Usher's steam plough of 1849
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Model of Usher's steam plough of 1849.
Model of Usher's steam plough, 1849. In the mid 19th century many efforts were made to design steam-driven implements for ploughing or tilling the soil. One example is the steam 'plough' patented by James Usher in 1849. Power from the engine was transmitted through a gearing system to the shares mounted on a central spindle. The resulting action of the ploughshares tended to push the complete apparatus forward in a similar way to the propulsion of boats by paddle wheels. Although the concept was highly thought of and publicised at the Great Exhibition in 1851, it was a commercial failure.
Details
- Category:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Object Number:
- 1960-213/1
- Materials:
- metal (unknown), paint, oil (unspecified) and brass (copper, zinc alloy)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 324 mm x 197 mm x 432 mm, 4.856 kg
- type:
- farming, ploughs, agricultural equipment and steam plough
- credit:
- J H Shackle
