Melville Fuller

“ The rim of the wheel, acting by its momentum as a balance-wheel, also enables the operator by a quick movement to suddenly throw the blade completely up from the ground to avoid contact of large stones or other obstructions while the machine is in motion. ”

“ A foot piece or pedal, P, arranged at a convenient position, enables the attendant to depress the lever and brake-shoe by placing his foot thereon when he desires to throw off the brake for releasing the hand-wheel.
In lieu of connecting the hand-wheel and blade-lifting bar or lever by means of a toothed pinion and rack, said parts may be connected by a strap or chain (one or more) , one end whereof connects with the lift bar or lever, while the other end is arranged to wind onto the pinion or hub on the hand-wheel, or onto a sheave geared to the hand-wheel hub. ”

“ The rims of the hand-wheels are made sufficiently heavy to act as a balance against the weight of the blade-lifting devices, so that the momentum of the wheel will greatly assist the operator in the manipulation of the machine. ”

“ It should, however, be observed that, broadly considered, a hand-wheel and a lever are substantial equivalents in these devices. The wheel is a continuous lever. The rim enables the operator to lay hold at any point desired, and takes the place of a number of levers. But it is denied that momentum hand-wheels are the equivalents of levers. ”

“ I prefer, however, to have the shaft extend across the machine, as it makes a stronger and more rigid construction.
'Brake mechanism is arranged in connection with the carriage for stopping and retaining the hand-wheels to hold the blade at any position of adjustment. Said brake mechanism may be made, as indicated, with levers, n, having one end fulcrumed beneath the platform at n', and the other provided with a pad or shoe, N, to press against the rim of the hand-wheel, a suitable spring, s, being connected therewith to give the required holding pressure. ”

“ In a road-grading machine, a hand-wheel, in combination with the blade-elevating devices, for imparting motion to said devices, when raising and depressing the blade, substantially as hereinbefore set forth. ”

“ The knowledge was common that when a continuous power is applied, but the resistance to be overcome is unequal, a fly or balance wheel will store some of the power expended during the operation, and not needed at one stage, and give it out at another. ”

“ The McCall, Watkins, and Scott patent of March 9, 1875, has a push-bar reversible scraper, with hand-levers and stops for the vertical adjustment of the scraper-blade and hand-wheels for steering.
The Cook patent of September 22, 1885, has a scraper supported by a wheeled frame, and moved by push-bars, and capable of being raised and lowered at either end independently by means of racks connected to the scraper, and pinions, operated by levers, which engage the racks, and move them up and down. ”

“ Besides this, the strain on this weight is a constant one, always acting in the same direction upon the hand-wheels. The scraper is moved forward by means similar to ordinary plow-beams, which are connected with the turntable, the turntable being connected with the front of the machine, or rather to the king bolt by a draft-ring and link. ”

“ The law of nature was familiarly understood that any moving body tends to continue in motion with a force proportionate to its speed and weight; and it was well known that the function of fly-wheels and balance-wheels was, in the language of Mr. ”