An 1800s hay treader was a manual or horse-powered machine used to process and fluff hay for livestock. Here’s how it worked:
- Feeding the Hay: Bundled hay was fed into the machine through an input chute.
- Breaking and Fluffing: Rotating tines or blades inside the treader would break apart compacted hay, making it easier for animals to eat.
- Powered Mechanism: The machine was often powered by a crank or a treadwheel, operated manually or by animals, which drove the internal components.
- Output: The processed hay exited the machine in a loosened, aerated form, ready for feeding or storage.
Conclusion: The hay treader revolutionized hay processing, improving efficiency and reducing labor in the 1800s farming era.
