Name/TitleHorse Works
About this objectSo far as been ascertained, this horse works was in use up to about 20 years ago. It consists of a central frame with geared wheels, turned by a horizontal bar, operated by a horse walking round in a circle; there is a socket for a second bar, so that two horses could be used if needed. The gears in turn rotate a long iron rod, which turns a second set of gears mounted on a frame outside the orbit of the horse. This apparatus rotates a second bar which is attached to the chaff cutter or other machine for which power is required. A wooden pole is set at an angle from the central frame to keep the horse from veering inwards.The central gear wheel is mounted on an iron frame and carries a socket. This socket can carry one or two shafts of untrimmed elm, squared at the ends to fit into the socket and projecting, with a shackle for a harness at the tip of the pole. The name of the maker is stamped on the plate of the central works and the secondary apparatus is also marked. The main gear wheel on the secondary 'mill' is geared to a wheel.
MakerBentall & Co.
Place MadeHeybridge, Maldon, Essex
Medium and MaterialsMade of iron with elm shafts.
Inscription and MarksStamped on the plate of the central works:
'BENTALL & CO., HEYBRIDGE, MALDON, ENGLAND'
Secondary apparatus marked: 'MARK 1294'
MeasurementsLength of wooden pole: 6 feet
Diameter of central gear wheel: 3 feet
Iron frame: 3 feet 6 inches x 2 feet 6 inches
Socket: 2 feet 9 1/2 inches x 7 inches x 5 inches
Length of shafts: 10 feet
First driving arm: 12 feet long
Second driving arm: 6 feet long
Main gear wheel on secondary 'mill' 1 foot 6 inches diameter geared to a 4 inch wheel.
Object numberSTMEA:A.986
Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial (cc)