Tractor [Samson Sieve-Grip]
Maker and role
General Motors Company. Samson Sieve-Grip Tractor Company, Manufacturer
Samson Iron Works, Manufacturer
Production date
1903
1917
1919
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1964.6
Description
Samson Sieve-Grip tractor with 3 wheels on steel.
Transmission, No.S-30
Power take-off cover, No.S-18
Front of motor (timing housing), No.1920-B
Front timing cover, No.1945-B
Gear lever gate, No.S-56
Radiator top tank, No.S-190
Radiator sides (at top of each), No.S-192
Radiator mounting brackets, No.S-198
Transmission cross shaft housing, No.339
Axle bearing caps, No.S-8
Hub caps, No.S-3
Differential housing, No.S-11
Oil pump drive cap, No.855-B
Steering main pin housing, No.R-272
Steering gear housing, No.R-77
Oil gallery plug (left front of motor), No.1631
Back of motor (behind magneto), No.IP
(Unknown) No.12841.
The final number above is stamped on a flat machined portion of the crankcase and may be the engine number, but this is unknown.
Specifications
Type: Farm tractor
Model: Sieve-grip 10-25
Engine type: Benzine, 4-cylinder
Horse power: 10-25 HP
Gearbox: Manual, 1 forward gear, 1 reverse
Transmission, No.S-30
Power take-off cover, No.S-18
Front of motor (timing housing), No.1920-B
Front timing cover, No.1945-B
Gear lever gate, No.S-56
Radiator top tank, No.S-190
Radiator sides (at top of each), No.S-192
Radiator mounting brackets, No.S-198
Transmission cross shaft housing, No.339
Axle bearing caps, No.S-8
Hub caps, No.S-3
Differential housing, No.S-11
Oil pump drive cap, No.855-B
Steering main pin housing, No.R-272
Steering gear housing, No.R-77
Oil gallery plug (left front of motor), No.1631
Back of motor (behind magneto), No.IP
(Unknown) No.12841.
The final number above is stamped on a flat machined portion of the crankcase and may be the engine number, but this is unknown.
Specifications
Type: Farm tractor
Model: Sieve-grip 10-25
Engine type: Benzine, 4-cylinder
Horse power: 10-25 HP
Gearbox: Manual, 1 forward gear, 1 reverse
Brief History
Although tractors first appeared in New Zealand in 1909, farmers were unable to take up the new technology. Most tractors were American-made, and these were sent to Britain to assist with food production during World War I (1914-1918). The war had also led to a shortage of labour on farms in New Zealand and farmers looked to tractors to help keep up production here. Around 25 different makes of tractor were offered to New Zealanders between 1910 and 1919, but in 1919 there were still only 136 tractors in the country.
This tractor was one of those 136. The Samson Company made its first tractors in 1903, but was taken over by General Motors in 1917, and ceased production in 1922. The first tractors, like the Sieve-grip, had steel wheels. The Sieve-grip’s three wheels were designed to grip the ground, no matter how wet or rough it was, and were considered to be “cultivators in themselves.” Farm tractors were later fitted with rubber tyres. There are believed to be 82 Sieve-grips in the world, and 25 of those are in New Zealand.
This tractor was one of those 136. The Samson Company made its first tractors in 1903, but was taken over by General Motors in 1917, and ceased production in 1922. The first tractors, like the Sieve-grip, had steel wheels. The Sieve-grip’s three wheels were designed to grip the ground, no matter how wet or rough it was, and were considered to be “cultivators in themselves.” Farm tractors were later fitted with rubber tyres. There are believed to be 82 Sieve-grips in the world, and 25 of those are in New Zealand.
Media/Materials
Other name
Sieve-Grip
Collection
Credit Line
General Motors Company. Samson Sieve-Grip Tractor Company et al. 1903
1917
1919. Tractor [Samson Sieve-Grip], 1964.6. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
1917
1919. Tractor [Samson Sieve-Grip], 1964.6. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Related exhibitions
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.