2021 - Volume #45, Issue #2, Page #11
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He Still Has Fixes For Old Equipment
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“I’ve sent equipment or parts to 8 countries on 4 continents and to all 50 states,” says Macknair, who learned the business from his dad.
It is a changing business, he notes. He finds he is doing more custom repair for people and selling fewer parts. First featured in FARM SHOW’s Vol. 34, No. 6 for horse-drawn and antique tractor-drawn plow parts, demand for those parts has fallen significantly. He credits lower cost, new steel bottoms versus older style, cast iron on horse-drawn plows. He also feels the antique tractor market is changing. Attendees he sees at shows of old equipment are in their 70’s, 80’s and older.
As demand shifts, his 14-acre parts yard is getting less use. “I used to go into the yard once or twice a day for parts; now it’s once or twice a week,” says Macknair. “I don’t see as much interest for old tractor-drawn parts or tractors either. I’ve been taking axles, transmissions and drives to the scrap yard.”
Macknair notes that as the industry changes, he is more selective in what he buys. While horse-drawn enthusiasts still like old hay rakes and hay loaders, old manure spreaders are popular with a broader community.
“Most small farmers, including Amish, work off the farm,” says Macknair. “However, if they still have a few horses and milk cows, they need a spreader. I’m working on my fourth or fifth rebuild of some.”
The corn binder has retained its value and is a good seller. He sells some as is and has done full restores. “I had a guy from Texas buy some last year, and I have binders going to Maryland and Ohio. They are still in demand.”
Even more popular than horse-drawn are pto-driven binders. “I get calls from all over the country for them,” he says. “In the South, they use them to cut sorghum, while others use them to cut stalks to sell in shocks for decorations at the big box stores.”
One thing that drives up the price, at least in Macknair’s region of Pennsylvania, is that many pto-driven binders have been converted for motor drives. All too often it is a one-way conversion.
“People cut the frames and alter them in ways that can’t be put back to the original,” he says.
Between his dad’s experiences and his own, Macknair has learned a lot about working with old equipment. He shares his knowledge freely on the Facebook group Horse Drawn Farm Equipment. He started the group to share current projects. In a recent post, he walked members through problem areas with John Deere horse-drawn plows. He identified 4 major and common issues with photos of them.
One of the most common questions Macknair gets is how to loosen a rusted-up gearbox or other drive. He has a simple solution, but one people seldom follow.
“The answer has 3 steps,” says Macknair. “Heat it up and then tap, don’t pound. Then, blow it out with an air gun to get rid of the small particles that fall loose. That last step is what people don’t do.”
If you’re looking for a part or an old piece of equipment, Macknair suggests an email, letter, or a call if time is a concern. While he maintains a website, he encourages people to visit the Facebook site instead. He admits the website is out of date, but it gives an indication of the equipment he deals in.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, B.W. Macknair & Son, 3055 U.S. Hwy. 522 N, Lewistown, Penn. 17044 (ph 717 543-5136; norman@macknair.com; www.facebook.com/groups/horsedrawnfarmequipment; www.macknair.com).
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