Victoria Agricultural Implement Manufactory

History

THE INDUSTRIES OF BALLARAT. THE VICTORIA AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MANUFACTORY.

As with ironfounding, so with the manufacture of agricultural implements and machinery, this latter branch of industry owes its local habitation to the urgent demand of consumers, met more than half way by enterprising capitalists and handicraftsmen, who have taken advantage of heavy rates of carriage over sea and from the seaboard, and their knowledge of special local requirements, to establish an interest which nothing short of the grossest mismanagement can serve to depreciate or lessen in importance. The large agricultural population resident in the Western District have originated a manufacturing interest in Ballarat, which we are glad to say is well worthy of the confidence which has been reposed in it. Our agricultural implement makers, besides being always on the spot to repair damages sustained by machinery in action, and to make to order implements after any preconcieved pattern, are not imitators but originators, for they devote their time and skill to the study of local requirements and to the character of the soil, the result being the production of a class of implements which have immeasurable advantages over any imported. Among those who deserve most the distinction of having studied these local peculiarities to the best advantage of the farmer, and we are glad to say to his own inward satisfaction and pecuniary recompense, is Mr John Tynan, whose merits as a plough maker have received repeated recognition at all the principal agricultural shows held in the colony. Mr Tynan has exhibited seven times in Victoria, and on each occasion he received first prizes. On the only occasion he exhibited in Melbourne, viz. in 1853, he received the gold medal, and on the only occasion in Geelong, viz. in 1861, the silver medal. In 1859 and 1860, when he exhibited his swing plough at the yards of the Ballarat Agricultural Society, he received the silver medal, and at the same place in 1861 accepted cash in the place of the medal. Mr Tynan has also received first prizes at the shows held at Bacchus Marsh and Clunes. As an indication of the serviceable character of these ploughs, and the esteem in which they are held by the farming community, it may not be amiss to record the fact that they have on thirty-three different occasions, at ploughing matches held at and around Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Colac, Skipton, Melton & c., gained prizes, and this in the face of a prediction by the agricultural writer for the Argus, that the plough exhibited at the Melbourne Show would, however well constructed, not stand the test of the field. The improvements which Mr Tynan has introduced in the manufacture of the plough, consists chiefly in modifications in the wrought-iron mould-board, and relieving the plough from undue strain and liability to breakage while in traction. The plough now standing in Mr Tynan’s show room, was to have been sent to the London Exhibition by the Ballarat Agricultural Society had time served. As matters have turned out, the plough remains with us, an example of what can be done in Ballarat in the way of first-class ironwork. We can readily believe the manufacturer when he states that hitherto he has scarcely been able to do more than supply the local demand, but now that he has nearly completed material enlargements to his premises, he expects to be able to supply demands which are reaching him even from the Melbourne district. The ploughs are in every particular finished on the premises. The details are examined by the proprietor, and are at last put together under his particular supervision. Mr Tynan also undertakes the manufacture of mining implements, boring apparatus, &c. Mr Tynan, whose first experiences as a plough manufacturer were acquired in Derry, Ireland, commenced business in Ballarat five years since, and two years and a half ago removed to the sire he now occupies in Sturt street, between Dawson and Doveton streets. His premises, which are probably the best constructed works in the town, were designed by and have been carried out under the superintendence of Mr H. R. Caselli. They mainly consist of one large and airy apartment, with brick walls, covered with a corrugated iron roof, well tied with rods of the same material. The internal measurements are forty feet by a depth of fifty feet, with an altitude almost as great. The lighting is effected at the top, and at the sides the ventilation is so well provided for, that in the hottest weather the temperature within the ship is singularly cool – a favorable condition worth something in this climate. We need not say that accidents by fire are an impossibility, as there is scarcely a particle of wood used about the building. Towards the street, is the show-room and office. In the former are placed the finished plough formerly alluded to, and portions of other ploughs in various stages of preparation. There is also a quantity of the best English scrap iron awaiting subjection to various processes. The main shop is fitted with five forges, adapted for either light or heavy work, all supplied with bellows, and two of them with double action patent circular bellows, the effect of which is scarcely inferior to the fan blast, and infinitely less expensive and cumbersome. These are each provided with a water cistern, for the purpose of keeping the nozzle cool under the influence of even the intensest heats. This shop likewise contains vice benches, turning lathes, boring apparatus, and other appliances connected with the business. Behind the main shop are situate a substantial brick furnace for bending the mould boards and heating tires; a commodious wheelwright’s workshop, racks for scrap and bar iron, a charcoal shed, cast iron blocks used for shaping the mould boards, and an array of miscellaneous objects more serviceable than capable of description. The back entrance to the premises open directly upon a right-of-way and obviates the inconvenience of unloading or packing on the public footway. The exterior of the premises towards Sturt street is of wood, of neat design, and displays two bays, one of which forms the show room, and is at night protected by an iron grill, which can be raised and lowered portcullis fashion. In drawing this rough notice to a conclusion, we may venture to express a hope that the success which has hitherto attended the efforts of Mr Tynan, and enabled him to engage the services of eleven assistants, may shortly be so enlarged that double that number shall scarcely be found sufficient for the conduct of his business.

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--Beth Kicinski 11:36, 30 December 2012 (EST)