CHAPTER XXXVII 

 THE GRAIN BINDER OR HARVESTER 



Of all the machines which have been invented and de- 

 veloped during the past century, perhaps none has been the 

 means of saving more labor than the modern grain binder. 

 It has been the main factor in reducing the amount of labor 

 required to produce a bushel of wheat from three hours to 

 ten minutes, and at the same time has greatly improved the 

 quality of the product. 



The grain binder has undergone little change in the last 

 ten years, nor is there any important improvement proposed 

 or desired at the present time. The test of time has elimi- 

 nated from the field the unsatisfactory machines, in spite of 

 the fact that the binder is a very complicated machine and 

 must often do its work under very adverse circumstances. 

 For these reasons this chapter will be a discussion primarily 

 of the adjustments of the binder. 



Size. Formerly the standard binder was a 5-, 6-, or 7-foot 

 cut machine. More recently, by the use of tongue trucks 

 to care for the side draft, the 8-foot machine has become 

 popular among farmers who have large areas of grain to cut. 

 Under favorable conditions and with large areas the push 

 binder of 10-, 12-, or 14-foot cut may be used economically. 

 These machines require at least six horses, and four horses 

 are generally used on the eight-foot-cut machines. 



Selection. Convenience and proper range of adjust- 

 ment, and adequate means of lubrication are the important 

 things to keep in mind in selecting a binder. The variety 

 of grains harvested with the grain binder requires a wide range 

 of adjustment. 



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