Tongue, New 4 Mower Horse Drawn

[mark1757]

I’m presently in the process of restoring a New 4 horse drawn mower and I need some help/clarification on the actual dimensions of the tongue.
I’ve done some research and I’ve found out that the New 4 mower tongue is catalog/part # M675 * with the dimensions of the following: 2 ¾” x 4 1/8” x 151”. **

I need to know, what is the shape of the tongue?
Example 1:
I need to know if one end starts as a square of 4 1/8” at the mower end, and then is tapered off to 2 ¾” square at the end where the neck yoke is located?
Example 2:
What about leaving it square for 4 1/8” x 4' from the mower, then starting with the length of 103”, use the 4 1/8” tapered to 2 ¾”?

How far away is the Doubletree placed from the mower end of the tongue?
How far away is the neck-yoke placed from the end?

What is the best wood (Cedar/Hickory/Locust/Maple/Oak/Pine) to use?

Short of finding a tongue and doubletree in an Antique Store and paying through the nose, I guess I’d better get some help and make my own.
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Mark
• *McC 726 80M—8-25-09 pg. 5.
• **No.26-HM Hay Machines Repairs Catalog pg.10.

[Eugene]

Cumberland General Store. Route 3, Box 81, Crossville, Tennessee 38555 phone 1-800-332-4640.

My catalog is from 1993 so prices are outdated. Once in a while you will find their catalog on the magazine stand in the grocery stores.

Cumberland General Store lists singletrees and doubletrees as well as more harness parts. They list a book on harness making.

Amish or Mennonite (spelling) in your area would be a good information source.

Do you know any old farmers or have relatives who farmed with horses?

You might try the local coffee shop - if you live in a rural area. For the price of several cups of coffee you could get all of your questions answered.

Eugene

[beaconlight]

Most of the ones I have seen have been oval with flattened sides or octogon. My friend Al Cobb in Geneva NY usted to farm with horse on LI but mover up state and was able to bring his stuff from his grandparents farm in LI with him. He taught me to drive a team on a chise harrow. It was quite the thing behind a pair of Percherons (if I spelled that right)

Bill

[Bigdog]

Not exactly what you're looking for but maybe this will help:





And you might want to poke around at some of the pictures here:

http://www.farmerbrownsplowshop.bigstep.com/

[Rudi]

BD:

That Leroy Hiller is exactly what I was talkin about a while back. Remember I was trying to describe what people here call a horse hoe? Well, put a pair of mold boards instead of disks on that hiller and that is exactly what you got A real New Brunswick Horse Hoe

I sure would like to get a pattern of the wood work. Be a nice project for next winter... make me up a reproduction... WOW

[beaconlight]

Thanks Big dog I need handles for a planet Jr. some one gave me. This will save me a lot of time and trouble trying to jury rig something.

Bill

[mark1757]

Thank You all very much for your help.
Mark

[beaconlight]

Thanks again the handles for my planet Jr are ordered. I have the steam bent type as oppossed to the cut out type. I never would have forund them without the help of all yopu wonderful people on the forum.

Bill

[Rudi]

BD:

I started exploring that site.. amazing. I think it will see some use and it is now bookmarked. Thanks a lot I sure appreciate the linl

[mark1757]

I'm finding out the answers slowly but surely.

What is the best wood (Cedar/Hickory/Locust/Maple/Oak/Pine) to use?
Answer: #1 Ash, #2 Fir. (Not even on my list, go figure!)

How far away is the Doubletree placed from the mower end of the tongue?

The distance from the doubletree to the neckyoke is 9' 6".

Just need to find out the shape now.
I'll keep you all informed as I progress.
Thanks again for all your help.
Mark

[Rudi]

Mark:

If you do this... maybe you can write up an article for the server... I think it would be an interesting addition..

[beaconlight]

I have heard that Ironwood and Hop Horn Beam were uses. Stangely enough i have both called "Iron Wood). The Iron wood I refer to has a smooth bark with a bumpy surface and a greenis greyish bark. Iron wood seldom gets above 5 inch DBH (diamater Breast height). Hop Horn Beam has a tan flakey bark on old growth and a deep red bark on new growth. I have some 12 inches or so DBH. Most are smaller. I'll be up the country in Franklin NY in a month or so. We could knock down a couple if you wish. I have some ash too if you want to make the trip. I am a little over an hour north east of Binghamton. I will use what ever you don't take for fire wood.

Bill

[beaconlight]

Thank you again Big Dog. The handles for my Planet Jr came in the mail and they are perfect. Always wanted to use one of them.

Bill

[Bigdog]

Bill, I'm glad that someone can benefit from the time I waste on the internet!

[beaconlight]

I don't feel it is wasted.

Bill