Robert Chonko needed help identifying a thresher’s manufacturer
(Farm Collector, June 2005, page 6). The thresher is a New
Racine made by Belle City Manufacturing. They built some machines
for Case, but a lot for International. International began building
their own line of threshing machines. I overhauled an old Belle
City from the frame up – it took 3-1/2 years. It’s all original
is the grain weigher.
The photo (lower left) is from a smaller Belle City, which was
equipped with a Maytag (as in Maytag washing machines) feeder. The
lady on the side depicts the woman named Ruth from the Book of
Ruth in the Bible. She gleaned grain after harvesters were
finished. It’s amazing to see a big thresher accompanied by a
portrayal of a true Bible hero like Ruth.
These old machines were equipped with the Happy Farmer/Farmers
Friend oscillating stacker tubes. The tongue had a set up for an
extension on the double tree so teams could pull them around. The
Belle Citys feature sand castings, square nuts and no-weld
construction.
The round decal in Chonko’s picture is the emblem with the three
horses (below photo). I guess the old Belle City machines aren’t
real valuable except to those who like them. I hope I’ve been of
some help.
Also, my Belle City should be heading for permanent display in
the La Junta, Colo., museum.
– Gary Bailey
Box 301
La Veta, CO 81055
