Mechanics: The Science of MachineryBond, A. Russell (Alexander Russell)
History
Mechanics: The Science of Machinery
Bond, A. Russell (Alexander Russell)
Machinery; Mechanical engineering; Mechanics
We think of the plow as a very simple tool, but the modern implement
is a product resulting from a vast amount of study and research into
the materials most suitable for its construction and into the best form
of share and moldboard. In place of a single plow for all purposes the
modern farmer is offered a large assortment to suit various classes
of work. At least three different kinds of plows are indispensable on
every farm; the sod plow, the stubble plow, and the corn-cultivating
plow. The sod plow is used for turning over the sod and breaking the
clod. This is provided with a jointer or diminutive plow point set
above the share, which turns over the edge of the furrow to prevent
grass from growing up between the furrows. The stubble plow has a
moldboard with less twist than that of the sod plow. This is used for
plowing land that was under cultivation during the previous year.
The plow of to-day has become more than a hand-guided, horse-drawn
tool. It has developed into a real machine, mounted on wheels, with a
disk or coulter wheel that cuts the furrow cleanly, means for leveling
the plow and regulating the depth of the plow, and a seat for the
plowman. It works upon soil with the same precision that a planer works
upon a slab of cast iron. The furrow is neatly sliced, lifted, and
turned over with mechanical accuracy. As the furrow slice slides over
the moldboard of the plow the soil is pulverized by friction. The front
furrow wheel runs in the furrow previously cut which serves as a track
to guide the machine. The front and rear furrow wheels are inclined
from the vertical so as to balance the thrust of the plow and they
may be given a lead toward or from the “land” or unplowed part of the
ground to regulate the steering automatically. The proper adjustment
and balancing of a plow calls for considerable skill.
Agricultural operations are now conducted on such a vast scale that
the single plow cannot begin to do the necessary work. Instead, sets
of gang plows are used so that from a dozen to two dozen furrows
may be turned at a time. Steam or gasoline tractors of the wheel or
track-laying type are required to furnish the tractive effort needed to
haul these huge plows. The larger tractors are so powerful that they
haul not only the plow but a harrow behind the plow to break up the
clods and a seeder behind the harrow to sow and cover the seed so that
all three operations are performed simultaneously.
The disk type of plow is used in very dry and hard soil and also in
very sticky soil. A rolling disk takes the place of the moldboard and
share, and in this way friction is reduced very materially, with the
result that less tractive effort is required to draw the machine.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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