The Western Bear Cat
Model 1A SP Alfalfa Special
Manufactured by Western Land Roller Co. Hastings, Nebraska
Circa Late 1930s
Operating Speed 1900-2000 rpm.
This large grinder was designed to break grains into feed for animals. It is designed primarily for alfalfa but would grind other grains as well. It is referred to as a hammer mill because of the rows of metal "hammers" which spin inside. Grain enters the grinder along the conveyor, passes the rollers, and goes into the grinding chamber. There, the heavy steel hammers, running at high speed, pulverize the grain and force it through the heavy steel screen positioned at the rear of the grinder. Screens were available with different size holes and were intended for grinding various livestock feeds. After passing through the screen, the ground material is picked up the blower and delivered through the baggage spout. This could be used to blow the feed to storage or into bags or even wagons. This unit was used in Sun City, California.
Owned by the Frasers
Oceanside, Ca.
Shown here is Scott Fraser feeding the grinder and Matt Johnson on Jack Fraser's 1950 Farmall M (which is used to run the Bear Cat).
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