Ward & Dale Ploughmans Launch

[colinb]

Ploughing the old fashion way with 2 Steam Engines a line across the field and a plough be pulled forward and back.

 

All in aid of a book 'launch' about steam cultivating between 1876 - 1939

 

Dale:

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Riding the Plough:

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Ward:

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[Martyn]

Magnificent; a pair of Fowler ploughing engines!

[Paul]

Great series - but I do like the pressure gauge the best!

 

Paul.

[annie]

A lovely set of these wonderful old machines Colin.

 

Thank God for all the enthusiast guys that keep these up and running. Always a pleasure to see these machines.

[ChrisLumix]

Lovely set of pictures Colin, but was that really the traditional way of ploughing? How many farmers could afford a pair of those monsters?

[Martyn]

Lovely set of pictures Colin, but was that really the traditional way of ploughing? How many farmers could afford a pair of those monsters?

 

Farmers didn't usually buy them for themselves. They were mostly used by travelling contractors who would come for a fee and plough all the land in the area. A lot were exported all over the world where vast expanses of land could be turned over much quicker than by the horse. This was the beginning of the industrial revolution.

[Denis]

Ahhh..the Fowler system or winch ploughing!  wonderful to see, great pics Colin

[Leon]

great shots, I remember seeing fred dibnah in Bolton on his steamy thing...

 

 

oh and not wanting to hijack your thread but look at this...

 

[Terry]

Great set Colin. Also like the pressure gauge

[colinb]

Lovely set of pictures Colin, but was that really the traditional way of ploughing? How many farmers could afford a pair of those monsters?

 

Chris - Martyn is correct in his reply and the book is mainly about the company based near Sleaford. During 1917 they had 24 sets of Fowler Steam Ploughing Tackle - the company continued up to 1939 when they could no longer compete against the introduction of the diesel tractor.

[FUJI]

Ive seen these at various Steam Rallies at different time...............wonderful machines.

Modern farmers do exactly the same as many of those in the past.......there is a Farm Contracting company close to us......the size and variety of the Tractors, Implements and Trailers that pass our house at great speed has to be seen to be believed.....including one huge tracked monster......never mind the latest in Combines.

I will have to take pics for comparison with these.......hardly any individual farmer could afford to own such stuff.

FUJI

[ChrisLumix]

Farmers didn't usually buy them for themselves. They were mostly used by travelling contractors who would come for a fee and plough all the land in the area. A lot were exported all over the world where vast expanses of land could be turned over much quicker than by the horse. This was the beginning of the industrial revolution.

 

Chris - Martyn is correct in his reply and the book is mainly about the company based near Sleaford. During 1917 they had 24 sets of Fowler Steam Ploughing Tackle - the company continued up to 1939 when they could no longer compete against the introduction of the diesel tractor.

 

Yes, that makes perfect sense. 

[NannyFerret]

Brilliant set.

I do love to see the old machinery.