The Rural Voice, 2003-09, Page 47bread".) are truly marvels of
engineering. Try for example,
coming up with the proper rigging
that would not only lift a load of
loose hay above the height of a
haystack, but also to automatically
swing the load around and over the
haystack and release it only when
desired. And all this with the single
forward pull of the draft horse. Such
were the horse -powered hay -stackers
in use at the turn of the 20th century.
Heck, it is even confusing just trying
to describe it (having not been there),
but here's my attempt:
Two ropes were attached to the
whippletree of the horse (in itself
more complicated than the draw -bar
of a tractor). The stronger rope was
then wound through a pulley system
and attached to a fork that clasped the
hay for elevating above the haystack.
The lighter rope was threaded
through a separate swivel -pulley and
lever system, with a small weight
attached to the other end of the rope.
Ingeniously, at the same time that the
horse draws on the larger rope and
lifts the load of hay upwards, the
second smaller rope and weight will
trip a lever once the horse had moved
forward a pre-set distance. At this
point, the pull of the horse then
caused the load to rotate and swing
over the top of the haystack. Once
positioned, the load was deposited to
the haystack as the horse made its
first steps backward and into position
for the next load to be drawn.
Whether it is 18th century farmers
of the Swiss Alps refining their art of
ensiling, or admiring your father's or
grandfather's explanation of how all
those old riggings that still hang in
many a barn actually worked — one
thing is for sure, innovation and
pragmatic thinking is not new to
farming.0
Time line: How harvesting was changed by new technology
1790s: Introduction of cradle and scythe (prior to this, hay
and grain was cut with sickles)
1830-40s: McCormick reaper invented (harvesting
machine combining cutting and sheaving) and Threshing
machine patented (prior to this, threshing was done by
hand flail). Mowing machine patented.
1860-70s: Agricultural revolution from hand -power to
horse -power takes place. Steam tractors are being tested.
1870-80s: Silos first came into use. William Deering's
introduced new twine binders and horse-drawn combines
were used in wheat growing areas of the west. Another
notable invention was barbed wire!
1890s: Agriculture becomes mechanized as all notable
horse -powered farm machinery had been invented.
1910-20s: From Big open -geared tractors, to development
of enclosed gears to finally the p actical light tractors
developed. Small combined Warvesters-threshers
("combines") with auxiliary engines introduced in prairies.
1930-40s: All purpose, rubber -tired tractor (complete with
full line of accessory field equipment) became widely
used.
1950s: The number of tractors on farms exceeded the
number of horses on farms for the very first time.0
ANNOUNCEMENT
Harkness Equipment, Harriston is pleased to
announce their appointment as regional dealers for
the SUKUP line of grain bins, unloaders, augers,
aeration and dryers. As quality grain handling
systems contractors since 1975 we are pleased to add
this excellent product to our offering.
Sukup has been looking at bins from the inside out for the
past 40 years. During that time we have noticed what works and
what could use improvement. We have now taken those years of
experience and knowledge and built them into a bin that was
designed with today's farmers in mind.
Sukup Bin roofs are
built extra -strong to
withstand strong winds
and heavy snow loads
Sukup Bins have the
largest manhole
opening in the industry.
The 20" x 35.5" oval
opening is a comfortable
fit for most farmers.
Advanced production
equipment makes Sukup
the best fitting bin on the
market
Spedal, serrated flange
nuts make installation easier.
The serrated edge ensures that the
bolts won't work loose once
they're tightened.
HARKNESS EQUIPMENT LTD.
5808 Hwy. #9 North, Harriston, ON NOG 1Z0 519-338-3946 Fax: 519-338-2756
Sales - Doug Harkness - Paul Hiemstra Huron Cty. Ralph DeWeerd: Cell - 519.524.0071 Grey -Bruce - Jim Bolesworth Cell: 519-389-7317
SEPTEMBER 2003 43