Summary

A typewritten copy of a provisional patent specification submitted by Hugh Victor McKay, machinery merchant of Ballarat, Victoria, for 'Improvements in stripper harvesters', dated August 1899.

The specification outlines seven improvements: the improved construction of metal framing, improved method of winnowing and separating the grain, novel main driving gear, novel fan releasing gear, improved construction of screen for riddles, improved adjustable mesh cylindrical drake screen, and an improved gear for raising and lowering of the comb end of the body.

Part of a collection of photographs, negatives, moving film, artefacts, documents and trade literature belonging to the H. V. McKay Sunshine Collection. The McKay collection is regarded as one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in Australia. The collection relates to the agricultural manufacturing firm, the Sunshine Harvester Works. The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay in the 1890s in Ballarat. Between 1906 and 1907, McKay moved production to Sunshine where the firm became one of the largest industrial businesses in Australia. Change in ownership is a recurring theme in the company's history. In 1930, it merged with Massey-Harris to become H.V McKay Massey Harris. In the mid-1950s, the company was absorbed by Canadian agricultural firm Massey-Ferguson. Production in Sunshine ceased in the mid-1980s, following almost 100 years of manufacturing agricultural equipment.

Physical Description

Four light brown watermarked foolscap sheets of paper. Typewritten text in black ink. Purple ink stamp with text.

More Information