The Washburn leader., 1915-08-13
Importance OF
the Grain Binder
Short Life of Grain Binder Due
Much to the inexperienced
Care Given

The first grain binder marked
an epoch in the development Of
grain harvesting machinery. So
rapid has been its improvements
from the first crude tool put
into the field that today the
modern twine binder is prac-
tically perfect implement, 80
finely and accurately constructed
that it is successfully used by
any farmer, regardless of his
mechsslical ability. This does
not infer that the binder is am
implement that may, with profit,
be neglected or carelessly hand
led. 1t is a comparatively COM
piicated piece Of machinery with
many adjustments that must be
right to have it perform it's
operations properly. The binder
attachments, where these ad-
justments are principally located
is properly put together at the
factory and - is important that
the adjustments should not be
altered unless it is evident that
they are wrong. A new binder
will nearly always work we'll
without readjustment and con-
tinue to do so until moving parts
are considerably worn.
Farmers should acquire a tho
rough knowledge of the me-
chanism of binder; knowing
all places and manners Of ad-
justment and the location Of all
points for oiling the bearings.
Starting with a new machine
it is of the utmost Importance
that the operator knows that oil
is at all times reaching all the
bearings. 1t is we'll to probe
out each oil hole with a stiff wire
to be sure that no paint or dirt
will obstruct the passage Of the
oil and to use oil freely and fire.
quently. The more rapid moving
parts such as the packer arms
and pitman bearings should be
given exta attention.
One Of the more recent am
provements on the binder is the
tongue-suppo rting truck. These
should be on every machine
They reduce most materially tn
works and worry of the horses
at this hard ard heated period
Of the year. A man in the eag-
erness to hurry the work OF
s,aving his grain is quite likely
to rush the teams hard and such
an Inexpensive and efficient
horse4relief as a tongue truck is
almost essential. As we'll as sav:
ing the horses the labor and worr
of bearing heavy weights upon
their necks and the trucks make
handling the. machine itself much
easier. e%5
4 1t is said that the average. life
of a grain binder is bat five
years, or about 100 days Of act
ual use in the field. This would
indicate that the average ma
chine. is a pretty expensive pro
position in the hands of most
farmers and that the average ms
chine is not properly cared for
That good care Of such an ex'
pensive piece Of machinery is
good economy goes without sayin
TOO many machines are left ex'
posed to the weather throughout
the year. This is certain to
greatly shorten the term Of Their
usefulness and in no case is it
matter of economy to leave them
!, thus unsheltered. A cheap shed
of some kind can be- provided in
any instance which will shelter
the binder and some Of the
other more delicate farm ma
chinery.
The canvas aprons should with
good care last as long as the
balance Of the machine. How
ever, the average binder canvas
is replaced about every two sea
sons. Left on the, machine un
covered and unioosened during
the nights of harvest tells rap
idly on them. They should be
sheltered by a binder cover al
these times or removed from ;hs
machine at night and r.;'to
where they will keep dry.
1t is of great Importance dur
ing the use Of the machine to
see that all bolts are tight and
! firm. Before starting into har
vest, give the entire machine
la thorough overhauling for thi,
purpose and for ascertainine
what replacements may be need
4 Af With the nAarly-ali- -stee.