Chamberlain tractors
| Industry | Tractor manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1949 |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Headquarters | , |
Chamberlain was a brand of tractors from Australia, produced initially by Chamberlain Industries Ltd.
History
[edit ]Origins
[edit ]During the 1930s, Bob Chamberlain – a tractor mechanic in Victoria – designed and built a prototype tractor, around what he believed farmers wanted and "suited to the large land holdings of Australian farmers..."[1] The prototype became the basis of the later 40K model tractor.
Factory in WA
[edit ]In the late 1940s, the Western Australian Government, having heard of Bob Chamberlain's plan to build tractors, persuaded his company to use an ex-munitions factory in Welshpool, Western Australia. The first tractors rolled off the production line in 1949.[1]
The first Chamberlain tractor produced was the model 40K, which had 40 horsepower (30 kW) twin-cylinder, horizontally-opposed, kerosene-powered engines. The 40K weighed about four tonnes and was considered to be ideal for the needs of Australian farmers.[2]
In 1953, Chamberlain started to produce diesel-powered tractors such as the GM diesel powered 60DA and later the 70DA, as well as the 55DA, which was powered by an Australian built diesel engine. A few years later, Chamberlain ceased the use of kerosene engines.
A Perkins diesel-powered model, the Champion, was introduced in 1955. In that same year, as a publicity stunt, Chamberlains entered a Champion in the around Australia Redex Trial as a rescue/recovery vehicle. That particular tractor became known as "Tail End Charlie".[2] The tractor in question was fitted with modified cab, bench seat and high speed gears (allowing it to reach speeds of up to 110 km/hour).[3] Initial attempts to enter the event were met with disbelief, and it was only officially recognised as a recovery vehicle for one leg of the trial. Tail-End Charlie is reputed to have completed one stage of the trial while towing as many as six other entrants that broke down on the way. In a subsequent trial, the authorities relented, and the Chamberlain machine completed the whole course.
In subsequent years, Chamberlain produced a range of larger tractors, also designed around broadacre farming in Australia.[4] These tractors are now popular for heritage tractor pulling contests, and feature their own national championships.[5]
Takeover by John Deere
[edit ]In 1970, the John Deere company purchased a controlling interest in Chamberlain.[2] During the 1980s, Chamberlain became a fully owned subsidiary of John Deere, and traded as Chamberlain John Deere.[1]
An expansion and refit of the Welshpool plant was undertaken in 1978. The Welshpool manufacturing site was redeveloped and a new office complex built in 1982. However, by 1986, due to a decline in demand, manufacturing at Welshpool ceased, along with use of the Chamberlain name.[1]
Legacy
[edit ]In October 2024, a 5:1 scale sculpture of a Chamberlain 40K was unveiled at Carnamah, Western Australia. The sculpture thus became one of Australia's " big things".[6]
Gallery
[edit ]Chamberlain tractors on display at the 2007 Perth Royal Show:
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Chamberlain Champion 6G
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Chamberlain Champion 6G
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Chamberlain 60 D.A.
References
[edit ]- ^ a b c d Australian History of the John Deere company
- ^ a b c "Tractors Down-Under". Yesterday's Tractors Forums. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Quick GR 2006 Australian tractors Indigenous tractors and self-propelled machines in rural Australia, Rosenberg Publishing, Australia. ISBN 9781877058394
- ^ "TractorData.com - Chamberlain farm tractors sorted by model". www.tractordata.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Corowa Tractor Pull » NSW Government". Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "World's biggest tractor sculpture unveiled as new Midwest WA icon". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
