McCormick E-4 hammer mill

I have run across a small E-4 hammer mill. It's in good condition. Does not have the correct fitting screen or any pipe / dust collector with it. I
would like to make a fair offer to the fellow who has it but cannot find anything to base an offer from. Can any of you help with an approx value
of such an item. ( I know I hate these what's it worth questions too)

without those parts, I wouldn't offer much. No more than $100. Maybe 150 if I really had my heart set on owning it for some reason.

Personally though, I'd just wait for a complete one. They're not all that rare.

The screens can be found - for pipes you just use stove pipe - but the vortex separator thing - whatever you call it - I think you'd have a hard time finding one of those separate from a mill. Maybe you can find a modern substitute, but it'll cost you.

They are simple machines, so as long as the bearings don't feel loose or suspect, and the "hammers" aren't too rounded it'll be just as good as any other. I'd say an average price is between 150 and 350 at auction - depending on condition and how lucky you are. I'e never seen on go for more than 500, but I've seen them go as low as 50.

It's like any old piece of equipment, there isn't any kind of "book value". All you can do is offer what you'd be comfortable paying and see what happens. Just search for those parts first.

Assuming it's belt drive, don't forget the cost of a belt. If it includes one - obviously it's worth more. And if belt drive - note the size of the pulley - they did have different diameters.

You want to match it with your tractor pulley so you're at the right speed. Those things hum - I wouldn't want to get an old machine like that spinning any faster than it has to (I always fear one of those hammers launching into somebody's skull)

Nor do you want it spinning too slowly. But I can't tell you what the right speed is.

Its called a funnel, or was in NE Kans. You can get used round bailer belting to make up a belt for it.