WOOD'S REAPER AND SELF-ACTING BINDER.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume I, Issue 90, 30 January 1880, Page 3

WOOD'S REAPER AND SELF-ACTING BINDER.

Mbbsks Wood, Shand and Co., the New Zealand agenta for the above machine, e-x hibited it at Work on Friday last in a field of oats belonging to Mr William Prebble, of Prebbleton, Canterbury. The crop was a heavy one, with a yield of at least seventy bushels to the acre, and owing to the heavy state of the ground consequent on the late fains and strength and length of stalk, the work waß of a nature to tax tho capabilities of the machine. Nevertheless, the manner in which it did its work gave satisfaction to every one who saw it, and expressions of approval were unanimous. The method of working is very simple. The grain is elevated by canvas elevators, and drops on to the binding table, where it is carried forward and straightened out by two packed—discs with teeth—which revolve and pack the grain till there is sufficient for a sheaf. No wind can reach the straw as it comes out of the elevator, and the sheaves are discharged straight and compact. Over the front of the table, where the sheaf is discharged, a lever projects, and against this lever the packer* compress the grain. This lever, when the sheaf has attained a certain bulk, puts the binder arm into gear. The binder arm and kicker are worked on eccentrics, and, when stationary, are underneath the binding table. The whole of the binding meehanism is above the binding table, so that it is impossible for any grain to clog the cogs, and the knot i* tied on the upper side of the sheaf. After the knot is securely tied, the binding arm recedes under the table, and-the kicker, a forked arm, working on crank, thrusts the securely-bound sheaf off the table, and retires till another sheaf has been formed. The machinery for tying the sheaf is as simple in construction a» that of the wire-fastening machine, and not likely to get out of order. The string for binding is placed in a email wooden box at the rear of the binding table. The sheaves are all made of equal size, and in shape are flatter than those generally made. The binder is strictly automatic, thehnlk of the sheaf acting on the lever, thus doing what in some of the other binders ii done by the driver’s foot. There is also a crank lever for regulating the height of cut, so that a long stubble can be left if desired, or the grain can be cut within an inch 6 s the ground. A raising and" lowering lever is also attached to the fan. Although the sheaves are all delivered of a uniform site of sheaf, if desired, cun be increased or reduced by lengthening or shortening a set screw controlling the binding mechanism. Mr Beaumont, of the firm of Wood, Shand sDd Co., was on the ground, cud. in conjunction with the American representstive of Wood machine (Mr Freeman), gave practical explanation of all pertaining to it. The implement waß'workea by a pair of horses driven by Mr Prebble, jun. The width of the machine is 5 feet.—Canterbury Press, Jan. 24th.