Machinery tells story of farming history

Nathan Woodruff And Ian Plonges  TBW Newsgroup
BACK TO FORMER GLORY: Mil Lel Steam and Machinery Club members Nathan Woodruff and Ian Ploenges are both ready for this year's Mil Lel Agriculture and Horticulture Show. Mr Ploenges said this year's display had almost doubled and would include a wide range of stationary engines and machinery. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

Nathan Woodruff And Ian Plonges  TBW Newsgroup
BACK TO FORMER GLORY: Mil Lel Steam and Machinery Club members Nathan Woodruff and Ian Ploenges are both ready for this year’s Mil Lel Agriculture and Horticulture Show. Mr Ploenges said this year’s display had almost doubled and would include a wide range of stationary engines and machinery.
Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

HELD together by fencing wire as opposed to welded joints, Mil Lel Steam and Machinery Club’s youngest member Nathan Woodruff believes each historic stationary engine is unique.

Growing up in a family of history buffs, Mr Woodruff has been passionate about restoring vintage machinery since he was eight years old.

Gearing up for this weekend’s Mil Lel Agriculture and Horticulture Show, Mr Woodruff said the club was preparing to display a range of historic equipment.

Among the major features is a vintage Faneco Drag Saw, which will be part of a log-cutting exhibit.

“Although I am not completely sure on the saw’s history, I know it has stayed in the South East area its whole life,” Mr Woodruff said.

“I have done many restorations and a few from the ground up, but I was quite lucky with this one.

“I was doing work for a bloke and instead of paying the bill, he said to come and have a look in the back shed.”

Mr Woodruff said the saw had been sitting in storage for the past 30 years and did not need much restoration.

“It has had a few modifications to bring it into the modern world and keep it from ending up as scrap metal,” he said.

“It would have had steel wheels originally but it now has car tyres because they are easier to get and can be towed along with your tractor without it bouncing around everywhere.

“Most of the larger machinery has been kept alive by modifications.”

The club’s youngest member said the saw was unique because few remained in working order.

“Back in the day, you would take them out to the bush to cut longs into manageable lengths,” Mr Woodruff said.

“They still use them occasionally for redgum logs to chop firewood.

“They just putt along all day, slowly doing their job and while they are cutting the next ring, you can be splitting it up or dragging the wood out of the bush.”

On show day, Mr Woodruff said a 1.2 metre wide log would take around 10 minutes to cut.

“We will not be pushing it too hard to make a nice display of it but will try and portray it like it would have been done,” he said.

“I am looking forward to people coming and having a look as you never know who might recognise it.

“I love how I am able to have a conversation about a piece of machinery and learn further about its history.”

Mr Woodruff said he enjoyed the relative simplicity of stationary engines and machinery.

“I love how you do not have to plug them into a computer,” he said.

“You can look at them and see where farmers have made repairs to keep them going.

“The repairs are not factory standard but I think it adds character and personality. I try and maintain or recreate those stories.”

Club member Ian Ploenges said he was proud of Mr Woodruff for stepping up and becoming involved.

“Since we established we encouraged junior members to come and have a look at the exhibit which is exactly what Nathan did,” he said.

“I believe the log-cutting saw he restored would be close to one of the first mechanical saws made.

“Most people may have never seen one before.”

Mr Ploenges said this year’s display would include five steam-model traction engines along with an inch-and-a-half scale Allchin and three-inch scale Yorkshire Dredging engine.

There will also be a display of steam engines, hot-air engines and other freelance and handmade model engines.

“This year we will have a 2017 Australian champion V8 sand drag bike which is something a bit different,” he said.

“The engine and tractor exhibitors will feature a rare Allis-Chalmers Model G tractor, a large Tangye oil engine and I am expecting 20 or more tractors and an array of stationary engines.”

Other features include 32-volt lighting plants and belt-driven machinery, along with a static display of a vintage hay baler next to a modern day hay baler.

Covering 150 metres, the large display will be open to the public at the Mil Lel Show on Saturday at the Mil Lel Memorial Park.