pull type swathers

[HP 28-50]

Every once on a while I stumble onto one of these around mid MN, but can't seem to find any info on the lineage of these machines. Most I've seen are IH, 8'to10', rubber tired, PTO. My assumption is they grew out of the binder platform sometime in late 40's 50's for the midwest where direct cut didn't fly. Can anyone tell me who, how many, and for how long these cicle canvas beasts were around?

 

[Tx Jim]

Several more company's than IH built them. JD & MF had them. I don't exactly know time frame built but I'd guess '60's-'90's.

 

[Anonymous-0]

the 120 IH was one of the more popular models most were 10' to 12' in later years,there was some case,mm and jd, remember if you had a jd turtle back, wood bros. or ac combine the hitch was on the rh side so you needed a windrower with a rh hitch and you cut ccw instead of cw. pull types were used into the 70's /early 80's when sp's took over, pt's layed the grain straight instead of the heads inb the center like a sp so if it lays for awhile in weather the heads don't have as much tendency to sag into the stubble, the down side of a ot was the back swath, Dad used to open fields for a neighbor , others used a mower

 

[flying belgian]

I used a Case pull type 10' for two years. Combined it with an all crop left hand head. You start in the middle of the field and work your way out.

 

[DeltaRed]

I believe you can still buy a nwe one in Canada.Up to 30 wide.

 

[JMS/.MN]

Dad had an AC combine, and the first two "swathers" were actually IH binders, slightly modified. First one he left only the platform canvas in place, and the windrow got discharged next to the bull wheel. When that wore out, he got another complete pto IH binder, and by removing one bolt, took off the bar that holds the grain to make the bundle, and the grain flowed straight through. Outside round was made into bundles, which we cut and spread onto the first windrow. In"62, neighbor sold out (he was the neighbor with the unstyled WC with factory cast wide front-$$$$now) and he bought his "Winpower" swather. Yes,same brand as the pto generator. Saw both types of machines at the Warp Museum last week.

 

[LenND]

A binder remodeled worked good with AC pull types because they were opposite cut compared to other combines. I think every machinery manufacturer made pull type swathers in the forties, fifties and sixties. They are still made in Canada by McDon and maybe some other companies. And they are still used in this part of the country. But they alot longer cutter bars now like 25 feet and more.

 

[Brendon-KS]

Hesston and MacDon were two popular brands in Canada. I believe MacDon also built the one that Deere sold. The Hesston (and the same unit wearing CaseIH paint) was discontinued a number of years ago since self-propelled units took over the market. Not sure if MacDon still builds one or not. The Hesston was available in sizes up to 35 feet.

 

[Adirondack case guy]

Case built and marketed at least 5 models of swathers. The 710-9' cut, 740-12' cut, AW-9, B-12, and B15. Dealer prices FOB Main Works Racine Wi. AW9 $509.60. B12 $599.20. B15$684.80. Prices sure have changed! Price list dated 10/15/1955.

 

[Adirondack case guy]

I ment to mention the HESSTON built CASE branded swathers, but got side tracked. We sold them here in the North East with the hay conditioner rolls mounted between the draper belts. and then with full width hay conditioners built for hay only.

 

[HP 28-50]

Thanks for all the feed back. It sounds as though they were a little more prolific outside the MN area. The home farm had a Wood Bros. mower conditioner then a SP MH 10' later came a 12' Heston. Through those years I don't recall any pull types in the area and there are few skeletons left today. During the time were running SPs the haybine had invaded the dairy country. The SP was kind of an ugly cousin in these parts but dad sure got busy August doing custom swathing. We still kept a set of long finger extentions from the binder for the lodged stuff, they made life alot easier. Show one of those to an ag student today!