Video of the Birdsell

Back in June we got the huller out to play with. I took a few videos and mashed em together. I was thinking of taking the vids and some pictures and give them to the local farm museum but didn't get there yet. Any way heres the video.
Birdsell in action

Makes my skin crawly and itchy just watching that. (shudder)

Way interesting. Itchy sure, but not as itchy as an open station SP-125 In very dry soybeans. Jim

nice video!thanks for posting that!!!

Wow ! An extremely complicated and dangerous machine, can't even imagine how it works, So, you end up with loose alfalfa and seed ? Today you can buy bags of seed and I don't understand the loose alfalfa leftover. Please explain. Inquiring mind.

Looks like the camera is about the same vintage as the machine...

just dirty and a bad camera operator!. Fast fact found online... Birdsell quit making hullers in 32 and sold out to AC in 37 if I recall the date right.

I?m glad I clicked on this I almost didn?t . Thanks

Its operation basically comes down to a beat and shake separate system. It separates the seed from the straw/hay. Works much like a more common threshing machine (or modern combine) used for say wheat.
The difference is that a huller has a second cylinder in it to break the seed clumps(called horns in alfalfa) open.

SO to try and explain this interesting device.

The material is fed in front (30 sec in). And pushed into a first cylinder (top of heavy belt at 2min ish) that beats a majority of the horns off, the rest are shaken out on the walkers that run the length of the machine. All the material that falls through get ran through a rasp cylinder (power belt connected 40 sec) that scours the hulls of the horns open an releases the seed.

The scoured material then crosses another set of shakers (side door 2:30) and past a blower to work more of the straw and dirt off. at which "seed" crosses under in a auger, up the elevator, to the small cleaner on the side (1-1 1/2 min mark), this one has a even finer screening that removes most of the last of the forgein material.

The straw is dumped off end of walkers and blown up into barn (end). The handles before the side change is to adjust the blower pipe.

I'm sure I missed a lot of details, but think I got most important anyway. Got more pictures of it as well if need more detail of something.

Awesome!!! Amazing to watch it running.

Thanks. I know I still don't get all of it, BUT, good explanation. b

Great video! Thanks for posting.

The Miami Valley Steam Threshers Association owns a Birdsell Clover Huller, not sure of the model.....Thanks for the video. I am going to share it with the club.We just had our yearly Reunion the 3rd weekend in July.....

I know the 8's have the No 8 on the frame crossing under the feeder, I recall seeing a smaller 6 at an auction once that to was marked with a stenciling there.... might be worth checking to see if still there be interesting to know whats out there yet. I know two 8's here, the one in the vid and another in the shed that was saved from the match and is used for parts...a third No. 8 is at the farm museum I mentioned in comment with the video link.

Thanks for the video. I go to the Badger steam and gas every couple years and always enjoy watching the exhibits. Will this be on display at an upcoming show?

No we don't take it to any shows (especially half way cross the state). mainly being its to hard to transport something this size, at around 20ft long and likely 10 tall. Second we don't save hay over for seed very often either.