THE “WOOD’S” REAPER AND BINDER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5414, 3 August 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE “WOOD’S” REAPER AND BINDER.

jfJJ’rom the Gristchurch Press, July 27). . The'‘Wall,or A. Wood Company have sent out the machine for 1878, which differs iu many points from that in use last season. Since the harvest of 1377 Mr- I3lake has remained in New Zealand, and Ipis thus been enabled to advise his principals of the improvements rendered necessary by the experience of the last season. The machine for ,1878 is now on view at Messrs, Wood, Shand, and Co.’s, the agents for the Smith Island, and should be inspected by the 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. The driver is now in a better position for driving aud controlling his team, and us 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 adjuatal.de forward and back, tipvvard and downward, and lias great scope. "It is, supported at both ends in the same manner as before, thus avoiding the strain incident to overhanging reels, and raises arid lowers voltf easily by means of a lever at the driver’s left hand. It is remarkably simple, light, and strong, has but One chain, and the sproket-wheel is made double, with two sots of teeth, so that it may be speeded to suit different kinds aud condition of grain. The new sickle driving arrangement-—The connection is at the end of the sickle, as before, and an iron crank bar 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 of the sickle has been shortened, which decreases the .draft, and the guards are placed nearer together—a corresponding change being raadeintlie width of the sections. The lilting of the platform and cutters for long or short down or tangled grain, is accomplished by the lever in front of the driver’s scat; the lever is very easily moved, and the cutters can be raised and lowered though a very wide range. The drive-wheel is provided with iron sockets between the spokes and the run, which will prevent working of tho spokes. The pole is moved nearer to the grain, so that all side draft is taken off when thrpe horsos 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 float or grain pressef, and the wooden lingers project up above the elevator; a vafuable feature when the wind blows hard. In addition to the improvements iu the liar-, vester, several alterations have been, made iu the binder attachment, which will gWe a great superiority over the last season s machine The binder is arranged to slide further backward and forward than before, Tjio binderhead has been improved and perfected in all its parts. A now and improved spool-stand is used, by which the tension on the wire can he evenly regulated. The toe-piece ou the compressing arm is fastened with screws instead of rivets, aud is of improved form and made of hardened steel.

Oae of the most important changes is tho 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-regnla'.iug, and it will not be necessary for the driver to get off 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, farmer's will doubtless look-for-ward with a great deal of interest to the actual trial in the field, which will demonstrate whether the advantages claimed for the improved Waller A. Wood machine arc realised in fact. jVIr. 11. IV. Mills, of Wellington, is agent for the North Island.