Cornell University Library S 677.B81 Bradley & Company's annual.Reapers, mowe 3 1924 000 331 458 I Cornell University f Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000331458 TO FARMERS We take pleasure in presenting yon with our Annual Circular FOR 1882, giving brief descriptions of our Reapers, Mowers and Rakes. Tlie reputation for quality which has been earned by our Imple- ments has become so well known and wide spread that the demand for them for the harvest of 1881 far exceeded our capacity to build them, but to such as were disappointed last season by our inability to fill their orders we would say that we have added to our buildings during the past fall and winter, floor space equal to more than one and one- half ACRES, which, with our already large property, gives us facilities unsurpassed by any establishment of the kind in the country. The competition in farming is so great that a farm to be success- fully and profitably managed must be supplied with the best imple- ments only, as the delay of a day in the midst of harvest tinkering an imperfect machine may cause a loss equal to the cost of a perfect one. We appreciate the fact that a simple reading of the circulars issued by the various manufacturers of Reapers, Mowers and Rakes will give but a very imperfect idea of their relative merits, as the cheapest and most imperfect claim as many if not more good points than those of sterling worth, so that to any farmer in want of any implement in our line we can only say, examine and try a "Bradley" before purchas- ing any other, you will not he disappointed. Our implements are all sold strictly upon their merits. In the foUowing pages, while we have endeavored to caU your attention to as many of the valuable features of our implements as is possible in a brief description, we desire most emphaticaUy to assure the reader that we have made no exaggerated claims or mis-statements and hold ourselves ready at all times to demonstrate that the Brad LEY Reapers, Mowers and Horse-Rakes are aU that we claim for them. Mr. Christopher C. Bradley, who lias been identified with the manufacture of Reajicrs, ^Mow ers and Rakes since their lirst appear- ance in the market, and to whom, as much as to any one person, the farmers of this country are imlelifed for the ])i'esent high standard of excellence to which the better class of these, implements have been brought, gives his entire personal attentiov, to all the various manu- facturing departments of our works. This in itself is a guarantee that both the material and Avorkinanship used in the Bradley imple- ments will be as near perfection as is jjossible. We thank all our friends for past favors, and mil spare no pains to merit their continuance. [Established iSji.J BRADLEY & COMPANY, ©YK,A.C!USE. N. Y. BRi^DLEY'S AMERICAN HARVESTER, lo. 2. ■■•>"••-«.. .rrs Front View. This Reaper was first brought into notice in 1876, and is the result of the demand for a light weight, light running, durable machine,. and from the outset it proved to be a success ; during 1877 and 1878 such little changes as were suggested by experience in the field were made, since which time we ha\'e not been called upon to make any changes whatever. The Tripping Device for controlling the action of the rakes, now in use by us, was first introduced with this machine, and tlie satisfac- tion given by it has been unbounded, so that we can with safety say that we have the simplest, safest, most positive and most durable de- vice for the purpose in the world. By the use of it any Rake can be controlled by the driver to deliver the gavel at any instant, or it can be adjusted so as to deliver the gavels automatically, using every second or every fourth Rake, as desired, or the grain can be deliv- ered in a continuous swath. The PATENT ADJUSTABLE TRACK used only with the Bradley Reapers, allows the sweep of the Rakes to be changed by the driver without leaving his seat, to meet the various conditions of grain and wind, so that good work can always be done. The Bradle.y Reaper is so pcrfccUy balanced that when the driver is in liis seat tliere is no weigiit. u|ion llic horses' ncfks, and the phiti'drni can be tilted witli tlic thnnib and finger ; the Grain Wheel and Drive Whi^el are in a direct line of draft, which prevents nil side dr:il'», and at the yanie time allows the Finger Bar to be parallel with the ground, no matter liow much it n:ay be tilted. The Fini;er Bar is of Cold Rolled An;u;le Iron, which allows the knife to cut very close to the ground when necessary, and at the same time makes a vei\' light and rigid iilatforin. The position of the driver is such that all the operations of the Team, Rakes and Knife can be seen by him without his changing his position, and that it is impossible that he be thrown in front of the knives. As the Cutter Bar is forward of the center, the Reaper is held much closer to the grain on the side hill than machines with the cut- ters at the rear of the center. This Reaper cuts a swath 5 feet 3 inches wide. IN THE BRADLEY THE DRITE WHEEL IS SWR- ROUNDED BY A STRONG ERA3IE, KEEPING IT AL- WAYS IN LINE WITH THE GEARING, NO BREAKING OF CAST IRON AXLE ARMS OR BENDING OK WRO UGHl IRON ONES. The Pitman in use with this Reaper is illustrated on Page 13. Rear View. AMERICAN HARVESTER, NO. 3. The cut ou the opposite page illustrates our American Harvester, No. 3, wiiich was put regularly into the market for the harvest of 1880. In it have been embodied all the desiralile features that have made the Bradley Reapers so successful wherever introduced. Perfect Cut, Superior Reeling and Delivery, Easy and Parallel Tilt, Adjustable Track, Controlahle Rahe, Perfect Balance In addition to these well known points of excellence, there are introduced with this Reaper several new features in the manner of driving the rakes, &c., which add very greatly to its Hiiiiiilicity and Durability, at the same time bringing all of the worldng parts completely into view, so that any possible disarrangement can be immediately discovered and remedied. Appreciating the fact that certain portions of a Reaper naturally are exposed to greater wear than others, we have made it a prominent feature of our machines to have such portions easily and cheaply replaced, so that there is very little necessity of ever having to take one of them to a shop for repairs. The Tripping Device for controlling the rakes is the same as used on our American Harvester No. 2. The Rake Standard is of extra height from the platform, which prevents the Cam and Rake Head from winding with straw. The range in height of cut in this Reaper is very great, as it can be made to literally shave the ground or leave a stubble twelve to thirteeu inches high. The speed of the knives is so nicely adjusted that a clean, smooth stubble is always left, no matter what the condition of the grain or ground ; every straw is cut otTand none pulled off. No Chains or Tumbling Rods are used in any manner about the driving parts of either the Cutter Bar or Rakes. In each of the Bradley Reapers the Gearing and Rakes are placed very close to the Drive Wheel, so that the weight is practically all upon the Drive Wheel, where it is needed. This not only neces- sarily gives great driving power, as compared with the weight of the machine, but relieves the Finger Beam from a great deal of Strain, and places upon the Grain Wheel only Just sufficient weight to hold it properly to the ground. The result of this is, that in soft or sandy land the machine does not bed into the earth, and the outer end of the platform can be easily raised without any complication of levers, which are decidedly objectionable. For the season of 1882 we will construct our No. 3 Harvester with Five Rakes instead of Four, which in connection with our New Malleable Cam and Rake Head cannot but be an improvement. The width of cut of this Reaper is 5 feet 3 inches. The Drive wheel of this Reaper, also, is surrounded by a strong iron frame. Notice the description of Pitman on page 13. DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIPPINa DEVICE USED WITH BRADLEY'S AMERICAN HARVESTERS. The above cut illustrates the Tripping Device used with the Bradley Reapers, and its connection with the 0am, Rake Head and Rakes. As arranged in the cut, every other Rake will throw off a gavel. By pressing a Foot Treadle connected with the latch, B 123, the grain may be held on the Platform while turning a comer, and avoid leaving a bundle where the team will tread on it at the next round. By simply removing the Thumb Screw marked 136, just back of the Lever B 18, and hooking the hook No. 133 into the Trip Chain Lever, No. 132, (unhooking No. 134,) each rake is completely under the control of the driver, and any one of them will rake off a gavel at any time wanted. When it is desired to leave the grain in a continuous swath, every Rake can be made to sweep the Platform by simply removing the Swathing connection, B 21, shaped like an inverted U, (more plainly shown in a separate diagram at left of larger cut.) By the use of the Lever shown at the left of the cut, the position of the Cam can be instantly altered by the driver, changing the sweep of the Rakes so that they will accommodate themslves to all the con- ditions of grain and wind. This device enables the Bradley Reaper to reap entirely around any field of grain, never having to carry a swath. There is one spring only used on our Tripping Device, and that is aflat steel one, shown at 2000. 10 CHANGEABLE SPEED MOWER. In tJiis Mower tlie speed of the knives can he changed from slow to fast or fast to slow at the option of the driver, without changing the speed at which the team is driven. The advantages of a Changeable Speed are : 1st. — As the slow speed (which is one-quarter less than that nsed in Mowers with but one speed,) is sufBcient to cnt nine-tenths of all the grass that grows, there is a saving of one-quarter in the wear by its use. 2d. — For the same reason there is a saving of one-quarter in the draft. 3d. — It runs with much less noise and vibration. 4th. — The team can be driven faster and a larger day^ s work a^coTnplished, without injury to the machine. 5th. — It is unnecessary to hurry the team to prevent clogging in wet or thick-bottom grass, as the speed of the knife can be instantly increased by a simple movement of the shifting lever, conveniently placed in front of the driver, which allows it to cut its way clear, without pulling the grass and straining the machine. The Bradley Mower is driven by gear hung at the center of the axle, by which the objections to the old method of gearing in the Drive Wheels are entirely overcome. The gearing is made with the greatest care and adjusted to the pitch line with the greatest accuracy, which secures the greatest amount of power with the least friction. The gearing is also completely covered, which prevents sand and dirt from getting at and adhering to the parts which are oiled, thereby increasing the friction and causing the bearings to cut oiit rapidly. The Bradley has the most complete Kocking Bar in use, as the points of the guards can be instantly depressed or raised and the Bar elevated to pass an obstruction by the use of one and the same lever. 11 The inner end of the Guard Bar and the Inner Shoe are all car- ried on a steel coil spring, which is attached to the Frame of the machine, bringing the weight upon the Brire Wheel, instead of drag- ging it a dead load upon the ground or pushing it forward upon a small lead wheel, all of which very materially reduces the draft. As the seat is so situated that the weight of the driver balances the har but little power is required to elevate the bar to pass an obstruction and the lohole mad tine is so accurately balanced throughout that there is no weight on the horses' necks, either when the bar is in position for snowing or elevated to pass an obstruction, or folded to move from field to field or on the road. This can be SAID OF NO OTHER MOWEK IN THE MARKET. The Guards are of Malleable Iron fitted with a steel plate which is the same quality and temper of the knife sections. The Cutting Apparatus is iitted with the greatest care, the guards being milled to a uniform line, which causes the knife to run close to the guard making a perfect shear cut. We do not make a specialty of praising any one feature as is done by some, to draw attention from defective points, but claim a greater combination of valuable mechanical principles by which fric- tion is avoided and durability increased than is possessed by any other machine. All bearings are long and can be easily replaced at smaU expense by any farmer however unskilled. Bradley's Single Speed Mower. In general appearance and manner of construction this machine is the exact counterpart of our Changeable Speed Mower, the differ- ence being wholly in the arrangement of the gearing, giving it but one speed to the Cutter Bar which is sufBcient to cut any grass that grows without clogging. FOR DESCRIPTION OF THE PITMAN USED WITH THESE MOWERS, SEE PAGE 13. 12 THE ONLY PERFECT PITMAN. The Pitman of a Reaper or Mower is one of its vital parts and when the Pitman is out of order it matters not liow good and well made the balance of the machine may be, it cannot do its work in a successful or satisfactory manner ; so much trouble has been caused by the defects of this part of Harvesting Machines, that nearly the first question asked by the intelligent purcliaser now is, " What sort of a Pitman are you using r' Appreciating this demand, we have made it a study to get the best, and after a series of experiments we some years since adopted the one we are now using, a description of which is herewith given : The body of the Pitman is made of the toughest hickory, which does not crystalize and become brittle. It is connei^tcd with the knife head which is in the form of a hollow ball, by a pair of adjustable concave steel jaws, held in position by a bolt and safety nut. The connection with the Pitman head is on something of the same princi- pal ; the whole making a connection that cannot become cramped out of line, and prevents any heating or chance for lost motion. B ==^~^'^ ^^^^fe.^M^F^il o o c In the above cut F represents a ball-shaped knife-head, which is hollow and packed with coarse wool H, whicH regulates the flow of oil and render, it self uiling Nos )lo and ii' are marie ot steel with concave bearin^5. winch clasp the knife head F and are held to their place by a bolt and safety nut G, which can be lighicned at any time to relieve the connection of any wear which mi|;hl occur. The Pitman Head E is also seifoilinK. and is clasped by two conical bearings }J^, !!^ which are also made of sleel, ar.d are held to their place by a bolt and'safety nut G. J. J. is- hickory. 13 BRADLEY'S SELF-DUMPING Sulky Horse Rake. REASONS WHY mum SEIF- m[ IS THE BEST, I. It has the strongest and most durable dumping device. II. It is made of the best material, and is better finished than any other Kake. III. The Thills are stiffened by Forged Iron Braces, which connect with the axle a few inches from the end, thereby avoiding all lateral motion and increasing the Strength of the Rake. 14 IV. It dumps from Both Wheels, and avoids all side jerking. It can also be dumped on the corner without cramping the Rake. V. Any boy or girl who can drive a horse is strong enough to oper- ate it. VI. The teeth are independent and adjustable, and will conform to uneven surfaces. VII. It has Twenty Steel Teeth tempered in oil, which are thoroughly tested before taking their place in the Rake. VIII. The Teeth run well under and carry the load, instead of scratch- ing the ground, and gathering stones and dirt with the hay or grain. IX. The Teeth can easily be held to the ground, causing them to rake close in heavy raking. X. It is a Self-Dump, or can be used as a hand-dump as may be desired. XI. The seat is formed to insure the greatest comfort to the Driver, and it rests upon a bent wooden seat spring, which renders his posi- tion easier than on any other Rake. XII. Thousands have been sold, giving better satisfaction than any other Self-Dump Rake. XIII. It is now Ten years since it was first put upon the market, and this is the Sixth consecutive season that it has been made without any change, proving conclusively that it is no experiment but an established success. 15 When you order Machines or Extras be particular to mentiofl the following : IST. — Town, County and State to which thky are to be SHIPPED, and BT AVHAT ROUTE. 2d. — Whether by Freight or Express. 3d. — Number and kind of Machine for which extras are wanted, name and number of part wanted, and in what year the machine was purchased. 4th. — Your Post Office Address. We furnish a Diagram and Price List of Parts with each machine as sent out ; preserve tMs or if lost or mutilated send for another at once, — don't wait un'itl you want an extra part before you see whether you have a price list or not. We furnish extra parts for all Machines that have been manu- factured by C. C. Bradley & Son, Bradley Manufacturing Co., and Bradley & Co., comprising the Hubbard Mower, Economy Mower, Acme Mower, Bradley's Changeable Speed Mower, and Bradley's Single Speed Mower, Johnston' s " Sweepstakes " Reaper, Bradley's American Harvesters, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. All of Bradley's Reaping and Mowing Machines are warranted to be well made, of good materials, and wifh proper management capable of cutting in workmanlike manner an acre of grain or grass per hour. If, upon starting a machine, it shoukl not work well, immediate notice must be given to the agent from whom it was pur- chased, and reasonable time allowed to get to it and remedy the defects, if any, (the purchaser rendering necessary and friendly assistance,) when, if it cannot be made to do good work, it shall be returned free of charge to the place where received, and the payment of money or notes will be refunded. Failure to give notice as above, and continued possession of the machine, shall be deemed conclusive evidence that the machine tills the warranty. 16