[AT] Thoughts on small combines, other harvest machinery and where it takes us (continued)

[Grant Brians]

I hope to get one of my AC All-Crop 60's back operational. With our very
small scale seed production, we have so far not even needed a combine, but I
can see that changing in the near future. I have never operated a self
propelled combine, actually never even cut grain with one. What I have done
is operated the AC60 for hand feed applications. Hmm, why would someone take
that seeming inefficient route for threshing? I have only done vegetable
seed production and most types of vegetable seed production require the
extra step of cutting and windrowing the plants for drying or the seed will
end up on the ground before harvest.
     A moderately common sight here in years past was the flower seed
harvest. Usually the companies would go through with a two bed vacuum and
literally suck up the seed off the top of the plants (or maybe it would be
out of the top?) to not lose much of the seed. We currently produce
somewhere around 300 or 400 pounds of seed so the hand methods are still
cheaper than machines, but I can see that increasing dramatically
eventually.
     All of this said, I sure can understand the appeal of owning and
operating an old SMALL combine for the satisfaction of performing that
harvest yourself. Our "new" 1950's walnut harvester and sweeper arrived
yesterday here at the ranch and I am looking forward to getting this
equipment refurbished and doing custom harvesting this next fall. They are
crude machines by todays standards, but they not only work but they are
totally effective when correctly maintained and operated.
     One thing I see happening around here as in most parts of the country
is the gap between the older people who KNOW how to perform so many
equipment operation and other tasks and the younger ones who either have
been steered away from the knowledge or never took the opportunity to learn.
That was a characteristic that I have never understood. When I was younger I
started doing something that I hope I never lose - seeking out those with
potentially interesting knowledge or skills and asking them to let me learn
from them.
     Maybe rekindling that spark is the real benefit and goal of taking
machines to the antique farm equipment shows that we so enjoy?
             Grant Brians
             Hollister,California
             Vegetable, Nuts and Fruit farmer

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of Ralph Goff
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 8:02 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Massey Harris/Massey Ferguson 35 SP Combine?


Theres at least one of these little Massey combines out in B.C. Canada. I
had a picture that a friend took at a farm/car show there a few years back.
I'm surprised Al doesn't want the IH equivalent, the model 93. That had a
little 153 engine. Theres a local guy has the newer version (203?) that he
drove in a parade a few years ago. Sure looked small by today's standards.

Ralph in Sask.
----- Original Message -----
From: <MasseyH at aol.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Massey Harris/Massey Ferguson 35 SP Combine?


> Hi Al & Herb,
>
> I have a working MH 35 combine.  To say the least it is a small thing
> compared to today's standards.  The grain table is only 7 feet.  It  has a
> 140
> Continental engine mounted on top.  It can struggle to cut  the heavy
> producing wheat so we normally just cut a half width.  It does an
> excellent job of
> cleaning the wheat.  Great piece to haul to shows. Just  fits on my 20'
> low-profile trailer. Occasionally you will see a #22 2-row corn  head for
> them
> as well.  They have the same problem - it just can not handle  200 bu corn
> so most only pick a row at a time.
>
> Massey Collectors Assn. has a website at _www.masseycollectors.com_
> (http://www.masseycollectors.com)  with a  discussion board.  You might
> want to
> start a thread there.  I know of  several here in the Midwest.
>
> I just saw an old promotion film highlighting the 35 combine.  Hope to
> get
> it on DVD soon.
>
> If you can find one and have the money and storage you will want  one!!
>
> JMO
>
> Thanks
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 11/4/2010 10:03:13 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> metz-h.b at mindspring.com writes:
>

_______________________________________________
AT mailing list
http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at