1800s Farming Equipment and the Rise of Mechanization

The 1800s was a pivotal time for farming equipment, marking the beginning of a significant shift towards mechanization.

The introduction of the reaper in 1831 revolutionized grain harvesting, increasing efficiency and productivity.

Farmers like Cyrus McCormick were instrumental in popularizing mechanized farming equipment, such as the reaper, which could cut and gather grain in a single pass.

The mechanical thresher, invented in the 1830s, further streamlined grain processing, allowing farmers to separate grain from chaff more efficiently.

Farming in the 1800s was a labor-intensive process, but early farming equipment made a big difference in efficiency and productivity.

The first plows were made of wood and iron, with iron blades that were often hand-forged. These early plows were used to break up the soil and prepare it for planting.

Oxen were commonly used as draft animals to pull these early plows, as they were strong and relatively low-maintenance. In fact, it's estimated that over 90% of farms used oxen as their primary draft animal.

The first reapers were introduced in the mid-1800s and were powered by hand or by animals. These early reapers were often cumbersome and difficult to use, but they marked the beginning of a new era in harvesting technology.

Farmers in the 1800s also used early versions of threshing machines, which were powered by animals or water. These machines were used to separate grain from chaff and straw.

The introduction of the steel plow in the 1800s revolutionized farming by allowing farmers to till the soil more efficiently and effectively. This led to increased crop yields and improved soil quality.

Farmers who used the steel plow experienced significant improvements in their productivity, with some reporting up to 50% increases in yield.

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Hand tools were still widely used by farmers in the 1930s, even with the availability of mechanical cutting and binding equipment.

Frontier farmers relied heavily on their entire family to help with labor-intensive tasks, such as hand-harvesting grain crops. It was a family affair, and everyone pitched in to get the job done.

Simon Moon, a farmer who worked the John Gregory farms, estimated that it took around 15 hours to pick and husk an acre of corn. If he had 120 acres of corn, that's a lot of hard work ahead of him.

Small grain crops like wheat, oats, and rye were harvested using a reaping hook, a simple yet effective tool.

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Hand tools were a crucial part of farming life in the early 20th century. Many farmers continued to use hand tools well into the 1930s due to lack of access to mechanical equipment.

Frontier farmers relied heavily on their family members to help with labor-intensive tasks like hand-harvesting grain crops. This was especially true for corn, which took about 15 hours to pick and husk an acre.

A reaping hook with a hand-forged blade was used to harvest small grain crops like wheat, oats, and rye. This tool was a staple in many farmers' toolboxes.

John Bell applied 4-16-4 fertilizer as he drilled oats on the W. H. Roland farm in 1940. He also applied lime and rock phosphate the previous fall to ensure the fertility of the soil.

The arrival of new tools revolutionized the way people worked. The railroad brought a dramatic increase in the availability of new tools, making it easier for people to access the equipment they needed.

Local entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to manufacture equipment with the raw materials arriving by rail. By the end of the 19th century, most farm tools had been mechanized.

In the 1800s, farmers in McLean County had a new tool to help with planting and cultivation - the riding corn planter. A farmer could ride behind a horse, controlling a team of horses while a second rider triggered the release of corn seeds into the ground.

The riding corn planter had a seat for both the farmer and the second rider, allowing them to work together efficiently. This machine cut and bound a number of stalks together and dropped them to the ground.

Forty inches was the typical distance between seed hills and each row, giving room for the horse and allowing for cross cultivation without damaging the growing corn. This distance was crucial for the health and growth of the corn.

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Riding cultivators also arrived in McLean County, making it easier for farmers to control weeds. These machines were two-row horse drawn and patented in 1856.

Farmers still had to walk through their fields to hand hoe weeds missed by the cultivator, but the riding cultivators made a big difference in the workload.

The mid-19th century saw significant advancements in seed planting and cultivation, making farming more efficient and manageable for farmers.

A riding corn planter, like Brown's Corn Planter, arrived in 1855 and allowed farmers to plant corn with ease, with a typical distance of 40 inches between seed hills and each row.

Farmers could then cross cultivate their corn without damaging the growing plants. The machine also cut and bound stalks together, making it easier to pick and husk the corn at their convenience.

Two-row horse-drawn riding cultivators arrived via the railroad, but farmers still had to hand hoe weeds missed by the cultivator, showing that even with new technology, some tasks remained manual.

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Horse drawn seed drills became a standard tool for planting wheat and other small grains in the mid-19th century.

Their widespread use marked a significant shift in agricultural practices, allowing farmers to plant seeds more efficiently and effectively.

These early seed drills were designed to sow seeds in a consistent and even pattern, which helped to promote healthy growth and reduce waste.

The introduction of seed drills made it possible for farmers to plant larger areas of land, increasing crop yields and contributing to the growth of the agricultural industry.

The use of horse drawn seed drills remained a common practice for many years, with some farmers continuing to use them well into the 20th century.

The "Big Injun" plow was a game-changer for farmers in the late 19th century. It was purchased by L.L. Crawford from Hyde & Martens Company in 1888.

Crawford was extremely pleased with the plow's performance, especially in challenging conditions. He used it to plow a slough that had never been plowed before, and with just three horses, he turned it into a "splendid shape."

Riding cultivators made a big difference in the lives of McLean County farmers, making it easier to keep weeds under control.

These two-row horse drawn riding cultivators arrived via the railroad, bringing innovation to the fields.

Farmers still had to walk through their fields to hand hoe weeds missed by the cultivator, but the job was significantly easier with this new equipment.

The two-horse cultivator was patented in 1856, marking a significant milestone in agricultural innovation.

Horse drawn corn cutters with binders also revolutionized farming, reducing the human labor needed to complete these tasks.

The Osborne horse drawn corn cutting and binding machine was demonstrated in 1889 by C. H. Salzman, a former farmer turned equipment salesman.

This machine dramatically reduced the cost of harvesting corn, making it more affordable for stockmen and farmers.

The cost to hire someone to cut and shock corn had reached seven cents per shock, making it a significant expense for many farmers.

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Harvesting and Threshing was a labor-intensive process before the introduction of steam-powered engines. These engines, based on the same technology as railroad engines, used wood and coal as fuel.

Hand and horse powered threshing equipment was a significant improvement over manual labor, but it still required a lot of effort to separate grains from their stalks and husks.

By the late 19th century, steam-powered threshing machines were the norm, dramatically reducing the labor needed to power these machines. The engine was parked and the crop was brought from the field to the threshing machine, which was powered with a belt by the engine.

The introduction of steam-powered threshing machines revolutionized the harvesting process, making it more efficient and easier to manage large-scale farms.

Around 1880, Colfax farmer Thomas Kilgore installed a windmill to power the pump that brought water from a well for his livestock.

Wind power from Kilgore's "Eclipse" brand windmill meant he no longer had to hand pump or carry a daily supply of water to his livestock and horses.

Many other area farmers also installed windmills, though very few still dot the McLean County landscape.

The Louis Giese farm near Shirley had a hand corn sheller, which was used to remove corn kernels from the ear.

Giese purchased the sheller from J. P. Walter's hardware store in Shirley, and it was also used to hand shell corn for his livestock.

The McCormick reaper, invented by Cyrus McCormick in 1831, revolutionized wheat harvesting by allowing farmers to cut and collect grain in a single pass.

The McCormick reaper was a major improvement over earlier harvesting methods, which often left a significant amount of grain on the ground.

The McCormick reaper was powered by horses or mules, and its efficiency was a game-changer for farmers.

The McCormick reaper's impact on agriculture was significant, and it became a staple in many farms across the United States.

The McCormick reaper was so popular that it was often sold in parts, allowing farmers to purchase and assemble it themselves.

The McCormick reaper was also a major commercial success, with Cyrus McCormick selling thousands of units.

The McCormick reaper's design was later improved upon by other inventors, including Obed Hussey, who developed a mechanical reaper in 1833.

Obed Hussey's reaper was similar to the McCormick reaper but had a few key improvements, including a more efficient cutting mechanism.

The Hussey reaper was also powered by horses or mules and was designed to be more durable than earlier models.

The Hussey reaper was a popular choice among farmers due to its reliability and ease of use.

The Hussey reaper was widely used in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.

The Hussey reaper's impact on agriculture was significant, and it played a major role in the development of modern farming practices.

Harvest equipment in the 1800s was a crucial part of farming, and it's fascinating to see how people managed to get the job done with such simple tools.

The reaper, a machine that cut grain, was a game-changer for farmers. It was invented in the 1830s and allowed farmers to harvest much more quickly than they could by hand.

Farmers also used a device called a thresher to separate grain from its chaff and straw. This process was essential for producing high-quality grain for market.

The binder, a machine that tied sheaves of grain together, was another important piece of harvest equipment. It made it much easier for farmers to collect and store their grain.

Check-row attachments were a game-changer for farmers in the 1870s. They allowed for cross cultivation by dropping corn seed at equal distances in a checkerboard fashion.

By the 1870s, check-row attachments had been developed for two-row corn planters. This innovation enabled farmers to plant crops more efficiently.

The check-row device was designed to work in conjunction with a guide wire.

The most common types of harvest equipment are tractors, combines, and balers.

Tractors are the backbone of any farm, providing the power and mobility needed to operate other equipment.

A combine harvester can harvest, thresh, and clean grain in a single pass, making it a crucial piece of equipment for many farmers.

The average combine harvester can process up to 10 acres of grain per hour.

Balers are used to compress and bundle crops like hay and straw, making them easier to store and transport.

A good baler can produce up to 100 bales per hour, depending on the type of crop and the quality of the equipment.

The cost of harvest equipment can range from a few thousand dollars for a small tractor to over $1 million for a high-end combine harvester.