Hay loaders of this type were one of the earliest devices contrived to lessen the work of putting up the winter's supply of hay for the poor farmer. This loader was a product of the Deere & Mansur Company, of Moline, Illinois. Deere (of John Deere fame) & Mansur had a brief relationship beginning in about 1869, then separated, the John Deere Company continuing in business manufacturing farm and industrial equipment to this day.
Eliminating the need to rake the hay into windrows, the loader had an on board rake which picked up the hay, then placed it on a conveyor which elevated it onto a wagon pulled ahead of the loader.
If you're passing through Deer Lodge, be sure to check out
All The Museums. There are six here within a block, three in the old Montana State Prison and three across the street from it.
NEW DEERE HAY LOADER
Rake Cleanest — Handle Hay Gentlest
THE NEW DEERE HAY LOADER saves your hay because of its unlimited capacity and gentle loading. Saves your horses because it is light draft; all working parts are slow driven. Saves your time because of its greater capacity, clean raking and high delivery. All these things are important in the economical handling of your crop. An examination of this loader, and an explanation of the principles on which it operates, will convince you that the New Deere Loader is right, and it is the Loader you want. It is not built for merely one or two seasons work, and if you have had experience with other makes you will be surprised to find how long-lived the New Deere Loader is. It has the famous wheelbarrow mount which prevents sagging. even after long continued use. The gathering drum is floated and will neither dig into the ground nor gather trash. There are no changes required in going from swath to windrow work or back again. Come in and see our sample machine.
From the accompanying newspaper ad