WOODS’ REAPER AND SELF-ACTING STRING BINDER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1835, 9 January 1880, Page 2

WOODS’ REAPER AND SELF-ACTING STRING BINDER.

[Prom “ The Argus ” of December 30th.] The problem which so long puzzled inventors, namely, to construct a machine that would not only reap a crop of corn, but also bind it into sheaves at the same time, had scarcely been solved, when it was found that the wire used in binding the sheaves rendered the straw almost useless for fodder, as stock frequently swallowed pieces of wire, and thereby ran great risk of losing their lives. Attention was then turned to string as a means of fastening the sheaves, but though numerous attempts were made to use string in place of wire, none have stood the test of actual work till the Woods’ harvester and self-acting string binder appeared on the scene. This machine is the most perfect piece of agricultural machinery that has yet been constructed even by the skilful inventors of America. In construction it is much more simple than the wire binders we have seen at work, and the draught is much lighter. One of these machines was shown at work on the farm of Mr Allan Cameron, of Janefield, yesterday, in the presence of a number of farmers residing in the district. It was tried on a small piece of wheat estimated to yield about 35 bushels to the acre. The patch was about three-quarters of an acre in extent, and though much time was lost in turning so frequently, the whole was out down in 25 minutes. The work was done admirably, the sheaves being tied firmly and well, and those present satisfied themselves by actual experiment that they could be thrown about without any danger of the string becoming untied. A pair of ordinary farm horses walked along at the rate of about three and a-half miles an hour when cutting the crop, and at that rate did not seem to be unduly exerting themselves. The machine used yesterday was taken from America to England about three months ago, and exhibited at work in Cheshire, where it cut about 60 acres of grain in October last. The work was very difficult owing to the great growth of weeds in the crop, occasioned by the extreme wetness of the season. The corn was cut in a highly satisfactory manner, and without the slightest accident happening to the machine. It was then packed up and shipped to Melbourne by the s.s. Orient. It has been tried on Mr Pox's farm at Janefield, and gave satisfaction to every one who saw it. Yesterday the expressions of admiration by those on the ground were unanimous. It was admitted that at last the

problem had been solved, and that a reaper and binder had been produced entirely free from the drawbacks attending those which have preceded it. The mechanism is so arranged that each sheaf is made exactly the same size, no matter how much the crop may vary, and the size of the sheaf can be regulated by a very simple contrivance. In delivery the sheaf is thrown on the butt end, so that in very ripe grain as little shock as possible is given, in order that no loss of grain may occur. The sheaves are all laid the same way, and the land has thus a very neat appearance when the grain is cut. The corn on being cut falls on a revolving apron, which carries it to the elevator, whence it is conveyed to the binding table. Here it is caught by revolving rake-fingera, which bring it down the table against a compressor, which which acts as an automatic trip to throw the binder in gear. As soon as a sufficient quantity of grain is thus brought together, the pressure throws the trip forward so as to put the binder in gear. The binding arm then comes forward from beneath the table, carrying the string round the sheaf ; at the same time the automatic trip, which has just acted to put the binding machinery in gear, is now moved back to act as a compressor, to give the desired compression on the sheaf. After the knot is securely tied, the binding arm recedes under the table, and a forked arm, working on a crank, thrusts the now securely bound sheaf off the table, and recedes till another sheaf has been formed. The machine for tying the sheaf is situated above the grain, and consists of three pieces. It is as simple in construction as that for fastening with wire, and as little likely to get out of order. The string for binding is carried on a small wooden case at the rear of the binding-table, about half a day’s work being put in at a time. The cost of the string is about one third less than that of binding-wire. In shape the sheaves are somewhat flatter than it is usual to make them. There is no strain on the string till the sheaf is set free, and thus snch a thing as a break in the string never occurs. The new machine has been extensively tried in the United States and Canada, and has always given great satisfaction.

The advantages claimed for this machine are, that no matter in what shape the grain comes up the elevator, it is straightened out by the rake-fingers so as to make a goodshaped sheave. The grain is protected from high winds from the time it enters the ele vator till it is bound in a sheaf. The wholj of the machine is protected by a strong wooden frame, which projects beyond it, and preserves it from injury. The new reaper and binder is manufactured by Mr Walter A. Woods, of Hoosick Falls, N.Y.

The cost of the new reaper and binder is said to be about the same as those already in use, in which the sheaves are bound with wire.