What do I need to look for in a corn sheller?

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I have the opportunity to buy 1 or 2 old hand cranked corn shellers. One's a John Deere, and I don't know the make on the other one. They both appear to be in working order, but without actually shelling some corn I can't say for sure. There's no obvious repairs (like welds and fresh paint). Anybody know what I should look for? What typically goes wrong with these?

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), May 26, 2000

Answers

Eric will the seller either let you test the shellers there, or allow you to bring them back promptly if they don't work?

I'd look at all the parts I could see for excessive wear, breaks, repairs, etc. Make sure everything turns and tightens and loosens. Which it sounds like you've already done.

Shellers seem to be one of those things that keep on working. I'd compare the asking price to new, see if I could test and return them if they didn't work, and take my chances. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 27, 2000.


Thanks Gerbil! Asking prices are VERY reasonable - I can get both for $100. I think the last time I looked, a new one was $160 or $170...

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), May 27, 2000.

Eric, I'd go for it myself. Sounds like they're cheap enough you can risk one being a lemon. The JD will "always" have a certain value just because it is a JD. Wish I could find a deal like this. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 27, 2000.

just bought a JD 1B sheller for $160. nice original condition. if its have crank it may be a 1A or 1B. If it has a flat belt pulley it is also worth more.

-- bwethere (bwethere@1st.net), January 24, 2001.

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