Inside the Barn:

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hardware store item in farm areas.

The hay carriers used carrier pulleys with metal sheaves and wear levels imposed,' he says. 'The only wood sheaves I have seen, other than on the 'standard' barn pulleys, are on some hay sling pulleys. Sling items are much less common.'

Barry sometimes visits old barns (with the owner's permission) in his search for new additions to his collection.

But such visits can be risky if floors and/or beams are weak. Antique shows and shop visits usually yield 'spotty' results, he says.

'But there are some good areas for shops, such as the Adamstown, Pa., area,' he says. 'Letting dealer specialists know your interests often pays off in obtaining rarer equipment designs. I've seen items on eBay (the online auction), but prices are usually relatively high.'

Barry's barn items are on display in a large garage, the walls clad in 4x8 sheets of wood. Some pieces are hung on the walls; others from the rafters on hooks, grouped by type and manufacturer. Pulley types are grouped by size, or by single-, double- or triple-sheave types. Special lighting at the rafters aids viewing, and each piece is identified by a tag recording collection, 'family' and type numbers.

Barry does not believe in extensive restoration work.

'Try to appreciate the combination of function, design and fine materials that are in pulleys,' he says. 'I do not refinish my pieces. They can be cleaned of dirt and surface rust, but artificial finishing often conceals natural wear, and may hide valuable 'marks'. Look for manufacturer's marks, as names are often cast in, inscribed or appear on a nameplate. These add value to the piece.'

Other tips to new collectors:

'Look for different sizes within the same basic design, which adds interest to the collection, and can give an idea of the range of the manufacturer's line,' Barry says. 'Also, look for manufacturer's catalogs or hardware catalogs, as these have valuable data on styles and sizes used.'

Robert Rauhauser, Thomasville, Pa., sometimes trades with Barry and others across the country. His collection includes hundreds of pieces of barn and haying equipment.

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