Historical information

The JELBART wool press from Natimuk, Victoria, is a notable manually operated piece of agricultural equipment designed for compressing wool into bales for easy handling, storage and transport.
Thomas JELBART purchased the Arapiles Implement Factory at 57 Main Street Natimuk in 1891 from George GLENISTER. Thomas and his brothers were coachbuilders, wheelwrights and general blacksmiths. By 1902 the premises was taken over by William Pepper WOOLMER.
Construction: Made primarily from heavy hardwood timbers like red gum or ironbark, with metal reinforcement on wear points.
Mechanism: Operated by a long wooden lever or screw press system, often turned by hand or with the assistance of horses or pulleys.
Bale Size: The press would compact the wool into a rectangular bale, often weighing between 120–200 kg (265–440 lbs).