1852 
THE CULTIVATOR 
167 
njwEii r <r 
OVERSHOT THRESHING MACHINE, WITH 
Vibrating and Revolving Separators. 
The above Threshers have been extensively manufactured and 
sold by us for the past six years, and with a steadily increasing de¬ 
mand. During the two years last past, and with our latest Improved 
Rail Road Powers, their sale has more than doubled over the same 
length of time before. 
Although over two thousand of these Threshers have been sold by 
us up to this time, and without exception have given the fullest satis¬ 
faction as heretofore made, we can safely say they are, as now 
made, worth at least fifty per cent more than heretofore, and with¬ 
out any increase in prices being charged for them. 
Their construction is such that the grain and straw are carried by 
the cylinder from a level feeding table, over and between it and 
the concave, which is placed above instead of below as is generally 
done in others. The cylinders being 26 to 30 inches long, and 14 
inches diameter, are much longer but smaller than those generally 
in use—giving more room for feeding, in proportion to work done, 
and doing it nearer the centre of motion, and working easier, as 
the smaller the diameter the greater the power. Again, we require 
but about half the number of spikes in the cylinder, and an increased 
motion, so that the spikes may pass through with a velocity suffi¬ 
cient to take off all the grain. 
The concaves have an increased number of spikes, which for both 
cylinder and concave are swedged into uniform shape and size, from 
the best Swedes Iron. They are set with an inclination which ad¬ 
mits the straw and grain to pass freely, and with as little breaking of 
the straw as is consistent with a perfect separation of the grain— 
thus producing a sort of stripping or carding process. The concave 
is so confined as to be readily adjusted and present any desired angle 
of the spikes to the grain, and also increase or decrease the capacity 
of the throat, thereby retaining the straw a longer or shorter space of 
time in passing, as the condition and kinds of grain may re¬ 
quire. By this arrangement, there is a saving of power of from 30 
to 50 per cent, over the ordinary Threshers, whose spikes pass each 
other at right angles, which operation necessarily breaks the straw 
into many pieces at the expense of much power—a process much 
more easily done with a good hay cutter with sharp knives, than 
with the rounded edges which well formed spikes present to the 
straw. The feeding-table is level, allowing the feeder to stand up¬ 
right and be little annoyed by dust, dirt, &c,; the over-shot motion' 
avoids accidents to men or machine, (by preventing any stones, 
sticks, &c. getting into it in feeding,) which frequently occur with 
the inclined feeding board. The grain by this motion is elevated 
sufficiently to be thrown upon a large seive or separator, where it 
is separated from the straw and falls through upon the ground or 
floor, together with the fine chaff, dust, See , while the straw is dis¬ 
charged at the end of the separator, ready for stacking or binding. 
The Shafts of our cylinders are made of solid cast steel, manufac¬ 
tured and imported for us expressly for the purpose; and all the 
boxes or bearings are made of or lined with Babbet metal. The 
boxes used by us are always of two parts, in order to be adjusted as 
they may wear, or to vary the position of the cylinder, as well as to 
allow them to be removed, if necessary for cleaning or repair, with¬ 
out removing the pulleys or other parts of the machine. This is an 
important advantage over those boxes which are made of a sort of 
tube, and only removed by first removing the pulleys, &c. &c. and 
are never adjustable to accommodate themselves to any wearing. 
The Pulleys are polished and fitted to both ends of the shaft and 
confined by nuts and screws, and with our India rubber band which 
we invariably use, form a perfectly air-tight connection; thereby 
bringing the atmospheric pressure to our aid, and preventing any 
slipping of the band. A band of this kind, say 30 feet long and 3£ 
inches wide, will drive equally strong when four inches looser 
than if made of leather. This kind of band requires little care, 
compared with leather, is equally pliable in all temperatures, and is 
not affected by dryness or wet, grease, acid or dust. It is made with 
but one joint and that smoothly cemented and copper riveted, and is 
equally durable for straight bands as leather, the difference in cost 
being a little in favor of India rubber- The chief advantage of using 
these bands, is causing less stress upon the shafts, allowing them to 
run with less friction and wear on both shafts and boxes. 
CEEANER AND THRESHER, COMBINED. 
During the past three years we have spared neither time or money 
in endeavoring to produce, at one and the same time, a CLEANING 
THRESHER, which will perform as well and rapidly as our 
Thresher and Separator, with the same force of men and team to 
operate it, white the increased cost of such combination should not 
exceed the value of a good farming mill, (say 25 to $30.) During 
the past two seasons we have succeeded to our entire satisfaction in 
all respects excepting cost of construction, the increased expense of 
manufacturing being some fifty to seventy-five dollars, and bringing 
the price fully up to that of Pitts’ celebrated Patent Thresher and 
Cleaner, which has been extensively and favorably known through¬ 
out the whole country for the past fifteen years; and when adapted 
for two horses, well made, and driven by our two horse power, will 
do as well as any now in use, our own not excepted, setting aside 
perhaps something in quantity of work done. 
The great excess of the demand being for our Threshers and Sep¬ 
arators instead of Cleaners, we are compe-led to confine ourselves 
and facilities chiefly to the former, making Cleaners only to order, 
and at the price of one hundred dollars each instead of seventy-five 
as heretofore advertised by us. 
i From our own observations, and the slow adoption of the Cleaner 
combined, when used by farmers with barns and for their own pur¬ 
poses, we would not recommend them on the ground of economy, 
as the grain can generally be threshed better and faster with the 
Separator; and the simplicity of the one as compared with the other, 
together with the difference of skill required in those attending' both 
kinds, is vastly in favor of the Thresher and Separator. Those far¬ 
mers using their straw for feeding, or selling in market, find it much 
more valuable when threshed with the Separator. It is entirely free 
from the dust, dirt and fine chaff'which is mixed thoroughly through 
the whole mass by the current of air thrown from a Cleaner. 
In field threshing and where time is of the greatest consideration, 
and there is risk from exposure to weather, the sir&w of little value, 
large Cleaners, with more men and horses, are often preferable. 
We have received many complimentary letters concerning our 
Thresher and Separator, and in every instance where both have 
been used the preference for economy has been given the Thresher 
and Separator for farmers own use. 
We cannot better express the general feeling among the farmers 
cone ruing the relative advantages of Threshers and Separators, 
and Threshers and Cleaners, than by giving Extracts from several 
correspondents who have seen and used both. 
Extract from letter of Russel, Kileourne, of Paris Hill , N. Y. 
“Sirs,—Since the first two hundred bushels of wheat threshed 
with your latest improved Rail Road Horse Power and Threshing 
Machine and Separator, they have performed well. Two or three 
farmers, neighbors near me, desire machines for their own use: 
how soon can you ship them after they are ordered, and can you 
sell them any less on account of the lateness of the season ? I wish 
very much to sell two or three of them here, if possible, not only 
because I think the purchasers would be belter pleased with them, 
but because Mr. Osborn, Wheeler’s agent, and Who has one of 
Wheeler’s Two Horse Power Threshers and Winnowers here, is 
determined that none of yours shall be sold if he can prevent it.” 
In a subsequent letter, he again writes us, ‘‘The more I see of 
Wheeler’s Power and Winnower, the more I don’t like it They can 
thresh just about seventy-five bushels of first rate wheat per day.” 
Extract of Letter from Wm. H Chalmers, West Galway, Sar. Co. 
“ Gentlemen,—I have a small team, and, with moderate elevation, 
and without their drawing in harness, I put through large sheaves 
of wheat at the rate of one hundred every ten minutes, threshing it 
thoroughly. Much more could be done for ashoit time; but I mean 
with tne elevation and labor of team as I use in following threshing. 
I firmly believe your improved Power Thresher and Separator will 
supersede anything I have seen Many farmers prefer the Thresher 
and Separator to the Winnowers, as grain can be threshed faster and 
better wiihout them—requiring less men, thereby saving sufficient 
time for. cleaning with a good Fanning Mill. I have seen one of 
Wheeler’s Horse Powers, with Thresher and Winnower, at work 
here, threshing but one quarter as fast as I do with your machines. 
An Eight Horse Power, with Thresher and Cleaner, working in this 
vicinity, requiring twice as many men, is pronounced, by those 
taking away the straw from both, to thresh less per day than mine. 
I wish you to write me if you have made any improvements since 
mine, and have you Powers, See , on hand, as I expect to sell some.” 
Extract from letter of Peter Webber, Herkimer , Feb. 3d, 1852. 
“ Gentlemen,—After giving your improved Horse Power Thresher 
and Separator a thorough trial, I consider it superior to any I have 
seen or tried : it works to my perfect satisfaction. I had given the 
others a trial before ordering yours, but was dissatisfied until I saw 
yours operate. I feel a pleasure in recommending it to farmers in 
general as being well made, and as having no equal in arrangement, 
power or woikmanship.” 
Extract of letter from W. D Mason, Jefferson, Ohio,Nov 30, 1851. 
“ Gentlemen,—I write to know your terms for your Improved 
Rail Road Horse Power. I enclose a copy of Wheeler’s, which I 
received from his agent; and if yours come near the same, you may 
consider this an order for one, for which I will remit as soon as I get 
your answer. I have iried Wheeler’s Power at the request of his 
agent, but find the friction so great upon the pinions that it causes me 
to think it cannot be a lasting power.” 
Extract from letter of J. N. Rottiers, Lafargeville,Jeff. Co., N. Y. 
“ Dear Sirs,—Your last set of Improved Horse Power Thresher 
and Separator has safely arrived, and in the best condition. The 
whole have given the best of satisfaction, and are the admiral ion of 
every one. The Saw Mill lias not been tried, but presume will prove 
as good as the other labor saving implemen's made at your establish¬ 
ment. Wheeler, Mellick & Co.; of your city, advertise a Thresher 
and Cleaner, and recommend it for speed and simplicity. I should 
like to have your opinion of its merits, knowing as I do that you are 
always ready to give everything its due.” 
For further testimonials concerning the utility 7 and superiority of 
our Threshers and Separators, and also our Improved Rail Road 
Horse Powers, we refer the public to the following person- from 
among-the many to whom we have recently sold them, and taken jn 
exchange the Wheeler Powers, Threshers, See., at a discount ;n 
favor of our own, of from five to fifty dollars each; and in nearly all 
cases, they are being used for public threshing. 
Hon. J M. SHERWOOD, Auburn, N. Y.; 
JNO. McD. McINTYRE, Esq , Albany, N. Y.; 
JNO. N. ROTTIERS. Esq , Lafargeville, Jefferson Co , N. V ; 
H. L. STEWARTS, Root, Albany County; 
JACOB LANSING, Greenbush, Rensselaer County; 
REUBEN YOUNG, Berne, Albany County; 
GEORGE L. HAYNES, Fultonham, Schoharie County: 
--SMITH & CO., Canajoharie, Montgomery County; 
-DETMAR, Canajoharie. Montgomery County; 
—-DEIVENDORF, Fort Plain, Montgomery County; 
E. ST1LWELL, Fort Plain, Montgomery County; 
COOPER & WOODRUFF, Watertown, Jefferson County; 
JNO. A. DUNN, (Saratoga and Whitehall R. R ,) Saratoga; 
JOHN POST, Boonville, Oneida County, N. Y ; 
ELA MERRIAM, Leyden, Lewis County, N Y ; 
J. C. COLLINS, Constableville, Lewis County, N. Y. 
