From the early days of original European settlement, agricultural production has been a significant contributor to the national income. Certainly, gold mining had a period of prominence, and there was a time when it was commonly stated that Australia “rode on the sheeps’ back”. Currently, mineral exports are booming. However, from when James Ruse grew the first crop of wheat at the first settlement at Sydney Cove, the various agricultural cultivation advances have figured prominently in the fabric of national life.

To cultivate the land and harvest the crops, it was necessary to employ machines to deal with the large areas involved, and cope with the uncertainty of obtaining sufficient labour at critical times. Although much machinery was imported from overseas, the unique conditions applying within Australia prompted the emergence of local builders of dedicated designs, to meet this specific need. 

A prime example was Joseph H. Mellor, who had arrived in Adelaide aboard th