Story: Arable farming

Threshing machine and traction engine, about 1900 (2nd of 2)

Threshing machine and traction engine, about 1900

Until the invention of the tractor, threshing machines were driven by traction engines by means of a large leather belt. The horse in the foreground is hauling a sledge stacked with sheaves, which have been taken off a grain stack. The sheaves were unloaded and forked into the thresher. This removed the grain from the straw and husks, and fed it into bags, which were sewn up by hand. An elevator lifted the straw onto a stack.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, W. McRae Collection
Reference: 1/2-066409; G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Sue Zydenbos, 'Arable farming - Ploughing and harvesting', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17573/threshing-machine-and-traction-engine-about-1900 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Sue Zydenbos, published 24 Nov 2008