Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Farm Collector

The genius of pioneer inventors can confound us. Countless contraptions that revolutionized farming in the 19th and early 20th centuries have become contemporary curiosities, or even mysteries. Here are six sent in by readers. Do you know what they are? Answers to the February 2022 items will appear in the April 2022 issue. Answers for new items in this issue must be received by February 3, 2022. A. Board measures 21-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches. Five moving parts. B. Piece marked Bingo Mfg Co., 166 Wren Dr., Los Angles, Cal. Two knobs on end; three notches on other side. Measures 20 inches long as shown (5 inches adjustable; 21 inches fully open). C. No measurements provided. D. Tool measures about 33 inches tall. Fin total width about 8 inches; height about 7 inches. Tool is…

After the pandemic-related cancellations of the 2020 show season, the 2021 season seemed bigger and better than ever. The prevailing mood can only be described as pure pleasure. Many shows truly became reunions, as friends reconnected after a year’s absence. And the pieces on display? It’s as though we saw them through new eyes. The old relics from the past seemed to have a new glow. Before the pandemic, some of us had begun to take these treasures almost for granted. And who could blame us? When you’re immersed in a hobby like old iron, it’s only natural to focus on the hottest new find, the shiny “new” thing. In fact, between rapidly evolving ag technology, changing farm practices, the dwindling number of family farms and the scrap drives of…

It may feel like winter outside, but it won’t be long until students head back to school – steam school, that is. Steam schools have been announced by several groups across the U.S. and interested persons are encouraged to register early as classes regularly fill fast. Whether you’re a veteran engineer or a novice, steam schools provide invaluable instruction on steam basics, maintenance, safety precautions and emergency procedures, all conducted by qualified professionals. Some steam school programs offer credit toward licensing. Did we miss your group’s steam school? Contact us at editor@farmcollector.com or call (800) 678-5779 to get your program listed on our website and in future listings. ILLINOIS Central States Threshermen’s Reunion When: June 4-5 Where: Threshermen’s Park, Pontiac Tuition: $60 ($50 for each additional family member) The Central…

Unidentified piece “definitely not a waffle iron” Regarding Steve Lubar’s letter to the editor, November 2021 issue of Farm Collector: How about a meat tenderizer for dinosaur steaks used by Alley Oop’s woman? Seriously: The item shown on Page 5 would have been used as a soil compactor (tamper) when constructing a stone (or rock) sidewalk or a foundation of rock or stone when building a corncrib, barn or house. The first two-story country homes we lived in in the late 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s had rock foundations with no mortar. Jack Fulghum, Fredonia, Kansas Editor’s note: Ron Gasser, Sterling, Ohio, says the piece was used to pack loose soil before pouring concrete. J. Mike Bozich, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, believes it is a hand tamper used in compacting a sewer…

Most readers of Farm Collector probably aren’t familiar with the nomenclature of the wooden wagons found on nearly every American farm until the mid-1950s. Early man acquired knowledge of friction when he tried to move a large rock from here to there: The rock just wouldn’t slide. Rolling the thing worked, if it was round, but what if it was flat? Eventually some ingenious soul got the flat rock up onto a log, allowing the weight to be moved more easily. However, the rock traveled at twice the speed of the rolling log and soon ran off the roller. A number of rollers in a line could be used, but a better answer was to mount the roller on an axle attached to the load, or to a platform that…

MARVIN YODER AGE 10 MARVIN YODER IS OUR FEATURED ARTIST FOR FEBRUARY! Marvin Yoder, the son of Marlin and Leah Yoder, Rock Springs, Wisconsin, is this month’s featured artist. Marvin will receive a Farm Collector T-shirt: Congratulations, Marvin! Have a budding artist in your family? Send your kids’ or grandkids’ farmrelated artwork to Farm Collector, and we’ll send a T-shirt to the monthly winner. Send submissions to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609-1265. Please include the artist’s name, age and hometown and a recent photograph. A release form will be sent to the parents of each artist whose work is selected for publication; the release must be signed and returned to Farm Collector before the artwork can be published. For more information, contact us at editor@farmcollector.com.…

Members of two Amish families in Holmes County, Ohio, are bringing the past to life through demonstrations of immaculately restored century-old equipment. Pairing a circular shingle sawmill built in 1904 with a Case steam engine manufactured in 1909, the men show exactly how roofing shingles were produced more than 110 years ago. Abe Mast, Millersburg, and his brothers purchased the saw from their uncle. “It had not been used for years,” Abe says. “We saw a chance to preserve history.” When Ivan Miller’s family purchased a 1909 Case steam engine in 1991, it was in running condition but badly needed a comprehensive restoration. “By powering Abe’s shingle sawmill,” Ivan says, “we’re keeping this element of power equipment alive for the viewing public.” Chase organization dates to 1850 In 1850, J.D. Chase…

I know that some people seek out silver, platinum, gold and diamonds. But I pursue cast iron. For example, I collect toy tractors, hit-and-miss engines, hog oilers, implement seats and cream separator bases. Unfortunately for my wife (but not for me!) I had about 35 horse-drawn wagon reach plates fall into my lap. Made of cast iron, a reach plate sits between the front and rear parts of a wagon to adjust the wheelbase. The reach is what sits between the reach plate. It’s basically an oversized 2-by-4. In the old days, wagon manufacturers made multiple boxes for their wagons. It was not unusual for a farmer who bought a new wagon to buy two or more different boxes for the wagon frame. International Harvester round reach plates are used…