World’s Biggest Tractor in 1915 — Aussie ingenuity at its best

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Yes. Sadly the Blackstone engine was cut up for scrap in 1945. Part of the war effort I would suppose.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Hopper, It's too much hard work cutting mallee roots (tree roots) and we would need tons of it each day. The only wood that we cut is to fire the cast iron stove in the galley and the pot belly heater that keeps us warm in the living quarters. (absolutely freezing at night on the river in winter and the skipper is the only one with a dog to keep him warm)

The boiler has been converted to burn oil and we burnt more than 1500 litres over the 5 day trip.

Diesel is expensive and the boiler has been converted to burn sump oil which is free. The oil is burnt completely and not even a whisper of smoke from the chimny when the burn is set correctly. Everything on the boiler is manual and needs constant attention, adding water and adjusting the burner.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 28/07/2020 09:07:15

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

I vaguely recollect reading many years ago, in a bound volume of Meccano Magazine another land-clearance method tried in Australia.

It consisted of a massive steel ball, some 8 or 10 feet diameter I think, and probably hollow but still weighing a few tons, towed via a bridle by two caterpillar-tractors moving parallel though the bush. Presumably two tracks would be cleared first, then the cables and ball used for pulling down and crushing the intervening woods.

I don't know how successful or widespread this was – has anyone else encountered it?

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BTW I gather the (45ft?) paddle-steamer 'Monarch', presently used for pleasure-trips on the lower R. Frome in Dorset, is up for sale. Her oil-fired boiler feeds a twin-cylinder, simple-expansion, diagonal engine. The two pleasure-trip boats there – Monarch and a small diesel launch – have started cruises again with appropriate limits etc. on passenger numbers, but whether the latest pandemic-rules changes will send any such vessels back to their moorings, I cannot say.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Clearing land of trees with tractors and chains does work but too much has been done. We need to grow trees, not pull them down if we are to keep our native animals and fix the global warming problem.

Paul.

**LINK**

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Interesting that an Internal combustion engine was used, rather than steam (maybe a lack of water out in the bush prompted this )

Aussie ingenuity lives on.

Some years ago, a Chamberlain tractor, powered by a Perkins 4.236 diesel, was modified so that it could keep up with, and tow in broken down contestants in a round Australia road race. Apparently, it was capable of over 60 mph, and survived where competing cars did not.

Howard

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Paul –

No doubt, but I was not advocating the destruction. Besides, when I said "vaguely recollect" I meant over a span of about 55 years!

The salient point though was the use of a huge ball, not merely dragging trees down with a chain.

Still destructive though, as you say.

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