I found the article on restoring threshing machines very interesting.
As a youngster, I always looked forward to the arrival of the threshing machine. What an event! By the mid-1950s I could drive a tractor for loading grain bundles. My favorite was a nearly new John Deere Model 50. It even had power steering!
At the end of the 1950s, threshing days were just a memory, and remained so for many years. In about 1990, a group of area folks with similar interests organized the Old Time Farmfest Lions. It is now an annual event. I am a member of the threshing crew. So, after more than 30 years, threshing days are here again.
Twelve years ago I purchased my first threshing machine. I dismantled it for repairs and painted it. Since then I’ve repeated that procedure on two more threshing machines. At this time, three more are awaiting restoration.
What unusual finds there are in old threshing machines. McCormick-Deering no. 28-4357C had a wood toolbox on top, covered with oil and grease. Inside were the usual tools and shipping papers. The thresher was shipped by rail on May 15, 1929, to Prairie du Sac, Wis.
On another thresher, Case no. 78902, some kind of rodents packed the interior with bushels of walnuts. The only knives that would turn were the knives on the feeder.
Richard E. Ruben, W482 County Rd. P, Fountain City, WI 54629
