I was very pleased with the New Holland article that appeared in your February 2001 issue of Farm Collector. I was not aware of all the photos you had taken when you were here at the Rough and Tumble show (Kinzers, Penn.) last summer. I think your usage and placement of the pictures throughout the article was very appropriate.
I have received several letters since the article appeared. I also got some comments about the article over the phone from some local people who know of me.
I wish to thank you for the complimentary copy which you sent to me. I would like to see more future in-depth articles on a given brand of gas engine or tractor line also.
-John K. Kreider, 327 A E. Main St., New Holland, PA 17557
AUCTION PIECE NEEDS IDENTIFYING
I purchased this piece at an auction a couple of years ago, and restored it, but have never been able to find out what it might have been used for. I thought maybe one of your readers could help me out.
-Frank Brcka, 3576 Thrush Ave., Plymouth, IA 50464
SEARCHING FOR ORIGINAL FLEISCHER-SCHMIDT DECAL
Enclosed is a picture of a pull-behind corn sheller. I would like to know if anyone has a decal or a good picture of one. I know it was built about 1950, by Fleischer-Schmidt Manufacturing, before it became Fleischer Manufacturing at Columbus, Neb. I have gone to Columbus to check, but all their records are gone from those early days. I would appreciate a photo or piece of advertising. That would really help me finish the project.
-Lloyd H. Menk, 19216 584th Ln., Mankato, MN 56001
GRINDER EMERGES FROM COLLECTOR’S BASEMENT
I am sending a picture of an object that has been in our basement for years. It appears to be a grinder of some sort, but for what? Can anyone tell me what it is? The writing on the wheel and the side of the bowl says: Humphrey & Sons, Joliet, Ill. Patented July 3, 1900, Canada Pat. 1901.
-Larry Mikota, 3123 Poverty Hollow Rd, Calmar, IA 52132-7531
OHIO COLLECTOR NEEDS CORN SHELLER INFORMATION
I recently acquired a single-hole corn sheller. It was made by Hocking Valley Manufacturing Co. in Lancaster, Ohio, I believe. It is in good shape structurally, except for a little rust, and is in need of a paint job. It shows some nice scroll-type design in places on the legs where it has not gotten worn away.
I want to restore this sheller and would be grateful for any information, or I would like to contact someone with some knowledge about this sheller, its paint scheme and the value of it.
-Dave Walker, 3490 Verner Rd. Kent, OH 44240; (330) 673-4386
COLLECTOR’S GIFT NEEDS EXPLANATION
I received this rope machine from my daughter for Christmas. Does anyone know for sure that it is a rope machine, and how to use it? Any information would be appreciated.
-Donald Hentges,45719 263rd St.,Humboldt, SD 57035
MYSTERY SOLVED FOR OKLAHOMA MUSEUM?
In response to the letter in the February 2001 Farm Collector (‘Unusual Museum Piece Resembles A Thresher’): the machine you have is the main unit of a pull-type combine. My father bought an Avery combine in 1937 that was built in Peoria, Ill. Your picture has a lot of resemblance to the one we ran for 25 years, but quite a few differences also. Ours was a 12-foot machine on rubber tires, with a Hercules motor that sat on top of the front wheel. There was a pulley on the rear that drove a flat belt. The header had an elevator on the end that stuck into the feeder house, which is the opening you see between the front and back wheels. When moving on the road, a trailer was backed under it, and pulled long ways. The feeder house has a platform on top for a man to stand and operate the machine. The fan position and some other parts look different, but I don’t remember any other machine with a single front wheel.
-Virden H. Smith, 7871 TR 255, Findlay, OH 45840
