REAPERSAND BINDERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2422, 19 January 1888, Page 3

REAPERSAND BINDERS.

Thk grain crops in the Waikato will this year bo far and away larger than those of any of the proceeding years, and consequently it is of the utmost importance that the Ivsfc appliances should be. used for gath>" v : them in. Learning that several sett'- i the southern Waikato had purchase ~.,at they considered to be the, best machines, viz., McCormiek's improved steel reaper and binder, on Monday hist we accepted an invitation from Mr E. Allen of I'ukekura, to witness a trial of one of them. A number of the neighbouring farmers were .also present, and carefully scrutinised the working. The crop selected for the occasion was a paddock of t'reen oats, rather uneven in places, but thoroughly suitable for trying the capabilities of the machine, which after it had boon properly adjusted, went through from start to finish without the slightest hitch of any kind. The cutting was very close and even, the sheaves were tightly bound with a nice square butt and delivered gently on the ground. The efficient manner in which this work was done gained the admiration of all fanners present, and the manufacturers are to be congratulated upon this, their latest, production in which the acme of perfection seems to be obtained. Through the courtesy of the manufacturers' colonial representative (Mr E. Ackerman) who was present, and explained the " modus operandi," we were informed that these machines have been especially made to suit the colonial requirements. The main frame is made of two inch square, steel tubes, intersected by malleable cast chairs at each end, thus giving extra strength and rigidity. The spindles are of steel, and work in patent metal bushes, which can be easily replaced when worn. The platform and aprons are fitted with self-adjustable coil springs, giving an equal degree of tension whether wot or dry. A new raising and lowering apparatus by which the body of the reaping part can bo set to any desired height from the ground by simply turning a handle, has been substituted for the old style of f,oar, and is a great improvement. The part that has hitherto always proved so troublesome, viz., the binding mechanism, has been greatly simplified. and can now be thoroughly understood, and worked by any ordinary farm labourer. No less than IS parts have been dispensed with since last season. It can be set to | tie any size sheaf by simply loosening a bolt, and after the size has once been decided upon all sheaves will be uniform. The binder, by means of a lever close to the driver's seat, can bo moved backv/ard or forward, so as to always place the band in the centre of the sheaves, no matter how varied the height of the grain. The elevators have been made extra wide, so that they can cope with any crop, be it ever so long and heavy. As this is the first steel machine imported into the Auckland province, great credit is due to Mr Allen—who, we believe, is acting as agent—for hiving introduced such a useful class of harvest implements. We understand a good number of these machines have been sold in the district, and they will doubtless be watched with considerable interest by all those contemplating purchasing for another season.