Terrier rotary hoe
Object No. 2005/69/1
Howard Auto cultivators were extremely important in the development of horticulture and small scale farming in Australia. They were invented by Arthur Clifford Howard, in 1921, and were an Australian innovation. The first hand-operated machines with their own petrol engines were released in 1924. They were less bulky than large ploughing equipment so could be manoeuvred in fruit orchards and vineyards where all the cultivation had previously been done by hand. Rotary hoes are efficient because the power of the engine is applied directly in rotary form to the ploughing of the soil. The hoe blades help to move the machine over the ground and the speed at which they are operated regulates the depth to which the soil is cultivated. Advertising from 1952 claims that rotary tillage "prepares the perfect seedbed in the minimum number of operations...tackles the toughest weed growths with ease...provides the most thorough method of turning in green manure crops known...and leaves surface residue, such as wheat stubble on top of the soil to act as a protective, water-conserving, erosion-preventing cover." This particular rotary hoe was used by Leo Sommer, one of the first people in Australia to grow waratahs and NSW Christmas bush from seed. He did not grow wildflowers on a commercial basis until about 1995.
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Summary
Object Statement
Terrier rotary hoe, metal / rubber, made by Howard Auto-cultivators Ltd, Northmead, New South Wales, Australia, 1952-1960
Physical Description
Terrier rotary hoe, metal / rubber, Howard Auto-cultivators Ltd, Northmead, New South Wales, Australia, 1952-1960 The machine consists of two parts: a tractor unit which has a Howard Model L single cylinder, four stroke engine, two hard rubber tyres and two long handles. The rotary hoe component is detachable from the back of the tractor unit. The blades of the hoe are hidden underneath the rotor shield and shield extension which almost reaches the ground. The original orange paintwork is in good condition.
DIMENSIONS
Height
970 mm
Width
600 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
This machine was designed by Howard Auto-Cultivators Ltd. The machine was made by Howard Auto-cultivators Ltd, Windsor Road, Northmead, NSW, Australia. It was first released onto the market in 1952.
HISTORY
Notes
This machine was purchased by Leopold Sommer in the 1950s. He used it on his 10 acre hobby farm at Glenbrook, NSW which he purchased in 1939. Leo Sommer was a police officer, the licencing sergeant in Parramatta, and he lived in Parramatta. He cleared rocks and logs on his hobby farm, then used the rotary hoe to cultivate the soil. He was one of the first people in Australia to successfully grow waratahs (Telopea speciosissima) and NSW Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) from seed. Leo Sommer was the only person to own the rotary hoe. When he died his son, Don, offered it to the Museum.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Don Sommer, 2005
Acquisition Date
22 February 2005
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