Hay Tedder, circa 1875
THF97263 / Hay Tedder, circa 1875
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Artifact Overview
In the late 19th century, mowing machines left thick swaths of moisture-laden hay grasses in the field. Farmers used tedders to fluff up hay, increasing air circulation to hasten drying before moving the hay into their barns. Drying helped retain hay's nutritional value and decreased the risk of spontaneous combustion that could occur with piles of wet hay.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Hay tedder
Date Made
circa 1875
Place of Creation
Location
at Greenfield Village in Soybean Lab Agricultural Gallery
Object ID
25.106.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Metal
Dimensions
Width: 80 in
Length: 84 in
Diameter: 46 in
Keywords |
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Related Content
SetHay
- 14 Artifacts
Hay is a mixture of cut grasses or crops like alfalfa or clover that keeps farm animals well fed during winter months. Making hay is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process--farmers cut, dry, and store hay all summer long. It is also a race against time--rain damages the crop drying in the fields. Mechanical innovations have reduced the time and labor--but not the urgency--required to complete this essential chore.