I enclose a picture of a hay press (baler) I purchased at an auction. The only markings on the machine are on the cast iron parts, which have ‘BP’ followed by a number cast into them.
The baler is driven from an outside source to the center pully. On each side, another belt then drives the large pully. I would like any information the readers might have about this machine.- Paul W. Works, 12158 N. Hoover Rd., Sedgwick, KS 67135.
WANTED: LETZ CORN GRINDER BROCHURE
I recently became the owner of a Letz Corn Grinder, Model No. 220. I would like to have information as to what colors it should be painted when it is restored. Also, I am interested in purchasing a brochure on this grinder. Thank you.- Eugene Sanders, Box 244, Hobart, OK 73651.
SOURCE OF HORSE DRAWN EQUIPMENT BOOKS
In the September 2001 ‘Between the Bookends,’ you reviewed Lynn Miller’s books on horse drawn equipment. I have several pieces of horse equipment to restore, but I need to see pictures of the originals to insure accuracy. Where can I purchase Miller’s books? Also, I would like to hear from other Maine restorers as we seem to be out of the geographic loop a bit.- Thomas King,1284 Meadow Pond Rd., Islesboro, ME 04848, (207) 734-9715.
Editor’s note: Several people have pointed out we failed to give contact information for those wishing to purchase Lynn Miller’s books. They can be purchased from Small Farmer’s Journal, Inc., 1-800-876-2893, or on-line at www.smallfarmersjournal.com. I highly recommend a subscription to Lynn’s quarterly Small Farmer’s Journal for those of you truly interested in farming with horses.
SAVED FROM THE TRASH
This is a picture of something my neighbor was going to throw away. There is a string-on pedal board that goes through two pulleys and wraps around the spindle. The spindle has three flutes that rotate back and forth while the pedals go up and down. The hopper on top is about 1 gallon in size. The pedals are about 3 feet apart. I sure would like to know what it is. Any ideas would be appreciated.- Vernon Betz,28196 Golden Gate Rd., Golden, CO 80403-8107, (303) 277-0090.
NUANCES AMONG TONGS
Please find enclosed a photo of a tool that the auctioneers cannot identify. I do not know if a tool like this was used in the Midwest or brought in from another area of the country, or imported. Perhaps someone can help me out. – Harold Prosch,P.O. Box 187, Lake Benton, MN 56149-0187.
We enjoy your educational magazine very much. Enclosed is a photo of an item that has not been reasonably identified even at farm and tool collectors’ shows.
It is 13-inches in length and made like ice tongs but the ‘pointed ends’ are slightly curved, measure 1/2 inch by 2 inches, and look like they were made for gripping something. The tongs are made by Gifford Wood Co., and are painted red with no wear.
One person said it was made for use in a foundry to lift cannon balls! We would like to know for sure. Someone must know.- Erwin and Polly Fullerton,P.O. Box 147, So. Woodstock, VT 05071.
‘GADGET’ A HAY SLING TRIP
The ‘Unknown gadget’ on page 4 of the September issue is a trip used to attach to a sling of hay when you swing it into the right place in the mow. The eye was for a 1/4-inch rope to pull and trip it. The picture is laying down; the hooks should be on the bottom of the picture. That’s the way it goes up to the hay car.
Also, the iron piece on the same page is only half of the thing. This is the bottom piece; a saddle piece laid on top and both were bolted to bobsleigh runners. They rocked back and forth with the lay of the land as the bobsleigh was pulled. They made beautiful music as I remember, as did the runners on the cold snow.
Thanks for such a wonderful magazine.- Henry Bruder,Big Rapids, Mich.
Editor’s note: For additional ideas on the hay sling trip, many thanks also go to Henry Hielkema of Sibley, Iowa., Jerome Lervick of Arnegard, N.D., Maynard Miller of Worthington, Minn., and Lloyd W. Simonson of Emmetsburg, Iowa, who added, ‘Been there, done lots of that as a young man.’
FOUND 45 YEARS AGO ON A WALK IN THE WOODS
About 45 years ago, while walking in woods, I found the above object. It is fired clay with a dark brown glaze on the upper part and a tan band about 3/4-inch wide at the bottom. The base also is tan.
The object is 12 inches high and 9 inches in diameter with a dome-shaped top. The very tip-top has a disc-shaped part that seems to be a handle.
The only opening is on the side about 1/4 inch from the bottom. It is a half-circle measuring 1-1/4 inches long by 3/4-inch wide.
There are no identifying marks anywhere on the object. Would anyone know its use?- Lawrence Bockhold,2100 Hwy 36, Monroe City, MO 63456.
LOOKING FOR HELP
We’re looking for someone to help harvest our grain, at our site, as a threshing demonstration.
We’re also interested in barn raising, Chevoit sheep and organic farming.- Donna and Scott Lehrer,75027 Jericho Rd., Big Rock, IL 60511, (630) 556-3476.
