| Australia has some of the world's largest and most labour-efficient farms, and tractors are an essential part of their operations. The average Australian farm has three or more tractors. In this historical overview Graeme Quick documents the development of the indigenous tractor industry, from the McDonald Imperial of 1909 to the modern times of cane, olive and grape harvesters. Histories of individual manufacturers are includes, as well as the story of tractors which puts the industry in an economic and social context and provides information of a wide range of Australian farmers, engineers and others who have made significant contributions. This revised edition includes much more information as well as numerous new photographs. This is a history of an important, but under-acknowledged part of Australia's history. Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgements
1. Tractors: An Australia Setting
2. The Tractor Versus the Horse
3. Why Steam Never Made It
4. Tractor Fuels: Case to Litre
5. Producer Gas: The Cheapest Tractor Fuel
6. Power to the Ground
7. The Power Take-off (PTO)
8. Tractor Testing in Australia Individual Tractor Manufacturers
9. A.H. McDonald: Australia's First Tractor Manufacturer
10. Caldwell-Vale: Australia's First Four Wheel Drive Tractor
11. Ballarat's Deautscher and Jelbart Tractors
12. Ronaldson Bros and Bippett, Ballarat
13. Frank Bottrill's Dreadnaught Wheels
14. H.V. McKay's Sunshine Tractors
15. Cliff Howard, the Tractor Builder
16. The Vickers-Aussie and the Hart-Parr Australian Special
17. The K.L. Bulldog
18. The Chamberlain Tractor Saga
19. Australian International Harvester Co. Tractors
20. Ford Australia and the Waltanna Connection
21. Williames Hi-Tech Tractors and Equipment
22. Toft and Austrak's Four Wheel Drivers
23. Upton's Big 2WDs: Tractors Built Like Tanks
24. Sempf, Freeman and Aion: Tractors from the Downs
25. The Big Four Wheel Drive Tractor Builders
26. Richters of Boonah
27. After-Market Tractor Cabs: Gasons and Auscab
28. Self-Propelled Agricultural Machines
29. Australian SP Cane Harvesters
30. Special Crop SPs: Olive and Grape Harvesters, and Broadacre Sprayers
31. Compact Tractors Conclusion: The Australian Tractor Market Analysed
Bibliography
Gallery of Drawings
Lists of Colour Plates
Index |
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