Lowdown on cotton hoe down
Here are two views of our cotton hoe, minus the wheels and hoes. If any readers can help us identify what the hoe should look like or where we might find information, we would really appreciate it. Thank you very much.
– Donald and Louise Smith, e-mail: donald_louise@earthlink. net
To twist or not to twist? An easy question to answer
Of the many magazines we receive, Farm Collector is the first one I read – even amidst all the other mail. At 67, I remember using many of the items described in your magazine and still use some of them.
I was amused by the conflicting ideas recently about why drive belts were twisted between tractor and thresher. Both reasons were right. Of course the belt had to be twisted to run the thresher the right way, but there were some machines that were designed the other way, so the belt had to run straight.
We had a sheller that sometimes was belted up from one way or the other, depending on the buildings in the way, etc. When it was run straight, the belt was much more likely to flop off when you threw a large shovel of ears in at once, especially if there was wind. The two halves of a twisted belt were a steadying force against each other, and if you think about it, the amount of belt wrap on both pulleys was slightly greater for traction on a twisted belt.
– Harlan Murley, 2852 150th St., Aurora, IA 50607
Shedding light on shredder
Looking through the January 2003 Farm Collector, I recognized the old shredder on page 4. It’s a circa-1920 McCormick Special husker-shredder, which was offered in 6-, 8-and 10-roll sizes.
– Ronald Barlow, e-mail: windmillpublishing@cox. net
Community support helpful
I’d like to thank all readers of Farm Collector who wrote or called me about my ‘Intertype’ wrench that was in the November 2003 issue. It was used on the old intertype printing machine. All of you had the same answer, thanks.
– Howard Williams, P.O. Box 91, Monroe, IN 46772
A ‘pressing’ mystery from the land down under
This little press has been lying around our farm for the last 60 years, and to this day no one has been able to identify its purpose.
There must be someone in your great country who can enlighten my curiosity. It stands about 12 inches tall and was originally nickel plated. It is not a precision machine, but punches 15 holes 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch each time it’s screwed down. A brass nameplate says it’s ‘Manufactured by W.M. Sharp Company, Philadelphia USA.’
– Evan Lanyon, P.O. Box 101, Boort 3537 Victoria, Australia
Identifying a one-track garden tractor
The unknown one-track garden tractor (‘Letters,’ February 2004 Farm Collector) is a Gardeneer made in 1949 by Graco, Minneapolis, Minn. I have two of them, one was factory repainted and plated for the firm’s 75th anniversary.
– Marv Hedberg, Minnesota, e-mail: marv@toolingunlimited. com
Which planter is it: #9 or #99?
I have a horse-drawn horse planter that says ‘Deere & Mansur’ on the planter box lid as shown in the last issue of the John Deere TRADITION magazine, October 2003. I would like to know if it’s a #9 or #99 and also the colors to repaint. Thank you.
– Wayne Wolf, e-mail: ilawayfarm@yahoo.com
Death of a famous salesman
I was scanning some microfilm of the Coffeyville, Kan., newspaper, The Journal, and ran onto this article on the death of J.I. Case. I thought it was rather interesting and might be of interest to readers. It’s from Dec. 25, 1891. One interesting item is the horse Jay-Eye-See (J.I.C. or J.I. Case).
– Ivan L Pfalser, R.R. 1, Box 162, Caney, KS 67333; (620) 879-2938
A Noted Turfman and Manufacturer Passes to His Rest
RACINE, Wis., Dec. 23. – Jerome I. Case, the well known manufacturer and horse breeder of this city, died at his home at 2 o’ clock this morning. Mr. Case was nearly 70 years old. He came to Racine in the 40’s and from a small shop in which he built one threshing machine at a time, his factory grew until now it covers forty acres of ground. Besides this mammoth factory, Mr. Case was the controlling spirit in the plow works here. It is estimated that his fortune amounts to $5,000,000 or more.
About fifteen years ago Mr. Case began breeding trotting horses and his stable still boasts such famous cracks as Jay Eye See and Phallas. Mr. Case leaves a widow and four children. His son Jackson is now mayor of the city.
J. I. Case was one of the foremost of the trotting horse breeders of the northwest, the sensational performances of his black gelding Jay-Eye-See in 1883 and 1884, at Providence and Philadelphia, bringing him into national prominence. Jay-Eye-See was a black gelding foaled in 1878, and was purchased of A.J. Alexander, of Spring Station, Ky., who bred him, by Mr. Case. As a five-year-old he beat the record, trotting a mile at Providence, R. I., September 14, 1883, in 2:10 3/4.
Better safe than sorry
Keep up the excellent work and please keep providing safety advise for your readers. As you know, serious injuries and sometimes death can occur when operating steam-driven tractors with engines made before any safety devices were around.
– Joe Mason, Salem, Ohio; e-mail: masonjoe@sbcglobal. net
Hay rake restoration help
Below is a picture of the flop-over hay rake that I’m trying to restore.
#1 has a metal pin through the wooden cross bar, which is flat on the inside and broken off. It looks like it needs a trip lever on the upper end. #2 and 3 look like they have two holes for a cross brace, the lower hole looks like some metal has been rubbing on the outside. #4 and 5 show the old piece that I replaced. The long piece (#1) is just lying lose on the crossbar. It has a slat on the upper end with a hole through it and a bolt through it crossways. The lighter pieces are new and have been replaced. Does anyone know more about this hay rake?
– Wilferd Kruse, P.O. Box 171, Ellis Grove, IL 62241
Age of the Vikings
Does anyone know the age of this Viking mower? I have one with a rubber tire and a second drive wheel. I also have a plow, disc, cultivator and tool bar. How much is it worth, and does anyone have a manual for it?
– Jerry Nelson, 1105 25 Road, Axtell, NE 68924; (308) 743-2260
