This early Australian tractor was real beast!
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fd%2Fd1%2FBig_Lizzie_Red_Cliffs_Victoria.jpg&hash=1037cca861831c52687593ec3e543c6caabffba8)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmuseumvictoria.com.au%2Fcollections%2Fitemimages%2F155%2F919%2F155919_large.jpg&hash=b023a8cf369fdb3d0774e230ba7c29d814af1a97)
'Big Lizzie': the largest tractor built in Australia with a 60 hp 8 ton, 215 rpm single cylinder Blackstone oil engine. The tractor unit: 34 ft long x 11 ft, weighing 45 tons and capable of carrying a 10 payload, 750 gallons of cooling water.
Turning radius - 200 feet, Complete train - 98 feet long
Four Forward Gears - 1/2 - 2 mph, Two reverse gears - 1/4 - 1/2 mph
Carrying capacity: 80 tons.
The odd-looking wheels were called "dreadnoughts" and were supposed to provide traction in sand or mud.
Here's a pic of one of the trailers, carrying two steam traction engines:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmuseumvictoria.com.au%2Fcollections%2Fitemimages%2F157%2F263%2F157263_large.jpg&hash=7ca1c59b18df50078aedfd5962e675d3199c6d65)
Ha, I remember playing on "Big Lizzie" (located in Mildura, in NW Victoria, Australia) back when I was a kid on holidays up there. Recall it as one of the ugliest things I've ever played on :) Imagine how big and scary those toes on the wheels appear when your still only 4' tall!
Thanks for the memory Ray :)
Cheers,
Dan