Case-Osborn Grain Binder, Reaper. Antique, late 1800's Virginia Farm Salvage

Description

This reaper binder, also known as a grain binder, was manufactured by Case - Osborne in Racine Wisconsin. This machine was designed to reap small grain crops and bind the stems into sheaves. A sickle bar along the front of the platform cuts the crop as a wooden reel above the platform drives the crop into the sickle bar and onto the canvas conveyor on the platform. The conveyor then transports the crop into a bundling and tying mechanism, which then dispenses a sheave to one side.
This binder is driven by a series of gearing and chains powered by a large wheel below the bundling mechanism as the machine is towed by either a tractor or draft animal.
Condition: Good for age and use. Some components will need to be reattached or replaced. The reel was cut off for transport and will need to be reattached. The wooden spokes and crossbars will need replacement as they are not intact. The canvas conveyor will need replacement as it has degraded significantly. The seat is missing and can be replaced with a standard tractor seat. Lastly, 2 brake handles with need to be replaced.
This piece could be made functional with repair and some fabrication. It is coated in rust and is pitted on most of the metal components. The gears and pulleys will need cleaning and lubrication as they are caked in soil and debris from use over a long period. This piece was definitely a workhorse!
Included with this reaper binder is the towing assembly, which consist of a pair of iron wheels attached to a wooden tongue with iron hardware. The tongue connects to the narrow side of the machine for towing it longways into position. The tongue also connects to the longer side of the reaper to tow it widthwise, in turn activating the machinery. A pair of detachable wheels used to tow the reaper binder in either direction are also included.
History: This reaper binder was salvaged from Belle-Hampton, also known as Hayfield, in Dublin, Virginia. Initially built in 1826, with additions made in 1879, this home sat on over 250 acres of farmland with a mill, granary, and meat house, as well as a commissary and blacksmithing shop on the site of a former private coal mining operation.
Belle Hampton was the residence of former Soldier, Senator, and Governor of Virginia, James Hoge Tyler, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1989.
This piece and other items from the estate are featured on Episode 13, Season 11, of the DIY Network Show, "Salvage Dawgs".
Weight: 2001 lbs. Overall Measurements: 240(L) x 96(W) x 77(H) Specific Measurements:
Reape binder Assembly (w/o accessories): 1,620 lbs
Wheels (2x): 50 lbs (each)
Rake: 51 lbs, Spool: 30 lbs, Trailer Assembly: 200 lbs