Exploring small-scale grain harvesting

This is a trailer for a short film examining small-scale grain harvesting technologies. Topics to be covered include, use of serrated sickle, the scythe and grain cradles, a home built threshing machine and other threshing methods. See http://www.slideshare.net/seedtray/a-home-built-threshing-machine-for-smallho... for construction plans for the threshing machine

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• small-scale
• grain
• harvesting
• wheat
• home built threshing machine
• grain cradle
• serrated sickle
• winnowing
• seed cleaning
• backyard engineering

[ewetubesuxass]

I was inspired by your video to build a thresher from junk parts I had laying around, although mine requires pedal power which makes for good exercise which is something else I can use a bit of. Thanks for the inspiration! I attached a video of mine at work.

[seedtray1]

@ewetubesuxass Thank you for your interest, I to would like to progress my thresher to pedal power one day. To increase the work rate I would consider a larger diameter threshing drum and use a flywheel to store power. Thank you again and take care.

[jwalk1014]

Glad to see your still at it. Your original videos have served me well as motivational tools to grow my own wheat. Not trying to spam you but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery check out my wheat vid to see how you have inspired me.

[seedtray1]

@jwalk1014 Nice to see you having a go and as you say there is no substitute for learning by doing - wish you all the best.

[Sheila6325]

PS I finally got logged in and downloaded your plans. I forgot to ask, am I allowed to print this out for myself? I will need it to show my friend, so he can tell me if he is able to make this for me. I have seen him make a lot of crazy things, so this one should be fine with him.

Thank you again for the wonderful plans, Sheila

[seedtray1]

@Sheila6325 You can print, make copies and distribute no problem.

[Sheila6325]

@seedtray1 That's wonderful, Thank you. It will be much easier to give a copy to my friend to use to build the machine, and I don't pass out information, unless I have permission.

Your permission is most appreciated. I know it took a lot of work to create such a nice, and much needed, instruction manual. Blessings, Sheila

[Vladivostok41]

Seriously dude you are my hero! One day when I have enough space I want to grow wheat like this!

[Sheila6325]

@seedtray1 Many in the US are growing wheat today, and I know they would find your threshing machine a real treasure. They are looking for anything that will meet their wheat needs. I have been learning about crop covers and they are simply amazing to me. I can't wait to try them in a couple raised beds, that I can keep my feet out of, with less tilling too! I believe a video would be just wonderful, and so many need that understanding, especially how it brings the soil back to life, literly.

[seedtray1]

@Sheila6325 Thank you for your comments, I am glad you can understand the construction plans and grateful for this feedback. Yes, I am still growing wheat and making bread. I use the wheat straw as a mulch on vegetables to stop the weeds growing and conserve soil moisture. I also cut the clover and use it as mulch, and I have been looking at ways to reduce digging and soil tillage. This has really brought the soil to life. I might have to do a video on this someday. Take care.