“ONCE-OVER” TILLER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9791, 15 October 1917, Page 6

“ONCE-OVER” TILLER

LABOUR-SAVING INVENTION DEMONSTRATION AT MIRAMAR. A demonstration was given at Miramar on Saturday afternoon of the newly-imported agricultural invention known aa the ■ ‘Otlcc-Oi or TLlcr, which has been introduced to New Zealand by Messrs Gibbon, Sons, and Clarkson, Ltd., of Wellington and Christchurch. A fairly largo number of spectators were present, among whom were the Governor-General, tho Right Hon Sir J. G. Ward, tho Hon, IV D. S. MacDonald, and the lionD. Buddo. Air J. B, Clarkson explained to the-o present that the “Once-Over wa.s tho Inter,t thing in agricultural science, and by its cheapness and efficiency would effect economy m manpower which for a long timo to como would bo a vital question. It had been exhibited in England for the first timo last July 18th, at tho special request of tho British and American Governments, and had done bettor than any previous system. The tiller, said Air Clarkson, bad been in use only for three months in the United States. His firm had arranged with the patentees in America for shipimaufrom Aliuneapolis, Aiinnesota, which had been carried out in record time. Those present could use their own judgment of an invention which, ho felt sure, the farming community were looking for. THE MACHINE.

The implement, which was drawn by three' horses, had a very compact appearance, being not more than about four feet either wav, with two wheels in front and one behind. principle of th® new implement is simple, but ingenious, and the essential feature consists of a nearly vertical rotating spindle fitted with blades, which is fixed against the face of the ploughshare. The earth is cut by a disc, and then churned up by_ the ploughshare in the usual way; it is then caught by the rapidly-revolving S-ehapod blades of the pulveriser, thus in one operation eliminating tits necessity for a harrow. Tho engine is mads by the Cushman Motor Company, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and is a Wiater-coolcd twooylinder four-cycle potrol engine, with outside fly-wheel and magneto ignition. Luliricating oil is contained in the crank case for the engine, and the bearings aro lubricated from a dri.p-fecd oup. A belt-driven fan cools tho radiator, situated forward of the engine, and the petrol tank is placed in front of the driver’s scat, which is comfortably sprung on a U spring. Power transmission is by combined chain and levelled, shaft drive, ami levers control the ploughshare, which can be. set from four to twelve inches in depth. FINANCE MINISTER AS PLOUGHIMAA. Shortly after commencing operations, Sir Joseph V/ard was invited to take control, and he handled tho horses in a workmanlike stylo for a round of the paddock. Some trouPlo was experienced with the motor, which stopped several times, but tho mechanic in charge explained that the machine was practically straight from the crate, and no preliminary tuning up had been done, which -is indispensable for motor machinery. The pulverising of the soil, though fairly good, habdly came up to expectations, doubtless duo to tho insufficient speed Of the motor, which, as explained before, required minor adjustments. However, the occasional hitches did not detract from the patent ingenuity of the contrivance, which Seemed to impress the onlookers with its future usefulness. The pamphlet describing the tiller remarks that there is no reason why a. narrow seed drill and roller should not be attached to the implement, which as it stands is quoted at £135.