Restoring a LA Case tractor has been the focus of the Quambatook Heritage Working Machinery Association’s members in time for the club’s annual Harvest Days to be held on January 27 and 28.

This tractor along with a UTS Twin City were given to the club last year by the Kelly brothers, of Quambatook. Manufactured by J.I. Case, the LA model was produced in the US state of Wisconsin between 1940 and 1953. 

The Case tractor’s petrol engine was “stuck” and couldn’t be moved because condensation had caused some rust in the cylinders and two pistons were stuck. 

Club member Ian “Darby” Munro oversaw the project and after removing the engine’s head was able to knock the offending pistons down and then up until free and the engine would turn over! 

Darby said: “I had two attempts at freeing the pistons; after the first go we towed it around, but it was still stuck. After we freed up the second one the tractor started on the starter-motor”! The tractor’s radiator has been cleaned out, the sump cleared of sludge and replaced with new oil and the only remaining jobs are to send the water pump away to be repaired and to fabricate a support (which is missing) for the seat.

Header

Club members have also been working to repair the unloading auger on a Horwood Bagshaw header. The header, purchased at Tom Pilkington’s clearing sale, was used last year to harvest a box-full of wheat but when it came to augering out the grain the unloading auger wouldn’t turn, and it was found that the bevel gears were stripped. New gears have proved to be difficult to find so parts from a Rodda side-trailer auger have been adapted to fit.

The QHWMA’s collection of tractors and harvesting machinery from a bygone era will be demonstrated in a heritage variety of wheat grown especially for the event, at the site in Meering Road Quambatook on January 27 and 28. 

Tractor Pull

A vintage tractor-pull will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday’s events will start at 8 a.m. with a free breakfast and followed by a Harvest Thanks giving service.

Outside entries of cars, trucks, tractors and stationery engines are welcome. 

There is ample shade, and the event is fully catered including a roast meal on Saturday evening.

For all enquiries, please ring Doug on 0427 346634 or Ian on 0427 571381.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 19 January 2024.