REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1055, 21 January 1884, Page 2

REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL.

The trial of the machine known as the Osborne No. 11 reaper and binder, which was postponed from Saturday on account of the weather, took place this morning, the field of operations being a paddock of oats on the Alford Forest road. The crop was a fairly good one, but the recent rains had rendered it so wet, while the undergrowth of clover was very thick, that the capabilities of the machine were tested to the utmost. In spite of these drawbacks, however, the work done was well-nigh faultless, and those who were present were loud in their praises. The cutting was remarkably clean and low, and not a sheaf was missed. It is claimed for this machine that the knotting apparatus is far less complicated than in other reapers, in the market. Thera are, in fact, thirteen less parts to be found in this portion of the mechanism than is the case with any other machine, with the exception of the Deering. This readers the knotting gear less liable to get out of order, and if any accident should occur, it is more easily remedied. An excellent arrangement is the addition of a s If-aoting chain tightener, which always keeps the chain at a proper tension, Every roller is provided with iron collars, so as to prevent straw getting beneath the canvas, and thus clogging the machine ; and there is also provision made for keeping the passage whence the sheaves are distributed clear, by means of a self-acting 1 ‘ hitcher. ” Another advantage pointed out to ua was that the gear frame is made in two parts, so that if one breaks it can be replaced for the trifling sum of 2s, while formerly it nost L2 5s to repair. Mr W. Grace was in charge of the machine and clearly explained the working of the harvester, to the evident satisfaction of the farmers p.’eseut. He informs us that the Osborne has not hitfferto had a fair show 'ip this colony, the work done by the machine some years ago being considered inferior. Since that time, however, many important improvements have been made, as the cutting of this morning amply proved. Even under the admittedly adverse circumstances attending the trial, caused by the recent bad weather, which made the crop very wet and the going heavy, the manner in which the work was carried out left nothing to be desired. The draught appeared to be light, and the two horses used to draw the reaper were in no way distressed, although they were driven rapidly aud got over the ground unusually quickly. The trial was undoubtedly a successful one, and the Osborne should be able to hold its own amongst the numerous machines now competing throughout New Zealand. Mr George Jameson is the local agent for the harvester.