Record 64/125 |
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Description
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| This little blue tractor, sitting on the back of the Chevrolet truck, was found in the Wither Hills, Blenheim and was rescued by Norman Brayshaw. It has no model, engine number or serial number and was originally a hay mower towed by horses. It has three steel wheels and now has a motor in it which drives the wheels turning it into a tractor that goes forward. Previously its wheels turned the cutting mechanism. It was rebuilt by Bob Thoms and Ian Le Grice and has been fitted with a Ransome engine with a centrifugal clutch from a Kaikoura fishing boat. They named it "Marlborough" and Bob Thoms gives the following information. The Marlborough Tractor 1915 - 1925. The remains of this tractor had been stored at Brayshaw Park since before 1978. The late Norm Brayshaw had carefully put all the parts together and left instructions not to shift any parts until restoration could be justified. On shifting the parts for cleaning and identification in the workshop in January 2003 a decision was made to start the project. The original chassis was made from imported hardwood and as the years of work took their toll many repairs were made using fencing standard wire and lead head nails. Enough timber was left to measure the original wheel base. I made the decision to reconstruct the tractor in steel with wood on the chassis side for sign writing. Freeing seized parts and working out where they went took some time. An engine to fit our needs was sorted out and electrical and mechanical parts checked. This engine was chosen because of the centrifugal clutch and required little work. Ian Le Grice and Merv Atkinson did the engine, gears, chains, brakes and throttle were made or reused along with wheels and axles. All that was then required were guards, engine cover, painting and signs. The name 'Marlborough' was chosen as the tractor looked home-made and with lack of any information all pointed to it being locally made. The engineering had been carried out before the advent of electric welding, parts being bolted or riveted together. Machine and lathe work had been done by a skilled operator with considerable accuracy on special parts. I estimate it was made before 1925. R.D. Thoms. |
Tractor, Farm
-Tractors and Crawlers from the collection of the Marlborough Vintage Farm Machinery Society Inc
-Copyright Marlborough Vintage Farm Machinery Inc
When using this image please quote "Image courtesy of Marlborough Vintage Farm Machinery Society Inc"
| VFM0.800.0078 |
When using this image please quote "Image courtesy of Marlborough Vintage Farm Machinery Society Inc"