92 THE BOOK OF WHEAfl 



The combined harvesters used in the United States are re- 

 stricted by climate to the Pacific coast, and may be divided into 

 two classes on the basis of the power used, whether animal or 

 steam. In the work and operation of these two classes of 

 machines, there is, in the main, only a difference in capacity. 

 The standard horse-power machine cuts a swath from 16 to 20 

 feet wide; is drawn by 24 to 40 horses; harvests from 25 to 45 

 acres of wheat per day; and requires four men to operate it. 

 It requires a machine man to regulate the cutting bar and look 

 after the machine in general ; a steersman, a man to manipulate 

 the sacks and tie them, and a driver. This is the most advan- 

 tageous harvester to use on the smaller farms, those having less 

 than 3,000 acres. It was used successfully before 1880, but its 

 sale and manufacture in a commercial way did not begin until 

 1885. 



The Steam Harvester has a cutting bar from 24 to 42 feet 

 long, requires eight men to operate it, and harvests from 75 to 

 125 acres per day at a cost of from 30 to 50 cents per acre, 

 which is the cost of the mere twine with which the sheaves are 

 bound when the wheat is harvested with a binder. The traction 

 engine or motive power is independent of the harvester proper. 

 An auxiliary engine is mounted on the frame of the harvester. 

 Steam conveyed to this engine from the boiler of the traction 

 engine constitutes the driving power for running the cylinder, 

 separator, header, and recleaner, ' ' the effect being a steady and 

 uniform motion of all parts at all times and in all conditions of 

 the grain and at any speed at which the harvester may be 

 traveling. ' ' 



The traction engine is 110 horse-power, has double engines, 

 and nine to 12-inch cylinders. The driving or carrying wheels 

 are eight feet in diameter, and have a width of 32, 40 or 60 

 inches, according to the nature of the ground on which the 

 machine is to be operated. This style of outfit is used very 

 largely on the reclaimed tule lands. The separator has a cylin- 

 der from 26 to 40 inches in length. The mechanism of the 

 machine is so perfected that the feeder, cylinder, grain carrier, 

 shoe, and all cleaning devices remain in a level position upon 

 uneven land and no matter how the machine is set. Thus under 

 all conditions the machine does substantially the same work as 

 upon a dead level. 



