How to Thread a Reaper & Binder

Threading an old-fashioned reaper-binder is moderately easy.

In the early 1800s, Robert McCormick designed the first grain reaper, which cut grain and deposited it in a pile beside the machine. In 1872, the reaper-binder was introduced. This improvement not only cut grain but bound it into bundles tied with wire. Twine eventually replaced wire because it was less dangerous to workers and to the animals that eat the grain Although modern combines have largely replaced reaper-binders, some are still used today in small-scale farming. As the reaper-binder uses up a spool of twine, a new supply must be threaded into the machine.

Things You'll Need

• Binder twine
• Knife
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Untie the canvas tarp that usually covers the moving parts of the reaper-binder. Some units have a lever that you can pull on to raise the canvas.

2. Place a spool of binder twine on the spool pin at the top of the machine. If the pin rests horizontally, place a cap on the end of the pin to keep the spool in place.

3. Hold the loose end of the binder twine and thread it along the grooved rollers and tension springs that lead to the main bobbin mounted on the arm of the reaper-binder.

4. Wrap the twine once around the bobbin, being careful not to tangle the twine.

5. Pull the twine down the length of the arm, around another grooved roller and toward the knotter.

6. Feed the twine into the knotter, carefully threading it through the needle so that the twine is snug inside the mechanism and able to be pulled through the knotter with some resistance.

7. Grasp the handle beside the packer and turn it clockwise while holding the end of the twine. The needle in the knotter will secure the twine in the mechanism and produce a successful knot. When the machine is operating, the handle will turn automatically.

8. Cut any excess twine from the end of the knotter mechanism.

Tips & Warnings

• Older reaper-binders may be more responsive to natural binder twine, rather than modern polypropylene blends.

• Never thread a reaper-binder while the machine is in operation.

References

• Bridon Cordage: The Role of Twine in North American Agriculture
• Internet Archive: McCormick International Harvester Company of America
• Families and Farming From West Otago: Howard Reaper and Binder
• Ferguson 20 Restoration: Albion 5A Reaper-Binder

Resources

• Discovering Horse-Drawn Farm Machinery; D.J. Smith; 2008