Improved Corn Husker and Feed Cutter

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


The machine which wo illustrate above is one of those combinations of parts in the one frame, for performing two distinct operations, of which we have so often to speak, and which are characteristic of the present era in the history of invention. It is designed for husking corn, and at the same time crushing and cutting the stalk so as to be suitable for fodder. We illustrated the first machine of this inventor—Robert Bryson, of Schenectady, N. Y.—in No. 28, Vol. XII., SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, and the present ono is an improvement in the arrangement and construction of the parts. A is a frame of sufficient strength to support the machine, but not cumbersome or unweildy. B is a crank handle that rotates the cog wheel, C, and the drums, E, that carry the endless husking band, D ; from E there passes a cord, H, which rotates the wheel, G, and so gives motion to the other husking band, F. These husking bands are made by attaching strips of wood provided n'ith teeth, to leather straps or belts, and the lower one, E, has one or two strips removed, so that the corn can drop through into a proper receptacle when it is husked. Some of the strips on E are wider than others, and their different width is made {he means of causing the husking device to operate and remain inoperative at the proper intervals, so that when the corn is husked, it shall be free from the teeth, and can be passed away. The manner in which this is done is * simple. The drum, I, which supports the rX upper husking band, F, moves in a slide,/, instead of a fixed jour" nal, and this slide is sus-glpenetl by a cord, b, passing over a wheel, a, under a pulley, c, and attached to a small lever, d. When the broad slats or strips of E are in contact with eZthey cause it to move on its axis, and so lift F out of the way of the corn. The operation of the machine is simple and efficacious, and a description of it will enable the reader to better understand the remainder of the device. The corn is placed in the device, stalk first, and it is caught by the husking teeth, and carried by them to the crushing rollers, J, which break and crush the stalk.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 43This article was published with the title “Improved Corn Husker and Feed Cutter” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 43 (), p. 337
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican07031858-337a

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe