Binders- guards

fastfarmall · Oct 9, 2015

Is it true the first grain binder that Cyrus invented, didn't use, guards, on the sickle, or was it he didnt have the top part, thats above the sickle section, on the guards? Either way we came a long way, especially the air reel.

rustyfarmall · Oct 9, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:45:17 10/09/15) Is it true the first grain binder that Cyrus invented, didn't use, guards, on the sickle, or was it he didnt have the top part, thats above the sickle section, on the guards? Either way we came a long way, especially the air reel.

I'm sure the very first reaper was quite crude, but it worked. Without Cyrus McCormick, we would probably still be cutting with a hand scythe.

Jim Becker · Oct 9, 2015

As rusty says, the original reapers were quite crude. I don't have any pictures or drawings handy, but as I recall the original knife design was much like a really big sabre saw blade. I think there were some finger type things that vaguely resembled a modern guard. There was no part that extended over the knife.

By the time anyone was making binders, I think all had changed to something more like what we see on modern mowers etc. I don't think it was a McCormick design, maybe Deering.

Nebraska Cowman · Oct 10, 2015

The first reaper that Cyrus "invented" did use fingers similar to the guards we have today. his original knife was more of a saw blade that could not have worked very well in anything except dry straw. By 1847 when manufacture started in Chicago I'm convinced McCormick had adopted the section bar style of cutting that we use today which was invented and patented by Obed Hussy.

fastfarmall · Oct 10, 2015

OK Interesting, thanks.

Binders- guards

fastfarmall

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rustyfarmall

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Jim Becker

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Nebraska Cowman

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fastfarmall

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