Chaff Cutter

Contributed by BBC Three Counties Radio

Added by Mr & Mrs Uff, Leighton Buzzard.

A Chaff cutter is a mechanical device for cutting straw or hay into small pieces before being mixed together with other forage and fed to horses and cattle.

Chaff and hay played a vital role in most agricultural production as it was used for feeding horses. Horses were extensively used in farming operations until they were replaced by tractors in the 1940s.

The Chaf Cutter is inscribed with the following words:

Bentall's Patent Chaff Cutter 913
Heybridge, Maldon, England
Mark CDC 1626

Thirty years ago, Mr Uff owned a hardware shop in Toddington in Bedfordshire and discovered the Chaff Cutter in the barns behind the shop. It was is in very poor condition and unpainted. Mr Uff decided to restore the cutter to it's original condition, and it is now in full working order.

The family have since moved house several times, and the chaff cutter has moved with them!

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Comments

  • 1 comment
  • 1. At 06:32 on 14 August 2012, John Swanston wrote:

    Thank you for telling your story. I live in Brisbane Australia and from my father I have a Bentalls Improved Chaff Cutter No 1671. I am in the process of selling my cutter however now that I have seen your restoration work i am inclined to follow your example. Should you be inclined I would like to have some contact with you gain advice in the endeavour. My son and daughter live in London so there might be a connection close to hand. Thank you again for telling your story. John Swanston

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