[AT] Corn Shellers?

[john hall]

Grant, I would guess a working 1 hole hand crank sheller would sell for 
$100-250 depending on the brand and your location. The little Blackhawks 
still sell for about $50, but they are way too small for your needs. We 
shelled out about 4 bushels of corn with a single hole IHC sheller a couple 
weeks ago. I pull it with a small Briggs engine. It will shell as fast as 
you can feed it. There is an adjustable spring loaded part that you set 
according to size of the cob. I've never tried anything as small as popcorn, 
but imagine it would work OK. You've got to keep your wits about you with 
one of these should a cob fail to discharge or if an ear doesn't want to 
feed in, especially if you have hired help running it.

 Got anybody near you with a combine set up for corn? Maybe you could shovel 
it in the header---be sure and clean out the combine good or you'll get 
whatever he last threshed mixed in with your popcorn.

There were other stationary corn shellers that would probably make quick 
work of what you need to shell. New Holland made one that was big enough 
that you shoveled the corn in. A friend of mine has a cylinder type sheller, 
I believe they were pretty common in the Midwest. You feed that one by the 
shovel full as well.

Whatever you get, make sure it doesn't damage the cobs or you'll be needing 
a seed cleaner too! You will probably still have to clean some chaff from 
the threshed corn.

John Hall


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Grant Brians" <sales at heirloom-organic.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 1:10 PM
Subject: [AT] Corn Shellers?


>I have a different kind of post this time. I grow popcorn and need to be
> able to shell it efficiently. Our production is small so I know I am 
> looking
> at a used unit. The problem is that I know nothing about different models 
> of
> them. I understand the theory of operation and have hand cranked them when 
> I
> was younger visiting the midwest, so that should be no issue, but how much
> should I spend? How can I assure the unit I get can be adjusted for
> efficient operation with the small diameter ears that I produce? Are some
> units "self-adjusting" for ear diameter? Some varieties I grow have 
> kernels
> on the top of the ear, some do not so does that impact the chosen model 
> and
> its efficiency? Should I get a hand crank unit or a newer electric motor
> operated sheller?
>     As the old expression goes, enquiring minds want to know. But then the
> add on is that this enquiring mind wants to get a good tool in operation!
>     This is also somewhat time sensitive as I would like to start selling
> our popcorn to assess market demand.
>           Grant Brians
>           Hollister,California
>           Vegetable, Nuts and Fruit farmer
>
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>