 21 is a side view of the rear part of the body, showing a casting or bracket thereon provided with bearings for one end of the rear axle and the shaft of the main sprocket-wheel and pinion. Fig. 22 is a siniilar View of a like -;portion of the opposite side of the body, show ing a casting or bracket thereon for the support of the other end of the rear axle. Fig. 23 is a rear end view of said brackets, showing their relative positions to one another and to the conveyer. Fig. 24 is a detached inner face view of the bracket shown in Fig. 21. Fig. 25 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 26 is an inner perspective view of the front portion of the body, showing the means to prevent the escape of manure between the lower portion of the front end-gate and conveyer and for cleaning the outer surface of the latter. Fig. 27 is a similar view of like parts, showing a modified form of said cleaner. Fig. 28 is a side view of a portion of the bracket used for supporting one end of the beatershaft, one arm of the rear end-gate or shield, the catch to sustain the same, and an arm for an idler; and Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Like numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views of the drawings. 7

The numeral 40 represents the runninggear of the wagon, which may be of the usual construction, except that the wheels thereof are preferably provided on their peripheries .with traction or friction attachments for the middle and extend below the bottom of the body, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and serve to assist in strengthening and bracing the body. Extending longitudinally along the lower portion of each of the sides of the body is a sill 44, which supports a series of antifriction-rollers v45, on which the advancing portion of the conveyer 46 travels or that portion thereof on which the manure will rest. Journaled transversely at the front ends of these sills is a shaft 47, on which is mounted near each of its ends a sprocket- Wheel 48 to engage the link belts or chains of the conveyer. Transversely journaled at the rear ends of the sills 44 is another shaft 49, on which is mounted near each of its ends a sprocket-wheel 50, also for the purpose of engaging said link belts. At the front ends of the sides 41 and 42 of the body is vertically located an end-gate 51, the lower portion of which extends to near the front portion of the conveyer, yet leaves a space therebetween in order that the latter may move freely. To prevent the manure escaping between the lower end of the end-gate 51 and the conveyer, I secure to the inner surface of the lower portion of said gate an apron 52, which may be made of flexible material and slightly curved, as is clearly shown in Figs. 26 and 27 of the drawings. Secured longitudinally on the outer surface of the apron 52 is a block or cleat 53, which is provided with a series of bristles 54 to form a brush for sweeping off any manure that may cling to the outer surface of the conveyer. Instead of providing the apron 52 with a brush or bristles on its outer surface, as shown in Fig. 26, I may secure to its outer surface a scraper 55 to rest against the outer surface of the conveyer, as is clearly shown in Fig. 27 of the drawings.

The conveyer 46 comprises a series of shiplapped legs or slats 56-that is, each of said lags or slats is formed alternately on its edges with a rabbet 57 and a tenon 58, thus forming close joints between the lags. Each of the lags is provided near its ends and in each of its edges on its lower or inner portion'with recesses 59 for the reception and operation of theupturned arms 60 and 61 of the links 62, which form the link belts or chains for the conveyer. Each of the links 62 is provided with a vertical screw-bolt 63 at about its middle, which passes through a suitable opening in one of the lags near its end and is secured thereon by a nut 67 or otherwise. The upturned arm 60 on one end of the link 62 is formed with a hook 64 to engage the rounded portion or pin 65 on the upturned arm 61, at the other end of the adjacent link, thus uniting the links and forming an endless belt or chain, one of which is located near each end of the lags forming the conveyer, so that the arms 60 and 61 will be located in the recesses 59, as above stated. At one of its ends each of the links 62 is formed or provided with a downwardly-projecting lug 66 to engage the sprocket-wheels 48 and 50 used for moving the conveyer.

Secured transversely to the sills 44 and between the same near their front and rear ends are cross-bars 68, to each of which is secured, by means of link-rods 69 or otherwise, a pair of obliquely-inclined scrapers 70, which rest at their lower edges on the upper surface of the returning portion of the conveyer and are employed for the purpose of scraping therefrom any manure that may pass between the joints of the lags of the conveyer, in which operation the thus-collected manure will be caused to pass out under the sills44, as is apparent.

Journaled at the rear end of the box or body is a cylindrical beater, which in the present instance comprises two circular heads 71,

mounted on a shaft 92, and which heads are connected together by means of bars 72, each of which carries a series of teeth or spikes 73 and are seated at their ends in curved repass through said slots and arms.

cesses 74, formed in the flanges 75, which are usuallylocated on the inner or adjacent surfaces of said heads. The flanges 75 are each provided in the recesses 74 with slots 76 to receive one end of the spikes or teeth 73, which ends are screw-threaded to receive nuts 77, employed for holding the bars 72 in the desired position to give the teeth 73 the desired angle with respect to the load of manure, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 19, in which the various positions of the teeth are .shown by dotted lines.

Extending rearwardly over the heads 71 of the heater and at each side of the body is an arm 78, on each of which is located a casting or piece 79, having slots 80, which castings or pieces are ad justably secured on the arms 78 by means of bolts and nuts 81, which bolts On the rear ends of the pieces 79 is journaled a detainer, which comprises a cross-bar 82, having a series of tines or prongs 83, which ex tend to the rear of the beater-teeth, yet in and is employed to yieldingly hold the de-j tainer in position.

Instead of providing the bar or shaft 82 with tines or prongs, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, I may secure thereto a piece of metal or other suitable material 86, which may be flexible or otherwise, but which will extend downwardly at the rear of the beater.

In using the detainer when constructed with the tines 83 or with the piece 86 it is apparent that if the beater carries over manure in the form of lumps the detainer will hold it at the rear of the beater until it is disintegrated or pulverized. As the detainer is adjustable by means of the slotted pieces 79 and is yieldingly held in place, it is evident that it will ofier no obstruction to the proper discharge by the beater of the manure unless it is in lumps.

Secured to the rear end of one side of the body or box and usually to that side indicated by the numeral 41 is a bracket 87, and secured to the rear portion of the opposite side 42 is another rearwardly extending bracket or casting 88, in the rear portions of which brackets or castings the beater-shaft is journaled. Pi votallysecured on the rear upper portion of the brackets 87 and 88 are the arms 89 of the curved shield 90, which is preferably provided around its end and bottom edges with packing 91, of rubber or other suitable flexible material, so as to prevent leakage at the rear end of the box or body when the said shield is lowered to perform the function of the rear end-gate. The casting or bracket 88 is of special construction and affords bearings for the beater-shaft 92,- the gravity-catch 93, and the arm 89 of the shield 90 or rear end-gate, which arm carries a pin 94, with which the catch 93 engages when it is desired to retain the shield 90 in its raised position. The catch or dog 93 is journaled on a stub-shaft 95 on the lower rear portion of the bracket 88, which shaft is formed with a recess 96 to receive a lug 97 on the catch to prevent it turning too farin either direction.

Adjustably secured on the front portion of the bracket 88 is an arm 98, which has journaled on its lower end an idler 99 to tighten the sprocket-chain 100, which passes over the sprocket-wheel 101 on-one end of the beatershaft 92 and also over the main sprocketwheel 102, which is mountedon a shaft 103 on the lower rear portion of the box or body. The inner portion of the hub of the sprocketwheel 102 is formed with an annular groove 105, in which projects one end of a spring 106, which is secured at its other end to the box or body and serves to hold the sprocketwheel in place. The outer portion of thehub of the sprocket-wheel 102 is provided with a clutch-face 107 to engage a clutch 108 on the inner portion of the hub of the pinion 109, which is loosely mounted on the shaft 103, and has an annular groove 110 in the outer portion of its hub for the reception and operation of a spring-actuated yoke-bar 111, which is secured at its upper end to the rear portion of one side of the box or body. Pass ing through an opening in the upper portion of the bar 111 is a bolt 112, around which is a spring 113, which rests at one of its ends against the head of said bolt'and at itsother end against the bar 111 and normally presses the same inwardly, so as to cause the clutches 107 and 108 to engage. Pivotally secured on the bolt 112 is an eccentric lever 114, which has on its outer face a earn 115 to coact with the inner surface of the bar 111, so as to force the same outwardly. Connected at one of its ends to the lower end of the lever 114 is a rod 116, which is connected at its other end to a hand-lever 117, fulcrumed on the front portion of the box or body. Connected to the lower end of the arm 89 of the shield 90, which carries the pin 94, is a rod 118, the other end of which'is movably connected to the rod 116, as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. By moving the hand-lever 117 in the proper directionthat is, rearwardly-it is apparent that the lever 114 will be turned so as to throw the yoke-bar 111 outwardly, thus disengaging the clutches 107 and 108 and throwing the pinion 109 out of gear with the pinion 119, which is rigidly mounted on the rear axle on the running-gear At the same time by unhooking the catch 93 from the pin 94, on one of the arms thereof, the shield 90 may be lowered from its raised position, so as to prevent the too-ready escape of the parts of the load that may be in a pulverulent or semiliquid condition on account of the packing 91 to use for supporting or furnishing bearings for the rear axle of the running-gear and other parts located near the rear end of the machine. The bracket 120, which is secured to the side 42 of the box or body and one of the sills 44, or that side of the body on which the gear-shift above described is located, is formed in its lower portion with a journalbox 121 for one end of the rear axle, and in about a horizontal plane therewith a journal box or bearing 122, in which the shaft 103, on which the main sprocket-wheel is mounted, is preferably fixed. The inner face or surface of the casting 120 is formed with a horizontal flange 125, on which a portion of one of the sills 44 will rest. Just below the flange 125 and at about its middle the bracket is provided on its inner surface with a stubshaft 126, (see Fig. 23,) on which is journaled a roller 127, with which the return portion of the conveyer 46 will impinge in its movements. On the rear portion of the side 41 of the body and to the sill thereunder is secured another bracket 128, which is provided with a journal-box 121 for the other end of the rear axle and with a stub-shaft 126 and a roller 127 thereon to support the lower portion of the conveyer. This bracket is provided on its inner surface with a horizontal flange 125, on which a portion of one of the sills 44 will rest.

From the above it will be understood that the bracket 120 furnishes the bearings for one end of the rear axle, the shaft 103, and the stub-shaft 126, as well as the support for the rear end of one of the sills. The bracket 128 furnishes bearings for the other end of the rear axle, the stub-shaft 126, and the support for the rear end of the other sill.

By reference to Fig. 23 it will be seen that the sills 44, on which the friction-rollers 45 are journaled," are so supported on the brackets 120 and 128 that the return portion of the conveyer will pass between the lower surfaces of the said sills and the rear axle. To the lower portion of each side of the body, near its front end, is secured a bracket, the lower end of which is secured to the end of the front bolster, so as to hold it at a distance from the sills of the body, thus supporting them in such a manner that the return portion of the conveyer will pass between the lower surfaces of the said sills and the bolster, all of which is an important feature and one that, so far as I am aware, is novel.

On the opposite side of the body from that on which the driving mechanism for the heater is located is the mechanism for regulating the movements of the conveyor 46, so as to control the manure as it is fed to the heater, and this mechanism (see Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings) consists of a toothed gear or ratchetwheel 131, which is fixed on one end of the shaft 49, over which the conveyer passes, and which shaft, asbefore stated, is provided with sprocket-wheels 50 for the chains or link belts of the conveyer. Pivotally secured on a shaft 132, near the gear or ratchet-wheel 131, is a vibrating bar 133, which has pivotally secured thereon,above the shaft 1 32,a pawl 134,the free end of which engages the upper portion of the gear 131, as shown. Secured at one of its ends to the bar 133 below its pivot is another pawl 135, whose free end also engages the teeth of the wheel 131 below the point of engagement of the upper pawl. Each of these pawls is held in position and in engagement with the ratchet-wheel or gear 131 by means of a spring, which comprises a loop 136 to rest on the upper surface of the pawl, and which loop is formed with coils 137 to receive the ends of the pins on, which the pawls are pivoted and to give resiliency. Extending rearwardly from the loop 136 are arms 138, which embrace the vibrating bar 133 and secure the spring in position thereon. Suitably located on the bar 133 is a box 139, to which is pivotally secured at one of its ends a pitman 140, the other end of which is connected to a crank 141 on the end of the beater-shaft 92 opposite that on which the sprocket-wheel 101 is mounted.

Journaled. on the upper end of the bar 133 is a pulleyor sheave 142, over which passes a cord 143, which is secured at one of its ends to the box 139 and passes down and against another sheave 144 on the pivot-shaft of said bar. The other end of the cord 143 is connected toa hand-lever 145, fulcrumed on the front portion of the body, and which lever carries a. grip-rod 146 to engage a segmental rack-bar 147 on the front of the box or body. By moving the lever 145 in the proper direction it is apparent that the box 139 will be raised or lowered, thereby lengthening or shortening the stroke of the bar 133 and through it regulating the movement of the gear 13 1= and the conveyer.

Insteadof using the above-described mechanism for operating the conveyer I may employ one of the construction shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, which consists in pivotally securing near the gear 131 a rocker-box 148, having spring-actuated pawls 134 and 135, as in the other construction, to engage the said gear. Passing through the rocker-box 148 is a vibrating bar 133, which in this instance has pivotally secured to its upper end the pitman 140, which is connected to the crank 141 133 and its other end connected to the handlever at the front of the machine. In using the mechanism now under consideration it is apparent that bymoving the lever 145 back and forth the bar 133 will be slid through the opening in the rocker-box, thereby shortening or lengthening the stroke of the same.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a manure-spreader, the combination of the body, with a conveyor movable rearwardly at its bottom, a flexible apron transversely fixed at the front portion of the body just above the conveyer to prevent the escape of manure between the front end of the body and the conveyer, substantially as described.

2. In a-manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an end-gate fixed in its front portion, a conveyor at the bottom of the body and movable rearwardly, a flexible apron located at the lower portion of the end-gate so as to prevent the escape of manure between it and the conveyer, substantially as described.

In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an end-gate in its front portion, an endless conveyor at the bottom of the body, a yielding apron located at the lower portion of the said gate so as to prevent the escape of manure between it and the conveyer and without impeding the movement of the latter, substantially as described.

4. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endless conveyer at its bottom, a yielding apron located across the front portion of the body just above the conveyer, a cleaner on the under surface of the apron and in contact with the outer surface of the conveyer, whereby the escape of manure is prevented and the conveyor is cleaned substantially as described.

5. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the .body, of an endless conveyer at its bottom, a yielding apron across the front of the body just above the conveyer, a brush cleaner located on the under surface of the apron and in contact with the outer surface of the conveyer, substantially as described.

6. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an end-gate in its front portion, an endless conveyer at the bottom of the body, a yielding apron secured to the lower portion of the end-gate, a cleaner on the under surface of the apron and in contact with the outer surface of the conveyer, substantially as described.

7. In a manurespreader, the combination with the body, of a beater journaled at its rear end, a curved shield having an arm at each of its ends pivotally secured near the shaft of the beater, one of said arms having an extension projecting below its pivot and carrying a pin, and a catch or dog pivotally secured so as to engage said pin and to hold the shield in a raised position over the beater, substantially as described.

8. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endless conveyer at its bottom, a rotary curved shield provided with packing on its perimeter and pivotally secured at the rear end of the body so that when lowered it will form an end-gate and when raised will form a hood or wind-break, substantially as described.

9. In a manurespreader, the combination with the body, of an endless conveyor at its bottom, a rotary curved shield having a pivoted arm at each of its ends and provided with packing on its perimeter, one of said arms having an extension projecting below its pivot and carrying a pin, and a self-acting dog or catch pivotally secured so as to engage said pin and to hold the shield in a raised position, substantially as described.

10. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of abeater-shaft j ournaled at the rear end thereof and having on one of its ends a crank, a heater on said shaft, a conveyer-shaftjournaled at each end of the body, an endless conveyer passing over said conveyer-shafts, a ratchet-Wheel or toothed gear on one end of the rear conveyer-shaft, a vibratory bar located near the ratchet-Wheel, pawls located one above the other on said bar and engaging the ratchet-wheel, a pitman connecting the crank of the beater-shaft and the upper end of said bar, a pulley suitably journaled and located on the bar, a

hand-lever fulcrumed on the body, a cord connected at one of its ends to said lever and passing against the pulley and having connection at its other end with the end of the pitman opposite that to which the crank is connected, substantially as described.

11. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of a beater-shaft journaled at the rear end thereof and having on one of its it ends a crank, a beater on said shaft, a conveyer-shaft journaled at each end of the body, an endless conveyerpassing over said conveyer-shafts, a'ratchet-wheel or toothed gear on one end of the rear conveyer-shaft, a bar pivotally secured near the said gear, springactuated pawls pivotally secured one above the other on said barand engaging the ratchetwheel or gear, a pitman connected at one of its ends to the crank of the beater-shaft and slidably connected at its other end to the said bar,'a pulley journaled on the upper end of IIO the bar and another pulley journaled at about its pivot point, a hand-lever fulcrumed on the body, a cord connected at one of its ends to said lever and at its other end to the slidably-connected end of the pitman and passing over said pulleys, substantially as described.

12. In a manure-spreader, the combination with thebody, of a rotary beater journaled at the rear end thereof and having heads at its ends, each of said heads being provided on its inner surface with a flange having curved recesses provided with slots, a series of bars located in said curved recesses, teeth or spikes extending through said bars and having their inner ends adjustably secured in the slots of the recesses, substantially as described.

13. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body having rearwardly-extending arms at its rear end, of a toothed rotary beater journaled at the rear end of the body and below said arms, a slotted plate or piece adjustthe rear end thereof, a detainer adjustably' and yieldingly mounted on the rear end of the body above the beater and having tines or prongs extending downwardly at and near the rear of the beater, substantially as described.

15. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endless conveyer at its bottom, a bracket secured to each of its sides near its rear end, each of said brackets having in its lower portion a bearing for the rear axle, said axle journaled in said bearings, an inwardly-extending stub-shaft, a roller journaled on said stub-shaft, and a horizontal flange on its inner surface above the axlebearing for the support of the body, so that the conveyerinay pass between the body and the rear axle and in contact with said rollers, substantially as described.

16. In a manure-spreader, the combination with thebody, of a bracket secured to one of its sides near the rear end thereof,said bracket being provided in its lower portion with a bearing for one end of the rear axle, a bearing for the shaft of the main sprocket-wheel, an inwardlyprojecting stub-shaft, and a horizontal flange on its inner surface above said bearings to support one side of the body, the rear axle journaled in the bearing therefor, the shaft for the main sprocket-wheel journaled in the bearing therefor, and the main sprocket-wheel mounted on the lastnamed shaft, substantially as described.

17. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endless conveyer at its bottom, a bracket secured to each of its sides near its rear end, each of said brackets having a bearing in its lower portion for the ends of the rear axle, and a flange on its inner surface, whereby the body will be supported at a distance above the rear axle to permit the return portion of the conveyer to pass between the body and said axle, and the rear axle journaled in the said bearings, substantially as described.

18. In a manure-spreader, the-combination with the body, of the brackets 38, secured to the rear end of its sides, each of said brackets having a bearing for one end of the beatershaft, a bearing for one arm of the curved shield, and one of the brackets having abearing for the self-acting catch to hold said shield in its raised position, the beater-shaft journaled at its ends in the bearings therefor, the

shield having its arms journaled in the bearings therefor, and the catch journaled in the bearing therefor, substantially as described.

. LE GRAND KNIFFEN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. O. TILLMAN, A. GUSTAFSON.

Images