THRESHING 69 



of a self-feeder, band cutter, thresher, separator, 

 straw stacker, grain elevator, and weigher. 



The sheaves are pitched upon the self-feeder ; 

 and this carries them to the band cutters which 

 cut the twine, and thence to the shakers which 

 loosen the straw and feed it into the cylinder. 

 There the straw passes between the rapidly ro- 

 tating cylinder and the stationary concave, which 



FIG. 41. General view of threshing out of shock. 



are both set with teeth. These teeth thoroughly 

 shatter the spikes and loosen the grain. When 

 it has passed the cylinder, the straw is pounded 

 by a set of beaters which shake it up. It then 

 hits a deflecting board or canvas causing it to 

 fall upon a set of slatted racks. These racks 

 have a violent motion up and down as well as 

 back and forth. This work is to shake the straw 

 thoroughly free from the grain and conduct it to 

 the rear of the machine. Here it is caught by 



