Farming or Mining equipment, or what is it they are sitting on?

[I4Favre]

To be truthfull with you, I was a little leery of this idea, but he showed the photo to a John Deere dealer, who kept the picture asked quite a few people. One of the person's grandfathers had one. I think they said that the ice was cut, then you put this piece of equipment on the ice, let the lever down to attach to the ice, then they pulled the chunks off with a team of horses..
I know there was a decent size river going thru our farm land.
So I guess this is still a "mystery!"
Darlene

[Aussie Karrob]

Bit More,

Those photos are really well done.

Notice the BRAKE or STOP lever - near the boy's left arm

Notice the STEERING mechanicism near the lady's right shoulder

Notice the shaft to permit the lifting up of the structure where the boy is sitting

Could this be a HAY BAILER perhaps?

Not sure, but hope I am advancing the plot.

JM

OK Im a slow starter on this topic.  On the aparatus that appears to rotate, I note that the radius of steel that is behind Grandma's forearm is quite different to the iron work up higher on tis item.  If the hidden arm is longer than the upper arm, )evidenced by wear marks on the arm below the boys left hip, I have to wonder if this is indeed a primitive maker for sheaved hay (akin to the advanced hay binder of the 1940's/50's here in Australia).  This hidden arm may swing down, under and upward to tighten the sheaf prior to a manual twine/string tie.

Just a thought.  It sure is a fascinating machine tho.

Cheers
Bob

[mike175]

So I guess this is still a "mystery!"

I know some people prefer a mystery, but if you really want to know the answer I reckon you'd be safe to go with the saw . . .

For anyone who hasn't seen the pics on . . .

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullimage.asp?id=26331

 . . . here's a side-by-side: