Restoring a Wooden McCormick-Deering Threshing Machine

By Leslie C. Mcmanus
Published on September 7, 2016
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Jim and Tim unfold the feeder from transportation mode.
Jim and Tim unfold the feeder from transportation mode.
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Most of the thresher’s history is unknown, but Jim does have documentation showing that Edward Schier bought it in the early 1940s and used it on his farm near McMillan, Wis., until 1956.
Most of the thresher’s history is unknown, but Jim does have documentation showing that Edward Schier bought it in the early 1940s and used it on his farm near McMillan, Wis., until 1956.
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Years ago, as portions of the thresher’s feeder became worn, a previous owner patched the holes with what are now antique tin signs.
Years ago, as portions of the thresher’s feeder became worn, a previous owner patched the holes with what are now antique tin signs.
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The Hart cleaner, which removed weed seed from the grain, was optional equipment. A bushel scale and a bagger, driven by the auger shaft, was also an option.
The Hart cleaner, which removed weed seed from the grain, was optional equipment. A bushel scale and a bagger, driven by the auger shaft, was also an option.
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Examination of the thresher’s underside revealed traces of original paint. “The T-axles still had original paint,” Tim says. “That’s how we knew what colors to use.”
Examination of the thresher’s underside revealed traces of original paint. “The T-axles still had original paint,” Tim says. “That’s how we knew what colors to use.”
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The thresher’s original workmanship was impressive, Tim says. “For being a machine shop in the 1920s, they did amazing work,” he says.
The thresher’s original workmanship was impressive, Tim says. “For being a machine shop in the 1920s, they did amazing work,” he says.
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Friends Jim Koltes (left) and Tim Fischer.
Friends Jim Koltes (left) and Tim Fischer.
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Original detail on the thresher was just clear enough to enable production of new decals.
Original detail on the thresher was just clear enough to enable production of new decals.
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Original detail on the thresher was just clear enough to enable production of new decals.
Original detail on the thresher was just clear enough to enable production of new decals.
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The thresher in its “before” state. The two men invested more than 2,000 hours in the restoration.
The thresher in its “before” state. The two men invested more than 2,000 hours in the restoration.

This is a story about the restoration of a 1923 McCormick-Deering wood-frame 22×38 threshing machine. But in actuality, this story is bigger than an old thresher, even if it is a rare piece. This is the story of an old thresher brought back to life by two people working side by side. It is the story of two men learning from each other. And in the end, it is a story of a friendship. As Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

The thresher

The threshing machine was in good shape for its age, but condition didn’t matter to the seller. He just wanted rid of the old thing. He put a classified ad in a magazine. If he didn’t get any takers, it was going to the junkyard.

“I saw the ad in a paper or a farm magazine in the fall of 2013,” Jim Koltes recalls.

“He reads every ad in every magazine ever published, ever,” says his neighbor and friend, Tim Fischer, in mock exasperation.

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