3-003-803 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Braby's machine for breaking-up roads and scarifying or tilling land, 1861. 'Mr. James Braby junior, of Southwark, has patented an invention for "Improved Machinery for Lifting or Breaking-up Roads or Ways, Crushing Clods, and Scarifying or Tilling Land." A satisfactory trial of the machine for the purpose of breaking up macadamised roads which require relaying took place a short time ago in Kensington-road, The work was accomplished at the rate of 500 superficial yards an hour, notwithstanding the very hard surface of Guernsey granite of which the roadway was composed, entirely to the satisfaction of the surveyor of roads for that district. Among the gentlemen present who took an interest in the invention were several road surveyors and contractors, and gentlemen connected with the different boards of works for metropolitan parishes. This is the first machine that has been used for the purpose of superseding the pickaxe in preparing the worn-out surfaces of roads to receive new material, and it seems thus far to have borne out the expectations of the inventor and to have met the approval of the gentlemen who witnessed its trial'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.