A Classic Grinder
During the 1930s, portable grain grinders from Jay Bee were a part of the American landscape.
At the 2009 Farm Science Review in London, OH, visitors were able to see the latest ag equipment available to the marketplace. However, in one small section of the fairgrounds, attendees could take a step back into the past, viewing classic pieces of iron of the by-gone days of the early 20th century.
The 2009 event featured a Jay Bee portable feed grinder. This hammermill product first appeared in the U.S. back in the 1930s and is credited with creating a sensation among growers. Equipped with a large and powerful engine, the Jay Bee portable grinder could quickly convert unprocessed grain into wholesome feed in a matter of minutes — something that wasn't possible to accomplish on the farm before.
As a result, a fleet of custom operators began trucking Jay Bee portable grinders from farm to farm to provide this service to growers. This practice continued well into the 1940s, with many portable grinder operators serving a similar role as milkmen and ice delivery personnel.
