I am interested in learning any information about the New Century corn cultivator. -Arnold Johnson Rt. 1, Box 226, Estelline, SD 57234
WALKING PLOW IDENTIFICATION SOUGHT
I have an old walking plow that belonged to my great-grandfather. Stamped on the bottom of the plow point is ‘Oliver,’ and on the backside of the plow is ‘A-C’ set over ‘S B,’ with a logo-like design that says ‘Oliver Plow Co.’ What years were these plows made and what color were they? -William H. Hardin 115 Finch Lane, Marion, KY 42064
STATISTICAL INFORMATION SOUGHT
I am attempting to locate an annual time series of agricultural implements, which is statistical information on how many of a particular implement were manufactured in a particular year; (i.e., # made in 1860, # made in 1861, etc.). I want pre-1915 annual series by J.I. Case of Racine, Wisc., Oliver Chilled Plow Works and C.Aultman. -Joe Davis. 5705-22 Windlestraw, Durham, NC 27713. davis5@duke.edu
CURTIS AIR COMPRESSOR QUERY
I need information on an old Curtis air compressor that I would like to restore. I am wondering if there was some device on the crankshaft responsible for splashing the crank case oil upward to lubricate the bearings and cylinder. Any help is appreciated. – Ralph R. Look 8006 Watson Lane, Wichita, KS 67207
SHELLER SPECIFICS SOUGHT
I would like help identifying this old corn sheller. On the flywheel it says: ‘Browning.’ Also, ‘BK160H.’ It has an electric motor; does anyone know if it would have come this way, or if the motor is an add-on? I would like to rebuild it to original condition. – Donald W. Baxter, 9736 Haasetown Rd., Morgantown, IN 46160
FATHER USED 1920S IHC HEADER TO HARVEST KAFIR CORN AND WHEAT
I just finished reading about the Jones header in the February issue. My father had a newer model, maybe from the 1920s; it had an IHC marking on it. When I saw the small wheel in the rear, I wondered how it stayed on the ground.
Our’s had a solid cast iron wheel, probably two feet in diameter and maybe three inches wide. The platform for the operator was solid cast iron, maybe two inches thick and quite spacious.
There was a small seat on the tiller about the size of a bicycle seat, but you didn’t get to use it because steering was a full-time job. To do it, you needed long legs and a pocketful of rocks.
We pulled our header with a Fordson in the earlier days, and the last time, with a 9N Ford. We used it to cut kafir corn, which was the precursor of milo. Kafir corn would grow 6 feet tall, so we used the header’s high-cut attachment.
For wheat, there were low-cut brackets and even a binding attachment. The threshers hauled the heads to a barn, where they were piled inside with a hayfork; threshing was done in the winter then.
After combines and milo came along, our header was parked. Unfortunately, the war effort claimed many such tools. – Glenn Stockwell, 9220 Alembic Rd., Riley, KS 66531
BEAN HARVESTER TO BE RESTORED
I want to restore this bean harvester, which I found, but I don’t know where to start. I believe a leveling handle in front is missing. I cannot find the name of the manufacturer on it but would like to know that, as well as the original color and all the parts. – Kevin Warzecha, 13787 Nature Road, Royalton, MN 56373; (302) 584-8163 (eves)
TWO-BLADE PLOW
I recently acquired this two-blade plow (shown at left). It has numbers ‘0-9, 0-27 and 0-36’ cast into frame parts and ‘012G and :: x’ on the moldboard. I am looking for information on the manufacturer, and on the size and type of wheels. -Adolph Rosekrans, 1045 Sansome St., #310, San Francisco, CA 94 7 7 7, (415)433-0963; e-mail: rosekrans@pacbell.net
CORRECTION
In ‘Post Cards From the Farm,’ featured in the March issue of Farm Collector, writer Jim Ward’s e-mail address was incorrect. The correct address is: midcreek@ptd.net
SUPER SIX LOADER QUERY
I am restoring a 1950 DC Case tractor. It is fitted with a Super Six front-end loader, patent no. 2470133, on which the trip part has been rewelded many times. I’m looking for pictures or drawings on this loader and information on the company: Super Six Manufacturing Co., Minneapolis, Minn. – Rick Yurk, 2225 N. 36th St. Sheboygan, WI 53083
BURR MILL LETTER TRIGGERS ‘GRINDING’ MEMORY
The January Bowsher burr mill letter brought back memories of the late 1930s. My dad bought a Bowsher at a sale, brought it home and found the burrs completely worn out. After a time he was able to order new burrs, which he thought were expensive. As soon as the burrs arrived, we installed them, hooked the mill up to a 10-20 McCormick-Deering tractor, filled the hopper with shelled corn and let ‘er go. After about 5 seconds, the hopper was empty and the burrs were grinding against each other – ruined again. Apparently even at idling speed, the 10-20 ran the mill much too fast. We never used it again. – James P. Wittman 2825 Meier Rd., Evansville, IN 47720
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Stories to share? Whether reminiscing about a tractor, a piece of equipment, or early farm practices – or maybe just showing off a restoration – your stories are important to Farm Collector! Submissions always are welcome. Compliments? Complaints? Suggestions? Ideas? Comments? Memories? Questions? We’ll print ’em all, as space allows. Send letters to:
FARM COLLECTOR EDITORIAL 1503 SW 42nd Street, Topeka, KS 66609-1266 FAX (785) 274-4305 email: editor@farmcollector.com (Be sure to include your U.S. Postal Service address.) Visit us on the Internet at: www.farmcollector.com
