When I was growing up on our family farm near Dimboola, Victoria, Chamberlain tractors were being made at Welshpool in Western Australia, and as my dad had a 1954 Chamberlain Super 70DA, I took an interest in Chamberlain from an early age.

At that time, the Super 70DA was the most powerful tractor on wheels.

During the 1960s and 70s and even into the later years, spreading gypsum in rural areas was a common activity when working your farm, and the gypsum spreader contractor in our area owned Chamberlain tractors, which were used for front end loader and spreader work.

In the 1960s as a teenager, I had the job of driving a Chamberlain Countryman that was hooked up to a gypsum spreader, and the front end loader tractor was a Chamberlain Champion 9G. 

I also enjoyed driving my dad’s Super 70DA and, although a bit noisy, the Detroit GM motor had good pulling power. 

In later years I purchased a John Deere 4230 with a Sound Gard body which was like driving a luxury car compared to the Chamberlains of the day. Keeping the John Deere 4230 tractor for boom spraying and other such work, I realised that I needed a bigger horsepower tractor for the other jobs and bought a Case 2294, followed in later years by a front wheel assist Case International Magnum 7120. 

After my farming days were over, my wife and I moved to Bannockburn, from the Dimboola area, Victoria, but still having an interest in tractors and farm equipment, I started going to tractor pulls and tractor rallies, I saw many restored tractors and thought that maybe I should do this as a hobby. 

Having experience with machinery repairs, I thought about which tractor I should restore and decided on a Chamberlain Champion 306. I soon realised that searching for this Chamberlain was going to take some time, as I wanted to buy one in sound condition, rather that something in poorer condition which would then require more work.

Looking through the clearing sales, I saw a Chamberlain Champion 306 advertised, so I went along to check it out. At the auction, I was able to hear the Perkins 306 motor running and it was so smooth, so I put my hand up and was lucky enough to buy the tractor.

This Chamberlain 306 was in fair to good condition, mechanically and body wise and not in need of a full restoration. It did, however, require minor mechanical work and a good paint job. 

This tractor was a 1969 drawbar model which was the last of the orange tractors before John Deere took over Chamberlain, after which they were painted yellow. 

The lourve cabin had a lot of rust in the panels and not being a standard Chamberlain cabin, I decided to dump it – end of that problem. After a good clean down, I started by making two grab handles for mounting, like the original which had to be replaced due to the cabin being removed. I made new ones from steel rod which were then drilled and tapped out and screwed on with two studs.

There was also a malfunction with the low ratio gear – it would stick in low position. So after removing the seat and fuel tank, I opened up the inspection door and found the sliding shaft was compounded with rust due to condensation. By removing the rust and polishing the shaft, followed by plenty of lube, it worked like new.

The Perkins engine started and ran very well, and knowing the motor was not using oil, there was no point in dismantling it. After inspecting the water system, the water pump was replaced with a new one including a new thermostat. A new radiator with new mounts was fitted including all new hoses. 

Once the cabin had been removed, there was mainly only surface rust and minor rough patches to deal with. 

After fitting four new tyres and completing all the mechanical jobs, it was time to prepare the tractor for painting by first pressure cleaning. I decided to do the front half of tractor first, by starting on the engine. After the engine was primed, I chose the Chrysler Hemi Orange as the finishing colour for it as I wanted to have a different tone to the rest of the tractor which would be painted in Chamberlain Orange. The preparation work on the front body half consisted of using paint remover, electric wire brushing, and sanding, before priming the whole area. Then came the reward of applying the final coats of Chamberlain orange. 

Specifications

Year: 1969

Series: 1966-1969

Engine: Perkins Diesel, Model 6-306,
6 cylinder, 4 stroke
direct injection diesel

Horsepower: Engine - 70hp

PTO - 63hp

Drawbar - 57hp

Std Tyres: Front - 7.50x18
Rear - 18.4x30

The final touches of a new tailpipe to the muffler was fitted and the restoration of the front radiator grille before fitting it back on the tractor, saw the front half now complete.

Turning my attention to the back half, the bench seat was reupholstered and the fuel tank was flushed before taking off the rear wheels and the mudguards and removing the old paint. This was followed by more paint remover and scraping, and using body filler where needed. After some more sanding, it was on with the primer followed by coats of Chamberlain Orange and more sanding, before applying the final coats of Chamberlain Orange. 

Finally, new hydraulic hoses were fitted, the fuel tank was reinstalled, and the rear wheels were bolted on – the back half was now complete. 

I changed the engine oil and filter, and the fuel filters, and bled the fuel system, before starting the engine for the first time in its restoration process - it started almost immediately. 

It was time now to carefully apply the transfer names for the last part of the job. 

I am happy with the restoration of this tractor, and I think it was very worthy of the restoration as the tractor was Australian made. As for any more restorations in the pipe line - this remains to be seen.

*Wayne Mibus