THE MASSEY-HARRIS HARVESTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9650, 16 February 1892, Page 3

THE MASSEY-HARRIS HARVESTER.

The amalgamation of the Massey and the Harris Harvester Manufacturing Companies of Canada has resulted in the production of a new harvester distinctly superior to either the well-known Massey machine or the Brantford, the latter being the machine turned out by the Harris Harvester Company. The new harvester has already made its mark in Canada and the States, but owing to a delay in obtaining the protection of the patents office, it, could not be introduced to this Colony in time for the present harvest. One of the harvesters has now, however, been brought into Canterbury for exhibition purposes by Mr Charles S. M'Leod, tbe chief Australasian representative of the Company, and yesterday he superintended a trial arranged by Hr T. White, the Rangiora agent, at Mr Sloan’s farm, near Fernside. Owing to the farmers being busy getting their grain into stack, very few were able to visit she field. Those who did find time to attend the trial, however, formed a very high opinion of the merits of the harvester, the work done by it being admirable. Tho machine was set up just before entering the crop, which was of wheat varying from 10 to 50 bushels to the acre; and when our representative arrived on the ground six or seven acres had been cut without a sheaf being missed in the tying, the sheaves being evenly delivered, and the stubble cut close. Like all the best harvesters of the present day the Maesey-Harris is constructed of steel, but in many of the essential points it differs from others very materially. It is certainly by far the lowest in height of any of tho ordinary elevator machines, and, in consequence, should do excellent work on hill-sides. In weight and lightness of draught it has also a decided advantage, two horses being able to work it with ease. The chain drive which was first used on the Brantford has been adopted, and also the relief spring, another speciality of that machine, which prevents any jolting of the binder in passing ever uneven ground. Another noticeable feature is the perfect way in which the elevator canvases do their work. The canvases are so speeded as to move in unison, so that when the grain passes to them from the platform canvas, it is held in a rigid position until delivered to the binder table, and therefore no shelling out ot the grain can take place. The knotter is of an entirely new design, and seems rightly named, “The Simple Durable Knotter.” It has few pieces, and these do not include a spring of any kind. The mechanism is so arranged that tbe knotter remains motionless until the time arrives for tying, when but a slight movement takes place, and the knot is completed. The small amount of work required of the knotter will be better understood when it is stated that the disc wheel makes but one revolution for the tying of seven sheaves. The machine has an open rear, so that any length of grain can be tied. The reel has a very wide range, and in many of the minor parts improvements will be found. Altogether the machine is one that will no doubt find a good deal of favour when it is placed on the market. Mr M'Leod informs our representative that the Company intends to make Christchurch its headquarters for the Colony.