Agricultural Implements and Machines in the Collection of the National Museum of History and Technology / Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology, No. 17

by John T. Schlebecker

[172.] Model of Hussey Reaper, 1833. USNM 230438; 1959. The first Hussey reapers were crude two-wheel mowers with a platform attached to the rear right side of the machine. The sickle or cutter bar was made of a series of triangular knives riveted to a flat bar that oscillated back and forth between guard teeth. The action was initiated by means of a gear mounted on the main axle. The raker stands on the platform to remove the cut grain. Constructed by Office of Exhibits, Smithsonian Institution.

[173.] Model of Hussey Reaper, 1850. USNM 230438; 1959. This is a one-eighth scale model of the Hussey reapers built between 1845 and 1850. Constructed by Office of Exhibits, Smithsonian Institution.

[174.] Model of Bell Reaper, 1828. USNM 230438; 1959. On this machine a reel pressed the grain against the cutters and made it fall back on an apron. The apron could be set to run in either direction to deposit the cut grain at the side, out of the way of the machine on the next trip around. The reaper was invented by the Reverend Patrick Bell, Carmyllie, Scotland. The model was constructed by Office of Exhibits, Smithsonian Institution.

[175.] Models of Landis Eclipse Thresher, 1907. USNM 230438; 1957. Constructed by Office of Exhibits, Smithsonian Institution.

[176.] Model of New England Strong Plow, about 1780. USNM 230438; 1959. Constructed by Office of Exhibits, Smithsonian Institution.

[177.] Model of Mahlon Smith Plow, about 1825-1840. USNM 230438; 1959. Constructed by Office of Exhibits, Smithsonian Institution.

[178.] Check Row Corn Planter, about 1870. USNM 230441; 1959. This machine planted two rows at a time and required two men to operate. One man drove the horses and the other operated a lever for dropping the corn at the point desired. Patents for "check" row planters were issued in 1853, 1855, and 1857. Gift of Clayton Kanter, New Knoxville, Ohio.

[179.] One-Row Hand "Corn Jobber," mid 19th century. USNM 230441; 1959. Seed corn is released by means of a lever. Gift of Clayton Kanter, New Knoxville, Ohio.

[180.] Wide Single-Shovel Plow, about 1840. USNM 230574; 1959. Farmers in the western part of the United States in the 1840s used this type of plow to cultivate corn. Gift of John Offenbacker, Sidney, Ohio.