antique wheelbarrow seeder

[TJG]

018.JPG (72.89 KiB) Viewed 942 times

I brought this seeder home from my wife's farm yesterday. I think it was sold by Montgomery and is a Thompson brand, but I don't see any markings. I've found limited info on the web.

Does anyone have any info or picturtes on colors for restoration, hardward (most of this one is complete, but not all), or a parts one laying around for sale?

I wouldn't want to wrestle the man who could manuver this in a plowed field!!

Thanks,

Todd

[Bob McCarty]

In Wendel's Encyclopedia of Farm Implements and antiques, there is a small picture (2"x3") of a Thompson's Wheelbarrow Seeder. Made by O.E. Thompson and
Sons, Ypsilanti, Mich. It says they were "marketed for decades through numerous equipments jobbers." The wheelbarrow frame is red, the seed box a dark green, but the picture is too small to pick out any details.

Bob

[Jim Becker]

http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/features/timelinks/imageref/ref0895.shtml

[TJG]

Thank you. To me this is an odd contraption.

Todd

[Hengy]

OK... I'll give... How the HECK does this thing work? Do you have to drop the tube down to the ground every turn of the wheel to get the seed into the ground? How the heck does this work??

Mike in La Crosse, WI

[Bigdog]

Mike - if you look closely you will see a couple of arms attached to the wheel. As the wheel turns there is a slider / shaker that moves inside the trough allowing seed to drop out holes in the bottom. These were made for grass type seeding. (small grains)

[Hengy]

Mike - if you look closely you will see a couple of arms attached to the wheel. As the wheel turns there is a slider / shaker that moves inside the trough allowing seed to drop out holes in the bottom. These were made for grass type seeding. (small grains)

Oh hoh hoh! I get it now. I thought it was some kind of row seeder...This makes MUCH more sense now.

Mike in La Crosse, WI

[TJG]

Mike, Big Dog is correct. The trough that holds the seed is 12 feet long. The wood arms alternate striking the wheel spokes. The spokes cause the arms to move forward and back. These wooden arms are attached to a pitman on the outside of the trough, which, on each end the pitman is connected to a rope. It appears that the rope moves a wood baffle inside of the trough, allowing seed to fall out. The machine is reversible with different size holes on either side of the trough.

You'll notice that the metal adjustor plate is on an angle. When moved forward the arms strike the spokes farther from the hub (strike less frequently), so there is less seed spread. When the arms strike the wheel spoke closer to the hub (striking more often) more seed would be spread.

I plan to clean it up, linseed + turpentine, patch or replace any rotted wood, and paint it. Does anyone have a flat clover field to plant next spring?

Todd

[Hengy]

That is a neat old contraption, Todd!!! I will keep looking for the "fixed" pictures once you have it done!!

Mike in La Crosse, WI

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Thank you. To me this is an odd contraption.

Todd

From back in the days when men were men. and usually died by age 50.

[TJG]

even though the photo in Wendel's encyclopedia is small could someone post it here? It would be helful to see if the spokes and other parts are the same color.

Thank you,

Todd

[Bob McCarty]

Todd, I don't have a scanner, but if you want to PM me your address, I'll make a copy and mail it to you.

Bob

[farmermarty]

I have one hanging in my garage and have actually used it. If I can be of any help, let me know. Marty