self-raker

A farmer uses a self-raker to harvest wheat in the field.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Agricultural machinery: A "self-raker" is a type of harvesting machine that automatically rakes cut grain into bundles or rows, eliminating the need for manual raking. It combines the functions of a reaper and a rake into a single mechanical device.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer purchased a new self-raker to speed up the harvest. (A machine that cuts and rakes grain automatically.)
  • Before the invention of the self-raker, workers had to follow the reaper with hand rakes. (A mechanical device that replaced manual labour in grain collection.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical context: The "self-raker" was a significant innovation in 19th-century agriculture, allowing a single operator to both cut and gather grain, increasing efficiency.
  • The self-raker revolutionized wheat farming by reducing the number of workers needed during harvest season. (It automated a previously labour-intensive step.)

Variants and Related Words

• Self-raking (adj): describing a machine that performs its own raking action.
  • The self-raking mechanism on the new model is more reliable. (The part of the machine that rakes automatically.)

Synonyms

• Reaper-binder: a similar machine that cuts and binds grain into sheaves.
• Harvester: a general term for machines that gather crops.

Related Idioms

Phrasal Verbs