Wilder Rainthorpe Multi Master Chopper

[Tim C.]

Hi All,

I'm looking for information about my flail mower, it was built by John Wilder Ltd Wallingford Oxon model no RC59 serial no 4512.
I'm guessing it was produced about 1960 ish but it's just a guess, i would be grateful for any information received.
Thanks Tim.

 

[76masseyman]

I used to own this one. It was the prototype, developed by Lincolnshire farmer
Jim Rainthorpe and built by Wilder.
Sold it back to the Rainthorpe family for their collection.
Also had a 3 point mounted one that you could interchange between a potato haulm

topper or straw chopper.

 

[Tim C.]

Thanks for your reply and excellent photo, do you have any more, particularly one of the back of the machine because I'm not sure if mine has been modified? did you know the date your machine was manufactured, I haven't seen anything similar in the area I live and was wondering if it was a successful design.
Thanks again Tim.

 

[76masseyman]

Not sure if yours, or any were exactly the same during the early period.
Knowing Mr Rainthorpe, I should say there were many modifications to get what was required.
There were quite a few in this area used by the potato growers to pulverise the haulm, but not sure I could put my hand on one now.
Not got any more pictures I’m afraid, and unsure of the build date, but I believe the real early ones were done in the late 50’s.
I’ll see what other info I can find out.

 

[Tim C.]

Many thanks.
Tim.

 

[76masseyman]

Bit of information on Google.

 

[76masseyman]

Test report on eBay dated 1959.

 

[traineefarmer]

I used to own this one. It was the prototype, developed by Lincolnshire farmer
Jim Rainthorpe and built by Wilder.
Sold it back to the Rainthorpe family for their collection.
Also had a 3 point mounted one that you could interchange between a potato haulm

topper or straw chopper.

Is that a Bateman Agilator hiding behind it?

 

[76masseyman]

It is an Agilator, not sure myself who built it though.

 

[traineefarmer]

It is an Agilator, not sure myself who built it though.

Can't be many of those left, might be interesting for people if you made a thread on it.

 

[76masseyman]

Can't be many of those left, might be interesting for people if you made a thread on it.

I don’t know much about it as it isn’t mine. All I know is it had very few hours on it, was extremely unreliable, and I believe it is now with a collector of the more unusual type of machinery.

 

[Tim C.]

Test report on eBay dated 1959.

View attachment 837114

Test report on eBay dated 1959.

Thanks for the update, the pictures have given me a good insight into the variations of this machine, the one i have has 36 flat blades on 3 bars, what would be the main use for it ? Also it does not have an adjustable deflector, do you think this is a modification?

 

[Tim C.]

 

[76masseyman]

View attachment 837114

Thanks for the update, the pictures have given me a good insight into the variations of this machine, the one i have has 36 flat blades on 3 bars, what would be the main use for it ? Also it does not have an adjustable deflector, do you think this is a modification?

Probably grass cutting and general topping. The mounted one we had years ago had 4 bars on the rotating drum.
Not sure on the deflector. Could be an early one looking at the serial number and adjustable ones came later.