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matching agricultural equipment
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Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Horsehair Clippers
These manual horsehair clippers were widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before the introduction of electric clippers. They were an essential tool for grooming horses, especially for trimming manes, tails, and coats to maintain cleanliness and health. The A. Martin Manufacturers brand was known for producing high-quality grooming and agricultural tools, making this clipper a valuable piece of equestrian history.This is a pair of vintage manual horsehair clippers made by A. Martin Manufacturers, a well-known producer of hand-operated grooming tools. The clippers consist of two curved metal arms with a scissor-like mechanism and wooden handles. The cutting head features two finely serrated blades, designed to trim horsehair efficiently. The wooden handles show signs of wear, with a weathered and aged appearance. The metal frame and blades exhibit patina and some rust, indicating extensive past use.The metal arms are stamped with "A. MARTIN MANUFACTURERS", indicating the maker.groom, hair, horse, clippers, horse equipment, farm equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Horse Rasp
... used by blacksmiths and farriers in rural and agricultural ...This tool appears to be a horse hoof rasp used in farriery (horse hoof care). It would have been used to smooth and shape horse hooves after trimming, ensuring proper hoof balance. Rasping was an essential part of hoof maintenance to prevent uneven wear and lameness in horses. Tools like this were widely used by blacksmiths and farriers in rural and agricultural settings.A long-handled rasping tool with a wooden grip, a metal shaft, and a rasping head. The handle is made of dark wood, ergonomically shaped for grip. The metal shaft is rusted, suggesting it was heavily used and exposed to moisture. The working end features a coarse-textured metal rasp, likely used for filing and smoothing surfaces.rasp, horse equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Round Steel Objects (6)
These rings may have been used as counterweights, machinery parts, or components of an agricultural or industrial mechanism. Their aged and corroded condition suggests long-term exposure to the elements, indicating they may have been left outside or stored in a shed for many years.The image shows a set of three heavy, circular metal rings with a central hole. The rings have a rough, corroded surface with visible rust and pitting. They appear to be stacked, with one slightly tilted on top of the others. rings, farm equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Functional object - Hessian Sack Needles
Hessian sack needles were essential for agricultural and industrial use, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Used for stitching and mending burlap, jute, or canvas sacks that carried goods such as grain, potatoes, flour, and coal. The curved needles were ideal for sewing thick fabric without needing to turn the sack, while the straight ones were used for general stitching. These tools were common in farming communities, warehouses, and shipping industries, where sacks needed frequent repair.A set of four long, rusted metal needles, designed for sewing or repairing hessian (burlap) sacks. Each needle varies slightly in shape and curvature, with some having a straight form, while others are curved or hooked at the tip.sewing, hessian bags, mending, sacks, farm equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Iron Fastener/Cross Pin Tool
This could be a hand-forged cross-pin or locking mechanism, used in woodworking, metalworking, or early mechanical applications. It might have been used for securing joints, locking wheels, or reinforcing wooden structures. Such iron tools were commonly made in blacksmith shops during the 19th and early 20th centuries for agricultural, construction, or transport-related applications. Alternatively, it may have functioned as a rudimentary fastening peg, used in early wagon building, fence construction, or machinery assembly.A hand-forged iron tool consisting of two intersecting metal rods forming a cross shape. The rods appear hammered and roughly shaped, indicating blacksmith craftsmanship. The surface is heavily rusted and corroded, suggesting significant age and exposure to elements. The ends of the rods are uneven, with one slightly flattened, possibly for wedging or securing purposes.blacksmith, metalwork, woodwork, farm equipment, commercial item -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Branding Iron
Branding irons were essential tools in livestock management, particularly in cattle and sheep farming, to identify ownership and prevent theft. This manual iron would have been heated in an open flame and then applied to the animal’s hide, leaving a permanent mark. The presence of rust and wear suggests this branding iron was used extensively on a working farm. These tools have been used for centuries, especially in Australia, the United States, and Europe, where cattle ranching played a major role in agricultural economies.This is a long-handled metal branding iron, traditionally used for marking livestock with a permanent identification symbol. The iron consists of a straight, sturdy metal shaft with a looped handle at one end, designed for gripping or hanging. The opposite end features a flat, engraved or raised branding head with a distinct shape or pattern, which would have been heated and pressed against the animal's hide to leave a lasting impression. The entire tool shows signs of age, rust, and wear, indicating extensive past use.Mc & Cobranding iron, farm equipment, sheep, cattle, livestock -
Arapiles Historical Society
Domestic object - Twine Spool, Emu brand
This is a twine spool holder, commonly used in agriculture, general stores, and packaging. The spring mechanism ensures smooth and controlled unwinding of twine. It was likely mounted on a workbench or used in bagging and tying machines. The brand "EMU BRAND" suggests it was a trusted name in farm and trade supplies. Manufactured by E.W. BANFIELD LTD, a well-known Tasmanian company that produced farming and trapping accessories.A metal device featuring a coiled spring, a bent guiding arm, and a rectangular metal plate with advertising text. The plate is painted yellow with red and black lettering. The spring is tightly coiled to hold and dispense twine smoothly. The bent wire arm extends outward, likely to guide the twine and maintain tension.The metal plate prominently displays the following text: "EMU BRAND" "STOP BAND" "THE BEST IN THE FIELD" "SAFE, SPEEDY, AND POSITIVE" Manufactured by E.W. BANFIELD LTD, 148-152 ELIZABETH ST, HOBART, TAS." EMU BRAND The Best in the Land - This Holder Takes Either 1lb or 2lb Spools of EMU BRAND SHOP TWINE - Screw Spool on Firmlyemu brand, twine, sewing, household item, mending, farm equipment -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white print, Information Branch Victorian Department of Agriculture, Surveying Detail, Unknown
Black and white photograph. Staff member demonstrating surveying equipment to 2 students in the Ornamental Garden.On reverse, "Photography Information Branch Victorian Dept of Agriculture Ref. No. 1981 (914-17)." "Return to James Pleasance." "Victorian College of Agriculture & Horticulture-Burnley gardens Swan Street, Richmond, Vic 3121."staff, demonstration, equipment, students, james pleasance, victorian college of agriculture & horticulture, burnley gardens, swan street, richmond, surveying, student outside classroom -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Wheat Bag Sampler
Such tools were essential in early 20th-century agriculture and trade, when grain quality was determined manually before modern testing equipment. Likely used in rural farming communities and grain storage warehouses. Similar tools have been in use since the 19th century, making them key artifacts in agricultural history.A long, tapered metal tool with a sharp, pointed end designed for piercing through grain bags. The handle is thicker with a flat or rounded top, allowing for easy gripping. The shaft shows signs of rust and wear, indicating age and extensive use.wheat, grain, measuring, hessian bag, hessian sack, farm equipment, commercial equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Functional object - Rega Spray Pumps
Manually operated sprayers like this were essential tools before modern electric or battery-powered sprayers became widespread. They provided an affordable and effective method for small-scale farming and domestic gardening. The durability of brass and copper components made these sprayers long-lasting and repairable, contrasting with modern plastic alternatives. Used primarily as a garden or agricultural sprayer, often for applying: Pesticides Fungicides Liquid fertilizers Cleaning agents The user pumps the handle to pressurize the liquid in the reservoir, then releases it through the nozzle as a fine mist or jet spray. Such sprayers were commonly used in gardens, orchards, and farms during the early to mid-20th century.A hand-operated spray pump with a copper or brass reservoir and a long cylindrical brass pump handle. The handle is fitted with a rounded green grip, likely made of wood or Bakelite, designed for comfortable manual operation. The reservoir (tank) is rounded and made of metal, showing signs of oxidation and wear, indicative of age and past use. A small nozzle at the top allows for the release of liquid, possibly fitted with an adjustable spray tip.insect, pest, spray, pump, household item, farm equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Functional object - Barbed Wire
Barbed wire was widely used for fencing in agriculture, livestock control, and military fortifications since the late 19th century. Razor wire is a more modern development, primarily used in security applications, such as prisons, military sites, and restricted areas. The rusted condition suggests long-term outdoor exposure, possibly recovered from an old fence or security barrier.The image shows two different types of barbed wire. One piece is coiled and features razor wire, which has sharp-edged metal strips evenly spaced along its length. The other pieces appear to be traditional barbed wire, with twisted metal strands and sharp protruding barbs at regular intervals. The wires are aged, showing signs of rust and weathering.wire, fencing, gates, farm equipment, livestock -
Arapiles Historical Society
Functional object - Hand Pump
This pump appears to be an antique hand-operated suction pump, possibly used for extracting liquids such as oil, water, or grease. It may have been used in mechanical applications, agricultural machinery maintenance, or even domestic tasks such as transferring kerosene or lubricants. These types of pumps were commonly used in the early to mid-20th century before the advent of electric pumps.The object is a cylindrical metal hand pump with a wooden handle at one end and a threaded nozzle or cap at the opposite end. The wooden handle is turned and slightly tapered, featuring decorative rings near its base. The metal cylinder is long and tubular, segmented with slight ridges, indicating where it may have been assembled or reinforced. The end of the cylinder appears to have a screw-type fitting, possibly for refilling or attaching additional components.pump, farm equipment -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Sickle
The sickle has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations for grain harvesting and crop gathering. It was widely used in Australian and European agriculture before mechanized farming tools became common. The rust and patina suggest this sickle may be an early 20th-century or even 19th-century example. It was a key tool in subsistence farming, hay cutting, and manual harvesting, making it a valuable artifact of rural history. Likely from the EMMERSON Estate at Clear Lake.This is a vintage sickle, a traditional agricultural hand tool used for harvesting crops, cutting grass, or clearing vegetation. The sickle consists of two main parts: A curved metal blade with a sharp inner edge, designed for efficient cutting with a swinging motion. The blade appears rusted and aged, indicating significant historical use. A wooden handle, which is cylindrical and smooth, showing signs of wear and darkening from age and handling. The handle is attached to the blade with a metal tang inserted into the wood, ensuring stability.farm equipment, harvesting, crops, cutting tool, emmerson -
Arapiles Historical Society
Tool - Ruler, foot, H. V. McKay, 1906-1950
This folding ruler is a promotional item produced by the H.V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works, Australia’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturer in the early 20th century. The ruler advertises the company’s global success, particularly their major export of harvesters to large-scale farms in South America. Such rulers were distributed to farmers, machinery agents, and agricultural shows as a practical advertising tool and are now collectible items representing Australia’s industrial and rural heritage. The ruler was used in a farm in Natimuk. The decorated side served as advertising for the McKay harvesting machines used in large farms in La Pampa, a fertile agricultural land in Argentina. In Australian Dictionary of Biography: "'Sunshine' harvesters were dispatched to South Africa, and in 1901 Sam and three Ballarat experts went to the Argentine where they demonstrated 'La Australiana' on a variety of crops so effectively that they soon threatened the trade in North American reaper-binders and headers."A folding wooden ruler, measuring one foot (12 inches) in length when fully extended. The ruler is hinged at the centre and printed with both imperial measurements and advertising text and images on the reverse. One side is marked with inch measurements and the branding "H.V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works". The reverse features printed promotional material: "H.V. McKay’s 'Sunshine' Harvesters harvest the grain on the largest wheat farm in the world." It refers to a wheat farm in Argentina, operated by the Compañía Bunge y Born, where fifty Sunshine harvesters were used to farm over 100,000 acres. A small photograph on the back shows the row of Sunshine harvesters at work. The object highlights both the scale of the farm and the international reach of Australian agricultural machinery.Front: Inch measurements, hinge join at centre Reverse: “H.V. McKay’s ‘Sunshine’ Harvesters harvest the grain on the largest wheat farm in the world.” “The Estancia of the Compañia Beni Bunge (Sociedad Argentina), Cuchara, Argentina, South America.” “Fifty 'Sunshine' Harvesters, 65 H.P. each, were purchased.” Printed photograph of machines at work.natimuk, australia, la pampa, agentina, farming, agriculture, sunshine, mckay, harvesters, measuring, farm equipment -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white and colour prints, Information Branch Victorian Department of Agriculture, Nursery, 1981-1985
Miscellaneous colour and black and white photographs of the Nursery extended into the Random Sample Laying area in 1980 with donations from Eden Glasshouses and I.C.I. . (1) Potting palm trees. (2) Nursery seen from entrance drive. Ref No. 1981(914-24). (3,4) Potted palm 01.08.1984 (Chamaedorea elegans Parlour Palm.) (5,6) Nursery equipment "2/85."nursery, random sample laying, eden glasshouses, potting, palm trees, i.c.i., nursery equipment, chamaedorea elegans, parlour palm