Horse power (machine)
Encyclopedia
A horse power is a now largely obsolete machine
for using draft horse
s to power other machinery. It is a type of animal engine
somewhat more sophisticated than a horse mill
. A common design for the horse power was a large treadmill
on which one or more horses walked. The surface of the treadmill was made of wooden slats linked like a chain. Rotary motion from the treadmill was first passed to a planetary gear system, and then to a shaft or pulley that could be coupled to another machine.
Horse powers were used to power farm implements and industrial processes. Examples of machines that were powered with a horse power include the threshing machine
, the corn sheller, pumps and machines for sawing wood. Horse powers were modular in that they could be attached to whichever implement they were needed for at the time, preventing these machines from needing to incorporate power sources into their design. They could also be used interchangeably with other forms of power, such as a hand crank, line shaft
, stationary engine, or the PTO
shaft or flat belt pulley from a tractor
, which eventually replaced them. Today there are modern versions of these being built that have been used with great success to do hosehold chores as well as power a complete Amish run Amchine Shop in Kentucky.
The name of the horse power probably predates the name of the horsepower
unit of measurement. (For reference the 1864 Webster's Dictionary
defines Horse-power as “A machine operated by one or more horses; a horse engine.")
Machine
A machine manages power to accomplish a task, examples include, a mechanical system, a computing system, an electronic system, and a molecular machine. In common usage, the meaning is that of a device having parts that perform or assist in performing any type of work...
for using draft horse
Draft horse
A draft horse , draught horse or dray horse , less often called a work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour...
s to power other machinery. It is a type of animal engine
Animal engine
An animal engine is a machine powered by an animal. Horses, donkeys, oxen, dogs, and humans have all been used in this way.-See also:*Horse mill*Horse power*Persian well*TreadwheelFor Details log on to www.greenenergysolutions.co.in- Books :...
somewhat more sophisticated than a horse mill
Horse mill
A horse mill is a mill that uses a horse as the power source. Any milling process can be powered in this way, but the most frequent use of animal power in horse mills was for grinding grain and pumping water. Other animals used for powering mills include dogs, donkeys and oxen. Engines powered by...
. A common design for the horse power was a large treadmill
Treadmill
A treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain...
on which one or more horses walked. The surface of the treadmill was made of wooden slats linked like a chain. Rotary motion from the treadmill was first passed to a planetary gear system, and then to a shaft or pulley that could be coupled to another machine.
Horse powers were used to power farm implements and industrial processes. Examples of machines that were powered with a horse power include the threshing machine
Threshing machine
The thrashing machine, or, in modern spelling, threshing machine , was a machine first invented by Scottish mechanical engineer Andrew Meikle for use in agriculture. It was invented for the separation of grain from stalks and husks. For thousands of years, grain was separated by hand with flails,...
, the corn sheller, pumps and machines for sawing wood. Horse powers were modular in that they could be attached to whichever implement they were needed for at the time, preventing these machines from needing to incorporate power sources into their design. They could also be used interchangeably with other forms of power, such as a hand crank, line shaft
Line shaft
A line shaft is a power transmission system used extensively during the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the widespread use of electric motors small enough to be connected directly to each piece of machinery, line shafting was used to distribute power from a large central power source to machinery...
, stationary engine, or the PTO
Power take-off
A power take-off or power takeoff is a splined driveshaft, usually on a tractor or truck, that can be used to provide power to an attachment or separate machine. It is designed to be easily connected and disconnected...
shaft or flat belt pulley from a tractor
Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...
, which eventually replaced them. Today there are modern versions of these being built that have been used with great success to do hosehold chores as well as power a complete Amish run Amchine Shop in Kentucky.
The name of the horse power probably predates the name of the horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
unit of measurement. (For reference the 1864 Webster's Dictionary
Webster's Dictionary
Webster's Dictionary refers to the line of dictionaries first developed by Noah Webster in the early 19th century, and also to numerous unrelated dictionaries that added Webster's name just to share his prestige. The term is a genericized trademark in the U.S.A...
defines Horse-power as “A machine operated by one or more horses; a horse engine.")
External links
- The Papers of John C. Calhoun - mention horse power machines
- Photograph of a horse power in action