Object number
80/69
Creator
Description
This is an Albion No. 5 left hand steel binder, manufactured by Harrison, McGregor & Co. Ltd., in Leigh, Lancashire, in the 1930s. It was originally horse drawn but was converted to tractor driven with a drawbar at a later date. It was bought by Mr Tidbury at a sale near Farnborough in the early 1970s. He restored it fully and re-painted it in 1972 and rallied it once more since then. The binder stood under cover in his garden ever since. MERL purchased it from Mr Tidbury in 1980 for £70 including transport.
Physical description
1 binder: metal (steel); good condition- restored c. 8 years prior to purchase
Label Text
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>5.<B> 'Albion' binder by Harrison, McGregor & Co Ltd, of Leigh, Lancashire.</B><P>The Harrison McGregor works at Leigh was established in 1873 by Henry Harrison and Alexander McGregor. Its 'Albion' range of harvesting machinery, grinding mills, and machines for chopping turnips, chaff and other livestock feed had by the early twentieth century achieved sales and a high reputation around the world. The factory itself developed the most modern assembly-line methods for the production of very large numbers of binders.<P>This is a number 5, dating from the 1920s, with a 5 foot (1.52m) cutter bar. It originally was designed to be horse-drawn, but at a later date was adapted for use with a tractor. It is shown mounted on the travelling wheels that were used to transport it on the road (it would thus move to the left). In the field, these wheels were removed, the machine dropped down onto the land wheel, which drove the cutting and binding mechanism, and it was then pulled straight ahead in operation.<P>80/69</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV><DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>5.<B> 'Albion' binder by Harrison, McGregor & Co Ltd, of Leigh, Lancashire.</B><P>The Harrison McGregor works at Leigh was established in 1873 by Henry Harrison and Alexander McGregor. Its 'Albion' range of harvesting machinery, grinding mills, and machines for chopping turnips, chaff and other livestock feed had by the early twentieth century achieved sales and a high reputation around the world. The factory itself developed the most modern assembly-line methods for the production of very large numbers of binders.<P>This is a number 5, dating from the 1920s, with a 5 foot (1.52m) cutter bar. It originally was designed to be horse-drawn, but at a later date was adapted for use with a tractor. It is shown mounted on the travelling wheels that were used to transport it on the road (it would thus move to the left). In the field, these wheels were removed, the machine dropped down onto the land wheel, which drove the cutting and binding mechanism, and it was then pulled straight ahead in operation.<P>80/69</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Binder // Accession number: 80/69 // Classification: Harvesting: Cereals // Negative number: 60/14019-20 // Acquisition method: Purchased £70 (including transport) // Acquired from, date: Don Tidbury [...], Dec. 80 // Store: Exhibition // Condition: Restored c.8 years prior to purchase // Recorder, date: RB 9/12/80 // Description: Albion No. 5 left hand steel binder. Manufactured by Harrison, McGregor & Co. Ltd., Leigh 1930s. Originally horse drawn but converted to tractor driven with drawbar at later date. Complete except for cutter blade knife. // Dimensions: 5ft 6in cut model. // Associated information: Bought by Mr Tidbury at a sale early 1970s, near Farnborough. Fully restored & re-painted 1972 & rallied once. Has stood under cover in his garden since then. Earlier history unknown. // References: See manufacturer's catalogues & instruction booklets in Trade Record Collection.', Letter, Don Tidbury to MERL, 19 November 1980 – 'Dear Sir, // Further to a visit by my son to your museum I understand you could be interested in the purchase or permanent loan of a reaper binder. I have a Albion horse drawn model with tractor draw bar fitted, it is complete and full working order but for one canvas and knife, I restored it about 8 years ago and rallied it once. It has stood under cover since. 2 photos enclosed'
Production place
Leigh [Lancashire]
Production date
1930-01-01
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_14019.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_14020.tif - High resolution image
