Summary
Photograph of prototype MF542 Harvester.
Part of a collection of photographs, moving film, artefacts, documents and trade literature relating to Massey Ferguson (Aust.) Ltd and its predecessors. The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay, at Ballarat, in the late 1880s, and by 1895 was operating as the Sunshine Harvester Works. After relocating to Braybrook Junction (later renamed 'Sunshine') on the western outskirts of Melbourne, during 1904-1907, the business rapidly developed into the largest agricultural implement works in the southern hemisphere. In 1930, H.V. McKay merged with the Australian operations of the Canadian firm, Massey Harris Ltd, of Toronto, becoming H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd. In 1955, this company was fully absorbed into the growing multinational corporation that became Massey Ferguson Ltd in 1958.
Description of Content
A man operating a MF542 prototype in a rice field. The header is fitted with crawler tracks and a North American open Front universal reel. The croplifters were made by a Griffith firm.
Physical Description
Black and white photograph
More Information
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Collection Names
Massey Ferguson Sunshine Collection (Deposit No.1), H.V. McKay Sunshine Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Massey Ferguson Iseki Australia Ltd, Before 2002
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Manufacturer of Item Depicted
Massey-Ferguson (Aust.) Ltd, Sunshine, Victoria, Australia, circa 1968
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Place & Date Depicted
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Individuals Identified
Howard Taylor
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Handwritten in pencil on back, '1967-68 ? / MF542 HEADER PROTOTYPE OPERATING IN / RICE. SHOWS HEADER OPERATING ON "TRACKS" AND FITTED / WITH NORTH AMERICAN OPEN FRONT UNIVERSAL REEL. / CROPLIFTERS WERE MADE BY A GRIFFITH (NSW) FIRM. / HOWARD TAYLOR IN DRIVING SEAT.'
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Model Name or Number
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Brand Names
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Object/Medium
Photograph
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Classification
Agriculture & rural life, Crop management - harvesting, Harvesters
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Photograph
215 mm (Width), 165 mm (Height)
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Keywords