Original story of the Mighty Double Header

This mini documentary tells the story of 'The Tractor', a custom 'double header' tractor combination built by 3 brothers in country Australia in the 1950's using single tractors. Would really value a 'subscribe' from you if you enjoyed the video! (Hoping to make more)
This tractor can be seen today at the Warracknabeal Argicultural museum in Victoria, Australia.
You can see the follow up video from 2018 here:
• When men built their o...

[@gfr2023]

necessity driven creativity have no limits !!!

[@MatthewPolack]

Is certainly a great reminder for us in lots of areas hey! Thanks!

[@bigredc222]

A lot of people can build custom cars and trucks and motorcycles, but to build something then work the hell out of it and it stays together is pretty special.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks C Smith, Dad said they really didn't have any troubles with it once it was built...used it up until around the early 1970's. It's funny....since viewing some of the comments here I've actually come to appreciate in a new way the level of engineering work they did...especially in an age before Mig Welders etc. Growing up as a kid, for me it was just another tractor in the shed....but I now really appreciate what they made.

[@bigredc222]

If a young engineer was asked to design something like that without a computer, smoke would come out of their ears from their brain being overloaded. Does your family still own the farm they worked?

[@MatthewPolack]

Just shared your comment with Dad...thanks! Some of the farm is still with family....another section where some of the filming took place has been sold. Anyway Dad is appreciative of your feedback..and says all the best to you in any of your pursuits!

[@interman7715]

Absolutely brilliant, thanks for the video.

[@MatthewPolack]

interman 77 Thanks for that... glad you enjoyed it... thanks for taking the time to comment... much appreciated.

[@Jagermonsta]

great video about a really interesting machine with genuine people - thanks!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Matt...there is a follow up video too if interested. Thank you for comment!

[@Jagermonsta]

@@MatthewPolack definitely!

[@darrowlinn7407]

There were quite a few tractors similar to that around West Memphis, Ar. Most were 900 or 930 Case standard ( Rice Tractors ) and these were driven from the front tractor. Many used a squarden hitch to pull two 12 or 13 foot disks. The land in this area is heavy gumbo.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Darrow...has been fascinating to hear the stories from all over the world of how creative farmers of that generation were able to build these machines. Not sure if you saw the follow up story here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJrdopqtdrqZeNU Thanks so much for comment!

[@outdoorvideos3825]

7:00 when you're so tough, you don't swat flies away

[@alfonzo907]

I'm like the rest of the comments , I am glad to see what a person can do when they are free to use their knowledge and abilities. You all are certainly gifted and not lazy at all.-------------Ernest E. Johnson

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Ernest for the kind words...glad you enjoyed the film.

[@alexhickey5633]

Pretty cool that he took 2 tractors, bodged them together, worked them and it still held up. Shows the skill the older generation had that the newer generations will never have

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Alex. I've just caught up with the guy who built one of the first versions in our district..he was a great engineer too...hopefully get the next video online soon with some info on him as well. Thanks!

[@Hitman-ds1ei]

Seen a tandem chamberlain in very early 70,s when I was a kid growing up in Central wheatbelt around Three Springs WA, was fascinated by it and dreamed about for years, real provoked my imagination, fifty years later I'm still fixing and making things with it still in my memory

[@michaelguerin56]

Just saw this video after watching the updated version. Good story.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Michael....yes that was the original. Thank you!

[@BrassLock]

Thanks for uploading this historic development, which might have inspired a farmer in WA, where I was employed on a student working holiday in the early 1970's. I believe the tractors were West Australian Chamberlains, connected together in a similar fashion, but the driver sat in the front unit and had to twist their body around partially each time they adjusted the rear engine throttle, a simple lever mounted on the rear's radiator, connected via a cable. I had to drive this combination at night, ploughing broad acres for wheat growing. There was no rev counter, I had to closely observe the tyre indentations on the ground to see which way they were breaking the sandy soil. If the front engine was too fast, the rear tyres on my unit would dig in slightly and show a broken tread pattern of flipped-over soil. If the rear engine was too fast, the rear tyres on my unit would show a tread pattern of marks pushed forward. When both engines were humming sweetly with no "beats" audible, and the tread pattern was clean, then you had it synchronised like a twin engine aircraft 😃

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Dav...thanks for your comments. I'll ask Dad whether they had any similar issues as you've described in terms of the sync between the front and rear tractor. The 'synchronised twin engine aircraft' certainly sounds sweet!

[@BrassLock]

😃 Thanks for your interest in my rather lengthy comment.

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Dav...just letting you know I did an update of this story here....thanks for your interest last time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYfOc4GuZbSsq7s

[@ianstewart-koster9982]

That out-of-synch 'beat' or 'waaw' is something to experience!

[@BrassLock]

@@MatthewPolack Thanks for the update Matthew, it was very interesting to get the extra details 😀.

[@billjones2629]

Thanks for posting this!

[@bobordewald1367]

I've seen this video a number of times simply because these fellows remind me of my brother and myself, over the years we have come up with many fixes because we couldn't afford to do it the accepted way - you know throw money at it, let others be smart for us - Thanks again for this video!

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Bob..thanks for the comments...glad you've enjoyed the video. I'm currently working on a follow up video where Dad gives a bit more detail...hopefully getting something online soon. There was certainly a whole generation that did what you've described...figure out a way to solve their own problems..using whatever was available...real ingenuity from many guys like yourself. Thanks Bob.

[@farmideas]

I've always had a fascination with one-off farming fixes and in 1992 started a publication based on them which is still in print Practical Farm Ideas. If you would like to share some of your ideas here's an invitation to get in touch www.farmideas.co.uk

[@dsquatchhowdoi7580]

What a great display of family working together and overcoming obstacles! Great job and I would love to see any more video you might have about this fantastic work of art and functionality!

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Doug, Thanks for the kind words. It has been amazing for us to see how many people are interested to see the video...we just made it initially for the local museum. If Uncle Clarrie was still here with us.....he would 'fall off his chair' to know 60,000+ people have heard him talk about the tractor! It has been really nice to hear such kinds words too/feedback about what they worked on...and it has been a thrill for us to share the story. I'm thinking about making a follow up video with Dad to get him to just show a bit more detail on the engineering side of things on the tractor itself...will try to get that done. Thanks.

[@stuffbywoody5497]

Matthew Polack , over 115,000 have viewed this video now. I'm wondering if you would know if the tractor is still being used somewhere. I thought I saw a comment about somewhere in Victoria, I'm in Healesville. I really want to go to see it. 'Old school tech and know-how' just can't be beaten. I knew a bloke that served in WW2 in the Philippines or somewhere similar. Him and his buddies build a dozer out of an old tractor and some other 'bits and pieces' so they could 'get the job done' and clear some roads for transport. A bit harder with all the computerized rubbish today.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Woody...the video had quite a spike the other day...about 30,000 in a day..which was quite a surprise....maybe someone posted a link somewhere...anywhere is quite touching that people are interested in the story of what Dad and his brothers made. You can see the tractor at the Wheatlands Agricultural machinery museum in Warracknabeal...let us know if you go to see it and what you think. I'm hoping to drop back in soon too with Dad for a follow up video where he can do a little bit more explaining the specifics of what they did. That dozer sounds interesting too! People were certainly very resourceful back at that time making do with what they had. Thanks!

[@Wedget]

Wow, talk about Aussie ingenuity and way back in 1959, no specialised equipment like today or social media for advice, hats off to you Aussie blokes.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for the kind words Wedge...it certainly was a different era...a lot of great 'back yard' engineering. Thanks!

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Very cool tractor- well engineered. Congratulations to these inventors.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Jeffry...Dad reads these comments....appreciates them all. Thanks.

[@papaddeanbovee186]

Great Idea,it shows what can do.

[@ilycordova1371]

wow thanks for the video - takes me back to my early years in the mid west of western australia - great memories

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Ian!

[@oldoldpilgrim1885]

Great job and since you obviously made a living dispite all of those rocks, that's even more amazing. :-)

[@MatthewPolack]

They did well...their main farm was really the productive one in the Wimmera...this one was a bit more experimental...but still a good challenge! Thanks for comment!

[@desbravador_82]

this guys are awesome! thanks for sharing!

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Eduardo. Thanks so much for the comments on the videos.. Really appreciate that. All the best to you at this unique time in history now too. I've been thinking a lot about Dad and how their generation worked their way through things like the Great Depression and World War II. We have a lot to learn from them! Thanks.

[@rogerw2101]

that is one Awesome tractor. My hats off to you fellow s for building what you needed to get the job done. I farm in Northwestern Wisconsin . And the land that my Kin Folks homestead is heavy clay ground. And some is Very wet. I wanted to build my own 4 wheel drive tractor but never got it done. I did how ever buy one. I have a White 4-150 . It has a 3208 cat engine with two 2155 Oliver tractor rear ends. It has duals all around it 3pt and 1000 PTO . It has all the power I need with what I have to hook to it . I have a 22 foot International 490 disk. A International 710 6 ×18 " Bottoms onland hitch . And a 36 foot Glenco field cultivator . The rest of my tractors are Allis Chalmers , I have 4 190xt s. Three diesels and one gas. A 400 farmall diesel and a WD 45 Allis Chalmers. I have a few old WC Allis Chalmers and saw one that was made in to a 4 wheel drive with a 350 Chevy with a 350 turbo tranny and a 205 gear drive transfer case. they put a all hydraulic loader on it . I was a very cool looking rig. if I can get photo s of it. I try to post them . But again. I like your tractor. It sure looks nice. Good Job Gentlemen. AtaBoy !

[@306champion]

I was only a kid back then but I remember well what the Aussie Cockie could come up with to handle the job at hand. I remember Klord Jouson of Mystic Park in the Mallee. He had two Twin Cities coupled together, both had 354 Perkins conversions and pulled three twenty eight run combines. We need more blokes like this to see the country go ahead.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for the post! Will have to ask around here to see if any saw this one...not too far from here. Thanks!

[@theklrdudeoo9173]

holy crap , i thought i had rocks on my place !

[@dozer1642]

theklrdude oo, I about crapped! That’s not a field, it’s a quarry!

[@MatthewPolack]

They certainly enjoyed a challenge!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for kind comment..please check back soon or sub...as I'm just putting the final edit into the update...has been a long time coming...but nearly done! Thanks.

[@bluefalcon1952]

Fantastic job gentlemen!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Ronald...has been great to have people take an interest.

[@MFKR696]

Nostalgia just ain't what it used to be.

[@MatthewPolack]

Is good to reflect on another era hey..thank you.

[@MFKR696]

I get what you're saying, but reflecting on this era is depressing for me. Things were so much simpler then, and things are so much more difficult for the later generations. Sure, you could say that "Social Progress" was more than somewhat lacking back then, but it was so much easier to make a living and keep it. "I keep hearing my father talking about "the Golden Days" and I can't help but think "Why don't I get any "Golden Days? Did I do something wrong?"

[@MsJinkerson]

I love that design two tractors together

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for comment!

[@MrMopar413]

Eddie Wagner and Claude Butler would be impressed with that setup.

[@kobelcofan]

Guys like this are way smarter in my opinion than any teacher or professor. They actually know how to go out and solve problems.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks +MiJak123 it just goes to show you've got the 'intellect' of the academics...but then there is this very practical type of intelligence too..in a sense this tractor was certainly like a PHD.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Outstanding!!👍👍👍

[@francisshook1427]

I kept seeing this pop up in my feed, then realized those were L tractors hitched in tandem. The paint threw me looked like a pair of 500s at first glance. WELL DONE, the mother of invention was named Need.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Francis...appreciate the comment! I'm very close to releasing an update to this video...just chasing up a couple final interviews and it will be finished. We've also tracked down the farmer who built the version they went and first saw with Massey Ferguson tractors...he is still alive....so hoping to get an interview and see these too. Thanks!

[@francisshook1427]

@@MatthewPolack we have many versions on the states, most times they tie big 2 cylinder deere diesels. There is a deere 830 tripple that is making demonstration pulls. Very powerfull setup. Thanks for the video. Maybe some day I will visit the great land down under

[@davidfarney904]

Back when men forged something and didn't worry if some individual stopping and questioning your sanity, very cool

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks David...certainly was a different era! As mentioned in another comment I've just about finished a 2018 version of the video which features more footage from those years..and morespecific detail from Dad...as well as some info on the original double tractor they mention seeing first. Hoping to get it online soon. Thanks for your comment.

[@tractorman4461]

I've always been intrigued by home built tandem tractors. Your Pa and his brothers were definately on the 'cutting edge' of the tandem and 4wd/FWA tractors of today. I too grew up in the blacksmith shop alongside my dad and an uncle making repairs and building things for the farm....but everything we did pales by description when compared to your dad's accomplishment with this awesome machine. Try to preserve as many of his personal memories of the old days while you have the opportunity. I missed my chance and is one major regret. Thank you sir for the video !!!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Tractorman44 for the kind words....much appreciated. I've interviewed Dad a bit over the years..so have a fair bit of footage of stories. What helped make this video was the fact we had the old 16mm footage...which really helped. I also filmed the 'newer' footage quite a few years ago on Video 8 while Uncle Clarrie was alive and could drive the tractor. I'm so glad now we took the time to make this video...at the time there wasn't a 'KZbin'...so never even realised we'd be able to share the story with so many people! Thanks!

[@TheDuckumz]

Great video man!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks! Appreciate the comment:)

[@stacyp4534]

Some people don’t have the luxury of farming in perfect dirt. Some people have to be real farmers and do the best they can with what they have to work with. So all you rock commenters could learn something from these guys.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for comment Stacy. This particular farm they had was almost a 'side project'.. They loved the challenge... And hence coming up with a unique solution.. They later decided to sell it and focus back on their main farming region in the Wimmera which is one of the most productive cereal cropping areas in Australia... Dad says they sometimes wondered if it was the right decision to try this side farm.. But they reflected it was an enjoyable thing to do just for that challenge and a new project. Thank you for your interest and taking the time to comment Stacy.

[@stacyp4534]

Matthew Polack yeah I just get tired of the trolls. Some people can’t say anything decent just negative comments. It’s usually the people that know the least bout what their talking about too.

[@alm7707]

I've seen a few of these tractors through the years. Play this video at 1.75 speed. These old tractors really moved!! (Guys talked a lot faster too!)

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks mate...in the second video I have over cranked the speed a bit too

[@briant3403]

ya i have seen alot of footage of this on the internet, very cool

[@murraystewartj]

This is the attitude we need more of - got a problem, build a bloody solution. It's called resourcefulness, something that will become apparent for its rarity should our connected computer society crash on us. Also reminds me of a joke my Mum used to tell (she was raised on a 1930s croft in the northeast of Scotland) about the ranch wife in the outback who knit a stove out of steel wool. Never doubt the determination and skill of a rural Aussi!

[@MatthewPolack]

Too right. Still today Dad doesn't throw things out.. Because he's always thinking of something else it could be used for! I often think the same thing.. What will happen if all our tech falls over.. Will we be able to show the same resourcefulness? Hopefully!

[@alcampbell6832]

The music sound like a combination of military and a John Wayne movie. Really cool machine. Looks like it's powerful enough to move Australia.

[@MatthewPolack]

Certainly was a solid unit! On the music side...early Adobe Premiere editors will recognise it from the bundled tracks...seemed fitting backing for a bit of drama! Thanks.

[@stuartwatson3178]

nice to see the aussie tradition still alive n well!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Stuart:)

[@patrickschneider6174]

Aussie know-how at its finest - great to see! That is nothing short of fantastic. What an example of "Betting on your capability". Several have done the same thing since with various other machines, but were there, other than that one you said you heard about, any others that precede this phenomenal effort? Can you tell me what the rotary rake implement is? A Darf wheel-rake as another fellow describes it. I've never seen one, what is it used for? Did you say you removed the differentials from both power-trains? I'm also surprised you weren't using normal lug-treaded tractor tyres. Can you please tell us when you retired the tractors? Did you encounter any problems with reliability, or find you had to strengthen any of your modification work? I still reckon that's the best and certainly the most robust example of "Gum-tree Engineering" I've seen. Hats off to you all! The Chev truck deserves recognition too! I will try to see it while it's still on display. Nevertheless, ensure that it is preserved - it's a one-of-a-kind!

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Patrick. Thanks for all the encouragement and questions etc! My Dad, Les is still alive...in his 90's and still enjoys sharing about how they engineered this tractor combination...is intrigued to see the number of people interested in the video. Clarrie, the other brother in this video died a couple of years ago...but it is great to have his story captured...he certainly was a great and talented 'bush' engineer. I asked my Dad some of the questions. They had seen in the local town of Dimboola an example of two Massey Ferguson tractors built together which was a great inspiration to work on their version using Case tractors. The Rotary Rake is an Australian Horwood Bagshaw Stump Rake....it was suited to the rough stony ground. He also said they used a 2 or 3 tonne International truck, got rid of the differential...and then used the tubular axle welded to a 'Timkin' tapered bearing to create the oscillating joint between the front and back tractors. Regarding the tyres, they were worn tyres from a World War 2 Bomber, Dad thought a Liberator. They were encouraged to use them because of the heavier ply these had than standard tyres (18 ply?) As Clarrie said in the video they probably would have been better off with standard tyres because they'd spin on the sand. Anyway thanks for the questions....it's great to be able to share the story. Thanks so much for your comments. PS Having the original 16mm film also really helped to tell the story...and used a few tricks like scrunched plastic to simulate welding sound effects!

[@patrickschneider6174]

Hello Matthew, It's great to hear Les is still with - he's doing well at such a fine age. You can hear so much pride and enthusiasm in his voice on the video! Although it is also sad to hear Clarrie has passed away, he will nevertheless also be remembered for his innovation and capability in this preserved piece of Aussie history. It's interesting the machine they heard about was done with two MF tractors. We always had MFs while I was growing up - I still have two of them - a 35 and a 135. Do you know what model were used in the other project - I'd expect at least two 65s? Also, has is been preserves as well? Again, many thanks Matthew for the time and effort you've put into this video for us to watch - it's a look into the past at something truly notable and indeed unusual and unique. Remember, there are a lot more tractor and machinery enthusiasts in this world than you would think! Are you one of us too? Cheers and Hats Off on a job well done.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Patrick again for your feedback. I just shared the comments with Dad....he is very appreciative! He says the original tractor that they'd seen is also still in existence in Dimboola....we'll do some research on the exact model. Dad is glad too we made the video to capture it for history...is great to be able to share it with so many other tractor and machinery enthusiasts like yourself! Thanks Patrick...have you ever been to Warracknabeal in Victoria to see this tractor and the other machinery there?

[@patrickschneider6174]

Matthew, Thanks mate for finding that for us all - it's greatly appreciated. I haven't been lucky enough to visit and see this machine yet, but along with a few others, this collection is among the top few on my "Bucket List" and I need to start on these things. Cheers, thanks again to you and your Dad .... have a beer with him for me.

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Patrick...just letting you know I've since found out about the guy in Dimboola who had the first version with the Massey Tractors...apparently he is still alive...so am hoping to catch up with him and get a bit more info on his version...

[@user-tr4op2fm7v]

Awesome!!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for comment!

[@MarlHellbringer]

What is the big red and yellow implement they are pulling with it. It looks like something you would windrow hay with.

[@Mladjasmilic]

How did they change gear on front one?

[@gregabernathy6249]

That's awesome! Nice job Aussies!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Greg!

[@baltsosser]

That is a good looking tractor.

[@MatthewPolack]

They did well hey Aaron!

[@1950harleycharley]

Hi Matthew....I was wondering if your dad was still living! It is men like him and his brothers that brought the world up to speed in farm implements and ingenuity. What the human mind can achieve out of necessity is nothing short of amazing! I suppose that tractor still runs? Is that similar to the "Double-butt" tractors others have built? When that tractor your dad and brother built, nothing close to it was available at that time. Still don't see something like that used much today. I am sure it was leading edge technology for its time! And maybe today!!!

[@MatthewPolack]

harleycharley Thanks so much for kind words harleycharley. Yes Dad is still alive..he's the last of the 3 brothers now and in his 90's. I'm actually working on a follow up video where he gives a bit more detail about the tractor. It is currently on display in a museum..I'm not sure whether they still try to start it..should still run fine..is well looked after. I'm not sure about the double butt tractor you refer to..will research that. Anyway thank you..hopefully will get the next video up soon. Will pass on your words to Dad..he'll probably read this himself:) Thanks!

[@dougschmitii6165]

I'm looking forward to the follow up video! Great video and your dad and uncle's were true farmers. If it wasn't available, then build it!

[@13bravoredleg18]

The original dirt pan!👍

[@mcconn746]

Impressive

[@209lapko]

Brilliant!!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for comment..glad you enjoyed the story!

[@RealJeep]

There's one of these sitting at the Florida Flywheelers property in Fort Meade, FL.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for that..what tractors have they put together on that one?

[@RealJeep]

@@MatthewPolack I'm not 100% sure but I thought it may have been a Case. It's not restored and I didn't pay it much mind. You may be able to email them and ask who owns it.

[@MatthewPolack]

@@RealJeep Thanks! It's interesting how all over the world various farmers were trying this! Thanks!

[@nadavbloch7308]

Great tractor great movie

[@georgeisaak5321]

I can see the benefit from using it from engineering perspective but in the video at least it didn't seem to be doing much , in fact if the tractor was suppose to clean the field from rocks it didn't do much . Cool idea , great potential to it overall

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks George..they did find it could handle those rough conditions better than the Crawler and conventional tractors..tractors like these were also really a forerunner to the modern articulated tractors of today...but manufactured by the farmers themselves. Thanks for comment!

[@robertbatterham9617]

I have seen several tandem tractor sets here in Australia but none now for many years as good front wheel assist tractors have taken over. Couple of comments, someone asked about electric staters. Case L tractors did not have then until late 1938. Second unless the videos were speeded up, I could not see how the tractors were going so fast. Case L tractors only had three gears and top speed was a bit over 5mph or 9kph

[@descent815]

The music reminds me of back to the future.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks! Was an old track they used to bundle with a now ancient version of Adobe Premiere...but gave it a bit of that 'big country' feel! Thanks for the comment:)

[@neonlimitless9328]

Thanks for sharing this great video Matthew, and what other machines did they use on the farm?

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Neon..thanks for that...I might actually do a follow up video with Dad going over some of the other machinery they used...this tractor combination was probably the most unique element..but will need to check with him for more detail on the specifics of other equipment. Thanks!

[@ldwithrow08]

How did you synchronize the drive trains? I suppose they could run separately but gear shifting would be a real pain.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for the comment Lawrence. I just clarified with Dad...they would simply put both front and back tractors in a matching gear..(depending on what was required).and then using the wet clutch take off....I've got a follow up video I'm working on right now where Dad describes this...hopefully get it online soon! Thanks for your interest.

[@shorm1679]

this video broke my speakers on my laptop please watch this at a low volume so you dont blow them up

[@loopi222]

1:20, that's a smile!

[@MatthewPolack]

molly maul Thanks Molly...appreciate your time to comment...thank you.

[@outdoorking69]

hats off to these guy's

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Pete!

[@ryanhamstra49]

And here people of my generation are complaining because they only work part time and can’t afford a brand new car and think it should be given to them

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Ryan for comment. To this day Dad still is frugal and wanting to make the most of what he already has..let's fix what we have rather than just buying something new! Certainly a great lesson for our age of consumerism!

[@cletrac12c72]

I have one of those Darf wheelrakes.

[@MatthewPolack]

The ones here must be a similar Australian version...Horwood Bagshaw Stump rakes

[@cletrac12c72]

Yes thats the same company, they were located in South Carolina here in the U.S.

[@benclark1102]

What crop would they be raising?

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi Ben and Ulrike. I asked Dad and you're right Ulrike...it was a range of grasses for cattle feed..Lucerne, Clover, various types...he can't remember exactly...wasn't really good cropping country. Back on the main farm they grew the main cereal crops of Wheat and Barley.

[@robertqueberg4612]

First off, a very fine job. Secondly, how many pints did you guys consume during the “engineering phase” of this project? Having grown up on a farm where you fixed or built it, or did without, helped me as a toolmaker later in life. Too many of these dreams never get past the, “Ah hell, it probably won’t work anyway.” stage. Fear of failure and fear of success, walk hand in hand on the road of life. I thank you for filming this great project.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for the kind words Robert...much appreciated. Yes Dad and his brothers did a great job at actually turning an idea into a reality. I'm just in the process of finishing an updated video on this story where Dad goes into a bit more detail of the various parts of the engineering. Let me know if there is anything particular you'd like to know and I might be able to include it in the update. Thank you!

[@TheMetalButcher]

Were these fellas farming rocks?

[@MatthewPolack]

lol...that gave me a good laugh....sure looks like it in places...Dad often reflected it probably wasn't the ideal country to farm...but they enjoyed the challenge. Thanks!

[@mikecheeseman97]

You'll perhaps remember the John Doe tractor exactly the same thing except for the tractor units were ford's not sure what model but very very powerful used to pull a I believe that it was a 12 bladed plough amongst other it was the only machine that could cope with the heavy land.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Mike..I'll ask Dad if he remembers those. Thanks.

[@bogiewheelman71]

looks like it was Armstrong steering coming out of the shed . Hope that got improved .

[@MatthewPolack]

Dad chuckles and says there is no way he could pull that tractor around now like he did in the video! He was actually just doing this so they could get it into the shed to fit the hydraulic steering.

[@JanYi2023]

great

[@42lookc]

Case L tractors aren't 80 hp. They tested at 47 hp at Nebraska. But the articulated tandem tractor is very, very well done.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for that info...I'll mention that to Dad. I've been investigating the serial numbers to get the exact years of the Tractors...with the Internet we can find that out better than what they probably could easily do at the time. Just about to release the next video with more info once I finish a final interview. Thank you.

[@thano8499]

Back when doctors didn't wash their hands, safety features were optional and you were lucky to survive childhood. What a time to be alive, if you were lucky enough to make it to adulthood. Then we had the industrial revolution. Though the title is a bit deceptive, it's more of a home modification of a factory built item. Some people still do such things. Ingenuity is far, far from dead in these times. Just because it's gone behind the scenes a bit, doesn't mean it doesn't still exist. Give it a decade or two, soon almost all NA labour jobs will be gone to automation. Then only jobs of ingenuity and creativity will be left. Only the ones who design and prototype the machines, software and create the ideas will remain. Unskilled labour's days are numbered.

[@abbush2921]

Handsome is , as handsome does . God they are tough no leather jerkins while welding ! Short sleeve shirt !

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks ab....they certainly weren't big on the safety aspects! The one Dad mentions the most is the lack of ear muffs..or cabins...they considered it a bit weak for blokes to have those things....to be fair though he hasn't had the greatest hearing as he got older...so with hindsight now sees the wisdom! Thanks for comment. When I told Dad this he told me the story of another adventure they had where they used a Carbite Generator an oxy cylinder and then put acetelane gas into a 44 gallon drum to make it blow up...instead it built back up in the Generator itself...and blew the top off! One bloke lost his hearing for a while after that...and they were lucky to all walk away in one piece....to anyone reading this...he would recommend you don't try this at home!

[@adelaideinvigilation5230]

Where in South Australia did the brothers farm?

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi...thanks for your interest, they farmed down the South East of South Australia near Kingston. It wasn't their main farm...which was at Katyil in Western Victoria. The Kingston farm was a lot rougher country as you can see in the video.

[@MatthewPolack]

Adelaide Invigilation Dad tells me the exact place was Kilira and the property was part of the old Bin Bin station.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Those Ford diffs had to be pretty tough then.

[@mateuszwalczuk4993]

Nice name😃

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks:)

[@mikebeeton4982]

That Australian"can do" attitude!!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Mike...they got it done:)

[@kalebcarroll3509]

What? He was able to put 2 tractors together but couldn’t add electric start? I’m kidding. Pretty cool looking beast of a machine there.

[@MatthewPolack]

Yeah what were they thinking;) It's the kind of challenge if the brothers were still young enough and read the comment...they'd probably actually do!

[@justadumbfarmer4744]

Looks like they were farming rocks.

[@MatthewPolack]

Certainly does...they realised it wasn't the best country..but enjoyed the challenge of developing the land!

[@revirucy1232]

161K views! uncle matt you're famous and we know you! the boys want to know- where is Jonty in this video?

[@MatthewPolack]

Hey there Jemimah Pants!! Thanks for reply....sorry for very late response! Jonty didn't quite make the video when we filmed it...but might have to try and get him into an upcoming video...need him to work on building his own Tractor Combination! Hope you all are going well! Love to the fam:)

[@ericlakota6512]

Im not a big farmer but is that a rake on dirt ?

[@lespolack9660]

Hi Eric. It was a Horwood Bag Shaw stump rake from South Australia. We used it to rake the stumps together to clear the land.

[@chrisnichols9830]

matt the key word here is MEN these old salts were MEN not any of the PC millennials of today! btw im 29 lol thanks for sharing respect from east tennessee!

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Chris...they certainly were from another era...being PC probably not a consideration..but certainly MEN with great hearts and character. Thanks for kind words!

[@chrisnichols9830]

no problem! Great harts and great character indeed. These guys reminded me of people who were close friends of mine past, that were of the greatest generation. My grandfather David Charles Nichols ww2 vet silver star pph 30th infantry 117th charlie, Ivan Vernon ww2 vet. Francis Barker ww2 vet, Hershal Griffith ww2 vet, All these guys came together to use what they knew for the greater good of people. Just like the guys you show here in this video. There is alot we as people can learn from them. In their life they went from horse and buggys to the internet and iphones. All in the while they seen the world around them change into something that was foreign to them. These people we called grandfather and grandmother and friends, cherish them guys because they really are special! These people are golden. Thank you matt for your video, it really took me back!

[@fullsendsonly4631]

chris nichols I'm 15 and I'm rarely on my phone during the day. I build things that come to mind and things I can afford to build because my family doesn't make very much money. right now I'm taking a 90s Murray riding lawn mower and making it faster and also making attachments like a plow for it. I make my money by mowing lawns in my town of 200 people.

[@leoncintron7810]

BemidjiRednecksDoingShit keep on keeping on young man, you will go far.

[@markissboi3583]

update vidja the chamblin twin tractor kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKiQi6Ghmr18bcU

[@1978garfield]

Had they seen the Doe tractor before building theirs? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doe_Triple-D

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for comment. I asked Dad about this another time after another comment...he hadn't heard of the DOE. in the follow up video I show a bit of the first one they saw locally....where reference is given to a double header in Power Farming magazine...maybe that was a DOE. The blokes in this era were all a pretty resourceful bunch!

[@philipperiopel1911]

Case reliabilty by far better than John Deer!

[@MatthewPolack]

They were keen on the Case tractors...they just worked best in their context too....with the wet clutch...

[@1965ace]

Mad Max farming version.

[@MatthewPolack]

lol..certainly a bit of that in there!

[@ami2evil]

Rough as guts...

[@joescheller6680]

looks like you should have invented a large rock picker first to put behind the double tractors

[@MatthewPolack]

Certainly was rocky country!

[@jimsvideos7201]

"Where the devil are you? We were supposed to get married today!" "Well there was these three Aussie blokes, and this tractor..."

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for the great comment! Gave me quite a laugh! Thanks..glad you enjoyed the film...better let you get back to that bride! :)

[@brada1997]

Absolutely amazing machine! I recall seeing an ad on a farm magazine when I was a kid on the early eighties that would sell you plans to do this with two Farmall M's. I thought it was the coolest. This is FAR neater. The engineering abilities of them old farmers never ceases to amaze me. Your dad and his brothers were something! It would be an honor to see the tractor and meet your dad on my next (long overdue) trip down under :-)

[@MatthewPolack]

Hi there Brad..thanks so much for the kind words! The brothers certainly did well! It's a shame Ivan and Clarrie aren't still around too to see how much interest people have taken. I'm actually working on a follow up video at the moment..I've interviewed Dad again with the tractor where he gives a lot more detail and takes a tour through the various parts. Will post a link here when I get it finished. Let us know if you come down to Australia sometime...I'm sure Dad would enjoy meeting someone who has seen the video from overseas! He just had his 94th birthday...and finds it quite fascinating when people come up to him and say 'I've seen the tractor video!'. Thanks Brad...appreciate you taking the time to write a comment!

[@OldDogNewTrick]

I ran into this interesting triple tractor a few years back at a pioneer museum near where I live. www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=76774906%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=triple&view_all=1

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for posting..amazing tractor...love the seating position!

[@rhigh100]

Were they rock farmers?

[@MatthewPolack]

Nothing like a few good rocks to test out your machinery!

[@keithmartin7831]

Why don't you all use a rock rake and clean up the rocks from the field? Aren't they terribly hard on your equipment?

[@maf421]

Good grief, they grew rocks on their farm.

[@MatthewPolack]

That particular farm certainly had some rocks! There main farm was prime farming land here in the Wimmera..next video should be out in a few days that shows some better country!

[@MrOlgrumpy]

Kill that irritating "music".let us hear the machine.Hats off to the builders,brothers thinking outside the box

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks mate..will take with music in future!

[@51WCDodge]

Ironic using Ford parts for the swivel. Ford ,supplied County in UK who also modifed the Dexta and Major series to double headears.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks! Probably a case of using whatever they could lay their hands on...to this day Dad is reluctant to throw anything out because of the potential for what it can be used for!

[@51WCDodge]

@@MatthewPolack Throw something away? Your Dad' my Dad and me would have fits! Of course you keep the odd bits of junk, that's how things are built and fixed. He sounds like a man I'd enjoy knowing..

[@georgewomack8260]

What about a great video and I guess this is a great video but that frigging music could have should have been somewhere else

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks George...sorry about the music...will keep that in mind for future vids!

[@keithmartin7831]

That intro music was Awful

[@Jc-hy7mt]

That’s such a copy of the Doe

[@MatthewPolack]

Conor Coleman Thanks Conor..hadn't heard of the doe..googled it...asked Dad.. He chuckled and said he'd never even heard of it..is going to look it up. Various farmers were experimenting in that era..they weren't the first to do this..but I can verify it was their own unique take...( in an age before Internet it probably wasn't even easy to see what else was happening in other parts of the world like uk)..but the whole period was one of innovation and trying new ideas. I've got another video coming where Dad takes us through more details. I just look with admiration at all the farmers of that generation across the world who were prepared to adapt, create, innovate, improve. We owe a lot to the farmers of that era. Thanks for watching and making us aware of the doe tractor..they didn't copy this...but the concept of creating a tandem tractor was out there as they mention in the video. Thanks

[@basstrammel1322]

Les Polack? Is that anti-semitism? No, sorry, just a bad joke. Great guy, infact, would love to listen to him all day.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Bass.....Dad can certainly tell a story....thanks for kind words.

[@aarontaylor6120]

Give these boys a cardboard box and they will drive it home .... Aussie farmer make it your own

[@MatthewPolack]

Certainly had to make the most of what they had. Thanks for comment!

[@bpccmath251calculusiihitch4]

Ah, yes, back when men were men. Great video! Thanks.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks for that...check back soon for the update...hopefully have it out in a few weeks.

[@weaponofmassconstruction1940]

I know, men nowadays just complain about how men are no longer men...

[@millennialredneck9838]

Midlife crisis lmao jk

[@briandolata3466]

take out the rocks for heavens sake what are these people thinking.

[@alexvanhorssen7914]

they were moving them with a simple but genious machine.