Modified Tractor for Stacking Hay

Modified Tractor for Stacking Hay TRACTORS Antiques 23-3-22 "This photo shows my 1935 Massey Harris 25 tractor modified to stack hay," says Robert Sestrap, Vashon Island, Wash. "About a week after cutting, we used the tractor to stack hay with the tractor-mounted overshot sweep stacker that's pictured. This is how we put up hay before hay conditioners and balers came into use. "The winch that raised and lowered the stacker was made from a Model T Ford rear axle and was controlled by a Ford multi-disc clutch. Two people with dump rakes collected swaths into large windrows and the stacker came behind. We could clear 30 to 40 acres a day this way. It was high-quality hay with the leaves intact. "When not used for stacking hay, we could equip it with a bucket for loading manure. "In the early 1940's we converted this tractor to remote control because of the shortage of labor. One operator could run two binders in tandem, cutting a 17-ft. swath. It worked great. "After more than 70 inventions, I'm still working on ideas but today I concentrate on automating food processing equipment using pneumatics, which can be set up to perform a vast array of repetitious functions without boredom or carpel tunnel syndrome. All you need to get started is a collection of stuff from big city junkyards. There's gold in them!" Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Robert Sestrap, 22744 Wax Orchards Rd. S.W., Vashon Island, Wash. 98070 (ph 800 634-6132; 206 463-9735).

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