THE WOOD REAPER AND BINDER

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1388, 27 July 1878, Page 3

THE WOOD REAPER AND BINDER

Tho Walter A. Wood Company have sent out the machine for 1878, which differs in many points from that in use last season. Since the harvest of 1877, Mr Blake has remained in New Zealand, and has thus been enabled to advise his principals of tho improvements rendered necessary by the experience of tho last season. The machine for 1878 is now on view at Messrs Wood, Shand and Co ’s, tho agents for New Zealand, and should be inspected by farmers. The recent improvements are as follows : In the harvester the location of the seat is changed from the rear to the side of the elevator. Tho driver is now in a better position for driving and controlling his team, and as the machine is about evenly balanced on the axle, it makes no material difference in the balance of the machine whether the driver is in or out of his seat. The reel is adjustable forward and back, upward and downward, and has great scope. It is supported at both ends in the same manner as before, thus avoiding the strain incident to overhanging reels, and raises and lowers very easily by means of a lever at tho driver’s left hand. It is remarkably simple, light and strong, has but one chain, and the sprocket wheel is made double, with two sets of teeth, so that it may bo speeded to suit different kinds and condition of grain. Tho new sickle driving arrangement —The connection is at the end of the sickle, as before, and an iron crank bur is substituted for the wooden sway bar used upon other machines. The advantages of this improved method of driving the sickle will readily be appreciated. The stroke of the sickle has been shortened, which decreases the draft, and the guards are placed nearer together a corresponding change being made in the width of the sections. The tilting of the platform and cutters for long or short down or tangled grain, is accomplished by the lev.a 1 in front of tho driver’s seat ; the lever is very easily moved, and the cutters can be raised and lowered through a very wide range. The drive wheel is provided with iron sockets between the spokes and the rim, which will prevent working of tho spokes. Tho polo is moved nearer to the grain, so that all side draft is taken off when three horses are used abreast. The platform is additionally braced by means of an iron rod, which will prevent its being strained out of line by coming in contact with obstructions. The wires are detached from the lloat or grain pressor, and the wooden fingers project up above tho elevator; a valuable feature when tho wind blows hard.

In addition to the improvements in the harvester, several alterations have been made in the binder attachment, which will give a great superiority over the last season’s machine :—The binder is arranged to slide further backward and forward thau before. The binder-head has been improved and perfected in all its parts. A new and improved spool-stand is used, by which the tension on the wire can be evenly regulated. The toepiece on the compressing arm is fastened with screws, instead of rivets, and is of improved form and made of hardened steel.

One of the most important changes is the provision of adjusting gear so that the sheaves, instead of being thrown violently from the machine will be placed gently on the butt. The new spool stand is also' so arranged that the wire is self-regulating, and it will not be necessary for the driver to get oil the seat to adjust it, as formerly. All the alterations made being in the direction of rendering the machine more workable and thoroughly suited to the necessities of the country, farmers will, doubtless, look forward with a great deal of interest to the actual trial in the field, which will demonstrate whether the advantages claimed for the improved Walter A. Wood machine are realised in fact.