Newspaper Article 1998 – Vintage machines at show

Vintage machines at show

By Brian Worthington

Two vintage machines drew a lot of attention at last week’s Royal Show in Hastings.

A 1922 Fordson F tractor and a 1911 Marshall steam-driven roller, both in running order and both with strong historic links to Napier, drew a lot of interest and nostalgia at the vintage tractor and machinery stand.

The Fordson tractor is under restoration by collector Wayne Clark of Havelock North. He is still trying to piece together its history.

“Historic photos of the Napier earthquake show a number of these rare industrial tractors working around damaged streets and buildings.

“I believe that two Napier companies of the day, Barry Brothers and transport operator F.J. King operated a number of these tractors.”

Manufactured by Ford in Michigan in the United States between 1917 and 1925, the tractors were very different from their agricultural counterparts.

They were fitted with solid steel, rubber-covered wheels and unlike agricultural tractors had a sprung front axle.

Originally the tractor would have been fitted with trembler coil electrics, similar to the famous Model-T, and had a generator on the flywheel.

“The generator was used to power side lights, but on this system was converted to a magneto which makes it unique,” Mr Clark said.

The tractor was discovered sitting in the Napier yard of transport operator S. W. Jones about three months ago.

A long-time collector of Fordson tractors, Mr Clark had always wanted an industrial model which were not common.

“I has always assumed they had all gone to the scrapyard and I couldn’t believe my luck when Alan Jones gave me this one and was happy for me to restore it.”

Restoring the tractor is a huge task, Mr Clark said. “The whole thing was covered in a thick layer of paint, which I have stripped back.

“The engine was seized, but I managed to free that up and get it running. The next stage is to research and restore the paintwork in the livery of the original owner, F. J. King.”

Mr Clark’s love for old tractors started at primary school.

“I guess the main catalyst was my long time dream to own a working traction engine.

“I have achieved that goal and have a working engine that I am very proud of, but this little tractor with its local history is a bonus for me and something very special.”

‘I had always assumed they had all gone to the scrapyard and I couldn’t believe my luck when Alan Jones gave me this one and was happy for me to restore it’

The Marshall steam roller worked for the Napier City Council from 1911 until 1962.

However, the machine’s working life got off to a rather shaky start, according to its owner Steve McClure of Wanganui.

Old newspaper clippings show the roller was bought by the council for about £500.

The 10-tonne monster was ordered from Britain by Napier stock, station and machinery agents, Murray Roberts and shipped to Napier in three pieces.

It was assembled on the wharf by Nivens and that was when things went slightly wrong, Mr McClure said.

“Fitted with a more powerful engine for negotiating the hills around the hospital area, Nivens prepared the machine for a demonstration to councillors of its climbing ability up Shakespeare Road.

“With everything in place, including the council delegation, the huge roller suddenly lumbered down the hill out of control, crashed into a wooden building causing severe damage and breaking a rear driving wheel.”

After a row with the council, Nivens agreed to foot the repair bill – the wheel was welded and is still on the roller today.

On retirement from service, the roller was put up for tender.

Bought for £20 by Bert Perfect and Len Watkins, it was towed back to Hastings for restoration.

Because of other projects, the roller was never restored and in 1980 Len Watkins gave the machine to Mr McClure on the condition that he restore it to working order.

The machine had been sitting in a shed in Avenue Road in Hastings and was in a pretty derelict condition, but Mr McClure had the machine running after three years hard work.

“The roller was basically complete. But we did a fair bit of work on the boiler and engine, replaced all the bearings, rings and a lot of brasswork.”

Mr McClure said of the 2500 rollers brought into New Zealand there are only 183 left and only 46 actually running.

Photo caption – A former Napier City Council steam-powered roller, restored by owner, Mr Steve McClure, Wanganui