TRIAL OF THRESHING MACHINES,

Grey River Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3610, 20 March 1880, Page 2

TRIAL OF THRESHING MACHINES,

[Sydney Daily Telegraph, Feb. 13.] The competition of threshing machines in connection with the International Exhibition took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10th and 11th instant, at the farm of Mr Worboys, of Spring Hill, near Orange. The engines and threshers arrived on Friday and Saturday last, and were, with the exception of one or two, drawn to the scene of the contest by Messrs Fowler and Sons' traction engine, kindly lent by their representative for the occasion. The priority in contest was determined by lot ; the first lot falling to that of Messrs Marshall and Son, the others following thus : — Robey and Co., Foster and Sons, R. Hornsby and Son, Ruston, Proctor and Co., and the celebrated Buffalo Pitts. Two hours were allowed to thresh 100 bushels, failing this the machine was disqualified. Messrs Marshall and Son's thresher, which ha 3 a five feet drum, and specially finished for this Exhibition, was soon i put into position, and had a preliminary trial which, being over, screens were adjusted and work began. Firsb sample was all that could be desired, but for the enormous loss of wheat with the cavings ; this, however, was greatly modified. Although constant attention was paid to the work, a good result could not be ] gained. Time for threshing 106 bushels was 52 minutes. We can only say that the work might have been better. Time being called, Messrs Robey and Co.'s machinery was the next placed in position, all being adjusted within the time allotted, and the work, after preliminary trial, was proceeded with, no hitch or stoppage of any kind interfering in any way from first to last. The work was performed quicker and better than (it eventually turned out) any machine on the ground — wheat well cleaned, wild oats extracted, very little wheat cracked, and only three-fourths of a pint found among the cavings, after being thoroughly winnowed by one of Messrs Hornsby's patent winnowers. The 100 bushels were threshed in the short space of 41 minutes, and had a second trial been considered necessary, Messrs Robey and Co.'s representatives asserted their confidence that it could be done in less time. We desire to call special attention to this machine, being the only thresher in the Colony with wrought angular iron frame, thereby rendering the machine rigid, bearings always true, not affected by exposure to the weather, as the wood in connection with the angle iron makes it impossible to shrink. This machine was admired by all present, and we have no doubt that this clasa of machine will, when more generally known undoubtedly become the favorite among the farmers of New South Wales. Those already sold have given ample satisfaction. Messrs Foster and Sons' thresher came next, but the work was not done to the satisfaction of either their representative or visitors, though the former worked hard to ensure success. Wednesday morning Messrs Hornsby and Son's thresher was in position before competitors had appeared on the ground, having been placed there the preceding evening. They also had a preliminary trial at early morn, which was not in accordance with the rules of the contest, and on this being made known to the judges, they immediately stayed proceedings, held a meeting, and disqualified this firm from competing ; but, at the same time, left it to the option of the other exhibitors whether they would allow Messrs Hornsby and Son's threshiug machines to work for an hour in order that the spectators might judge of its capabilities, to which the spectators had no objection ; the result being that 68 bushels were threshed in 50 minutes, not equal to Messrs Robey and Co. or Marshall and Sons. Messrs Ruston, Proctor and Co. had no better success than their predecessors, being unfortunate in the constant slipping of belts, and no better result in cleaning the wheat could be attained. Buffalo Pitts Co.'s threshing next came, every one being on the tiptoe of excitement as to its capabilities, much being expected from the statements of its exhibitors. Contrary to these expectations, however, this machine did not yield the desired result, and was, after mature consideration of the judges, disqualified from further working. Our American cousin — nothing daunted — hopes soon to remedy these defects, and intends, if possible, to wrest the prize from the winners on some future field. The judges, whose duty it was to see fair and honorable competition, performed their work to the entire satisfaction of all concerned — in fact the exhibitors are very much pleased in bearing testimony to their honest decisions throughout the whole competition. The machinery will be returned to the Garden Palace without delay. [From a Reuter's telegram since received we find Messrs Robey and Co. were awarded first prize by the judges.]