276 



AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 



Construction. Although simplicity is desirable, care 

 should be used in selecting a cutter to see that it is provided 

 with a good strong main shaft, supported in good, long, 

 babbitted bearings, and mounted in a substantial frame. 

 The gearing should be strong enough to stand the variable 

 load. The rolls should be flexible so as to grip the fodder 

 firmly. The self-feed should be mounted either so as not to 

 require folding when changing location, or so as to be easily 

 folded. 



Selection of an Ensilage Cutter. The selection of an 

 ensilage cutter is rather a difficult task, as these machines 



are of quite recent de- 

 velopment and accurate 

 information concerning 

 the relative merits of the 

 various types is not at 

 hand. In deciding upon 

 the size or capacity of 

 cutter, several factors 

 are involved. On the 

 average it will be found 

 that a cutter will require 

 about one horsepower 

 for each ton of capacity 

 per hour. 



The gasoline engine, 

 either portable or trac- 

 tion, makes a good 

 power for driving the ensilage cutter. Its principal ad- 

 vantage lies in the fact that it does not require constant 

 attention. As many farmers have gasoline engines, the 

 cutter must often be selected to suit the engine. The power 

 to be used and the type of elevator are points to consider in 



Fig. 176. A twisted-knife ensilage cutter 

 equipped with chain-carrier elevator. 



