The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-19

BLOOMINGTON, Ill, Sept. 49,
One-man tractor-binders patent shock
ing machines coupled on to the bind
er, and individually owned threshing
outfits, have solved the problem of
labor scarcity in central Illinois and
also materially reduced the high cost
Of farming.
Not in years has there been such
a development in power farming and
labor saving machinery as recorded
during the present season.
Forced by war conditions to pro-
duce machines that would do the
work of men, the manufacturers
have achieved remarkable success.
Harvesting has been robbed of many
Of its disagreeable features, time has
been saved. cost of farm operation
has been lessened, and the agricul-
turist has become more Independent.
With his one-man tractor-binder
he can cut and bind his grain alone.
If he cares to invest in a patent
shocker to couple on behind the
binder he will not require the serv-
ices Of man to pile up the bundles
of grain after they have been as
sembled by the binder.
rator, he can prepare his wheat or
oats for market without waiting upon
the conveniences Of the publicly oper-
ated outfit which goes from farm to
farm.
This season marked the first ap-
pearance of the combination tractor
and binder. They made good under
severe conditions. Storms in April
and May placed the wheat and oats
in bad condition upon many fields.
The tangled grain was too much for
horses and mules and they could not
pull the binder through the fields.
In many instances it became neces-
sary to substitute tractors in order
to procure greater power.
Hook On Any Tractor
With the one-man tractor-binder
any make Of tractor may be utilized.
Coupling to the binder Is accomplish
ed in few seconds by manipulating
two pins and a chain
The binder machinery Is driven by a
shaft from the tractors transmission
and IS independent Of the wheel drive.
thus enabling the driver to operate the
tractor and pull the binder without
the machinery Of the latter outfit
moving. He can also stop the trac-
tor while the binder machinery con
tinues to operate. In case that the
| binder Is clogged by tangled grain
the tractor can be halted until the
grain is cleared.
The cost Of the tractor.binder Is
about $1,000, about that Of four horses.
A gallon of kerosene was consumed
with each two acres harvested during
a number of test runs upon central
Illinois farms this season.
The cost of fabrication Is negligible.
The upkeep is less than that of horses.
In case OF threatened rain, the ma
chine can be kept going through the
noon hour and also work all night by
attaching headlight.
/ Shocker Almost Human.
Ordinarily it requires two men to
shock the grain cut by a binder. The
new machine now on the market
couples into the binder and operates
with almost human intelligence.
Instead Of the bundles of grain fall
ing upon the ordinary carrier to be
deposited at intervals on the ground,
they are thrown upon the tines of a
mechanical pitchfork which swings
upwards and outward, depositing the
bound grain upon a frame between
the shocking wheels. and then return
ing for another bundle.
One after another is whizzed over
and deposited evenly upon the plat.