The first practical reaper taken into the field in 1831 embodied the essential parts of the reaper with which we are familiar. It had a platform for receiving the grain, a knife for cutting it, supported by stationary fingers over the edge, and a reel to gather it. The driver of the machine rode one of the horses, while the man who raked off the grain walked by the side of the machine.
Development of the Reaper.
The ten years following this first instance of a successful reaper were strenuous times indeed for Cyrus McCormick, for it was not until 1840 or 1841 that he was able to make his first sale. Twenty more were sold in 1843 and fifty in 1844.
The Progressive Farmer of Today does not let His Cornstalks go to Waste in the Field, but Cuts Them with a Corn Binder and Either puts Them into a Silo or Shreds Them into Stover for His Hay-loft
This picture shows the husker and shredder in operation with kerosene for power.
During all these years from 1831 to 1844 Mr. McCormick was diligently at work changing, testing and experimenting. In 1845 he secured a second patent, which embodied many improvements—the principal ones referring to the cutting mechanism.
The McCormick Reaper of 1858 in the Field