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Harvesting crops
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Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It'd be cheaper to get a local farmer with a small combine to rattle (literally!! ) it off for you. Trial plots combines are normally what you could use, but they need as much maintaining as a larger machine, so you're not gaining much (as parts will also be harder to come by).

 
Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Rob R wrote:
It'd be cheaper to get a local farmer with a small combine to rattle (literally!! ) it off for you.


It would be an option if there was enough and it was accessible but may not be cost effective on a very small scale. I wouldn't want to get a dedicated machine either, I was thinking along the lines of some form of topper that could extract the seeds.

If there's nothing about it looks like I'll have to learn to use a scythe well. At least I can get Bugs to make me a black cloak and I can scare the neighbours.

Tahir, if you do find those links I'd be interested in seeing the machines.

 
tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 7:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
Tahir, if you do find those links I'd be interested in seeing the machines.


Me too

 
Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
Rob R wrote:
It'd be cheaper to get a local farmer with a small combine to rattle (literally!! ) it off for you.

If there's nothing about it looks like I'll have to learn to use a scythe well. At least I can get Bugs to make me a black cloak and I can scare the neighbours.


That is small scale- take it from me, scythes are hard work Sounds like you want a reaper & then hand thresh it or use an old (or for that matter, new) peg drum. That's unless you have a spare ox or ass to trample it out

 
Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I am thinking small scale but cutting by hand may be too much. But if you had a few acres of crops about half an acre each I doubt it would be viable to get someone in to do the harvesting. I would have thought people running smallholdings or small farms would have some way of reaping without a combine.

 
Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There are ways of doing it by hand, but combines make such a good job that either way you end up spending either time or money doing the job. I wasn't thinking contractors- you'd probably never get them to come, but if you could find an old boy with an old machine, a bit of swift bartering could be all it needs

 
gil
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Or someone from the local vintage agricultural machinery society who wants a bit of practice (same goes for ploughing).

Pre-combining machinery : reapers, binders, threshers... as well as small combines.

 
sean
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That's what I call a really cunning plan. With a bit of careful negotiation you could probably get them to pay you for the chance.

 
Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 05 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

sean wrote:
That's what I call a really cunning plan. With a bit of careful negotiation you could probably get them to pay you for the chance.


I think that would be pushing it- but if you can, send them round here

 
Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 05 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

After a bit of goole images I've found these:

https://www.valtra.com.br/Gallery_pics/history/2344/d_3b.jpg

https://www.petcaretips.net/john-deere-630.html

https://www.deal2china.com/tractor_implement/image/combine_harvesrte_b.jpg

Or something modern:

https://www.kubota.co.jp/english/division/farm-m/index.html

I didn't dare remove safe search.

 
Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 05 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

A wrap around combine will certainly set you back a few quid & if you can find someone with one who is actually willing to use it, that would be a good option.

What sort of access do you have to the site?

 
Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 05 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Rob R wrote:
What sort of access do you have to the site?


No site yet, just lots of thoughts at the moment. It occurred to me that there's nothing available between hand harvesting and combines and I assumed there would be. Looking at the list I wouldn't be surprised if there is something from Japan.

 
Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 05 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Ah well, that's the thing, you don't see many around because of the economics. A small combine/harvesting machine may cost as much as a large one to buy & run, particularly with parts needign to be shipped in specially etc. They only really invest in such thing where there is a specific need, such as plant breeding companies harvesting small trial plots.

 
marigold



Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex
PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 05 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Coincidentally I've just finished reading Paul Heiney's book "Pulling Punches" which includes a chapter on harvesting with a horse-drawn reaper.

The book descibes PH's experience of working on Roger and Cheryl Clark's farm in Suffolk which they run on traditional lines with heavy horses (Suffolk Punches).

If you kept heavy horses you'd probably be able to charge people to come and watch you do your harvesting .

 
Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 05 7:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

marigold wrote:
If you kept heavy horses you'd probably be able to charge people to come and watch you do your harvesting .


If you're into horses, that would be an excellent way to do it

 
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