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Crawler Tractor

Crawler tractors were used by the Highways Department from the 1930s to the 1950s, to tow many types of equipment including the Bratten ploughs.

The Caterpillar model 30, as for most tractors of this era, was originally hand cranked to start. Ignition was by magneto. Petrol was used until warm before swapping across to kerosene once operating temperature was reached. Kerosene was cheaper than petrol and commonly used as fuel for engines and tractors.

Weighing about four tonnes, with four cylinders and three forward and one reverse gears, the crawler tractor ran at approximately four km per hour. With a nominal 30 horse power available, they were most useful in pulling graders along tracks and for hauling heavy rollers to crush rocks. Drivers became specialised in using this type of equipment and were paid accordingly. Caterpillar tractors were produced in a bright yellow colour as opposed to the pale yellow colour that the Highways Department adopted for use on equipment after 1958. Previous to this all equipment was painted battle-ship grey.

A common local adaptation was adding canvas awning to provide some protection for drivers from the sun and rain.

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