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

Part of Robley Hand Hydraulic Woolpress, donated by Mr David Hamilton of Hamilton & McLeod, Geelong.Part of Robley Hand Hydraulic Woolpress.shearing wool bales, hamilton, mr david, shearing, wool bales

Robley Hand Hydraulic Woolpress, donated by Mr David Hamilton of Hamilton & McLeod, Geelong. Originally installed in "Spring Creek Woolshed", Maldon, Victoria. Typical example of a manual hand hydraulic press with wire rope linkage, in an era when very few woolsheds had electricity.Robley HY speed wool press made of orange painted wood. Robley HY speed wool press made of orange painted wood.shearing wool bales, hamilton, mr david, shearing, wool bales