Reaper and Binder Exhibition

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 95, 9 February 1892, Page 2

Reaper and Binder Exhibition

A public exhibition of the " Walter A. Woods' Single Apron Reaper and Binder" was given yesterday by Mr R. F. Haybittle, at Mr R. Whisker's farm, Awahuri road. The special merit of this machine consists in the elevation of the grain from the knives to the binder being done by tueana of ono apron instead of three as used by the majority of other machines. The capability of the machine to perform this was fully exemplified as, owing to the open rear, another feature of this machine, grain five and six feet long was easily cut, elevated, and bound, without the heads being their slightest bent or interfered with. The crop operated upon was a heavy ono of oats ; iv places much tangled and lying down, but round after round was most successfully accomplished without the slightest hitch occurring, the sheaves being tightly bound, of an oval shape, and delivered entirely free from each other. The knotter, a simple, but ingenious, contrivance, was perfect, not a loose sheaf being thrown all day. The canvas is operated by three positively driven rollers and one chain, this being the whole of the machinery necessary for elevating the grain. To prove the capabilities of the machine it was lowered to its utmost limit and tho stubble left in Lug ground was fonnd to bo but one inch long. Nearly the whole of the weight being on the platform side, and tlio machine being very low, it is; able to harvest gt"ajn on any sideling where it is possible to plough. Several of the Jca<!in^ fanners of tlio district were- present, among whom we noticed Messrs J. Saxon, J. Campion, It. Drury, J. Munro, W. Drury, J. Stewart, and J. Hughey, who each and all expressed the opinion that it was one of the best machines which had ever come into i,\)d district. Ml- It. Whisker handled the ribbons' in h^s usual able style, and also kindly Jenfc Jiis' l.cam .of horses for the trial, ' " "