LOW-DOWN BUCKEYE REAPER AND BINDER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2523, 11 September 1888, Page 2

LOW-DOWN BUCKEYE REAPER AND BINDER.

<>. Mr John Owes, the representative (if Moss's Mm-riii and Co., was in Cambridge on Saturday with the new Low-down liucUeyo reaper and binder wliicli was exhibited at Mr Buelslr.rid's horse bazaar during the day. Mr George Porcr'al, expert, travelling with the machine, explained the principle of it, and manner of working to a large number of inrpiirers, and the reaper was much admired by farmers who inspected it, and the advantages it possesses over other makers in many circumstances, were freely admitted.

The main feature of the machine is, of course, its light draught and dead weight, weighing as it does three hundred pounds less than the ordinary reaper. It can be worked on hillsides where any back delivery machine can go, or where any man can plough, without dancer of capsizing owing to the weight being so near the ground, the elevator canvasses and other top-hamper being done away with. It is constructed so that all the levers are handy to the drivel's hand so that he can easily manage the machine without leaving his seat, one lever tilting the machine, another lifting it bodily, or with another motion bringing the binder forward or back, while a third lifts the fans up or down, and with another motion, either forward or back. The binder is the " Appleby," simplified, the plunger bolt and other objectionable features being dune away. It is so simple that any ordinary fanner can do any adjusting required, which is a great, advantage. The first machine of (his class, which came to this district, was bought by Mr George Hally, lire years ago, and ho Iris since, used it with every success. They have also been introduced for about two years in the South Island, where I hey are used by the principal station owners and farmers, such as Smith Pros, of Greenfield, and Douglas and Son. o; Waiho Downs, The Levels, Paveorn, and Totara estates, on each of which from seven to fifteen machines bv different makers are used, the -'Lowdowns" giving general satisfaction, so that many orders have been placed for more of them this season. The shaft runs from a pair of levelled wheels running fiom the main wheel which drives all the gearing through a knucklejoint, so "that the gearing is always in lino, no matter what position the machine is in, The knife is driven direct by the same motion as a mowing machine, which enables it to cut green stuff, or grassy bottoms. The grain conies on in the ordinary way, and is carried by a series of tedders or cranks, instead of elevator canvasses, direct to the binder. The knntter is brought right on to the bundle, so that when the sheaf is expanded, only two inches of twine has to fill out, as against six inches of slack in any other. The knotter is the " Appleby." and has only two points of adjustment of the simplest nature. A light steel bundle carrier, taking four sheaves, saves labour in stooking, and the sheaves can be placed at the driver's will by a slight movement of his foot. The twine box is directly in front of the driver, who can easily keep an cyo on it, and set right any knots or kinks ; whereas, in the generality of machines, the first intimation the driver has that anything is wrong is the machine throwing out loose bundles. A successful trial of the machine was given at Ohanpo on Tuesday, and on Saturday a number of orders were booked for leading fanners of the district.