Dain Safety Steel Corn Cutter

[Carl Wagner]

Here is a couple pictures of a Dain Corn Cutter that I restored. Circa 1896.

[1930]

Very nice but how does it work?

[john k]

So in the days before corn pickers, corn was cut, stacked in shocks, brought back to the farmstead on hayracks, then stacked.   As it was needed for feed, the ears were shucked out, and the stalks were chopped up and fed to the livestock.   This improved life by cutting the stalks off, notice the edges on either side of the seat area.   These look like saw blades, which they were, cut the corn off at ground level, 2 rows at a time!   Previously it was cut by someones strong arm wielding a corn knife, aka machete.  Looks like it was pulled by a single horse which was hitched to the yellow clevis  on the single front wheel.  Woiuld not have been a smooth ride, but sure eliminated a lot of walking.  Corn was planted in one size rows back then, 42 inches, which was the width needed for a horse to walk through.   I doubt many of these survived, very neat.   If I remember correctly, Dain also made a corn sheller, and the company was later bought out by John Deere?  A big farm tool,  labor saving.   

[HeelSpur]

That is an awesome redo, how does the seat work? Looks a little awkward.

[Lewill2]

Is the crank in the center of the rear axle assembly used to adjust the height of the cut?

[johnsironsanctuary]

Was this a two man machine? It looks like each man would gather the stalks as they were cut and then drop them when he had gathered a proper sized bunch.

[Carl Wagner]

The crank on the back does adjust the height in the back. I recently sold one to a wrench collector on ebay for good money. I have a before picture but its too large to post. The seats are designed to sort of sit and stand at the same time, with one leg swung over. Can someone resize the picture for me? Carrollcaver@hotmail.com is my email. Carl

[Papaw]

Send me the picture and I'll resize and post for you.
nhankamer@papawswrench.com

[amertrac]

you had better wear leather sleeves and face/neck protection, Them corn leaves can rip you up   bob w.

[Wrenchmensch]

Nice restoration job. Will we ever see this at a Pennsylvania Steam Show?

[Carl Wagner]

Since I'm in Missouri that's probably not an option. Republic, MO would be worth your trip though.

[Carl Wagner]

Thanks Papaw for resizeing the picture for me. Greatly appreciated.

[skylab]

very nice!