Hot Line Antique Tractor Guide 2026 - Sample Book | Page 50

HISTORY OF THRESHING MANUFACTURERS

Machinery Company. They continued building threshers into the 1930s when the poor economy and crop failures resulted in another reorganization. They fared well until World War II arrived and ended Avery Company of Peoria, Illinois.

• Port Huron Engine & Thresher Company of Port Huron, MI built their first separator called the Port Huron Rusher with earliest examples of the Farmers’ Friend Wind Stacker. In early 1900s, a new machine was built of all wood and was offered in several sizes. It featured the Port Huron Razor Back cylinder teeth, which guaranteed farmers at least a $ 200 savings in grain lost per season. By the 1920s, Port Huron made a small 20x34 inch“ Tractor Special” thresher, this machine was designed to thresh all kinds of grain in addition to wheat and oats. This company built machines into the 1940s.

• A. D. Baker & Company of Swanton, Ohio was known for their steam traction engines. By 1911, the company was building three different sizes of threshing machines. Advertising of the day stated,“ Our frame is made of carefully selected and thoroughly seasoned hard maple.” In the 1920s, Baker was offering an all steel thresher in several sizes. The company was dissolved in 1953.

• The Caswell Bros of Cherokee, Iowa announced its new Gasoline Traction Thresher, a complete self-contained unit with its own engine. To move from one threshing job to another you simply engaged the traction gears. Since no other information is known it is presumed that production ended almost before it began.

• Herman Cook of Sioux City, Iowa built the Cook’ s Auto-Thresher; it was a self-contained unit with its own engine and traction wheels. Many different auto-threshers appeared about this time, but none of them achieved popularity.

• Heebner & Sons of Lansdale, PA introduced the Sterling No. 26 thresher which was equipped with a low elevator and bagging spouts. Being portable, it was easily moved, making it easy for several small farmers to band together in a“ threshing ring.” The Sterling was very simple, using few belts, and requiring little maintenance. It was manufactured by Heebner & Sons but sold by International Harvester Company of America. David S Heebner began making various farm implements in 1840. In 1890, the‘ Little Giant’ models were introduced; these small machines were very popular. The company remained in business until 1928.

• Belle City Thresher, offered by International Harvester, was equipped with 18 foot folding stacker and long swinging wagon spout, the cleaning fan was situated at the front of the thresher, and designed to push air through the shoe, along with adjustable shutters to regulate the air blast for a controlled cleaning job. 1911-1914, Belle City thresher

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