Tractor heritage, news and features

Welcome... August 2011

Lincolnshire collector Norman Burkitt is pictured demonstrating what he believes to be the Crosskills ‘put off’ reaper at the Woodhall Spa Country Show on May 22, this year.
It is remarkable in the fact that it could be up to 150 years old. It is believed to be a Hussey’s Reaper made in this country by Crosskill at the Beverley Iron Works, Beverley – presumably because the original Hussey patent had expired.

These days we tend to be blinded with technology and perhaps somewhat blasé to massive leaps almost every day. We can now only imagine the impact the introduction of this ‘reaper technology’ back in the 1850s or so would have on working practices of the day.

However, some of the information on the reaper Norman has gleaned so far gives us some idea. The following quotes are taken after a field trial of reaping machines by the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Lewes, where the reaper was ‘highly recommended’ out of a field of 11 including McCormick and Garrett reapers.

“This Machine is drawn by two horses which walk by the side of the corn to be cut and are driven by a boy who rides on one of them. The cutting is effected by the rapid motion of a reciprocating knife, driven by gear from the main wheel which carries the machine. The front of the reaper is carried by a small wheel which relieves the horses’ necks of the weight...

...Great pains have been taken to adapt this Machine to the requirements of English Agriculture, and those farmers who are not disposed to go to the expense of a self-acting Reaper, will find this implement of great assistance in cutting their crops.”

The improved manual sheaf-delivery reaper sold for £14-10s.

Norman had known of the existence of this reaper in John Harris’ collection at Epworth, but he had to wait until it came up for sale when the collection was ‘downsized’. He then snapped it up for around £270. The reaper is almost back in working order and just requires a knife to complete the work. He believes this may be the only example in the UK but is aware of another in Ireland.

Most importantly Norman gets great pleasure from showing his horse ploughs and small collection of harvesting machinery and also supplying them to his friends to work the land with their horses.

If you have any further information on the Crosskills ‘put off’ reaper please let us know – and remember to keep your eyes peeled at your local show.

Tony Hoyland
Editor