Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
H. Cecil Wolsey Collection
00111
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Wolsey, H. Cecil
- Title
- H. Cecil Wolsey collection
- ID
- 00111
- Date [inclusive]
- 1939-1967
- Extent
- 2.4 Cubic feet
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing,Michigan".
Biographical Note
H. Cecil Wolsey (the husband of the collection's donor) was employed at the Battle Creek Oliver Corporation plant until it closed in 1963, at which time he became the chief engineer at the Shelbyville, Indiana plant.
The Oliver Corporation is a merger and an expansion of a number of nineteenth century manufacturers of farm machinery, one of them being the Nichols and Shepard Company of Battle Creek, Michigan. Other companies which were merged at the same time (April 2, 1929) were Oliver Chilled Plow, Hart-Parr Tractor Company, and the American Seed Company. This merger resulted in The Oliver Farm Equipment Company. In 1943 the Ann Arbor Baling Company was incorporated and the organization then became the Oliver Corporation. In 1951 the A.B. Farquhar Company, a spraying and dusting company, was also added.
Scope and Contents note
Much of the collection consists of Wolsey's copies of booklets, brochures, catalogs, and manuals concerning combines, corn pickers, and other machinery and parts made by and for the Oliver Corporation. Additional items included in the collection are production charts (1960-1962), speed charts for various machines, correspondence regarding a damage suit against the company (1967), and books on machinery and engineering principles.
Arrangement
The collection has been divided into series consisting of Sales and Service Material, Miscellaneous Office Material, Volumes and Oversized Materials.
SALES AND SERVICE MATERIAL. 1939-1968. This series contains various booklets, catalogs, and brochures relating to the sales of the Oliver Corporation's machinery and machine accessories. Also included are several manuals relating to the service and maintenance of Oliver Corporation equipment and product improvement.
MISCELLANEOUS OFFICE MATERIAL. 1945-1967. This series contains material produced by and relating to Cecil Wolsey's employment as an engineer for the Oliver Corporation. Included are speed charts, line drawings, correspondence, and various published reference books.
VOLUMES. 16 volumes that include handbooks, manuals, stock lists and other publications.
OVERSIZED MATERIALS. Drawings, charts, and newspapers.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections August 2002
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
collection renamed October 2012
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status note
Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Gift of Mrs. Frieda M. Wolsey, 1974-07-23.
Processing Information
This collection was originally titled "Oliver Corporation Records". Subsequent processing retitled the collection under the collector's name, H. Cecil Wolsey. Folders have not been relabeled and still bear the original collection name.
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials
See also Oliver Corporation collection, 00094, at UAHC.
See also Nichols & Shepard Company records, call number: 85711 Bb.2 2; BB.2 Outsize, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- A.B. Farquhar Co..
- American Seed Company.
- Ann Arbor Baling Company.
- Hart-Parr Tractor Co..
- Nichols and Shepard Company (Battle Creek, Mich.).
- Oliver Chilled Plow Works.
- Oliver Corporation.
- Oliver Farm Equipment Company.
Geographic Name(s)
- Battle Creek (Mich.)
Personal Name(s)
- Wolsey, Frieda M.
Subject(s)
- Agricultural machinery
- Industries -- Michigan
Collection Inventory
Sales and Service Material. 1939 - 1968Scope and Contents noteThis series contains various booklets, catalogs, and brochures relating to the sales of the Oliver Corporation's machinery and machine accessories. Also included are several manuals relating to the service and maintenance of Oliver Corporation equipment and product improvement. |
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Booklets |
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Bearings |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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"Fafnir Ball Bearings Conversion Tables" 1948 |
1 | 1 | ||
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"Fafnir Ball Bearings - Wide Inner Ring Bearings" 1959 |
1 | 2 | ||
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"Fafnir Ball Bearings - Ball Bearing Power Transmission Units" 1962 |
1 | 3 | ||
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"Fafnir Ball Bearings - How to Prevent Ball Bearing Failures" undated |
1 | 4 | ||
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"Fafnir Ball Bearings" undated |
1 | 5 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Chains - "Rex Chainbelt Inc, - Agricultural Implement Chains" May 18, 1968 |
1 | 6 | ||
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Combine Instructions |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Oliver Model 15 undated |
1 | 7 | ||
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Oliver Model 18 undated |
1 | 8 | ||
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Oliver Model 20, 22, 30 undated |
1 | 9 | ||
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Oliver Model 25 March 19, 1962, undated |
1 | 10 | ||
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Oliver Model 40 undated |
1 | 11 | ||
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Cornpicker Instructions |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Nichols and Shepard model undated |
1 | 12 | ||
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Oliver Model 1 1939 |
1 | 13 | ||
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Oliver Model 4 1959, undated |
1 | 14 - 15 | ||
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Oliver Model 5 June 4, 1962 |
1 | 16 | ||
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Oliver Model 6 undated |
1 | 17 | ||
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Oliver Model 73 May 15, 1962 |
1 | 18 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Magnetos - "Magneto Ignition - Fundamentals of Design and Service" undated |
1 | 19 | ||
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Wiring - "Handbook of Farmstead Wiring Design" 1946 |
1 | 20 | ||
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Brochures |
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Combines |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 1946 |
1 | 21 | ||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 6 undated |
1 | 22 | ||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 8 1940 |
1 | 23 | ||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 12 1940 |
1 | 24 | ||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 15 1947, 1953 |
1 | 25 | ||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 20 1941 |
1 | 26 | ||
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Oliver Grainmaster Model 30 1950 |
1 | 27 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 25 1960, 1961 |
1 | 28 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 33 1950, 1953 |
1 | 29 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 35 1955 |
1 | 30 | ||
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Oliver Pull-type Model 18 1956, 1959 |
1 | 32 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 35/40 1958, 1959, 1960 |
1 | 31 | ||
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Oliver Rice Specials propelled Model 40 1958 |
1 | 33 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 40 1957 |
1 | 34 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 430/431 1963 |
1 | 35 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Model 525 1964 |
1 | 36 | ||
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New Oliver Model 535 SP 1965 |
1 | 37 | ||
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Oliver Model 545 and 535 1967 |
1 | 38 | ||
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New Oliver Model 545 SP 1965 |
1 | 39 | ||
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Cornpickers |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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The "Sturdy Oliver Corn Master" 1941 |
1 | 40 | ||
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Oliver Corn Master Corn Pickers 1946 |
1 | 42 | ||
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Oliver No. 1 Corn Master-One row picker-husker 1941 |
1 | 42 | ||
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Oliver Two-row pull type Model 2 1955, 1956 |
1 | 43 | ||
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Oliver tractor-mounted corn picker-husker Model 4 1950 |
1 | 44 | ||
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Oliver 2-row Model 4 1956, undated |
1 | 45 | ||
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Oliver 1-row picker-snapper Model 5 1950, 1956 |
1 | 46 | ||
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Oliver 1-row pull type Model 5 1947, 1949, 1966 |
1 | 47 | ||
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Oliver single-row semi mounted Model 6 1955 |
1 | 48 | ||
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Oliver row crop header Model 40 SP 1958 |
1 | 49 | ||
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New Oliver 2-row pull type Model 73 picker-sheller 1958 |
1 | 50 | ||
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New Oliver convertible Model 73 picker-husker/picker-sheller 1959, 1961 |
1 | 51 | ||
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Oliver narrow or wide-row convertible Model 83 husker-sheller 1967 |
1 | 52 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Pulleys. Idler Pulley Assemblies 1960 |
1 | 53 | ||
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Tubing. Elyria Structural Steel Tubing 1962 |
1 | 54 | ||
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Wagons. Oliver wagons and wagon boxes undated |
1 | 55 | ||
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Catalogs - General |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Gates V-Belts and Engineering Notes 1944-1967 |
1 | 56 | ||
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Gilmer Belts Mold List 1952 |
1 | 57 | ||
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"New Departure Ball Bearings for Farm Implements" 1962 |
1 | 58 | ||
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Catalogs - Parts |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Oliver Cornmaster Model No. 1 1941 |
1 | 59 | ||
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Oliver Cornmaster Model No. 1, Serial No. 7057 undated |
1 | 60 | ||
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Oliver Cornmaster Model No. 1, Serial No. 8908 - 8942 undated |
1 | 61 | ||
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Oliver Picker Husker Model 73 1959 |
1 | 62 | ||
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Oliver Grain Master Combine Model Two undated |
1 | 63 | ||
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Oliver Golden Grain Master Combine Model Two undated |
1 | 64 | ||
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Oliver Self-propelled Combine and attachments Model 25 1961 |
1 | 65 | ||
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Eaton Manufacturing Company, Reliance Division undated |
1 | 66 | ||
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Fafnir-Ina Needle Roller Bearings undated |
1 | 67 | ||
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Fafnir Ball Bearings and Ball Bearing Power Transmission Units 1959 |
1 | 68 | ||
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Oliver Tractor Series No. 550 November 1961 |
1 | 69 | ||
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Catalogs - Price List |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Oliver-Nichols & Shepard 2 row Corn Picker Husker undated |
1 | 70 | ||
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Farm Machinery Publications undated |
1 | 71 | ||
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Instruction Sheets |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Installing Combine axle extensions August 26, 1966 |
1 | 72 | ||
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Combine head conversions on 535 Combine July 11, 1966 |
1 | 73 | ||
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Combine multi-luber packages on Model 522 Corn Head July 13, 1966 |
1 | 74 | ||
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Tips for assembly |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Auger extension Model 83 Sheller June 1, 1967 |
1 | 75 | ||
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Wagon elevator extension Model 83 Picker June 1, 1967 |
1 | 76 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Drafting undated |
1 | 77 | ||
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Manuals |
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Bearings |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Farm Implement Bearings January 3, 1955 |
1 | 78 | ||
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New Departure Ball Bearings for Farm Implements 1956 |
1 | 79 | ||
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Tillage and Cultivating Equipment undated |
1 | 80 | ||
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Units for farm implements (Fafnir) undated |
1 | 81 | ||
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Service |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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"60" Shop 1948 |
1 | 82 | ||
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"70" Shop 1948 |
1 | 83 | ||
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"80" Shop 1948 |
1 | 84 | ||
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"90-99" Shop 1948 |
1 | 85 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Service Bulletin. Tractor Improvements, changes and repair parts 1960 |
1 | 86 | ||
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Sales Notes |
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Combine attachments |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Corn Cob mix attachment Models 525, 535, 545 May 29, 1967 |
1 | 87 | ||
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Snap clutch attachment May 29, 1967 |
1 | 88 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Cornpicker attachment. 12 roll Husking Unit Model 83 May 29, 1967 |
1 | 89 | ||
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Grinder Blower and Hammermill Model 405 December 1, 1967 |
1 | 90 | ||
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Miscellaneous Office Material. 1945 - 1967Scope and Contents noteThis series contains material produced by and relating to Cecil Wolsey's employment as an engineer for the Oliver Corporation. Included are speed charts, line drawings, correspondence, and various published reference books. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Charts. Cross Index of Bearings 1959 |
1 | 91 | ||
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Correspondence March - May 1967 |
1 | 92 | ||
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Drawings |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Bearings 1960 - 1961 |
1 | 93 | ||
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Safety Decals 1958 - 1959 |
1 | 94 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Engineering Data Book. Manhattan Transmission Belts 1948 |
1 | 95 | ||
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Newspaper clipping on closing of Oliver Battle Creek Plant July 19, 1962 |
1 | 96 | ||
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Plans. Rex Steel Detachable Chain 1947 - 1951 |
1 | 97 | ||
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Parts List. Bearings, Collars, and Flanges undated |
1 | 98 | ||
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Price List. Bearings 1956 |
3 | 1 | ||
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Production Charts |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Bearings 1961 - 1963 |
3 | 2 | ||
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Belts 1960 - 1961 |
3 | 3 | ||
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Sprockets 1961 |
3 | 4 | ||
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Wheels, Tires, and Tubes 1961 |
3 | 5 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Serial Numbers of Machines built during 1960 October 31, 1960 |
1 | 99 | ||
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Speed Charts |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Combines 1945 - 1963 |
1 | 100 | ||
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Corn Pickers, Huskers, Shellers 1951 - 1967, undated |
3 | 6 | ||
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Tables |
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| Box | Folder | |||
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Bend Chart for Sheet Metals undated |
3 | 7 | ||
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Comparison of Physicals of Materials Produced by the Dalton Foundries, Inc. to ASTM Stand Specifications and Ryderson Materials undated |
3 | 8 | ||
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Grain Shrinkage September 1967 |
3 | 9 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
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Yearbook. Tire and Rim Association 1967 |
3 | 10 | ||
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Volumes |
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| Box | Volume | |||
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Maurer, E.R. and Roark, R.J. "Technical Mechanics" 1925 |
2 | 1 | ||
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Buckingham, Earle. "Spur Gears" 1928 |
2 | 2 | ||
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Trautschold, R. "Standard Gear Book" 1935 |
2 | 3 | ||
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Najder, K.W. "Machine Designers Guide" 1936 |
2 | 4 | ||
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Morrison, F. B. "Feeds and Feeding" 1941 |
2 | 5 | ||
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Williams, G.T. "What Steel Shall I Use" |
2 | 6 | ||
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Shop Manual. New Tractor Fleet 1951 |
2 | 7 | ||
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Faires, V.M. "Design of Machine Elements" 1955 |
2 | 8 | ||
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Ober, E. and Jones, F.D. "Machinery's Handbook" 1959 |
2 | 9 | ||
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Fafnir Ball Bearings 1961 |
2 | 10 | ||
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Light Gage Cold Formed Steel Design Manual 1962 |
2 | 11 | ||
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"New Departure Handbook." Volume 11 1958 |
3 | 12 | ||
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"The Use of Handbook Tables and Formulas" 1959 |
3 | 13 | ||
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Ryerson Data Book -- Steel and Aluminum" 1963 |
3 | 14 | ||
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Ryerson Stock List" 1963 |
3 | 15 | ||
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"Castle Carbon and Alloy Steels" undated |
3 | 16 | ||
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Oversized Materials |
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| Drawer | ||||
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Bend Allowance Chart for Sheet Metal undated |
2 | |||
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Engineering Drawing for Corn Picker 1961 |
2 | |||
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Newspaper Article (photocopy) on E.C. Nichols 1920 |
2 | |||
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