THERE are only 10 restored Marshall Colonial tractors left in the world. Thanks to the dedication and ingenuity of a Home Hill man, Tom Callow, one of the tractors has been brought back to life after lying abandoned on a property west of Hughenden for more than half a century.
The 4 cylinder Model F tractor will be one of two Marshalls on display at the 6th Queensland Heritage Rally, being held in Ayr from July 25 to July 27. The other rare tractor on show at the rally is a Model C 2 Cylinder single speed, thought to be the only one of its kind left in the world. It has been restored to 95 per cent of its original condition by members of the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists.
The rally will represent the culmination of years of hard work by the club members to bring these sturdy old tractors to life. Having two such rare tractors on public display will be a world first.
The second Marshall tractor began its restoration journey in the 1990s when Tom Callow and a few fellow enthusiasts from the Burdekin went to the Hughenden area to check reports of a Marshall tractor. Their first visit found the tractor in a sorry state, with parts spread across a one kilometre area. It had been pulled apart and the men were not too enthusiastic about collecting it. The engine crankcase had holes in it from a sledge hammer.
“After assessing the problems of restoration, a second visit was planned with the necessary lifting gear,” Tom said.
“The tractor was loaded onto trucks using methods from the early 1920s,” he said.
“The engine, while looking good from one side, had been vandalised. It was possible to look right through the crank case, and the sump had been removed and partly smashed.
“The tractor parts and wheels were taken to Hughenden and sent by rail to Ayr for storage.”
More thought was given to the situation and a third trip west was made to collect further parts for the tractor. Tom had heard whispers of a second Colonial tractor being in the Muttaburra area, so the men went west yet again. This time they found just about all the parts needed to make a full tractor.
Ten years passed by, with all the parts safely stored but no work being done. The tractors had lain abandoned for such a long time – another decade would not make much difference!
In 2010 Tom decided it was time to start restoring the Marshall.
“The wheels were put back in place and work began on the engine. A frame was made so the engine could be rolled upside down for repairs and reassembling.
“The holes in the crank case were repaired. The transmission box (forward and reverse gear) was gradually rebuilt.”
Tom was reusing some parts, and a deal was made with a collector from Tamworth to swap the large rear wheel drive cog for a variety of parts to complete the tractor. Tom found that the quality of Marshall’s castings made the welding of the crankcase a lot easier than anticipated.
With the engine crank case and sump complete, the engine mounted on the frame was taken to Ayr to Wassmuth & Son to rebuild the engine.
“It seemed everybody in Ayr got to know the engine was being repaired.
“Finally it was ready to start. The instruction book said how to do it but a contact in Canada who had the same tractor advised that this method only had a 10pc to 15pc chance of success.
“A starter motor was obtained and a friction drive onto the flywheel was used.
“The engine came to life after about 90 years of sleeping. The chassis, wheels, transmission engine have since been painted in the appropriate colours.”
Tom, who also has vintage cars, was able to obtain a magneto the same as the original through his contacts. The final items of restoration involve making a radiator, which consists of a series of copper tubes and a tank at the bottom. It is called a serpentine radiator. New mudguards and a fuel tank are under construction.
The excitement was high once the engine was refitted to the chassis and transmission was complete. A temporary cooling system was fitted and the tractor has now been officially moved five metres back and five metres forward. A great achievement considering its state when found in western Queensland all those years ago!
As a side note, the engine is like someone who likes more than one beer.
“This engine is fairly thirsty when running.
“I’m not sure how much petrol will be required for the Grand Parade each day at the rally, but the engine runs as good as a good port tastes.”
