It's a mechanical scythe, not a plow. The piece that is standing vertical is laid down horizontal parallel to the ground by releasing the chain.
The implement can be pulled by a tractor or a horse rig. This one is made for a tractor, the linkage in the bottom of the picture will connect to the tractor PTO. In a horse rig, the wheels (not shown) would provide the motive force instead of the PTO. This one appears to have no wheels, it is probably meant to be suspended from the hydraulic hitch on the back of the tractor.
There is a reciprocal mechanism that makes sharp blades slide back and forth under the pointed guides so when this is pulled (forward is to the left) the sliding blades will cut the stems of the oats, grain, corn, whatever crop it is pulled through.
Yes, it is scary, noisy in operation and dangerous to use.
I drove one much like this in my youth, pulled behind a tractor. Ours had PTO drive, but also wheels, and was much longer. We used it to cut alfalfa hay, corn and other similar crops.
The operation drives every bug known to man out of the crops and into the air, hair, ears, nose and teeth of the driver. One of the most unpleasant tasks I have ever undertaken. I do not miss it.
It's a mechanical scythe, not a plow. The piece that is standing vertical is laid down horizontal parallel to the ground by releasing the chain.
ReplyDeleteThe implement can be pulled by a tractor or a horse rig. This one is made for a tractor, the linkage in the bottom of the picture will connect to the tractor PTO. In a horse rig, the wheels (not shown) would provide the motive force instead of the PTO. This one appears to have no wheels, it is probably meant to be suspended from the hydraulic hitch on the back of the tractor.
There is a reciprocal mechanism that makes sharp blades slide back and forth under the pointed guides so when this is pulled (forward is to the left) the sliding blades will cut the stems of the oats, grain, corn, whatever crop it is pulled through.
Yes, it is scary, noisy in operation and dangerous to use.
I drove one much like this in my youth, pulled behind a tractor. Ours had PTO drive, but also wheels, and was much longer. We used it to cut alfalfa hay, corn and other similar crops.
The operation drives every bug known to man out of the crops and into the air, hair, ears, nose and teeth of the driver. One of the most unpleasant tasks I have ever undertaken. I do not miss it.
Thanks for the photo, and the memory jog.
JG