The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-07-01
Management Of Moving Machines.

The season for making hay is at hand, ana
farmers are busiy engaged in preparing for the
securing Of that important crop. The number
OF moving machines sold, and that viii be used
this season greatly exceeds that of any forcler
year.
Several months ago, we earnestly advised those
of our readers who needed these Indispensable
appendages TO the farm, to secure Them in time
Those who took our advice, have not only rem
dered themselves comparatively inlepeu lent of
the scarcity and high price of farm help, but
have saved handsomely IN the purchase price, it
having been largely advanced within the past
few weeks
The farmer who possesses good moving
machine, pair of good horses, and understands
how to drive and keep ii in order may almost
set the elements at defiance. But there are
many who purchase machines, who do not pos
sess either the ability or the inclination to keep
them order and To such they are hindrance
rather than Il help. A worI 10 those who be.
loas 10 this large class
First then, it is your interest to understand
the nature and wants Of the mower. because.
without this familiarity. it will soon become
worse than useless. We know of machines in
good repair, and almost as etfective as when
new, which we sold seven years ago. On the
other hand we have seen the best machines, In
careless hands, rendered nearly useless in a sim
gle season. The cause of these strikingIv DIFF
terent results is reality explained. In the case
of tie machines. their purchasers were men,
who before using, made themselves familiar with
al their details. They ascertaincd where the
friction was greatest and how to relieve it,
they comprehended the importance of sharp
Knives and consequently understood fully the
value of g good grindstonc-a frst-rate whet.
stone, suitable file, surplus blades to replace
damaged ones, aad abundance of riveis TO re-
place worn out or broken ones. They knew
the virtue Of abundance of oil at the proper
ponts-the removal Of rummed grease from
the journals and rust from the parts which were
brought in contact with the ground. Every nut
was properly drawn Eeqy dy, and suitable
wrenchcs " re always at h;,nd for this impo tant
parpose. When lis. season was over. they did
not permit the machine to lie in one OF the fence
corners OF The field in which 1t was last used,
until the succeeding summer; but carefully
cleaned and housed it at once-applied a coat
G. paint to the wood work in leisure hours, re-
moved the knives and oiled them, to prevent
rusting, and scraped away the accumulation of
gummed grease on the Journals. These atter-
lions were the cause and the long and effective
use OF the machine, the result. Take their op.
posiies, and you have an explanation of the
rapid destruction of the second machines
In addition to the above, much depends upon
the driver. There are those who do everything
by mann strength. They start, or attempt to
start a moving machine in heavy grass ,as they
would start III horse race with blow and a
shont for the horses. The sudden Jerk and the
increased resistance cons equent upon the knives
being brought thus Suddenly in contact with a
heavy body OF grass, causes strain upon the
frame, which not unfrequenly deranges the
whole machine, and units ii for further use,
until the damage is repaired. This sudden star.
ting IN heavy grass Is especially to be condemn
ed, where, as Is now almost invariably the case,
the frames are made of iron. The starting uf
moving machine should be gradual. Far
better spend minute in backing, so as to gei
the knives fairly into play, than follow the un-
wise plan alluded to. Nearly all of the ma-
chimes III use may be backed as readily and cas-
lily as Il cart, and if the horses could speak.
they would tell their foolish driver, how much.
easier backing would be TO them.
A word moro and we have done. Buy only
a well approved machine. Almost any Of those
in general use may be purchased with safety
In fitting up your tool box, (Which. by the way,
should always accompany the machine, buy
none but the very best tools. A tip-top mon
key wrench---a good Washita whet-stone--a
steel pulled rivetting hammer, file Of the tirs.
quality, aud above all, oil of the best Kind aud
enough oft. In the end the best things are always
the cheapest, and those necessary to the man
agement OF the moving machine, are not ex-
ceptions to this we'll established rule.