Showing 568 items
matching use of machinery
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Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Machine - Wool Press
These presses were used in shearing sheds around the country to create bales of wool by hand in preparation for transport to the wool markets for purchase and distribution. Bales have been used to store and were a standard trading unit for wool for centuries. A standard wool bale holds about 60 compressed wool fleeces and weighs a minimum of 120 kgs. The square shape and weight enabled them to be stacked on wagons or in warehouses, and a large pack horse could carry one on each side. With technological advances, the bales are now formed in electrical and hydraulic presses.All metal wool press, unpainted, surface rustfarm machinery, wool, wool press, hand operated, shearing -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Vehicle - Dray
A Dray is a two-wheeled cart usually drawn by one or two draught animals such as horses or donkeys, They can transport the driver and a few passengers or a small amount of cargo. The term Dray is predominantly used only in Australia and New Zealand and are known as carts in other countries. Brown wood, dark red wheels, unpainted shafts. Some decorative wood panelling.farm machinery, horse drawn vehicle, dray, churchill island, vehicle -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Seed Drill, Mitchell, 1922
One of a number of harvesting and cultivating machines made by Mitchell and Co during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the 1922 seed drill comprises wooden seed and fertilizer boxes, a release lever and caste-iron rear seat. The seed drill was pulled by a horse and operated with a plough attachment placed at the front to cut the soil. A seated operator used the lever to release seed and fertiliser onto the ground. The seed drill enabled seed to be planted at a constant depth and spacing. White press wheels at the rear of the seed drill would lightly compact soil and cover the seed.Horse drawn seeder faded red with white wheels suitable for large seeds eg. corn, beans, peas.churchill island, farm machinery, planting, seed drill, horse drawn, mitchell brand -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Bag lifter, 1925
Metal crook with two gently curved arms, and used for lifting bagschurchill island, farm machinery, lifter -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Spike harrow
Spike toothed harrows were commonly used in Australia after 1870 to prepare land for sowing seed. The panel’s metal tines covered seed with a light layer of soil and they could also be used to break down clods or lumps of fertiliser and help with weed control. Frequent light tillage was useful for reducing the evaporation of moisture from the soil. The irregular shape of the pictured harrow was suitable for rough surfaces while backward sloping tines helped prevent accumulation of weeds. The chain would have connected the panel to a draw bar that was pulled by a horse. Draw bars might take one, two or more panels. By the early 1900’s this type of harrow was largely replaced with other implements.Diamond (spike) harrowswith chain, unpainted metalfarm machinery, harrowing, diamond harrows, tractor drawn -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Vehicle - Sulky
A Sulky is a lightweight horse drawn cart which usually feature just one seat to carry the driver. They were designed as a fast method of personal transport, especially in rural areas. More modern and streamlined versions are these days used in the sport of harness racing. Restored sulky, 2 ton wheels, burgundy body and shafts, decorative aqua scroll work on rear, black springs, seat deteriorated.farm, machinery, horse drawn, vehicle, sulky, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Garden barrow
Found in Amess Barn 1980s, this garden barrow is a typical example found on farms. Constructed using found materials and excess pieces, the garden barrow is analogous to the modern wheelbarrow.Handmade garden wheelbarrow with wooden flat tray made from abutting planks and single metal wheelfarm machinery, barrow, hand operated, hand made -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Horseworks, 1880
Horseworks for one or two horses, gearing, shafting and pulley, complete. Used as a power conversion unit via one or two horses to operate a chaff cutter or similar unit. Horseworks is set up outside a building with an underground shaft to a pulley inside the barnRobinsonfarm, machinery, horseworks, power, horse, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Reaper/binder, McCormick Deering
The reaper binder was a harvesting machine used to cut crops and bind it into sheaves. The reaper binder was invented by Cyrus Hall McCormick in 1831. Early binders were horsedrawn and the sheaves were bound using wire. William Deering later invented a binder that tied the sheaves with string. McCormick Deering was the trademark name of a line of farm machinery manufactured by the International Harvester Co. The company was founded in 1923. Large red reaper/binder, canvas covers, some green fittings, 2-3 horsefarm, machinery, hay, chaff, reaper, binder, horse drawn, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Scoop, Gaston & Sons, 1920
The mud scoop was used to dig out soil and rocks for dam or road building. Dragging by horse or later by tractor would fill the scoop and releasing the levers would dump contents, similar to a modern day bobcat. The manufacturers are Gaston Bros who produced farming equipment in Kensington, Vic. until 1987. This scoop was recovered from a San Remo property in Victoria.Mud scoopGastonfarm, machinery, scoop, horse drawn, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Three Quarter Yard Scoop, Gaston & Sons, 1920
The Three Quarter Yard scoop was used to scrape out and relocate dirt. Early scoops would be dragged behind horses with the worker guiding direction. In later years scoops were attached to a tractor. The dragging collected dirt in the bucket, the bucket was then raised and the contents taken to be dumped. The scoop could also flatten earth. This scoop may have originally sat in a chassis with wheels and tow bar. Early agricultural photos of scoops show their use on Victorian farms in dam and road construction. The manufacturers are Gaston Bros who produced farming equipment in Kensington, Victoria until 1988. This particular scoop was recovered from a San Remo property.Scoop, three quarter yardGaston 3/4 Yardfarm machinery; scoop; horse drawn -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Babcock Milk Tester
This milk tester was developed by Stephen Babcock in 1890 to discourage milk adulteration. Some farmers would dilute the milk with water or skim off some of the cream. To undertake the test, milk was put into a special flask with a long neck, called a Babcock bottle, an amount of sulfuric acid was added to the milk. This would dissolve proteins and others components and leave the fat. The bottles were then placed on the tester. Heating and centrifuging would cause the fat to separate and float to the top in a layer free of bubbles. The centrifuging was done by speedily turning the handle (the handle is missing on this tester). The amount of fat could then be estimated from the volume of that layer. This Babcock Milk Tester was of the type used by previous owner of Churchill Island, Harry Jenkins, who owned a dairy farm.Slate steel hand operated centrifuge, with a long wooden crank attaching to the body. Eight uncoloured metal protrusions for attaching to the bottles/pipettes connect with the crank, and the feet of the machine have two holes for secure attachment to a surface. This object has been riveted to a wooden board. Babcock Tester, Officialfarm, machinery, dairy, equipment, babcock tester, hand operated, fat content, babcock, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Milk/Cream Separator
This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts. Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels. Alfa Laval is a Swedish company founded in 1883. Beginning with domestic farm machinery and dairy products, they expanded to heavy industry and are still successful today. Metal cream separator mounted on red base with bowl, double spouts.Alfa Lavalfarm machinery, dairy equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Milk/cream separator
This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts. Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels. Silver bowl with black base with handle; mounted on boardfarm, machinery, dairy, equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Milk/cream separator
This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts. Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels. This separator is missing its bowl, however the two spouts for the milk and the cream can clearly be seen.Metal top, bowl missing ;burgundy pedestal base with handlefarm machinery, dairy equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Butter worker, 30lb capacity, 1930s
... worker Cherry & Sons Used at Chrchill Island, farm machinery ...Used at Chrchill Island, Timber with cast gearing, round butter workerCherry & Sonsfarm machinery, dairy, butter, butter worker, hand operated -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Milk separator, 1930s
The milk separator used centrifugal force to separate the cream and milk. A wooden crank handle would have been attached to the side of the machine (where the handle attached can be seen on the right-hand side). The milk was poured into the bowl on the top and the handle had to then be turned fast enough to get the separator up to speed adequate to separate the cream and the milk. The milk would come out of one spigot and the cream out of the other. Silver bowl with red base; some suface rustchurchill island, farm machinery, dairy equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Butter Churn, 1935
Butter Churns were commonly used on farms to turn cream into butter. The cream was placed inside the container and the lid was placed on top to prevent spillage. Turning the handle on the side of the box would move a paddle inside to agitate the cream and turn it into butter. This process would require approximately 20-30 minutes of consistent work to produce results. The Cherry & Sons model butter churn was used in the early parts of the 20th century and could make up to 6kgs of butter.Unpainted wooden box, with brass handle and wooden lidfarm, machinery, dairy, equipment, butter, churn, hand operated, churning, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Cheese Press, 1880
The cheese press was a manual device used for the final steps in making cheese. Widely used throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, there were many different styles including the screw lever press, spring presses, and this horizontal design. Two presses were generally done: the first gave form to the ‘cheese’, ensuring it was appropriately dense, and the second used a greater weight to eliminate the excess whey. Each pressing took place overnight, and after complete, the cheese was wrapped in a muslin cloth, date stamped and stored in a cool room. The manufacturer of this cheese press was J & T Young Ltd, and was probably manufactured at the Vulcan Foundry in Ayrshire, Scotland. Metal cheese press, whitefarm machinery, dairy, churchill island, cheese, hand operated -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Grindstone, 1920s
Rotary grindstones have been in consistent use for centuries as devices to sharpen or shape ferrous metals. Pedal-operated rotary grindstone on timber stand. The circular stone is attached to a four legged stand, with a length of wood linking to a pedal. Unpainted, unfinished, and slight deterioration. farm machinery, grindstone, churchill island, rotary, farm -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Vehicle - Sulky wheel right
These wheels belong to a lightweight horse drawn cart called a Sulky which usually feature just one seat to carry the driver. They were designed as a fast method of personal transport, especially in rural areas. More modern and streamlined versions are these days used in the sport of harness racing.Black sulky wheels with red hubsfarm machinery, wheel, horse drawn vehicle, sulky, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Vehicle - Sulky wheel left
These wheels belong to a lightweight horse drawn cart called a Sulky which usually feature just one seat to carry the driver. They were designed as a fast method of personal transport, especially in rural areas. More modern and streamlined versions are these days used in the sport of harness racing.One of pair of matching black sulky wheels with red hubsfarm machinery, wheel, horse drawn vehicle, sulky, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Stationary engine, red, 1925
“Sundial 2hp engine, open crank, 600rpm, serial number 6420.” These small 4 stroke engines were widely used on Australian farms through the 20th century to power chaffcutters, grinders, saws, lighting plants, pumps, shearing plants, milking machines and cream separators easing much of the drudgery of farm work. They were also used in garages and workshops and by bush fire brigades. The engine was made by H.V.McKay Massey Harris. At one time Hugh Victor McKay’s Sunshine Harvester Works was the largest factory in Australia but in 1930, to ensure survival during the Great Depression, elected to merge with the Australian arm of a Canadian firm, Massey Harris. The Sundial is fitted with twin flywheels, making it a compact and convenient power source as either wheel could double as a drive wheel. Its connecting rod, crankshaft and flywheel spokes are covered, a safety measure that was not standard at the time. These engines were advertised as simple, dependable, low in price and cheap to run. They had the additional advantage that a bolt-on kit was made by the manufacturer to convert them to run on kerosene. ‘The engine's output is two horsepower (1.5 kW) at 600 rpm. The compression ratio is 5:1 and the spark plug is activated by a high tension magneto. The fuel tank holds 3.3 litres and the cooling water hopper holds 6.6 litres. Cylinder bore is 101 mm and piston stroke is 115 mm.’ In a catalogue of HV McKay Massey Harris agricultural machinery published in March 1942, the engine is described as follows: 'The cylinder head is of the hot, turbulent type, giving the finest fuel atomisation and heat distribution. The carburettor, of special design, has an automatic air valve controlling the amount of air. The supersensitive, high speed, flyball-type governor provides an ample range of speed.'Typical of units used on local farms. RepresentativeSundial 2 h.p. engine, open crank 600 rpm Seral number 6420, red. Attached to yellow grain grinderSunshine McKay, 1939 Serial no. 6420farm machinery, stationary, machine operated, belt driven -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Machine - Grain hopper/grinder
This grinder is attached to the Sundial stationary engine by a leather belt. The grinder would have been used to grind grain for flour and by adjustment for animal and poultry feed. The hopper is constructed of wood but the grinding mechanism below is marked J. Buncle, Iron Works, N. Melbourne. John Buncle (1822 – 1889) was born in Edinburgh and completed an apprenticeship in engineering and piano making. He worked with firms designing steam engines and locomotives and in 1846 was working in the Vulcan foundry when he married Mary Ann Binns, the daughter of his employer. They had eleven children of whom eight survived infancy. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1852 at the height of the gold rush and he was immediately employed at Langlands foundry. Melbourne had an acute shortage of skilled tradesmen so after six months he started his own business using his various talents. As the gold rush subsided, he settled in to engineering and contracting and among other things, supplied the iron work for the Johnston Street bridge over the Yarra River. Gradually he turned to the design and manufacture of agricultural machinery and tools with which his name is chiefly associated. With his iron works in North Melbourne he was held in high esteem by his contemporaries, becoming the President of the Chamber of Manufacturers and serving two terms as Mayor of the Municipality of Hotham. He wrote Experiences of a Victorian Manufacturer with amusing anecdotes of conditions in early Melbourne. The company became J.Buncle & Son and finally in 1952, John Buncle-Commando Ltd. It finally went into liquidation in February 1957. Yellow wooden hopper on black grinder with blue parts mounted on green stand. Attached by belt drive to Sundial enginefarm machinery, grain grinder, hopper, machine driven, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Engine
The Moffat Virtue Company was founded by John Moffat (1841 – 1918) and William Virtue (1863 – 1926) in Sydney. Both men were born in Scotland, John Moffat was a mining entrepreneur who migrated to Queensland in 1861 and began mining in the far north of Queensland. William Virtue was a talented mechanical engineer who became acquainted with John Moffat through their mutual involvement with the New Jerusalem Church and the teachings of theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. Moffat invited Virtue to migrate to Queensland, which he did with his young family but they finally settled in Sydney. Moffat had become interested in shearing machines and Virtue’s engineering skills enabled the registration of several patents in 1891 – 1894. The Moffat Virtue alliance grew and prospered and by 1911 all the entrants in the first sheep shearing competition at the Sydney Royal Show chose the company’s machines. By 1914 Moffat Virtue was a household name in rural Australia due to manufacture of agricultural machinery and household appliances. The company began making petrol engines in 1920 at 205 Clarence Street, moved to 11 – 25 Palmer Street in 1929 and later moved to Rosebery. The petrol-kerosene engine was popular as the use of kerosene made it very cheap to run. The motor starts by using petrol and once the engine is warmed, the vaporiser is activated which enables the use of kerosene as the running fuel. The carburettor and cylinder head are designed to ensure thorough vaporisation and complete combustion of fuel, resulting in maximum horsepower at lowest fuel consumption The serial number indicates 1944 as the approximate date of manufacture.Green petrol engine with red trim and crank handle. Attached to green grain grinder“Moffat Virtue Petrol Kerosene Engine No. 9142 1000RPM 3HP Change oil every 90 working hours SAE 40 For severe service and in Summer SAE 30 Warranty void unless above instructions followed” farm, machinery, stationary engine, crank, belt driven, engine, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Machine - Wool press
These presses were used in shearing sheds around the country to create bales of wool by hand in preparation for transport to the wool markets for purchase and distribution. Bales have been used to store and were a standard trading unit for wool for centuries. A standard wool bale holds about 60 compressed wool fleeces and weighs a minimum of 120 kgs. The square shape and weight enabled them to be stacked on wagons or in warehouses, and a large pack horse could carry one on each side. With technological advances, the bales are now formed in electrical and hydraulic presses.All metal wool press, blackfarm machinery, wool, shearing, wool press, hand operated, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Machine - Wool press
These presses were used in shearing sheds around the country to create bales of wool by hand in preparation for transport to the wool markets for purchase and distribution. Bales have been used to store and were a standard trading unit for wool for centuries. A standard wool bale holds about 60 compressed wool fleeces and weighs a minimum of 120 kgs. The square shape and weight enabled them to be stacked on wagons or in warehouses, and a large pack horse could carry one on each side. With technological advances, the bales are now formed in electrical and hydraulic presses.Wooden wool press with metal frame and mechanismfarm machinery, wool, shearing, wool press, hand operated -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Machine - Stationary baler, H.V. McKay Massey Harris
The H.V. McKay Massey Harris Hay Press was used on small farms around Victoria in the 1940's. These machines would be brought into the field after the hay had been cut and gathered into large piles. The farmers would load the hay into the machine and the engine would press them into bales to be tied off. This hay press could produce over 50 bales of hay per hour. Stationary baler red, attached to green engine, white wheels"H.V. McKay, Massey Harvester, Sunshine" in white paint, white scroll markfarm machinery, hay, chaff, baler, horse drawn, machine driven -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Furphy Water Cart, 1929
The family-owned Furphy company has been manufacturing agricultural equipment in Kyneton and then Shepparton in Victoria from the 1860s to the present day. In the late 1800s the company developed the Furphy Water Cart to help farmers transport water to and from and around their properties - especially in time of drought. At the beginning of World War One, the carts were used to distribute water amongst the thousands of soldiers completing their basic training at Broadmeadows. They were also used for the same purpose in the camps and battlefields overseas. As the soldiers gathered around the water carts they would often chat, share information and gossip amongst themselves. These practices resulted in the term Furphy evolving in to the Australian vernacular as meaning a statement or fact that isn’t quite true or a little bit dubious.Furphy water cart, unpainted with traces of red on embossed endOn side of tank in black paint "CHURCHILL ISLAND" Embossed on end: Furphy water cart; makers Furphy & Sons, Shepparton and other inscriptions.farm machinery, water, furphy cart, horse drawn, furphy, churchill island, shepparton, kyneton -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Winnower
Winnowers were used in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Winnowing is a process by which chaff is separated from the wheat grains. A separate machine called the “stripper” would cut and thresh the grain which would then be dumped into piles ready to go into the winnower. Some years later these two machines would be combined into what became known as a “combined” or “stripper harvester”Hand operated winnower with handle and hopper unpaintedfarm machinery, winnower, hand operated