Model of Smith's Reaping Machine

Model of Smith's reaping machine of 1814 Model of Smith's reaping machine of 1814

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Model of Smith's reaping machine of 1814
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of Smith's reaping machine of 1814
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

1:6 scale model of James Smith's 1813 reaping machine, with horse, Deanston, Scotland

This is a model of the reaping machine invented by James Smith of Deanston in 1813: the cutting action of corn per hour during which time it would be necessary to sharpen the fast rotating cutter about four times. The cut corn fell against the drum which surmounted the a knife, and was swept round an fell into an even line at the side.

The machine's chief defects were that it was unwieldy, especially for cornering, and that on uneven land, if the front wheels dropped into moderate hollow the cutter would be blunted by the next ridge.

Details

Category:
Agricultural Engineering
Object Number:
1935-636
type:
model
credit:
Speelman, W.

Parts

Horse from model of Smith's Reaping Machine

Horse from model of Smith's Reaping Machine

Horse from 1:6 scale model of James Smith's 1813 reaping machine, Deanston, Scotland

Materials:
leather and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1935-636/2
type:
model and horses