This is a McCormick-Deering (International Harvester) No. 4-A “All-Steel” manure spreader, or a very closely related 4-A variant.
- Purpose: Pulled by two horses or later by a tractor. The wheel-driven apron chains moved manure toward the rear beaters, which broke it apart and spread it across the field as fertilizer.
- Manufacture date: Approximately 1930–1940. The No. 4-A was advertised by 1921, and surviving manuals date from the 1930s. An exact year requires the identification plate or serial number, likely on the forward frame or near a front wheel. Smithsonian brochure record, Canadian museum catalog
- Condition: Substantially complete, including the apron, chains, beaters, wide-spread impellers, steel box and wheels. However, it has heavy surface rust, has been outdoors, and its operating condition is unknown.
- Present value around Montana: Approximately $400–$800 as yard art or an unrestored project. I would advertise around $900 and expect $500–$700 locally. A similar Montana iron-wheel spreader sold for $525 in March 2026. Fully functional could bring roughly $800–$1,200; properly restored examples can reach $2,000–$4,000, although restoration commonly costs more than the finished machine is worth. Comparable Montana sale
- Approximate original cost: Probably around $200–$300 when new, depending on year and attachments—roughly $4,000–$7,000 in today’s purchasing power. This is an estimate; surviving pricing documentation for the exact 4-A configuration is scarce.
The strongest visual match is the No. 4-A’s four-wheel all-steel construction and its distinctive rear wide-spread impellers. I would call the identification about 85–90% certain until an IH casting mark or serial plate is found. Avoid trying to rotate the mechanism by towing it before checking that the apron chains and beaters are free; seized parts can break expensive castings.
