> History Resource Centre
> Glass Negatives Collection
> Accreditation Program
> Community History Fund
> Advice and Training
v S.A. History Projects
   v Roads Through History
      > Road Making History
      > Heritage Objects
      > Restoration Projects
      > Men at Work
   > Sharing Their Legacy
   > SA Dry
> State History Conference
> History Matters Magazine
> Consultants and Designers
> S.A. Community History Directory

Grader – medium

Photograph courtesy TSA.

Restored by the Highways Department Northfield Depot Heritage Group during the 1980s, this medium size grader was used by the District Council of Hawker
in the mid-north of South Australia for almost 30 years. It is constructed entirely in steel and manufactured by Austin Manufacturing Co. Harvey. Illinois. USA, c1925. The grader is currently on display at Walkley Heights. Physical size is the defining factor in graders and this grader probably had a mass of no more than two tonne. Dimensions are 4.2 x 1.9 x 2.2 m.

Medium sized graders were used in maintenance work or light duties on gravel roads. It was possible to harness the two abreast horses to the front by chains alone as the equipment was so light there was minimal risk of the grader rolling into them.

Many of the road workers came from local farms. Working 9 to 5 during the day still gave them time to maintain their farms. Knowledge of working with animals was the most important requirement with horse powered equipment.

<< back to objects

Disclaimer, Copyright ©, History Trust of South Australia 2003
Currently viewing: http://www.history.sa.gov.au/chu/programs/sa_history/roads/objects/grader_medium_1925.htm
Comments or Questions to: staff@history.sa.gov.au