I would like information on a garden tractor for which I need parts. The description I have is: ‘Roto Tiller, Model No. B-1-6, Serial No. 18288. Graham-Paige Motors Corp., Farm Equip. Division, Willow Run, Mich.’ Any help would be appreciated.
Lester M. Gudgell, 28100 Crow Dr., Meadville, MO 64659; (660) 938-4325.
PICKET FENCE-MAKER PART
The Clarence Champlin item in the October ‘Letters’ column is part of a machine used to make wood slats for a picket fence. We have four identical items, each with a patent date of March 2, 1897. I have carefully examined each patent issued on this date; the enclosed Patent No. 578 284, issued to Mortimer Cahill of Lawrence, Kan., is the only patent that resembles this item. Figure 2 on the patent drawing is closer to what the final tool looks like.
Jim Moffet, Modesto, IL 62667
HORSE TONIC POSTER HISTORY SOUGHT
I would like to ask your readers for any information on the enclosed poster, which advertises Wilbur’s Stock Tonic.
It shows the Pabst Famous Blue Ribbon Winners. In the lower left hand corner, it states the team won first prize at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904 and first prize at the International Horse Show in Chicago in 1904. Fed on Wilbur’s Stock Tonic daily, compliments of Wilbur Stock Food Co., Milwaukee, Wis. The emblem in the upper right hand corner reads Wilbur’s Stock Tonic, and features a horse and cow’s head and a chicken at the top and a pig at the bottom. Any history would be greatly appreciated.
Lynn Hiatt, 3071 Snowy Range Rd., Laramie, WY 82070; (307) 742-5525 .
UNUSUAL GOODIES THAT NEED TO BE IDENTIFIED
I need information on the disc plow with iron wheels and cultivator pictured above. Both are horse drawn, and the cultivator is adapted to cultivate two rows. I would like to know both the manufacturers and what color to paint them. I think they are very unusual.
Otis Mellenbruch, 8276 Park Rd., Rye, CO 81069.
HAY SLING HOW-TOS
How to Use the Common Sense Slings
In a recent issue, you had some information on a hay sling. At right is a photocopy of how to use one. The attached instructions say: ‘Place them lengthwise in the rack and load as illustrated.
To unload, the compression pulleys are drawn apart, one to each end of the rack, and attached to the slings, the draft rope draws the compression pulleys together until they lock. The slings are pulled around the hay and the load carried into the mow like a big bundle.’
Tim Sollman, Clayton, Wl
ANOTHER LOG HAULER LOCATED IN WISCONSIN
The November 2001 issue of your magazine had an article about the Phoenix log hauler.
We wanted to let you and your readers know about another one still in operation. The Wabeno Phoenix Log Hauler is owned, operated and maintained by the town of Wabeno (Wis.) Park Board. Our Phoenix, used by the Jones Lumber Co. of Wabeno until 1929, is now operated at our antique engine steam-up show in mid-July.
New flues were installed in May 1999; a state inspection is required of the boiler every year. Also, we have seen pictures of another operable Phoenix in Osage, Iowa.
Willard Ehlinger, 4117 Quinlan, R.R. 1, Box 213, Wabeno, Wl 54566; (715)473-2553.
Editor’s note: Dale Ziegler of Odin, MN, also wrote with detailed instructions on how to use a hay sling, shared by his father, Claude A. Ziegler, who farmed with horses up into the 1940s. The elder Mr. Ziegler, 89, and his wife, Sophie, 86, still live on the family farm in Rapidan Township, Blue Earth County, MN.
